AWS CW Certified Welder

For GMAW with solid wire and external shielding gas on carbon steel, which polarity is normally used?

• ADCEP
• BDCEN
• CAC
• DNo polarity matters once gas is flowing

A SMAW bead is producing excessive spatter and an unstable arc because the welder is holding too long an arc length. What adjustment should be made?

• AKeep the electrode closer to maintain a shorter arc
• BIncrease travel speed sharply
• CWiden the weave pattern
• DMove the work clamp farther away

During GTAW, the tungsten contacts the molten puddle and becomes contaminated. What should the welder do before continuing?

• AContinue welding until the pass is complete
• BIncrease shielding gas flow and keep welding
• CStop and regrind or replace the tungsten
• DSwitch the machine to AC immediately

Gas-shielded FCAW is being used outside, and light wind is causing intermittent porosity. What is the best immediate correction if the procedure must stay the same?

• AIncrease electrical stickout as much as possible
• BAdd wind screens or reposition the work to protect the shielding gas
• CLower voltage until the puddle freezes faster
• DUse a smaller groove angle

In GMAW, wire feed speed is increased substantially while voltage stays the same. Which arc condition is most likely?

• AThe arc becomes shorter and harsher, with a stubbing tendency
• BThe arc becomes longer and flatter automatically
• CShielding gas stops flowing correctly
• DThe wire behaves like a nonconsumable electrode

A welder is getting burn-through on thin sheet steel with GMAW even though fit-up is acceptable. Which change is most likely to help?

• ARaise voltage and slow travel speed
• BLower heat input by reducing settings or increasing travel speed
• CIncrease root opening
• DSwitch to a larger wire and keep the same parameters

A groove weld shows repeated lack of fusion along one sidewall even though the joint is open enough. Which adjustment is most likely to fix the problem?

• ADecrease amperage and narrow the puddle
• BAngle the arc into the sidewall and pause long enough for tie-in
• CShorten stickout only and change nothing else
• DSwitch to a wider root face

Porosity starts appearing in otherwise sound GMAW welds, and the nozzle is packed with spatter. What should be checked first?

• AClean or replace the nozzle and confirm shielding gas flow
• BIncrease weave width to spread the gas better
• CShorten the work lead
• DSwitch the machine to AC

An open-root SMAW root pass looks cold, with poor penetration and a ropey bead. Which change is usually most appropriate?

• ASlightly increase amperage or reduce travel speed
• BLower amperage further
• CUse a much longer arc
• DChange only to a wider cap weave

A welder switches from a 75/25 argon-CO2 shielding mix to 100% CO2 for short-circuit GMAW on carbon steel. Which result is most likely?

• ALess spatter and a softer arc
• BMore spatter and a harsher arc
• CTungsten contamination in the weld
• DAutomatic pulse transfer without changing settings

With self-shielded FCAW, contact-tip-to-work distance becomes much too long. What problem is likely?

• AMore stable arc and deeper penetration
• BErratic arc with reduced penetration and control
• CShielding gas turbulence from the nozzle
• DTungsten inclusions in the root

Why is post-flow shielding gas important in GTAW?

• AIt cools the work rapidly with compressed gas
• BIt protects the hot tungsten and weld area from oxidation
• CIt increases penetration by itself after the arc stops
• DIt removes slag from the finished cap

A horizontal fillet weld repeatedly undercuts the upper toe because the gun is pointed too far upward. What correction is most likely?

• AIncrease stickout significantly
• BReduce voltage only and keep the same angle
• CRe-center the work angle to split the joint and control travel speed
• DSwitch to AC to soften the arc

In overhead SMAW, amperage is set too high. What weld-pool behavior is most likely?

• AThe puddle becomes overly fluid and wants to sag
• BSlag stops forming entirely
• CPenetration disappears
• DArc length shortens by itself

What is the main purpose of clamps and strong tack welds during fit-up of a butt joint?

• AIncrease shielding gas coverage
• BHold alignment and control movement before final welding
• CEliminate the need for a root opening
• DReplace preheat requirements

What is the main function of a backing bar or backing strip on an open-root groove weld?

• AMake the cap more convex
• BSupport the molten root and help control penetration
• CReduce the need for cleaning between passes
• DConvert a groove weld into a fillet weld

In plate welding terminology, 3G refers to which position?

• AFlat groove
• BHorizontal groove
• CVertical groove
• DOverhead fillet

Which pipe test position fixes the pipe at roughly 45 degrees and is commonly considered one of the most demanding qualification positions?

• A1G
• B2G
• C5G
• D6G

For an open-root groove weld, a root opening that is too tight most directly increases the risk of:

• AExcess reinforcement only
• BLack of root penetration or root fusion
• CExcessive shielding gas flow
• DArc blow from the work lead

Excessive hi-lo in pipe fit-up should be corrected before welding because it can:

• AImprove penetration but weaken cap appearance
• BCreate alignment and fusion problems at the root
• CPrevent shielding gas from ionizing
• DMake slag easier to remove

When making an overhead fillet weld, which technique usually gives better control?

• ALarge oscillations and a very fluid puddle
• BSmaller puddle with controlled travel and pauses only as needed
• CExtremely long arc length
• DPushing the puddle ahead aggressively

A long butt joint on thin plate tends to pull badly during welding. Which fit-up strategy best helps limit distortion before the weld is made?

