Red Seal 401A Bricklayer Exam: 2026 Blueprint & Weighting Guide
The Red Seal 401A Bricklayer Interprovincial Examination (IPSE) covers cavity wall construction, structural brick and block masonry, arches, refractory linings, flashings, weepholes, and CSA A179/A371 standards.
🧱 401A Bricklayer Exam Quick Blueprint Summary
- Total Exam Questions: 100 Multiple-Choice Questions
- Time Allowed: 4 Hours
- Passing Mark: 70% (70/100 correct)
- Official Standard: Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS), red-seal.ca
1. Official Major Work Activity (MWA) Weighting Breakdown
| Major Work Activity (MWA) | Weighting (%) | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| MWA A: Performs Common Occupational Skills Scaffolding safety (CSA S269.2), fall arrest, masonry saw safety, mortar batching (Type S vs N vs M) |
14% | 14 Qs |
| MWA B: Builds Masonry Walls (Highest Weighting!) Cavity walls, CMU block foundation walls, brick veneer, wall ties, flashing, weephole placement, expansion joints |
34% | 34 Qs |
| MWA C: Builds Arches, Columns & Piers Segmental arches, semicircular arches, jack arches, skewbacks, voussoirs, keystones, temporary centering forms |
18% | 18 Qs |
| MWA D: Builds Fireplaces, Chimneys & Refractory Structures Firebrick, refractory mortar, smoke chambers, dampers, flue liners, high-temperature industrial furnaces |
20% | 20 Qs |
| MWA E: Performs Masonry Restoration & Cleaning Tuckpointing, repointing mortar matching, efflorescence removal, chemical cleaning, seismic retrofitting |
14% | 14 Qs |
2. Sample Practice Question
Practice Question: According to CSA A371 masonry standards, what is the required maximum vertical and horizontal spacing for corrugated metal wall ties in a residential brick veneer cavity wall?
A) 400 mm vertical and 600 mm horizontal
B) 600 mm vertical and 800 mm horizontal
C) 400 mm vertical and 800 mm horizontal
D) 500 mm vertical and 500 mm horizontal
Correct Answer: C) 400 mm vertical by 800 mm horizontal (or 600 mm vertical by 600 mm horizontal), ensuring no more than 0.32 m² of wall area per tie).
How to Study for Bricklayer Red Seal
Master arch geometry, mortar chemistry, and cavity wall details on Red Seal Pass Bricklayer Prep.
Study along with me
Free Red Seal practice questions with full explanations, plus spaced-repetition review that actually sticks.
Free Practice Questions See Plans