Motorcycle 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 130 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A – Performs common occupational skills – 8 questions
Task A-1 - Performs safety-related functions
2 questions
Task A-2 - Performs routine work practices
2 questions
Task A-3 - Uses tools, equipment and documentation
2 questions
Task A-4 - Uses communication and mentoring techniques
2 questions
Major Work Activity B – Maintains chassis and suspension- 13 questions
Task B-5 - Diagnoses chassis and components
3 questions
Task B-6 - Services chassis and components
3 questions
Task B-7 - Diagnoses suspension systems
4 questions
Task B-8 - Services suspension systems
3 questions
Major Work Activity C – Maintains wheels and tires- 11 questions
Task C-9 - Diagnoses wheels and tires
5 questions
Task C-10 - Services wheels and tires
6 questions
Major Work Activity D – Maintains brakes - 13 questions
Task D-11 - Diagnoses braking systems
6 questions
Task D-12 - Services braking systems
7 questions
Major Work Activity E – Maintains engines- 18 questions
Task E-13 - Diagnoses two-stroke and four-stroke engines
9 questions
Task E-14 - Services two-stroke and four-stroke engines
9 questions
Major Work Activity F – Maintains power transfer- 16 questions
Task F-15 - Diagnoses clutches and primary drive
2 questions
Task F-16 - Services clutches and primary drive
3 questions
Task F-17 - Diagnoses transmissions
2 questions
Task F-18 - Services transmissions
4 questions
Task F-19 - Diagnoses final drive
2 questions
Task F-20 - Services final drive
3 questions
Major Work Activity G – Maintains electrical systems- 20 questions
Task G-21 - Diagnoses electrical systems
14 questions
Task G-22 - Services electrical systems
6 questions
Major Work Activity H – Maintains vehicle management systems- 16 questions
Task H-23 - Diagnoses vehicle management systems
11 questions
Task H-24 - Services vehicle management systems
5 questions
Major Work Activity I – Maintains fuel and exhaust systems - 15 questions
Task I-25 - Diagnoses fuel and exhaust systems
9 questions
Task I-26 - Services fuel and exhaust systems
6 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:

Which term refers to side-to-side movement of a rotating wheel?

  1. Radial run-out.
  2. Lateral run-out.
  3. Static imbalance.
  4. Dynamic imbalance.

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 45 and 55% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

When replacing a rear wheel, how is rear wheel alignment verified?

  1. By counting the number of threads showing on the adjuster screws.
  2. By ensuring the front to rear axle centre-to-middle distances are equal on both sides.
  3. By ensuring the distance from the centre of the swing arm pivot to the centre of the rear axle is equal on both sides.
  4. By visually aligning the 2 tires with an alignment tool.

Answer: C

Critical Thinking

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

For this trade, between 35 and 45% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

What causes rapid clutch plate wear?

  1. Insufficient clutch lever free play.
  2. Insufficient clutch spring pressure.
  3. Excessive return spring pressure.
  4. Excessive clutch spring pressure.

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.

Acronyms

Acronyms [PDF, 57 KB]

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

ABS
anti-lock brake system
AC
alternating current
AGM
absorbed glass mat
BDC
bottom dead centre
CAN
controller area network
CDI
capacitor discharge ignition
CV
constant velocity
CVT
continuous variable transmission
DC
direct current
DOHC
dual overhead camshaft
DOT
Department of Transportation
ECU
electronic control unit
ECM
electronic control module
EFI
electronic fuel injection
GPS
global positioning system
IAT
intake air temperature
LED
light emitting diode
MAP
manifold absolute pressure
MIL
malfunction indicator lamp
OBD
onboard diagnostic
OEM
original equipment manufacturer
PDI
pre-delivery inspection
PH
potential of hydrogen
PPE
personal protective equipment
rpm
revolutions per minute
TCI
transistor controlled ignitor
TDC
top dead centre
TPMS
tire pressure monitoring system
TPS
throttle position sensor

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