Metal Fabricator (Fitter) - 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 130 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:
A - Performs common occupational skills - 34 questions
B - Fabricates components - 56 questions
C - Assembles components - 40 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 35 and 45% of questions that are this type.
Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:
Where are notes located on a weld symbol?
- In the tail.
- On the arrow.
- Below the reference line.
- Above the reference line.
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 50 and 60% of questions are this type.
Example of a Procedural and Application Question:
What is done when tacking grating stair treads to a stringer?
- Line up the bearing bars.
- Pre-paint the stair treads.
- Line up the nosing points on to the nosing line.
- Place the nosing line to 90° of the banding bar.
Answer: C
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 result of excessive blade gap clearance on a power shear?
- Out-of-square cutting.
- Material roll-over.
- Improper rake.
- Dull blades.
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.
Mathematical Formulas
Formulas
The following formulas used in this trade may be needed to answer some questions on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.
Acronyms
The following acronyms used in this trade may be on its Red Seal exam. They will also be provided with the exam sitting.
- ACA
- air carbon arc
- ASME
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- BPVC
- Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
- CNC
- computer numerical control
- dBA
- A-weighted decibel
- FCAW
- flux-cored arc welding
- GMAW
- gas metal arc welding
- GOSL
- gauge on outstanding leg
- GTAW
- gas tungsten arc welding
- HSS
- hollow structural steel
- HSSR
- hollow structural steel round
- ID
- inside diameter
- NEMA
- National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- NPS
- nominal pipe size
- NTS
- not to scale
- OD
- outside diameter
- OHS
- occupational health and safety
- PAC
- plasma arc cutting
- PPE
- personal protective equipment
- PSI
- pounds per square inch
- RPM
- revolutions per minute
- SAE
- Society of Automotive Engineers
- SAW
- shielded arc welding
- SDS
- safety data sheet
- SMAW
- shield metal arc welding
- SOP
- standard operating procedure
- TYP
- typical
- UNF
- Unified National Fine
- WHMIS
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
For more information about exam preparation materials contact your provincial/territorial apprenticeship office.