FREE AWS Certified Welder Practice Test 2026 — 70 D1.1 & ASME Section IX Questions
The AWS Certified Welder credential is the most widely recognized welding certification in the United States — it's performance-based (you weld a test coupon, a CWI inspects it) but the written exam tests your knowledge of welding processes, symbols, metallurgy, safety, and code. This page gives you 70 verified practice questions covering D1.1 structural, ASME Section IX, API 1104 pipeline, and universal welding fundamentals — every answer sourced from the actual code books.
Key Facts
- •AWS Certified Welder (CW) is a performance-based certification: you weld test coupons under a Certified Welding Inspector's supervision, and the welds are tested (bend test, radiography). There is NO expiration — but continuity must be maintained every 6 months.
- •The written portion tests code knowledge, welding theory, symbols, NDT methods, and safety. AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding Code — Steel) is the most commonly tested code.
- •ASME Section IX qualifies welding procedures (WPS/PQR) and welders for pressure vessels and boilers. The concepts of essential variables, P-numbers, and F-numbers are heavily tested.
- •API 1104 is the pipeline welding standard — tested for pipeline welders. Covers qualification, inspection, NDT acceptance criteria, and repair procedures.
- •Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exam: Part A (fundamentals — 150 questions, 2 hrs), Part B (practical — 46 questions, 2 hrs), Part C (code book navigation — 50-60 questions, 2 hrs). 72% composite passing.
- •Key welding processes tested: SMAW (stick — most versatile, wind-tolerant, E6010/E7018), GMAW (MIG — high productivity, four transfer modes), GTAW (TIG — highest quality, non-ferrous metals), FCAW (flux-core — high deposition, structural steel).
- •Welding symbols (AWS A2.4) are a universal visual language. The arrow side vs other side, groove vs fillet, supplementary symbols (field weld, all-around, backing, spacer) appear on EVERY written exam.
- •Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods: VT (visual — cheapest, most common), PT (dye penetrant — surface cracks), MT (magnetic particle — ferromagnetic materials only), UT (ultrasonic — internal flaws, thickness), RT (radiography — permanent record, volumetric).
- •Our 70 questions are tagged by 8 knowledge nodes: welding processes, symbols & blueprints, metallurgy & heat treatment, defects & NDT, safety & PPE, electrodes & filler metals, joint design & fit-up, codes & standards.
- •Average AWS CW test cost: $400-1,000 depending on the testing facility. CWI exam: $1,100 for AWS members, $1,400 for non-members.
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70 AWS D1.1 + ASME Section IX verified questions. Welding symbols, NDT, metallurgy, safety, processes. Mock exam mode with timer.
Start FREE Welding Practice →The 4 Major Welding Processes — Which One They'll Test
Welding Processes — Quick Reference for Exam
| Process | Full Name | Shielding | Best For | Key Exam Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMAW | Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Stick) | Flux coating on electrode | Structural steel, field work, wind conditions | E6010 (deep penetration, DC+), E7018 (low hydrogen, AC/DC), electrode classification per AWS A5.1 |
| GMAW | Gas Metal Arc Welding (MIG) | External gas (CO₂, Ar/CO₂ mix) | Production, sheet metal, automotive | 4 transfer modes: short-circuit, globular, spray, pulsed-spray. Voltage/amperage relationship. Inductance. |
| GTAW | Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) | Argon or Helium (inert gas) | Precision work, non-ferrous metals, pipe | AC for aluminum (cleaning action), DCEN for steel. Tungsten electrode types (2% thoriated, pure, ceriated). Filler rod fed separately. |
| FCAW | Flux-Cored Arc Welding | Flux inside tubular wire ± external gas | Structural steel, shipbuilding, high deposition | Self-shielded (FCAW-S) vs gas-shielded (FCAW-G). E71T-1 classification. Higher deposition than SMAW. |
Electrode Classification: The Number You Must Decode
Every welding exam asks you to decode an electrode classification like E7018 or ER70S-3. For SMAW electrodes (E7018): E = electrode, 70 = 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength (first two digits), 1 = all-position (third digit: 1=all, 2=flat/horizontal, 3=flat only), 8 = low hydrogen with iron powder coating (last digit: type of coating and current). Practice decoding electrode numbers — it's guaranteed to be on the test.
An E7018 electrode is classified as per AWS A5.1. What does the '70' designate?
- A. 70 volts maximum open circuit voltage
- B. 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength
- C. 70% weld metal recovery rate
- D. 70 amps recommended current range
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Per AWS A5.1, SMAW electrode classification: the first two digits (or three for 100+ ksi) designate the minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal in ksi (thousands of psi). E7018 = 70,000 psi minimum tensile strength. E6010 = 60,000 psi. E11018 = 110,000 psi. Source: AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2020, Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for SMAW.
Welding Symbols (AWS A2.4): The Universal Visual Language
Welding symbols appear on every blueprint and every welding exam. The reference line (horizontal) is the backbone. Everything above the reference line applies to the OTHER side of the joint. Everything below it applies to the ARROW side. The tail (V-shaped bracket at the end) contains supplementary information like the welding process or specification. Key supplementary symbols: field weld (flag), weld all around (circle at arrow/reference line junction), backing (rectangle inside a circle), spacer (rectangle inside two parallel lines). Contour symbols: flush (straight line), convex (curve up), concave (curve down). Groove weld symbols: V, bevel, U, J, flare-V, flare-bevel. Fillet weld: triangle (the most common symbol — looks like a right triangle with equal legs).
On a welding symbol, the weld size for a fillet weld is shown to the ____ of the fillet weld symbol.