• APlace all tack welds at one end
• BUse balanced tack spacing and restraint so shrinkage is distributed
• CIncrease root opening along the full joint
• DRemove all clamps after the first tack

If a groove preparation has too narrow a bevel angle, the welder will most likely struggle with:

• AAccess to the sidewalls and complete fusion
• BGas cylinder pressure stability
• CKeeping the base metal cool enough
• DElectrode classification

In the 2G plate position, the plate is vertical and the weld axis is:

• AVertical
• BHorizontal
• CAt 45 degrees
• DOverhead

In 5G pipe welding, the pipe itself is:

• ARotated during welding
• BFixed with its axis vertical
• CFixed with its axis horizontal
• DClamped at 45 degrees

What is a practical reason to use bridge tacks or strongbacks on plate groove joints?

• ATo change electrode polarity
• BTo maintain alignment until the welding sequence is complete
• CTo replace backing gas
• DTo avoid cleaning between passes

An open-root joint is prepared with an excessively thick root face. What root-pass problem becomes more likely?

• AToo much puddle wash and burn-through
• BDifficulty achieving full penetration at the root
• CShielding gas freezing in the joint
• DExcessive cap width only

A lap joint will be welded after sitting outside and moisture is trapped between the faying surfaces. What is the best preparation step?

• AWeld hotter to boil contamination out
• BClean and dry the joint surfaces before welding
• CClose the gap completely with extra clamp force
• DIncrease travel speed to outrun porosity

A WPS lists an amperage range of 115-135 A for the root pass. If the machine is set to 150 A, what should the welder do?

• AProceed if the bead looks acceptable
• BReset to the qualified range before welding
• CChange only the travel angle
• DIgnore the WPS for practice coupons

A WPS requires a minimum preheat. When should the welder verify that temperature?

• AOnly after the final cap is complete
• BBefore welding and as needed during welding
• COnly if a bend test later fails
• DAfter the joint cools back to ambient

What best describes the difference between a Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) and a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?

• AThe PQR gives instructions and the WPS records results
• BThe PQR records actual qualified variables and results, and the WPS gives production inst…
• CThey are the same document with different names
• DThe WPS is only for inspection and the PQR is only for billing

Which change is most likely to be treated as an essential variable that requires procedure review or requalification if outside the qualified range?

• ACleaning slag more often between passes
• BChanging base metal or shielding gas beyond the qualified limits
• CUsing a different chipping hammer
• DSwitching from left-to-right travel to right-to-left travel

A welder is qualified using SMAW in 3G on plate. Which conclusion is safest before assigning that welder to GTAW pipe work?

• AThe plate qualification automatically covers all GTAW pipe positions
• BThe welder may need separate qualification because process and position matter
• CAny groove qualification covers any welding process
• DOnly visual inspection experience matters

On a welding symbol, a small flag at the reference line indicates:

• AField weld
• BWeld all around
• CBacking required
• DContour to grind flush

The WPS permits stringer beads only on the cap, but the welder wants to use a wide weave to finish faster. What is the correct action?

• AUse the weave if it looks smooth
• BFollow the WPS or obtain an approved revision first
• CLower amperage until the weave looks acceptable
• DAsk the inspector after the joint is complete

A qualification bend test coupon opens up at a discontinuity during testing. What does that usually mean?

• AVisual inspection alone now controls acceptance
• BThe qualification has not met acceptance until the cause is corrected and retest requirem…
• CBend tests matter only for pipe qualifications
• DThe WPS is automatically approved but the welder is not

Before performing a detailed visual inspection on a completed SMAW weld, what should be done first?

• AChip slag and clean the weld surface
• BRaise amperage and remelt the cap
• CApply penetrant immediately over the slag
• DLoosen all clamps

Which description best matches undercut?

• ARounded gas pockets trapped in the weld
• BA groove melted into the base metal at the weld toe and left unfilled
• CSlag trapped between passes
• DExcessive crown on the cap only

A cluster of small rounded cavities visible on the weld surface is most likely:

• AUnderfill
• BPorosity
• COverlap
• DLamination

A surface crack is found during visual inspection of a test weld. What is the most appropriate response?

• AAccept it if the cap is flush
• BStop and evaluate or repair according to the governing requirements
• CGrind nearby spatter only and continue
• DCover it with an additional weave pass without approval

Which practice is most effective for reducing distortion on a long weldment?

• AWeld continuously from one end with maximum heat
• BUse balanced sequence, restraint, and controlled heat input
• CIncrease the joint gap to absorb shrinkage
• DAvoid tack welds so the parts can move freely

Slag inclusions between passes are commonly caused by:

• ACleaning and brushing too thoroughly
• BPoor cleaning or improper electrode or gun manipulation
• CExcessive post-flow in GTAW
• DToo much cylinder pressure only

Which statement correctly distinguishes lack of fusion from incomplete penetration?

• ALack of fusion is always on the cap surface
• BIncomplete penetration is failure to extend through the joint root, while lack of fusion…
• CThe terms mean exactly the same thing
• DIncomplete penetration occurs only in GTAW

Which inspection method is appropriate for detecting surface and near-surface cracks on ferromagnetic material after the weld is cleaned?

• AMagnetic particle testing
• BRadiographic testing only
• CVisual inspection with no lighting concern
• DWater spray testing

How should compressed gas cylinders generally be handled when moved in a shop?

• ALaid flat with regulators attached
• BUpright and secured with valve protection in place
• CRolled on their sides
• DHeated first so pressure stays stable