Exam & Study
Support
Get the most out of the time leading up to your exam. Studying and preparing are important, and there are lots of resources to help you.
Refresher courses are just one of the various resources to support exam preparation. They are meant to supplement technical training, on-the-job training, and independent study. SkilledTradesBC does not guarantee results on exams following a refresher course. Furthermore, while SkilledTradesBC provides guidance on standards included in some of these refresher courses, training providers are solely responsible for the development of course content, therefore, SkilledTradesBC does not assume responsibility for the quality or accuracy of Refresher Courses.
Note: the information and resources on this page are intended as a guide only. SkilledTradesBC does not accept responsibility for the quality or accuracy of the content.
Study Support and Resources for Writing Exams
A good place to start when preparing to write an exam is to gather together the available resources from our website for your trade, and familiarize yourself with what will be tested on. These are the core resources for understanding your exam and planning your study.
For Interprovincial Red Seal Exams, the Red Seal website is a great place to start.
On our website, visit the Find Your Trade page:
Scroll down to the search bar, search your trade and select it from the results:
Find the Exam Information and Resources section for the exam you are writing:
Here you will find the recommended resources for your exam write and relevant program updates:
Red Seal Occupational Standard – The Red Seal occupational standard (RSOS) or National Occupational Analyses (NOA) outlines the trade activities preformed across Canada that will be covered on the Red Seal exam. It lists a summary of essential skills, trade activities (tasks and sub-tasks), technical terminology, learning objectives and outcomes, and more.
Write a summary of each section and check off your knowledge for each of the subsections, which will appear on the exam. Pay special attention the the range of variations for each subsection, as these are common exam questions inspiration.
Spend time reviewing the Appendix section at the end of this document: Acronyms, Tools and Equipment, Glossary etc. We recommend that you print and practice these.
Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide – This is a general guide to the Red Seal exam format, question types and study tips.
Red Seal Exam Breakdown – This is a breakdown of the whole exam and the major work activities which will form the sections of your exam, including the tasks within each section and the number of questions to expect for each.
Variations for different trades:
Formulas – The formula sheet included is provided in the reference booklet on your exam day. It is important to be familiar with them and the questions that they are used for.
Codebooks – If listed on our trade program page, this can be a tool for use during your exam.
Recommended Reading Resources/Textbooks
Find the program outline on your trade page and click to view PDF.
Scroll down close to the end to find the Reference Materials. This lists all the recommended texts and websites given to Training Providers to produce their learning content on their course. It is recommended for apprentices and trade qualifiers to contact their local training provider, apprenticeship advisor, and known sources for a specific selection of recommended or required texts for study preparation.
Using the Red Seal website
This website is useful to review if you are writing an exam for a program with an Interprovincial Red Seal exam. If you will be writing a standard level exam or a Certificate of Qualification exam in a trade without a Red Seal designation in B.C., please refer to the resources above.
Select the Red Seal trades from the drop-down menu and find your trade from the list available.
From this page you can explore the available Red Seal resources for your trades exam.
Red Seal Occupational Standard – see above
Self-assessment – This document can be referred to as a reflection of your experience and knowledge of the trade, including the exam weighting and a “low, medium high” self-assessment tool for each major work activity and task. This document can form the core of your study planning, identify gaps and check your readiness. Each of the sub-task codes are coordinated with a section of the RSOS.
Exam Breakdowns – The major work activities (sections of your exam) are outlined next.
Types of exam question – While all questions are multiple choice A-D, there is a guide to the three types of question on Red Seal exams Knowledge and Recall, Procedural and Application, and Critical Thinking. These are explained more broadly here. Getting into the habit of identifying which of the three types of question you are attempting is good practice for your exam write.
Sample Questions – These provide a small sample of question to help familiarize yourself with the structure of the question types which will appear on your exam that are relevant to your trade.
Videos
These videos provide guidance on how to prepare for your exam, where to find resources, study strategies to make the most of your time, and more.
Additional websites on general topics, math, and exam preparation
Math Resources
Exam Bank Sites
Non-Public Training Providers
Online Upgrading Courses
Once you have a good understanding of what to expect on the exam, what areas you need to focus on, and have gathered your study resources it is time to study and review the material.
Preparing for the exam can take place in several different ways. This can include but is not limited to: attending technical training, hands-on experience, and independent study.
Refresher Courses
These training courses will help refresh your knowledge and skills.
In one of the Skilled Trades Certification trades? View all available IP Exam Refreshers on this page.
Public Training Providers
Methods of Studying
Everyone has different learning styles and ways they will retain information most effectively. Trying different methods and adding variety to your studying can help you find what works best for you and increase the depth of your learning.
We suggest trying to move beyond only reading or attempting to memorize material from a textbook.
Budgeting Your Time
Refer to the Exam Breakdown you obtained while gathering your study resources. Determine what areas will make up the bulk of the exam. You may wish to spend less time studying concepts with fewer questions, and more time on topics with more questions.
Make note of what concepts you are unfamiliar with or have less hands-on experience with.
If you are rewriting an exam, recall what questions you found challenging or what topics you performed poorly on.
Seek out resources related to these topics or seek assistance from a fellow journeyperson in your trade to review or ask questions.
You may wish to dedicate more time to these topics over ones you are very familiar with already.
You may wish to build a study plan on what topics you will cover over the months/weeks leading up to your exam, to ensure you review all content you wish to.
When and Where to Study
It is generally recommended to study frequently and consistently for shorter durations of time, rather than long infrequent study sessions (often known as cramming).
Focus declines significantly after studying for long periods of time.
When possible, limiting study sessions to no longer than 1-2 hours is recommended.
