Successfully writing your Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam is a critical step in establishing a career for an automotive technician.

A solid resource to help you succeed is Jeff Oakes’ Canadian Automotive Red Seal Exam Prep guide. Oakes is Automotive Apprenticeship Instructor at Ontario’s Conestoga College.

“The question many people in your position have is how do you prepare for test questions that are written about your on-the-job training? As a licensed 310S technician and automotive instructor, I get it. Even I struggled to find resource for my students. So I decided to make one.”

Here are some tips offered in the guide.

1 – Understand the Exam Blueprint
The Red Seal exam isn’t just about knowing auto mechanics—it’s structured around competencies. Be sure you’re familiar with the topic areas (e.g. brakes, electrical, engine performance, HVAC, etc.), how much weight each section carries, and what kinds of questions are asked (knowledge, application, problem solving). Oakes emphasizes alignment between your study plan and the official exam map.

2 – Use Practice Questions Religiously
One of the strongest features of Oakes’s prep guide is its practice questions. Use them often, and simulate test conditions (time yourself). Review not just what you got wrong, but why you got them wrong. Understanding errors is more valuable than getting questions right by chance.

3- Build a Two-Week Study Plan
Oakes recommends breaking the final few weeks down into focused study blocks. Choose one specific domain (say, engine performance or diagnostics) per block. Rotate topics so nothing is neglected. Leave time for comprehensive review and mock exams close to your scheduled exam date.

4 – Balance Hands-On & Theory
The Red Seal exam expects you to apply technical theory. When studying theory (electrical circuits, diagnostics, etc.), whenever possible, follow up in your shop or lab with hands-on application. E.g., learn how a circuit works from the book, then test and trace circuits, verify with voltmeters, etc. That helps cement understanding.

5- Keep Up with Industry Changes
Oakes emphasizes that things change: new vehicle technologies (electrification, emission controls, driver assist), safety standards, diagnostic tools. Make sure you’re studying the most up-to-date materials, manufacturer best practices, and current safety procedures. Don’t rely solely on old tools or old examples.

6 – Manage Stress & Time
During prep, include rest days, and in the exam, make a time strategy (skip hard ones and return later; don’t spend too long on a single question). Oakes suggests using exam-style mock tests under timed conditions to build endurance and reduce anxiety.

7 – Seek Mentoring & Peer Study
Discuss tricky topics with experienced techs. Use study groups. Teaching a topic to someone else often reveals gaps in your own understanding. Oakes notes apprentices often benefit when their shop supports them with mentors and access to technical resources.

Earlier this year, Oakes was a guest on The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.  Jeff Oakes’ Canadian Automotive Red Seal Exam Prep guide is available on Amazon.ca.