Tower Crane Operator - Exam Information

Table of Contents

Self-Assessment

This tool can be used to reflect on your own experience and knowledge in the trade compared with what is on the exam.

Exam Breakdown

Each Red Seal exam's questions are developed to assess the activities laid out in the National Occupational Analysis. This trade's Red Seal exam has 100 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Block A - Common occupational skills - 13 questions
Task 1 Performs safety-related functions
7 questions
Task 2 Contributes to workplace organization
6 questions
Block B - Crane inspection and maintenance - 20 questions
Task 3 Performs pre-operational checks and regular inspections
10 questions
Task 4 Performs continual checks
7 questions
Task 5 Performs minor crane maintenance
3 questions
Block C - Crane set-up, hoisting calculations and lift planning - 21 questions
Task 6 Participates in tower crane assembly, disassembly and transportation
9 questions
Task 7 Plans lifts
12 questions
Block D - Rigging - 14 questions
Task 8 Inspects and maintains rigging equipment
5 questions
Task 9 Manages rigging
9 questions
Block E - Crane operations - 32 questions
Task 10 Performs pre-lift (warm-up) activities
6 questions
Task 11 Operates tower cranes
12 questions
Task 12 Climbs (raises) tower cranes
5 questions
Task 13 Performs specialty tower crane operations
5 questions
Task 14 Shuts down and secures tower cranes
4 questions

Types of Exam Questions

All Red Seal exam questions are written in multiple-choice format. A multiple-choice question consists of question followed by four possible responses (A, B, C, D). Every question has exactly one correct answer and three incorrect options. They are not misleading or trick questions, but the incorrect options are not always obvious.

There are three types of questions that you will see on Red Seal Exams:

  • Knowledge and Recall
  • Procedural and Application
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge and Recall

This type of question tests your ability to recall and understand definitions, facts and principles.

For this trade, between 45 and 55% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

What is the purpose of a slip ring?

  1. Prevents the turntable from slipping.
  2. Prevents loosening of turntable bolts.
  3. Allows the crane to slew freely without damaging the power supply.
  4. Allows height to be added to the crane without damage to the power supply.

Answer: C

Procedural and Application

This type of question tests your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a situation.

For this trade, between 25 and 35% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is the procedure to mount the climbing collars to the floor when preparing for a bottom-climbing procedure?

  1. Level, bolt, then grout the collars.
  2. Grout, bolt, then level the collars.
  3. Level, grout, then bolt the collars.
  4. Bolt, grout, then level the collars.

Answer: A

Critical Thinking

This type of question tests  your ability to interpret data, solve problems and arrive at valid conclusions.

For this trade, between 15 and 25% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

When lifting a heavy load at maximum radius, boom and tower deflection occurs. What is the result?

  1. The tower compresses and damages the turntable.
  2. Radius increases causing the load to swing out.
  3. A side load occurs and the boom fails.
  4. The crane tilts forward causing swing brakes to apply.

Answer: B

Try more sample questions for this trade and check out the Exam Preparation Guide. It will give you practical insights on what goes into Red Seal exams, and how you can best prepare yourself to do well.

For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.