How Many Questions Are on the Red Seal Exam? (By Trade)

Questions by trade

Each trade's exam has its own count. The "correct to pass" column is 70% of that count, rounded up.

Trade	Questions	Correct to pass	Source
Automotive Service Technician	125	88	Breakdown
Carpenter	100	70	Breakdown
Construction Electrician	100	70	Breakdown
Cook	150	105	Breakdown
Hairstylist	120	84	Breakdown
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician	135	95	Breakdown
Industrial Electrician	100	70	Breakdown
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)	135	95	Breakdown
Instrumentation and Control Technician	125	88	Breakdown
Machinist	135	95	Breakdown
Plumber	125	88	Breakdown
Powerline Technician	125	88	Breakdown
Steamfitter/Pipefitter	130	91	Breakdown
Welder	125	88	Breakdown

The passing numbers are our own math from the 70% pass mark in the Exam Preparation Guide.

Using the breakdown

Each breakdown also shows how many questions come from each Major Work Activity and task. Put your study time where the questions are, then practise those topics in your trade quiz. For the pass mark and time limit, see Red Seal exam pass mark and format.

FAQ

How many questions are on the Red Seal exam?

It depends on the trade. For the trades we cover, the official Exam Breakdowns list between 100 and 150 questions.

Which exam has the most questions?

Of the trades in our table, Cook has the most, with 150 questions.

How much time do I get per question?

Everyone gets four hours, so divide 240 minutes by your trade's question count. That works out to 2.4 minutes on a 100-question exam and 1.6 minutes on a 150-question exam.

Where do these numbers come from?

Each row links to that trade's official Exam Breakdown on red-seal.ca.

Sources

Checked November 4, 2026. Rules and dates can change, so confirm on the official page before you rely on them. RedSkillTrade is an independent study site and isn't affiliated with the Red Seal Program or any government.