Red Seal Painter and Decorator Examination — Information & Free Practice
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Exam Review
About Red Seal Painter and Decorator Examination
Red Seal Painter and Decorator Examination · CA
Key exam facts
- Provider
- CCDA and its Interprovincial Standards and Examinations Committee plan and collaborate on development; provincial and territorial apprenticeship and certification authorities administer the examination.
- Format
- Written knowledge examination: multiple-choice questions with four responses (A–D), exactly one correct response; each question is worth one mark.
- Exam questions
- Total questions: 130.
- Time limit
- Four hours of writing time (standard sitting); special-needs accommodations are arranged with the provincial or territorial authority.
- Passing score
- 70% pass mark; each question is worth one mark.
- Exam fee
- Varies by province and territory. The provincial or territorial office supplies the applicable cost at registration; no single nationwide amount or currency is specified by the national registration page.
Topics covered
Performs common occupational skills (16%)
- Performs safety-related functions
- Uses and maintains tools and equipment
- Performs routine trade practices
- Performs quality control assessments
- Uses communication and mentoring techniques
Prepares surfaces (23%)
- Performs general surface preparation
- Prepares wood surfaces for paints, coatings and wall coverings
- Prepares concrete and masonry surfaces
- Prepares metal surfaces
- Prepares plaster surfaces and drywall
Prepares and applies residential, institutional and commercial paints, coatings and finishes (24%)
- Prepares for application of residential, institutional and commercial paints and coatings
- Applies residential, institutional and commercial paints and coatings
- Applies decorative/specialty finishes
Prepares and applies wall coverings (7%)
- Prepares for application of wall coverings
- Applies wall coverings
Prepares and applies wood finishes (8%)
- Prepares for wood finishing applications
- Finishes wood surfaces
Prepares and applies industrial paints and coatings (22%)
- Prepares for application of industrial paints and coatings
- Applies industrial paints and coatings
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?
Written knowledge examination: multiple-choice questions with four responses (A–D), exactly one correct response; each question is worth one mark.
How many questions are on the exam?
Total questions: 130.
How long is the exam?
Four hours of writing time (standard sitting); special-needs accommodations are arranged with the provincial or territorial authority.
What is the passing score?
70% pass mark; each question is worth one mark.
How much does the exam cost?
Varies by province and territory. The provincial or territorial office supplies the applicable cost at registration; no single nationwide amount or currency is specified by the national registration page.
Official sources and references
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
Task Matrix and Weightings, printed pages 18–21
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
Methodology, printed page 7
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
Harmonization of Apprenticeship Training, printed page 24
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
Pie Chart of Red Seal Examination Weightings, printed page 17
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
B-10.02 jurisdictional validation, printed page 65
- Red Seal Occupational Standard – Painter and Decorator
C-12.03 jurisdictional validation, printed page 73
- Painter and Decorator - Red Seal Examination Weightings
Task matrix
- Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Exam Breakdown
- Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Types of Exam Questions
- Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Types of Exam Questions — Knowledge and Recall
- Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Types of Exam Questions — Procedural and Application
- Painter and Decorator - Exam Information
Types of Exam Questions — Critical Thinking
- Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide
What Is the Red Seal Exam format?
- Register for your Red Seal Examination
Exam Fees
- Register for your Red Seal Examination
Exam Fees — administering authorities
- Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide
What Is the Red Seal Exam format? — pass mark and writing time
Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.