Apprenticeship and Certification
BLOCK EXAM
Study Guide
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Version 3
August 2018
Table of Contents
Understanding the Process of Accumulative Learning for Block Exams 9
The following four pages explain, in detail, what the NOA, IPG, POT and Block Exams involve. 10
Understanding the National Occupational Analysis (NOA) 11
Understanding the Interprovincial Program Guide (IPG) 12
Understanding the Provincial Plan of Training (POT) 13
Understanding Block Exams (BE) 14
Block Exam Pie Chart/Exam Breakdown 15
Block Exam Courses/Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives 16
This Study Guide has been developed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division, to assist apprentices as they prepare to write Block Exams.
Some of the specific goals of this guide are:
to help you understand the skills and knowledge that might be covered on the exam
to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses
to provide organization and structure for a course of study
to provide a list of resources to help you with your study plan
The intent of this Study Guide is not to replace technical training provided under the guidance of instructors. Rather, it is a tool to be used in conjunction with in-school training.
If you require special accommodations due to a disability or language barrier, please contact your regional office (See Appendix A) for information on applying for this service.
You must bring:
personal identification such as a photo or signature ID or valid Newfoundland and Labrador driver’s license
The following will be provided:
a calculator (see Appendix B for calculator information)
all other items required such as pencils, scrap paper, etc.
Important Note:
Personal cell phones, calculators, or other electronic equipment are NOT allowed into the exam room. If you do bring them, they will be stored away and returned to you when you have completed the exam.
Exam grades will be released 2 weeks after your exam has been written. You can view the results by clicking the ‘Grades’ button after you log into D2L. The percentage mark you obtained will be provided.
All block exams are written in multiple-choice format. Each exam has 100 questions. A multiple choice question consists of a stem (a complete question) followed by four options (A, B, C, D). The stem contains all the information necessary to answer the question. The options consist of the one correct answer and three “distracters.” Distracters are incorrect.
Block exams can contain three types of questions:
Level 1 Knowledge and Recall
Questions at this level test your
ability to recall and understand definitions, facts, and principles.
Level 2 Procedural and Application
Questions at this level test your ability to apply your knowledge of procedures to a new situation.
Level
3 Critical Thinking
Questions
at this level test your ability to interpret data, solve problems and
arrive at valid conclusions.
Level 1 Example:
You need to
make a 2” diameter round hole in a piece of 5/8”
plywood. Which tool is best suited for this application? A. A drill with
an auger bit. B. A
reciprocating saw. C. A drill
with a hole saw. D. A hacksaw.
Level 2 Example:
When
installing single conductor metal-sheathed cables which of the
following is an acceptable method for reducing the sheath
current? A. Bond the
sheath to all non-current carrying components. B. Bond all of
the sheaths together with #6 SWG bare copper. C. Float the
sheaths at the load end. D. Use the
sheath as the bonding conductor.
Level 3 Example:
Which of the
following diagrams represents a circuit that will allow both
starting and jogging? A. A B. B C. C D. D
Source of questions: www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
To begin, it is important to understand that learning from Block I will influence your learning in Blocks that follow. Hence, the reason for having to review any and all Blocks previous to the current Block you are studying. For example, if you are doing Block II then it is important you study and review Block I. If you are completing Block III then it is important you study and review Block I and II.
Studying previous blocks is a refresher. This means that any concepts and/or pieces of information introduced in previous blocks, that may influence the learning capacity of current blocks, should be looked over. Familiarize yourself with it.
To sum it up, mastering the higher-level skills (i.e. Block II) will depend on the knowledge of lower-level skills (i.e. Block I….) and/or concepts. You need to carry your knowledge and learned skills with you throughout your trade program to achieve successful learning.
In stating the above, the process of preparing for your Block exam involves successfully perfecting the required knowledge and skills (from learning objectives) as well as the practical skills. The course outlines offer this information.
The Block exam questions are derived from the courses/sections you complete and from General Trade Practices. In the General Trade Practice section you will be tested on Common Occupational Skills such as (a) safety; (b) use of tools and equipment; and (c) trade related documentation. Where are the courses developed from? The courses are built from the provincial Plan of Training (POT) - www.aes.gov.nl.ca/app/plans.html.
