Agricultural Equipment Technician - 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 Red Seal Occupational Standard. This trade's Red Seal exam has 125 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A – Performs common occupational skills - 6 questions
Task 1 - Performs safety-related functions
1 questions
Task 2 - Performs routine work practices
2 questions
Task 3 - Organizes work
1 questions
Task 4 - Uses and maintains tools and equipment
2 questions
Task 5 - Uses communication and mentoring techniques
0 questions
Major Work Activity B – Diagnoses and repairs engines and engine support systems - 18 questions
Task 6 - Diagnoses engine and engine support systems
11 questions
Task 7 - Repairs engine and engine support systems
7 questions
Major Work Activity C – Diagnoses and repairs drive trains - 16 questions
Task 8 - Diagnoses drive trains
9 questions
Task 9 - Repairs drive trains
7 questions
Major Work Activity D – Diagnoses and repairs hydraulic, hydrostatic and pneumatic systems - 22 questions
Task 10 - Diagnoses hydraulic, hydrostatic and pneumatic systems
13 questions
Task 11 - Repairs hydraulic, hydrostatic and pneumatic systems
9 questions
Major Work Activity E – Diagnoses and repairs electrical and electronic systems - 24 questions
Task 12 - Diagnoses electrical/electronic power and control monitoring systems
15 questions
Task 13 - Repairs electrical/electronic power and control monitoring systems
9 questions
Major Work Activity F – Diagnoses and repairs steering, brakes and suspensions - 13 questions
Task 14 - Diagnoses steering and brake systems
3 questions
Task 15 - Repairs steering and brake systems
4 questions
Task 16 - Diagnoses track, wheel and suspension systems
3 questions
Task 17 - Repairs track, wheel and suspension systems
3 questions
Major Work Activity G – Diagnoses and repairs structural components and operator stations - 8 questions
Task 18 - Diagnoses structural components
1 questions
Task 19 - Repairs structural components
2 questions
Task 20 - Diagnoses climate control systems
3 questions
Task 21 - Repairs climate control systems
2 questions
Major Work Activity H – Diagnoses and repairs agricultural equipment - 18 questions
Task 22 - Prepares agricultural equipment
2 questions
Task 23 - Diagnoses precision farming equipment
2 questions
Task 24 - Repairs precision farming equipment
1 questions
Task 25 - Diagnoses land preparation, tillage and seeding/planting equipment
2 questions
Task 26 - Repairs land preparation, tillage and seeding/planting equipment
2 questions
Task 27 - Diagnoses harvesting, hay and forage equipment
3 questions
Task 28 - Repairs harvesting, hay and forage equipment
2 questions
Task 29 - Diagnoses application and irrigation equipment
2 questions
Task 30 - Repairs application and irrigation equipment
2 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, there are less than 5% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

What is used to test an electronic control module?

  1. Battery voltage.
  2. Analog meter.
  3. Digital meter.
  4. Test light.

Answer: C

Procedural and Application

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

For this trade, 40 to 50% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is done to control the displacement on a variable axial piston pump?

  1. Adjust the piston stroke.
  2. Vary the suction pressure.
  3. Reset the relief valve.
  4. Enlarge the discharge line.

Answer: A

Critical Thinking

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

For this trade, 50 to 60% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

A centrifugal advance mechanism is seized closed on a conventional distributor. What is the result?

  1. Low curb idle.
  2. Retarded timing.
  3. High curb idle.
  4. High power.

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.