If studying for a longer period of time, ensure you take regular breaks. We recommend for every 15-25 minutes you study, take 5-10 minutes to take a break (get up and move, drink water or snack, or do something else, etc).
Consider where you are studying:
Does this environment contain a lot of distractions?
Do you have all the materials you need in this session?
Is the space comfortable?
Are you studying at a time of day when you focus the best? Are you too tired or too energized to focus deeply and concentrate?
Make Studying Engaging
Any opportunity to engage your senses when studying can be helpful.
Draw things out from what you are studying
Relate/visualize any concept you are reading about to times you have done this work hands on.
Search for blueprints, diagrams, schematics relating to tasks you are reviewing.
Record yourself reading key materials and listen to them whenever you have time (for instance in voice-notes app on your phone).
Put things into your own words.
This can help ensure you fully understand the concepts you are reviewing.
From whatever material you are reviewing, try to self-generate questions you think the exam could ask about this topic. These can be used later to test your knowledge.
Try explaining the process, task, or theory concept aloud to someone else in your own words.
You don't have to study alone.
Teach what you’ve learned to someone else. Talking through the material helps you understand it better.
Join a study group where you can talk about the material and ask questions.
If it is an available option, ask if you are able to observe job tasks in action that you do not frequently have the opportunity to perform.
Once you have gathered your materials, booked your exam, and reviewed, you will reach the day leading up to your exam. Here are suggestions to consider implementing in the week leading up to the exam to set yourself up for success. Everyone has individual methods which work best for them so follow what works best for you.
Set aside the materials you need to bring to the exam ahead of time. For detailed information on what materials are provided to you and what to bring, visit our webpage on what to expect on exam day.
In particular, ensure you have the necessary identification, materials, and know the time and location of your exam.
Maintain your routine in the days leading up to the exam as best as you can. Things like getting a good night's rest, eating well, and exercise can help your body be prepared for test-taking.
Try to avoid cramming the night before. Cramming can be counterproductive for many people, and lead to added stress before your exam. This information tends to be quickly forgotten and can frequently be only a surface level understanding of the material. Study consistently and frequently, for more manageable durations of time when possible.
Arrive at the exam venue early to reduce stress. Allow yourself adequate time to commute to your exam venue in time.
When you arrive for your exam, the invigilator will provide you with instructions on how to begin.
For paper exams, you’ll receive:
Exam booklet (you are permitted to write within the exam booklet if this is helpful to you. please ensure the exam booklet remains stapled together)
Pencil & Eraser
Answer sheet
Diagram booklet, if required
Exam question feedback form
For online exams, you’ll receive:
Scrap paper
Pencil
Eraser
Online access code
For Certificate of Qualification or Interprovincial Red Seal exams, you will also be provided with a calculator and codebook if applicable for your trade.
Manage your time wisely and allocate it based on the complexity of each question.
If you become stuck on a question, you can make note of it on your exam sheet and return to it later.
Ensure you have enough time budgeted to fully read and answer questions you know the answer to before returning to questions you are struggling with.
Later questions may help prompt your memory for material in an earlier question.
Take a mental break if and when you need it.
If you find you start feeling unfocused, fatigued, or have increasing anxiety, take a quick break to look away from your test paper, stretch, and clear your head.
Determine what methods to tackle questions is best for you
There are many different approaches to working through multiple choice questions when writing an exam. If you find yourself stuck, trying a new approach may help:
Cover the answers, read the question in full, and think “what do I think the answer is” before uncovering the answers - this helps some people avoid getting misled by wrong answers
Skim the answers first for key words and differences, then read the question
Try to visualize what the question is asking. What does the process/task the question is referring to look like?
If you are unsure, eliminate answers you know are incorrect. You may mark up your exam booklet & cross out answers you know are wrong.
Underline key words and modifiers.
Review your answers if time allows
If you have additional time remaining once you have finished your exam, take some time to review your answers.
Review your scantron sheet to ensure no bubbles have been left blank, and correspond correctly with the answer you meant to select.
Review questions briefly for any details you may have missed or overlooked when you first read the question.
Additional Suggestions
If you are anxious that you will forget key information, consider writing them down on your exam booklet once the exam begins.
Read the Question Carefully:
Focus on keywords and directives (e.g., "not," "except," "always," "never"). These can change the meaning of the question.
Test Format
The format of the questions is multiple choice. Each question is worth one mark. Of the four choices provided, there is only one correct answer,
There are three types of questions on the Interprovincial exam.
Knowledge and recall (Know it)
Some questions are used to check your knowledge of facts, definitions and principles related to doing a sub-task.
Procedural and application (Do it)
Some questions test your knowledge of procedures. This might include calculations, interpretations of diagrams or code.
Critical thinking (Solve It)
Some questions are used to check problem-solving and analytical skills related to your trade. This might include considering cause and effect, interpreting and evaluating data, or multi-step math.
When reading the questions, think about what they are asking you:
Why – Critical thinking
What – Knowledge and recall
How – Procedural and application
SkilledTradesBC can offer an accommodation, based on your needs, to help you complete exams.
You can make accommodation requests through the SkilledTradesBC Portal while scheduling an exam. Alternatively, you can complete the Exam Application form, indicate which accommodations you require, and submit it to customerservice [at] skilledtradesbc.ca.
View a full list of exam accommodation options.
If you do not see the accommodation which you require listed, please include the details on your application form.
If you have questions or would like to connect with someone to learn more about available exam and study supports please contact Customer Service.
Exam Accommodations
SkilledTradesBC can offer accommodations, based on your needs, to help you complete exams.
What to Expect on Exam Day
There are several ways to ensure you’re prepared and know what to expect before exam day.