The POT is based on both the Interprovincial Program Guide (IPG) and the National Occupational Analysis (NOA) - www.red-seal.ca/resources/[email protected].
Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 for a visual representation of the process.
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
BLOCK
EXAM
Work Experiences
The NOA is a national document used for Red Seal trades that describes the knowledge, skills and abilities required by a fully competent tradesperson working in that trade. It allows for mobility within most provinces across Canada.
NOA material is organized into major content areas called BLOCKS. The blocks are further broken down into TASKS and SUB-TASKS.
Sub-tasks are the information required to study and have knowledge of for the Interprovincial exam. See Figure 3 for a visual illustration.
F IGURE 3
To obtain a copy of the NOA and familiarize yourself, please visit the following website:
www.red-seal.ca/resources/[email protected]
IPGs define the minimum content of the technical training for a Red Seal trade.
These guides are developed using the NOA; documents that contain the course outlines (POT) from the provinces and territories; and widespread industry discussion. IPGs contain the learning outcomes and objectives, based upon those sub-tasks identified as common core in the NOA, and help to balance provincial and territorial in-school training.
To obtain a copy of the IPG and familiarize yourself, please visit the following website:
www.red-seal.ca/resources/[email protected]
Provincial POTs detail the full extent of in-school training for a trade.
All Plans of Training are distributed to colleges for delivery by Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD). Each POT contains the following information related to the block exam:
Duration of in-school and on-the-job training
Course content (learning outcomes and objectives)
Course entry level and advanced level training
Tools and equipment
The content for the Block Exam is based on the POT and industry work experiences. To obtain a copy and familiarize yourself, please visit the following website:
www.aes.gov.nl.ca/app/plans.html
Block Exams are administered to achieve the following:
Test knowledge and skills gained from in-school training and on-the-job work experiences.
Ensure apprentices are meeting occupational standards as set by industry.
Familiarize apprentices with the exams that mirror the Interprovincial exams.
Increase success rates of apprentices attempting the Interprovincial exam.
Use as a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) tool to test knowledge.
Grades are released two weeks after you write the exam. When you begin the exam you are given a username and password to log into the website. It is important to keep the username and password because you will need it to obtain your grade. You will be instructed on how to log in during the exam and when you access your grade.
If you are unable to write the exam on a scheduled date you would submit a written request (with rationale) to have it deferred. This request is reviewed by the BE Program Development Specialist and then you are notified of the decision.
In the event that you are unsuccessful on a block exam (i.e., receives a grade of less than 70%), an opportunity to rewrite the exam will be provided. If, after two rewrite attempts, you are unsuccessful, you will be required to participate in a formal Self-Study Plan program before being eligible to do a third re-write. If unsuccessful after the third re-write you must return and complete in-school training.
Please note an apprentice who successfully passes a block exam cannot rewrite it to improve her/his mark.
To obtain the information on the re-write procedures in detail, please go to the following website:
www.aes.gov.nl.ca/app/exams/block_exams.html
The content for the BE is based on the POT. In saying this, the NOA and IPG are excellent tools to use as you study for the Block Exam as well.
The Chart (included as an insert in your package) displays a visual caption of the percentages which shows you the approximate number of questions from each section on which you will be tested. The block exams currently have 100 questions. The number of questions can change at any time. Focus on studying the higher percentage sections first and use this tool to review your current knowledge.
It is important to review Section 1 shown in the Exam Breakdown table (included as an insert in your package). This is where ‘accumulative learning’ comes into play. What you learn from Block I will be carried over into Block II and so on.
Most of the Block Exam questions are derived from the courses which you will find in the POT. You need to study and/or review the learning outcomes and objectives from each of the courses covered in the block you are currently completing.
To confirm the courses that will be covered on your exam cross reference with the Exam Breakdown table (included in your package as an insert). The courses, referred to as sections, on the breakdown should match each of the courses you have completed.
Review by placing checkmarks next to each of the learning objectives in each course that you fully understand. Circle the learning objectives for each course you do not know.
Study and review each objective circled until you are comfortable with the material. Think of possible questions in that particular content area. Then check it off. Continue this process for every course until all the learning objectives are checked. It is at this point you should be ready to write your Block Exam.
As you prepare for your exam, it is important to plan a schedule. The following two tables will help you stay on track.