- A. Right
- B. Left
- C. Inside the tail
- D. Above or below
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Per AWS A2.4, the fillet weld size is always placed to the LEFT of the fillet symbol (triangle). The length (if specified) goes to the right. If the length is not specified, the weld runs the full length of the joint. This is universally tested on CWI and welder qualification exams. Source: AWS A2.4:2020, Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and Nondestructive Examination.
Drill Welding Symbols — Guaranteed on the Test
15+ welding symbol interpretation questions. Arrow side vs other side, groove vs fillet, supplementary symbols. Detailed AWS A2.4 references.
Practice Welding Symbols →NDT Methods: Which Test for Which Defect
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods — Quick Reference
| Method | Detects | Materials | Surface/Volumetric? | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VT (Visual) | Surface cracks, undercut, porosity, incomplete fusion (visible) | All materials | Surface only | Only what's visible to the eye ± magnification |
| PT (Dye Penetrant) | Surface-breaking cracks, porosity, laps, seams | Non-porous materials only | Surface-breaking only | Can't detect subsurface defects. Must clean thoroughly before/after. |
| MT (Magnetic Particle) | Surface and near-surface cracks, seams, laps | Ferromagnetic ONLY (steel, iron, nickel) | Surface + slight subsurface | Won't work on aluminum, stainless, copper, titanium |
| UT (Ultrasonic) | Internal cracks, lack of fusion, inclusions, thickness | Most metals, some composites | Volumetric | Requires couplant, skilled operator, surface preparation |
| RT (Radiography) | Internal porosity, slag, cracks, incomplete penetration | Most metals, decreasing sensitivity with thickness | Volumetric (permanent record) | Radiation safety, costly, orientation matters for planar defects |
Welding Defects: What Causes What
Every welding exam tests defect identification: porosity (gas entrapment — cause: moisture, oil, loss of shielding gas, too long arc length), slag inclusion (flux entrapped — cause: improper cleaning between passes, wrong electrode angle), lack of fusion (weld metal doesn't fuse with base metal — cause: insufficient heat input, wrong travel speed, surface contamination), undercut (groove melted into base metal at toe of weld — cause: excessive current, too fast travel speed, wrong electrode angle), cracking (most serious defect — causes: hydrogen embrittlement, high restraint, rapid cooling, high carbon equivalent).
Hydrogen-induced cracking in steel welds is also known as:
- A. Hot cracking (solidification cracking)
- B. Cold cracking (delayed cracking / HAZ cracking)
- C. Lamellar tearing
- D. Reheat cracking
Reveal Answer & Explanation
Hydrogen-induced cracking is 'cold cracking' because it typically occurs at temperatures below 300°F (150°C), often hours or days after welding — hence 'delayed cracking.' It requires three conditions: (1) a susceptible microstructure (martensite in HAZ of hardenable steel), (2) sufficient hydrogen (from moisture in electrodes, flux, or atmosphere), (3) high restraint/residual stress. Prevention: low-hydrogen electrodes (H4, H8), preheat, post-weld heat treatment (PWHT). Source: AWS D1.1:2020, Annex B and ASM Handbook Vol. 6.
AWS D1.1 vs ASME Section IX vs API 1104 — Which Code for Which Job
Welding Code Comparison
| Code | Application | Qualifies | Test Method | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS D1.1 | Structural steel (buildings, bridges) | Welder + WPS | Bend test, RT, or UT | Every 12 months max between tests |
| ASME Section IX | Pressure vessels, boilers, piping (B31.1/B31.3) | WPS + PQR + Welder/Welding Operator | Bend test, RT | Every 6 months (welder continuity) |
| API 1104 | Pipeline welding (oil & gas transmission) | Welder + welding procedure | Bend test, RT (or UT per Annex A) | Per operator's written practice |
| AWS D1.5 | Bridge welding | Welder + WPS | Bend test, RT, UT | Per D1.5 fracture control plan |
Welding Safety: The Questions They Always Ask
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 and ANSI Z49.1 are the welding safety standards. Key exam topics: welding fume hazards (hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from stainless steel — OSHA PEL: 5 µg/m³; zinc oxide fumes from galvanized steel cause metal fume fever), arc eye / welder's flash (UV radiation keratoconjunctivitis — feels like sand in eyes, onset 6-12 hours after exposure), PPE requirements (welding helmet with appropriate shade lens — 10-14 for arc welding, 5-8 for gas welding/cutting; fire-resistant clothing; leather gauntlets; steel-toe boots), confined space entry (atmospheric testing, fire watch, ventilation, retrieval equipment), fire prevention (35-foot rule — remove combustibles within 35 feet of welding, fire watch for 30 minutes after welding stops).
Official Sources
Official Welding Exam Sources
- AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2020 — Structural Welding Code — Steel — The most commonly tested welding code for structural applications — primary exam reference
- ASME BPVC Section IX — Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications — Qualification standard for pressure vessels, boilers, and piping — WPS/PQR/welder qualification
- AWS A2.4:2020 — Standard Symbols for Welding, Brazing, and NDT — The definitive welding symbol standard — tested on every written exam
- AWS A3.0M/A3.0:2020 — Standard Welding Terms and Definitions — Official AWS terminology — includes all process definitions and acronyms
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 — Welding, Cutting, and Brazing — Federal safety regulations for welding operations — PPE, ventilation, fire prevention
70 Free Welding Questions — Start Now
AWS D1.1 + ASME Section IX verified. Welding symbols, NDT, metallurgy, processes, safety. Mock exam mode with timer. No signup, 100% free.
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