Welder - 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 125 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Block A – Common Occupational Skills - 24 questions
Task 1 - Maintains tools and equipment
4 questions
Task 2 - Uses access and material handling equipment
4 questions
Task 3 - Performs safety-related activities
5 questions
Task 4 - Organizes work
4 questions
Task 5 - Performs routine trade activities
7 questions
Block B – Fabrication and Preparation of Components for Welding - 25 questions
Task 6 - Performs layout
10 questions
Task 7 - Fabricates components
15 questions
Block C – Cutting and Gouging - 21 questions
Task 8 - Uses tools and equipment for non-thermal cutting and grinding
5 questions
Task 9 - Uses oxy-fuel gas cutting (OFC) process for cutting and gouging
7 questions
Task 10 - Uses plasma arc cutting (PAC) process for cutting and gouging
5 questions
Task 11 - Uses air carbon arc cutting (CAC-A) process for cutting and gouging
4 questions
Block D – Welding Processes - 55 questions
Task 12 - Welds using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process
18 questions
Task 13 - Welds using flux cored arc welding (FCAW), metal cored arc welding (MCAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) processes
21 questions
Task 14 - Welds using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process
12 questions
Task 15 - Welds using submerged arc welding (SAW) process
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 55 and 65% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

What is used to check the interpass temperature of a welded joint?

  1. Visual test.
  2. Spark test.
  3. Temperature stick.
  4. Color of the metal.

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 30 and 40% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is done to prepare a threaded area before build-up?

  1. Weld over thread having a depth of 1/8 in. only.
  2. Remove the worn threads by gouging.
  3. Weld using GTAW process.
  4. Remove the worn threads by machining or grinding.

Answer: D

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:

What is the angle of cut required to make a template for a 3-piece 90° elbow?

  1. 11.25°
  2. 15°
  3. 22.5°
  4. 30°

Answer: C

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.