Automotive Service 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 - 9 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
4 questions
Task A-2 Uses tools, equipment and documentation
5 questions
Task A-3 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
0 questions
Major Work Activity B – Diagnoses and repairs engine and engine support systems - 22 questions
Task B-4 Diagnoses engine systems
4 questions
Task B-5 Repairs engine systems
4 questions
Task B-6 Diagnoses gasoline engine support systems
5 questions
Task B-7 Repairs gasoline engine support systems
4 questions
Task B-8 Diagnoses diesel engine support systems
3 questions
Task B-9 Repairs diesel engine support systems
2 questions
Major Work Activity C – Diagnoses and repairs vehicle module communications systems - 12 questions
Task C-10 Diagnoses vehicle networking systems
8 questions
Task C-11 Repairs vehicle networking systems
4 questions
Major Work Activity D – Diagnoses and repairs driveline systems - 17 questions
Task D-12 Diagnoses driveline systems
10 questions
Task D-13 Repairs driveline systems
7 questions
Major Work Activity E – Diagnoses and repairs electrical and comfort control systems - 23 questions
Task E-14 Diagnoses electrical systems and components
8 questions
Task E-15 Repairs electrical systems and components
6 questions
Task E-16 Diagnoses heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and comfort control systems
5 questions
Task E-17 Repairs heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and comfort control systems
4 questions
Major Work Activity F – Diagnoses and repairs steering and suspension, braking, control systems, tires, hubs and wheel bearings - 23 questions
Task F-18 Diagnoses steering and suspension, braking, control systems, tires, wheels, hubs and wheel bearings
13 questions
Task F-19 Repairs steering and suspension, braking, control systems, tires, wheels, hubs and wheel bearings
10 questions
Major Work Activity G – Diagnoses and repairs restraint systems, body components, accessories and trim - 10 questions
Task G-20 Diagnoses restraint systems, body components, accessories and trim
6 questions
Task G-21 Repairs restraint systems, body components, accessories and trim
4 questions
Major Work Activity H – Diagnoses and repairs hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) systems - 9 questions
Task H-22 Diagnoses hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) systems
5 questions
Task H-23 Repairs hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) systems
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 5 and 15% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

When using an oxy-acetylene torch, what PPE and safety equipment is required?

  1. Oxy-acetylene goggles, leather gloves and eye wash station.
  2. Oxy-acetylene goggles, leather gloves and fire extinguisher.
  3. Oxy-acetylene goggles, cotton gloves and fire extinguisher.
  4. Oxy-acetylene goggles, cotton gloves and first aid station.

Answer: B

Procedural and Application

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

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

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

What is the procedure to measure accessory drive belt tension?

  1. Lay a straight edge across 2 pulleys, then push and measure belt deflection.
  2. Place a 5-lb. weight on a vertical belt surface, then measure deflection.
  3. Turn a pulley using a torque wrench, then measure the force required.
  4. Use a straight edge, then measure belt deflection using a micrometer.

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 40 and 50% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

Excessive tire squeal occurs when turning at moderate speeds. All alignment adjustments are within specifications. What is the cause?

  1. Underinflated tires.
  2. Seized ball joints.
  3. Overinflated tires.
  4. Defective strut mounts.

Answer: A

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.

Acronyms

Acronyms [PDF, 141 KB]

The following acronyms used in this trade may be on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.

°C
degree Celsius
°F
degree Fahrenheit
2WD
2-wheel drive
4WD
4-wheel drive
A
ampere
A/C
air conditioning
ABS
anti-lock braking system
ACC
accessory
ACCL
acceleration
ADAS
advanced driver assistance system
AIR
air injection reaction
APA
active park assist
AVR
alternator voltage regulator
AWD
all-wheel drive
BCM
body control module
CAN
controller area network
CAT
category
CCA
cold cranking amperage
CKP
crankshaft position
cm
centimetre
CMP
camshaft position
CO
carbon monoxide
COP
coil on plug
CV
constant velocity
CVT
continuously variable transmission
DC
direct current
DEF
diesel exhaust fluid
DIC
driver information centre
DLC
data link connector
DOC
diesel oxidization catalyst
DMM
digital multimeter
DPF
diesel particulate filter
DTC
diagnostic trouble code
DVOM
digital volt-ohmmeter
EBCM
electronic brake control module
ECM
electronic control module
ECT
engine coolant temperature
EFI
electronic fuel injection
EGR
exhaust gas recirculation
EGT
exhaust gas temperature
EHCU
electro-hydraulic control unit
EV
electric vehicle
EVAP
evaporative emission control system
FWD
front-wheel drive
GDI
gasoline direct injection
GPS
global positioning system
HC
hydrocarbon
HEV
hybrid electric vehicle
HUD
heads-up display
HV
high voltage
HVAC
heating, ventilation and air conditioning
IAC
idle air control
IAT
intake air temperature
ICE
internal combustion engine
in.
inch
IPC
instrument panel cluster
km
kilometre
km/h
kilometres per hour
kPa
kilopascal
lb.
pound
LED
light-emitting diode
LH
left-hand
LSD
limited slip differential
LTR
lighter
MAF
mass air flow
MAP
manifold absolute pressure
MIL
malfunction indicator lamp
mm
millimetre
ms/DIV
milliseconds per division
mV
millivolt
NOx
oxides of nitrogen
O2
oxygen
OAT
outside air temperature
OBD II
on-board diagnostics (second generation)
OCS
occupant classification system
OEM
original equipment manufacturer
OL
over limit
PCM
powertrain control module
PCV
positive crankcase ventilation
pH
potential of hydrogen
PID
parameter identification
PPE
personal protective equipment
psi
pounds per square inch
PTC
positive temperature coefficient
RH
right-hand
rpm
revolution per minute
RPO
regular production option
RWD
rear-wheel drive
SAS
steering angle sensor
SCR
selective catalytic reduction
SRS
supplemental restraint system
SW
switch
TCC
torque converter clutch
TCM
transmission control module
TPMS
tire pressure monitoring system
TPS
throttle position sensor
TSB
technical service bulletin
UV
ultraviolet
V
volt
VGT
variable geometry turbocharger
VIN
vehicle identification number
VTC
variable timing control
W
watt

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