Concrete Finisher - 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 100 questions Footnote *, which are distributed as follows:

Major Work Activity A – Performs common occupational skills - 14 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
3 questions
Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment
5 questions
Task A-3 Organizes work
4 questions
Task A-4 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
2 questions
Major Work Activity B – Performs sit preparation - 9 questions
Task B-5 Prepares site
5 questions
Task B-6 Uses formwork
4 questions
Major Work Activity C – Places and levels concrete - 18 questions
Task C-7 Places concrete
8 questions
Task C-8 Levels concrete
10 questions
Major Work Activity D – Finishes plastic concrete - 25 questions
Task D-9 Floats concrete
6 questions
Task D-10 Hand-tools concrete
6 questions
Task D-11 Trowels concrete
7 questions
Task D-12 Applies surface treatments to concrete
6 questions
Major Work Activity E – Cures and protects concrete - 15 questions
Task E-13 Cures concrete
5 questions
Task E-14 Creates contraction joints
6 questions
Task E-15 Protects concrete
4 questions
Major Work Activity F – Modifies and repairs concrete and performs grouting - 19 questions
Task F-16 Repairs and restores concrete
7 questions
Task F-17 Applies surface treatments to hardened concrete
5 questions
Task F-18 Grouts
5 questions
Task F -19 Performs cutting and coring
2 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 20 and 30% of questions that are this type.

Example of a Knowledge and Recall Question:

Which line is used to represent a hidden object on a blueprint?

  1. Solid.
  2. Bolded.
  3. Wavy.
  4. Dashed.

Answer: D

Procedural and Application

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

For this trade, between 60 and 70% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

Prior to receiving a wash coat finish, how are concrete walls prepared?

  1. By pre-wetting with water.
  2. By scoring the surface.
  3. By air drying.
  4. By sealing with curing compound.

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 5 and 15% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

When doses of superplasticizer are frequently repeated, what is the result?

  1. Slump loss.
  2. Retarded set.
  3. Strength gain.
  4. Workability loss.

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.

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