The exam at a glance
- 135multiple-choice questions
- 70%pass mark (95 of 135 correct)
- 4 hourswriting time
- ~1.8 minper question on average
Every question has four options and one correct answer. There are no trick questions, and every question is worth one mark. A formula sheet and an acronym list are provided at the sitting.
Question types: knowledge and recall 10–20%, procedural and application 50–60%, critical thinking 25–35%.
What's on the exam
The questions follow the Machinist Red Seal Occupational Standard, grouped into major work activities. The biggest blocks are Machines using conventional lathes (28), Machines using conventional milling machines (28), Machines using CNC machines (27).
| Block | Major work activity | Questions | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Performs common occupational skills | 13 | 10% |
| B | Performs benchwork | 11 | 8% |
| C | Machines using power saws | 8 | 6% |
| D | Machines using drill presses | 9 | 7% |
| E | Machines using conventional lathes | 28 | 21% |
| F | Machines using conventional milling machines | 28 | 21% |
| G | Machines using precision grinding machines | 11 | 8% |
| H | Machines using CNC machines | 27 | 20% |
| Total | 135 | 100% |
How to study
- Lathes (E, 28), mills (F, 28) and CNC (H, 27) make up 83 of the 135 questions. Spend most of your time there.
- Know your shop math: speeds and feeds, thread depth, tapers, sine bar set-ups and bolt hole circles. The formula sheet is provided, but you still need to pick the right one.
- For CNC, read G- and M-code by hand: work offsets, tool length and cutter radius compensation, and canned cycles.
- Grinding (G, 11) catches people out. Learn wheel markings, dressing, truing and how to fix burn and chatter.
- Do the free self-assessment on the official exam page and spend your time on the tasks you rated lowest, weighted by how many questions they carry.
- Practise every day in short sets. When you get one wrong, work out why each wrong option is wrong, not just which one is right.
Try 3 sample questions
These are original practice questions from our Machinist question bank, not real exam questions.
Question 1 · Materials & heat treatment
What's the basic sequence for through-hardening a piece of tool steel?
- A. Quench, heat to red, then let it cool slowly
- B. Heat above its critical temperature, quench, then temper
- C. Heat to a dull red and let it cool in the furnace
- D. Temper first, then quench from room temperature
Show the answer
B. Heat above its critical temperature, quench, then temper
Heating above critical and quenching makes it hard but brittle. Tempering at a lower temperature gives back toughness at a small loss of hardness.
Question 2 · Drill press operation
How does reaming speed compare with drilling speed for the same size?
- A. About double the drilling speed
- B. Exactly the same
- C. As fast as the machine will go
- D. About half the drilling speed
Show the answer
D. About half the drilling speed
Reamers cut on many edges with a small allowance. Lower speed and steady feed give a better finish and size, and keep the reamer from chattering.
Question 3 · Milling setup
How do you tram the head of a vertical knee mill?
- A. Set a level on the head and adjust it
- B. Measure from the column with a tape
- C. Line up the angle scale on the head
- D. Sweep an indicator around the spindle and adjust to match
Show the answer
D. Sweep an indicator around the spindle and adjust to match
Sweeping front to back and side to side shows any tilt. Adjust until the readings match, or the cuts won't be flat.
Every question in every trade is free for everyone until Dec 1. No sign-up needed.
Try 10 questions free, no account needed. Every question has a plain-language explanation.
Start practisingSources
- Red Seal Program: Machinist exam information (number of questions, breakdown, question types)
- Red Seal Exam Preparation Guide (70% pass mark, four-hour writing time, format)
- SkilledTradesBC: What to expect on exam day (four-hour time limit, materials provided)
Checked October 2026. Exam details can change, so confirm with the official page and your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority before you write. RedSkillTrade is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with the Red Seal Program.
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