Construction Electrician - 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 - 11 questions
Task A-1 Performs safety-related functions
2 questions
Task A-2 Uses tools and equipment
2 questions
Task A-3 Organizes work
2 questions
Task A-4 Fabricates and installs support components
2 questions
Task A-5 Commissions and decommissions electrical systems
2 questions
Task A-6 Uses communication and mentoring techniques
1 question
Major Work Activity B - Installs, services and maintains generating, distribution and service systems - 28 questions
Task B-7 Installs, services and maintains consumer/supply services and metering equipment
4 questions
Task B-8 Installs, services and maintains protection devices
4 questions
Task B-9 Installs, services and maintains power distribution equipment
4 questions
Task B-10 Installs, services and maintains power conditioning, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and surge suppression systems
2 questions
Task B-11 Installs, services and maintains bonding and grounding, and ground fault protection and detection systems
4 questions
Task B-12 Installs, services and maintains power generation and conversion systems
2 questions
Task B-13 Installs, services and maintains renewable energy generating and storage systems
2 questions
Task B-14 Installs, services and maintains high-voltage systems
2 questions
Task B-15 Installs, services and maintains transformers
4 questions
Major Work Activity C - Installs, services and maintains wiring systems - 30 questions
Task C-16 Installs, services and maintains raceways, conductors, cables and enclosures
9 questions
Task C-17 Installs, services and maintains branch circuitry and devices
9 questions
Task C-18 Installs, services and maintains heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems
4 questions
Task C-19 Installs, services and maintains electric heating systems
4 questions
Task C-20 Installs, services and maintains exit and emergency lighting systems
3 questions
Task C-21. Installs, services and maintains cathodic protection systems
1 question
Major Work Activity D - Installs, services and maintains motors and control systems - 21 questions
Task D-22 Installs, services and maintains motor starters and controls
8 questions
Task D-23 Installs, services and maintains drives
4 questions
Task D-24 Installs, services and maintains motors
6 questions
Task D-25 Installs, programs, services and maintains automated control systems
3 questions
Major Work Activity E - Installs, services and maintains signalling and communication systems - 10 questions
Task E-26 Installs, services and maintains signaling systems
4 questions
Task E-27 Installs, services and maintains communication systems
3 questions
Task E-28 Installs, services and maintains integrated control systems
3 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:

Where are the overload relays placed for a motor that is not thermally protected?

  1. In the contactor enclosure.
  2. In the emergency stop station enclosure.
  3. At the motor.
  4. At the distribution panel.

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 60 and 70% of questions are this type.

Example of a Procedural and Application Question:

When performing a lockout on an electrical circuit, what must be done to ensure safety?

  1. Inform supervisor, de-energize circuit, lock the switch, then tag the switch.
  2. De-energize circuit, tag the switch, inform supervisor, then lock the switch.
  3. Tag the switch, lock the switch, remove the fuse, then inform supervisor.
  4. Inform supervisor, lock the switch, tag the switch, then remove the fuse.

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 20 and 30% of questions are this type.

Example of a Critical Thinking Question:

Given the following information:

  • 1 1/2-in. × 4-in. standard octagonal box
  • Box contains:
    • 1 fixture stud
    • 5 wire connectors

What is the maximum number of No. 12 AWG copper conductors permitted?

  1. 5
  2. 6
  3. 7
  4. 8

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.

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