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Red Seal Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) Examination — Information & Free Practice

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About Red Seal Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) Examination

Red Seal Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) Examination · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA), Red Seal Program; examinations administered by provincial and territorial apprenticeship and certification authorities.
Format
Multiple-choice knowledge examination; four responses and exactly one correct answer; one mark per question.
Exam questions
Total questions: 100.
Time limit
4 hours.
Passing score
70%.
Exam fee
Varies by province and territory; the relevant apprenticeship and certification office confirms the amount when registering. No single national fee is published.

Topics covered

  • Common Occupational Skills (23%)

    • Uses and maintains tools and equipment
    • Maintains hand and power tools
    • Maintains measuring and testing equipment
    • Uses grade checking and tracking instruments
    • Uses rigging and lifting equipment
    • Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment
    • Maintains safe work environment
    • Assesses potential hazards
    • Plans worksite safety strategies
    • Secures unattended equipment
    • Communicates with others
    • Performs spill control procedures
    • Performs sediment control procedures
    • Handles materials
    • Organizes work
    • Checks grade
    • Uses documentation
    • Interprets survey indicators and data
    • Determines method of approach

  • Heavy Equipment (Excavator) Inspection and Basic Maintenance (26%)

    • Performs scheduled maintenance
    • Maintains heavy equipment operator (excavator) station
    • Maintains undercarriage, drive train system, tracks, tires and rims
    • Performs preventative maintenance
    • Performs basic maintenance on attachments
    • Performs inspections
    • Performs pre-operational inspections
    • Performs post-operational inspections
    • Completes daily equipment logbook

  • Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) Tasks (51%)

    • Performs basic heavy equipment operator (excavator) functions
    • Maintains control of equipment
    • Positions equipment for task
    • Monitors performance of equipment
    • Troubleshoots equipment problems
    • Installs attachments
    • Performs emergency procedures
    • Performs cut and fill operations
    • Transports equipment
    • Prepares equipment for transportation
    • Loads equipment and attachments for transportation
    • Assists in securing equipment for transportation
    • Unloads equipment and attachments
    • Drives equipment on roads
    • Operates excavators
    • Excavates trenches and ditches
    • Backfills trenches and excavations
    • Creates slopes
    • Creates mass excavations
    • Clears land
    • Strips surface material
    • Stockpiles material
    • Places material
    • Lifts material
    • Loads trucks
    • Performs demolitions

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Multiple-choice knowledge examination; four responses and exactly one correct answer; one mark per question.

How many questions are on the exam?

Total questions: 100.

How long is the exam?

4 hours.

What is the passing score?

70%.

How much does the exam cost?

Varies by province and territory; the relevant apprenticeship and certification office confirms the amount when registering. No single national fee is published.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.