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200+ Free CWS Welding Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CWS Welding Exam

180

Total Questions

AWS QC13

70%

Passing Score

AWS QC13

2 x 2 hrs

Exam Time

AWS QC13

$665/$756

Member / Nonmember Fee

AWS 2026 price list

30%

Productivity Weight

AWS QC13

Open Book

Exam Format

AWS QC13

The CWS exam is an open-book AWS certification made up of two Prometric-delivered parts: a 150-question fundamentals of supervision exam and a 30-question welding practices and economics exam. Candidates need 70% correct to pass, must meet AWS experience and education requirements, and should expect the largest share of questions to come from productivity and performance topics.

About the CWS Welding Exam

The AWS Certified Welding Supervisor credential validates the knowledge and judgment needed to supervise welding operations, coordinate qualified personnel, apply drawings and specifications, control materials and welding practices, maintain documentation, and improve welding productivity.

Assessment

2-part open-book CBT: Part A (150 questions) and Part B (30 questions)

Time Limit

4 hours total (2 hours per part)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$665 member / $756 nonmember (American Welding Society (AWS) / Prometric)

CWS Welding Exam Content Outline

30%

Productivity and Performance

Deposition and operating factors, labor and layout efficiency, fit-up quality, rework reduction, station design, cost awareness, and throughput improvement.

10%

Drawings, Specifications, Safety, Instructions, and Production Control

Reading drawings and weld symbols, applying specifications, welding safety management, communicating job instructions, and controlling production workflow.

5% each

Supervision, Materials, Equipment, Inspection, Records, and Standards

Personnel coordination, base and filler materials, welding equipment and process basics, inspection readiness, documentation, and correct general application of welding standards.

How to Pass the CWS Welding Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 2-part open-book CBT: Part A (150 questions) and Part B (30 questions)
  • Time limit: 4 hours total (2 hours per part)
  • Exam fee: $665 member / $756 nonmember

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CWS Welding Study Tips from Top Performers

1Spend the most time on productivity and performance because AWS assigns that area the largest official weighting.
2Practice navigating weld symbols, notes, revision blocks, and specification references without hesitation.
3Review WPS use, preheat/interpass control, consumable handling, sequencing, and distortion prevention as a connected workflow rather than isolated facts.
4Know the supervisor's role in qualification records, inspection readiness, documentation flow, and coordination with NDE or outside parties.
5Use timed open-book drills so you build speed in standards lookup instead of assuming the book will save time automatically.
6Brush up on basic welding process theory, filler classifications, weldability, and common quality risks so you can make sound supervisory decisions.
7Study safety from a supervisor perspective: permits, ventilation, PPE, cylinder handling, confined spaces, and fire prevention responsibilities.
8Work mixed productivity problems involving deposition, operating factor, rework, fit-up, and labor utilization because Part B emphasizes economics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AWS CWS exam?

AWS QC13 states that the CWS exam has two open-book written examinations: Part A has 150 multiple-choice questions on fundamentals of welding supervision, and Part B has 30 multiple-choice questions on welding practices and economics. That makes 180 questions total.

What is the passing score for CWS?

AWS QC13 requires a minimum of 70% correct answers to pass the CWS written examination(s). Because the program is governed by AWS standards, candidates should verify any current scoring or retest details in the official AWS CWS user guide before scheduling.

How much does the CWS exam cost in 2026?

AWS lists the 2026 CWS Prometric exam fee as $665 for AWS members and $756 for nonmembers on the official program price list effective January 1, 2026. Optional seminar and package pricing is higher.

What topics matter most on the CWS exam?

The largest official weighting is Productivity and Performance at 30%. Drawings and specifications, safety requirements, welding instructions, and welding practices/production controls each account for 10%, while supervision, materials, equipment, inspection, records, and standards application each account for 5%.

Is the CWS exam open book?

Yes. AWS describes the CWS written examinations as open-book exams. Candidates should still practice quick reference use because open-book welding exams are time-limited and reward efficient navigation of standards and supporting documents.

What experience is required to become a CWS?

AWS B5.9 requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least three years of practical welding experience in fabrication, construction, or a welding-related industry. AWS also allows certain teaching experience substitutions with proper documentation, and QC13 requires proof of visual acuity as part of certification.

Are there any 2026 CWS changes I should know about?

As of March 12, 2026, AWS has published 2026 pricing effective January 1, 2026 and an online-only certification application change effective January 15, 2026 through the My AWS Portal. I did not find an official 2026 change to the underlying CWS exam weighting itself; AWS still points candidates to the CWS user guide, QC13, and B5.9 for exam structure and body of knowledge.