Floorcovering Installer - 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 150 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Block A – Common occupational skills - 17 questions
Task 1 - Performs safety-related functions
5 questions
Task 2 - Assesses floor and jobsite conditions
6 questions
Task 3 - Organizes work
4 questions
Task 4 - Installs transitions, trims and wall bases
2 questions
Block B – Floor Preparation - 31 questions
Task 5 - Removes existing floorcovering and accessories
11 questions
Task 6 - Prepares substrate
20 questions
Block C – Carpet - 40 questions
Task 7 - Installs carpet
22 questions
Task 8 - Performs custom carpet procedures
11 questions
Task 9 - Installs artificial turf
0 questions
Task 10 - Services carpet installations
7 questions
Block D – Resilient Flooring - 42 questions
Task 11 - Installs resilient flooring
23 questions
Task 12 - Performs custom resilient flooring procedures
13 questions
Task 13 - Services resilient flooring installations
6 questions
Block E – Wood And Laminate Flooring - 20 questions
Task 14 - Installs pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring
9 questions
Task 15 - Installs custom wood and laminate flooring
7 questions
Task 16 - Services pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring
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 15 and 25% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

Which tool is used to trim finished carpet seams?

  1. Napping shears.
  2. A utility knife.
  3. A loop pile cutter.
  4. An electric rotary knife.

Answer: A

Procedural and Application

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

For this trade, between 70 and 80% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

When installing a vinyl or rubber stair nosing for use with a glue-down carpet installation, what is done to fit the nosing?

  1. Measure and cut.
  2. Double scribe.
  3. Cut and glue.
  4. Use a mitre box.

Answer: A

Critical Thinking

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

For this trade, less than 10% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

There are loose or missing tufts along the seam of an installed carpet. What is the probable cause?

  1. Pile direction was reversed.
  2. Seam edges were not sealed.
  3. Incorrect field adhesive was used.
  4. Trowel notches were too small.

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.