The first table is a “Weekly Study Plan.” In this table list the areas you will focus your study for each day. You should include items you need to review as well as items you need to study. Remember, more time will be needed for study in areas you find difficult, whereas you may only require review in areas you are more familiar with. As you work through the course’s learning objectives you can start to fill in this table.
The second table is a “Study Time Table.” It is important to create a study schedule where you determine the best days of the week and times of day for you to study.
Print several copies of these tables and fill out for each week of study. It is important to stick to your study schedule.
Weekly Study Plan for Week of: _________________________________________ |
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Area of Study 4 |
Area of Study 5 |
Area of Study 6 |
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Study Time Table for Week of: _________________________________________ |
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
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9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
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10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
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11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon |
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12:00 Noon 1:00 PM |
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1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
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3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
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5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
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6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
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Study information can be drawn from a variety of sources. Study materials are provided in the Self-Study package. An insert entitled ‘Additional Resources’ has been included. These and other helpful resources may be found in a local college bookstore, on the internet, or at your place of employment as well. You may also be able to borrow them from an apprentice or journeyperson in your trade.
Tools and Equipment/Glossary/Acronyms List
Various external resources (websites) have been listed in this study guide to assist an individual in preparing to write a Block Exam. This does not mean the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, Newfoundland and Labrador, endorses the material or that these are recommended as the best resources. There may be other resources of equal or greater value to an individual preparing for a Block Exam. The Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour has no control over websites listed, and/or external resources included in the package. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of the material. However, the Study Guide will be reviewed annually for updates.
We hope this guide has provided you with some useful tools. If you have any questions regarding your Block Exam please contact the Exam Coordinator with the Clarenville Regional office (see Appendix A for a list of regional offices).
We appreciate your comments and feedback regarding the usefulness of this study guide. If you have any comments or suggestions, we welcome your feedback. The feedback form at the end of this guide can be used for this purpose.
Appendix A: Regional Offices
If you have any questions regarding your Block Exam, please contact one of the following regional offices:
Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Toll Free: 1-877-771-3737
Corner Brook |
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Grand Falls-Windsor |
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1-3 Union Street Aylward Building, 2nd Floor Corner Brook, NL A2H 5M7
Telephone: (709) 637-2366 Facsimile: (709) 637-2519
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42 Hardy Avenue Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J9
Telephone: (709) 292-4215 Facsimile: (709) 292-4502
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Clarenville |
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St. John’s |
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45 Tilley’s Road Clarenville, NL A5A 1Z4
Telephone: (709) 466-3982 Facsimile: (709) 466-3987
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P.O. Box
8700
Telephone: (709) 729-2729 Facsimile: (709) 729-5878
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Happy Valley – Goose Bay |
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163 Hamilton River Road Bursey Building Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P 1E0
Telephone: (709) 896-6348 Facsimile: (709) 896-3733
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Appendix B: Calculator Use
The pictures below show two types of calculators offering the same functions. You will be provided with one of these during your exam. It is advisable to borrow or purchase one with similar functions so that you can familiarize yourself with it before you write your exam.
Appendix C: Example of Online Skilled Trades Block Exam
Introduction
With your exam the first step will be to sign in using the screen similar to the one below. When answering multiple choice questions be sure to select your choice and click the ‘Save’ button after each question.
Feedback Form
Study Guide
Please answer the following:
(1) This Study Guide is a useful tool for exam preparation.
strongly agree agree disagree strongly disagree
(2) The topics contained in the guide are arranged in a logical order.
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(3) The design and format of the guide caught my attention.
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(4) The instructions throughout the guide are clear and to the point.
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(5) The resources listed in this guide are suitable and valuable.
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(6) The guide should contain more information.
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Suggested information/resources to include:
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Additional Comments:
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Please complete this form and return via fax, email or regular mail to the following:
Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
Standards and Curriculum Unit
45 Tilley’s Road, Clarenville, NL A5A 1Z4
Fax: (709) 466-3987
APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINEESHIP REPORTING TEMPLATE AGENCY NAME GOVERNMENT PROJECT
APPRENTICESHIP GRANT FOR EMPLOYERS OF 16 TO 24 YEAR
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WORK PROCESSES NAME OF OCCUPATION CENTRAL STERILE
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