Parts 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 120 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A - Performs common occupational skills - 19 questions
Task 1 Performs safety-related functions
4 questions
Task 2 Uses tools and equipment
6 questions
Task 3 Organizes work
5 questions
Task 4 Communicates with others
4 questions
Major Work Activity B - Performs customer service - 26 questions
Task 5 Provides services to retail customers
6 questions
Task 6 Provides services to wholesale customers
6 questions
Task 7 Provides services to internal customers
5 questions
Task 8 Provides general customer service and support
9 questions
Major Work Activity C - Performs parts acquisition - 29 questions
Task 9 Identifies parts
16 questions
Task 10 Sources parts
13 questions
Major Work Activity D - Performs warehousing and inventory - 30 questions
Task 11 Handles parts and materials
12 questions
Task 12 Performs inventory control
10 questions
Task 13 Performs shipping and receiving duties
8 questions
Major Work Activity E - Applies business practices - 16 questions
Task 14 Promotes products and services
4 questions
Task 15 Implements pricing formula
5 questions
Task 16 Processes financial transactions
7 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 10 and 20% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

Where are flammable liquids stored in a warehouse?

  1. In an approved cabinet.
  2. In a cool dry place.
  3. On shelves below eye level.
  4. In a locked cage.

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 65 and 75% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

A customer requests a part using a competitor's part number. How is the replacement part determined?

  1. By reviewing a supersession listing.
  2. By reviewing a model cross-reference.
  3. By searching a cross-reference guide.
  4. By searching a collision catalogue.

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 10 and 15% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

A part retails for $875.00. There is a 13% tax rate on the product and the customer is offered a 15% discount. There is an additional volume discount of 6% for 10 units. What is the final quoted price per unit if buying 5 units?

  1. $790.01
  2. $811.13
  3. $840.44
  4. $929.43

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.