ALBERTA HEAVY EQUIPMENT
TECHNICIAN
FIRST PERIOD AIT EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 4 Hours
Total Questions: 100 Questions
Question Format: Multiple Choice with Detailed Solutions
Minimum Competency: 70% Required to Pass
Core Focus: Safety, Tools, Engines, Hydraulics, Electrical, Powertrain
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Alberta Heavy Equipment Technician First Period AIT Exam covers foundational knowledge for
heavy equipment maintenance and repair per Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
standards. Required for progression to Second Period.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Safety & Tools (25%) — WHMIS, PPE, shop safety, hand tools, power tools, measuring, fasteners
• Engine Fundamentals (25%) — Engine operation, diesel basics, cooling, lubrication, air
intake/exhaust
• Hydraulics & Pneumatics (20%) — Hydraulic principles, components, symbols, basic circuits,
pneumatic systems
• Electrical Systems (15%) — Basic electrical, batteries, charging, starting, wiring, multimeter use
• Powertrain & Undercarriage (15%) — Clutches, transmissions, differentials, final drives, tracks,
tires
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Each item presents four options. Correct answers are highlighted in green with checkmark (✓).
Every question includes detailed solution with trade standards. AIT requires 70% to pass.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master safety procedures and WHMIS. Know hand and power tool identification and use. Understand
four-stroke diesel cycle. Review hydraulic principles and symbols. Study basic electrical circuits and
testing. Know powertrain components. Practice trade calculations.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect 2026 standards: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Heavy
Equipment Technician First Period curriculum, Alberta OHS Code, and Red Seal standards.
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 2
, SECTION I: Safety & Tools
1. WHMIS 2015 pictogram - flame over circle means:
A. Flammable
✓ B. Oxidizing material
C. Explosive
D. Compressed gas
Rationale: WHMIS 2015: Flame over circle = Oxidizers. Flame = Flammables. Exploding bomb =
Explosives. Gas cylinder = Gases under pressure. Corrosion = Corrosive. Skull/crossbones = Acute toxicity.
Health hazard = Health hazards. Exclamation mark = Irritant. Environment = Environmental hazard.
Oxidizers can cause fire or explosion when in contact with combustibles.
2. Minimum PPE for grinding:
A. Safety glasses only
✓ B. Safety glasses, face shield, hearing protection, gloves
C. No PPE
D. Dust mask only
Rationale: Grinding: Safety glasses + face shield (double eye protection), hearing protection (grinders >85
dB), leather gloves, steel-toe boots, long sleeves. Check wheel speed rating, ring test wheel, no cracks.
Stand to side at startup. Tool rest 1/8 inch from wheel. Spark arrestor 1/16 inch.
3. Torque specification 50 lb-ft. Using 2-foot breaker bar, force required:
A. 100 lb
✓ B. 25 lb
C. 50 lb
D. 200 lb
Rationale: Torque = Force × Distance. Force = Torque / Distance = 50 lb-ft / 2 ft = 25 lb. Longer bar reduces
force needed. Torque wrench for accuracy. Sequence: crisscross pattern, 3 stages (1/3, 2/3, full torque).
Lubricated vs dry threads affects torque value.
4. Micrometer reading: Sleeve shows 0.300, thimble shows 15. Measurement =
✓ A. 0.315 inches
B. 0.3015 inches
C. 0.350 inches
D. 0.015 inches
Rationale: Micrometer: Sleeve = 0.300 (each line 0.025), thimble = 15 × 0.001 = 0.015. Total = 0.300 +
0.015 = 0.315 inches. Accuracy to 0.001. Calibrate with standards. Vernier caliper to 0.001. Dial indicator for
runout. Clean anvils, zero check.
5. Grade 8 bolt head marking:
A. No marks
✓ B. 6 radial lines
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 3
TECHNICIAN
FIRST PERIOD AIT EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
JUST RELEASED
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 4 Hours
Total Questions: 100 Questions
Question Format: Multiple Choice with Detailed Solutions
Minimum Competency: 70% Required to Pass
Core Focus: Safety, Tools, Engines, Hydraulics, Electrical, Powertrain
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Alberta Heavy Equipment Technician First Period AIT Exam covers foundational knowledge for
heavy equipment maintenance and repair per Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
standards. Required for progression to Second Period.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Safety & Tools (25%) — WHMIS, PPE, shop safety, hand tools, power tools, measuring, fasteners
• Engine Fundamentals (25%) — Engine operation, diesel basics, cooling, lubrication, air
intake/exhaust
• Hydraulics & Pneumatics (20%) — Hydraulic principles, components, symbols, basic circuits,
pneumatic systems
• Electrical Systems (15%) — Basic electrical, batteries, charging, starting, wiring, multimeter use
• Powertrain & Undercarriage (15%) — Clutches, transmissions, differentials, final drives, tracks,
tires
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Each item presents four options. Correct answers are highlighted in green with checkmark (✓).
Every question includes detailed solution with trade standards. AIT requires 70% to pass.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master safety procedures and WHMIS. Know hand and power tool identification and use. Understand
four-stroke diesel cycle. Review hydraulic principles and symbols. Study basic electrical circuits and
testing. Know powertrain components. Practice trade calculations.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect 2026 standards: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) Heavy
Equipment Technician First Period curriculum, Alberta OHS Code, and Red Seal standards.
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 2
, SECTION I: Safety & Tools
1. WHMIS 2015 pictogram - flame over circle means:
A. Flammable
✓ B. Oxidizing material
C. Explosive
D. Compressed gas
Rationale: WHMIS 2015: Flame over circle = Oxidizers. Flame = Flammables. Exploding bomb =
Explosives. Gas cylinder = Gases under pressure. Corrosion = Corrosive. Skull/crossbones = Acute toxicity.
Health hazard = Health hazards. Exclamation mark = Irritant. Environment = Environmental hazard.
Oxidizers can cause fire or explosion when in contact with combustibles.
2. Minimum PPE for grinding:
A. Safety glasses only
✓ B. Safety glasses, face shield, hearing protection, gloves
C. No PPE
D. Dust mask only
Rationale: Grinding: Safety glasses + face shield (double eye protection), hearing protection (grinders >85
dB), leather gloves, steel-toe boots, long sleeves. Check wheel speed rating, ring test wheel, no cracks.
Stand to side at startup. Tool rest 1/8 inch from wheel. Spark arrestor 1/16 inch.
3. Torque specification 50 lb-ft. Using 2-foot breaker bar, force required:
A. 100 lb
✓ B. 25 lb
C. 50 lb
D. 200 lb
Rationale: Torque = Force × Distance. Force = Torque / Distance = 50 lb-ft / 2 ft = 25 lb. Longer bar reduces
force needed. Torque wrench for accuracy. Sequence: crisscross pattern, 3 stages (1/3, 2/3, full torque).
Lubricated vs dry threads affects torque value.
4. Micrometer reading: Sleeve shows 0.300, thimble shows 15. Measurement =
✓ A. 0.315 inches
B. 0.3015 inches
C. 0.350 inches
D. 0.015 inches
Rationale: Micrometer: Sleeve = 0.300 (each line 0.025), thimble = 15 × 0.001 = 0.015. Total = 0.300 +
0.015 = 0.315 inches. Accuracy to 0.001. Calibrate with standards. Vernier caliper to 0.001. Dial indicator for
runout. Clean anvils, zero check.
5. Grade 8 bolt head marking:
A. No marks
✓ B. 6 radial lines
Alberta HET First Period AIT Exam Latest Update Page 3
