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100+ Free I-CAR SWQT Practice Questions

Pass your I-CAR Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test (SWQT) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Question 1
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Which destructive test is used to evaluate a fillet weld on a lap joint?

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B
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D
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Key Facts: I-CAR SWQT Exam

8

Test Welds (4 types × 2 positions)

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification

18-gauge

Electrogalvanized Steel Coupons

MPI Partners I-CAR SWQT Reference

3 hours

Approximate Test Duration

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification

40 min

Equipment Familiarization Window

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification

20 min

Per-Position Test Window

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification

3 years

Recertification Cycle

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification

AWS D8.8

Automotive Arc Welding Standard

American Welding Society

C25 / ER70S-6

Standard Shielding Gas & Wire

AWS D8.8 / I-CAR WCS03

The I-CAR SWQT is a hands-on welding test of 8 GMA welds (4 weld types × 2 positions) on 18-gauge electrogalvanized steel, inspected to AWS standards and destructively tested, plus a written theory test. Familiarization is 40 minutes; each position test (vertical, overhead) is timed at 20 minutes. Qualification is valid for 3 years, and structural technicians at I-CAR Gold Class shops must maintain a current qualification.

Sample I-CAR SWQT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your I-CAR SWQT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which welding helmet auto-darkening shade range is appropriate for short-circuit GMA (MIG) welding on 18-gauge automotive steel?
A.Shade 5-6
B.Shade 8-9
C.Shade 10-13
D.Shade 14+
Explanation: ANSI Z49.1 and helmet-shade selection charts recommend shade 10 through 13 for GMA (MIG) welding at the amperages typical of short-circuit transfer on 18-gauge steel. I-CAR uses this range for SWQT preparation.
2Why should a welder avoid pants with rolled cuffs when performing GMA welding?
A.Cuffs increase static buildup on the welder
B.Cuffs can catch hot spatter and start a fire
C.Cuffs interfere with shielding gas flow
D.Cuffs reduce mobility around the booth
Explanation: Rolled cuffs, open pockets, and frayed clothing can trap hot spatter and slag, which can smolder against the skin or ignite. I-CAR welding safety guidance specifically calls out unrolled cuffs.
3What does PPE stand for in welding safety?
A.Process Procedure Examination
B.Personal Protective Equipment
C.Position Protocol Evaluation
D.Power Polarity Equipment
Explanation: PPE means Personal Protective Equipment. In welding it includes auto-darkening helmet, leather gloves, leather jacket or apron, safety glasses, and closed-toe leather boots.
4Which standard primarily addresses arc welding of automotive steel weld quality?
A.AWS D1.1
B.AWS D8.8
C.AWS D17.1
D.AWS D9.1
Explanation: AWS D8.8M Specification for Automotive Weld Quality — Arc Welding of Steel is the AWS D8 committee specification I-CAR references for SWQT visual acceptance and destructive testing criteria.
5Which AWS code provides sheet-steel welding requirements that I-CAR aligns with for destructive testing terminology?
A.AWS D1.3
B.AWS D1.6
C.AWS D14.1
D.AWS D15.1
Explanation: AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel covers welded sheet steel and is the AWS code referenced for sheet-steel destructive testing language alongside D8.8 in automotive collision welding.
6When GMA welding inside a vehicle, what is the primary reason to disconnect the battery?
A.Reduce arc voltage
B.Prevent damage to vehicle electronics and stray current arcing
C.Lower the shielding gas flow
D.Maintain wire-feed speed
Explanation: Welding current and arc flash can damage sensitive vehicle electronics (modules, sensors) and stray current can arc through grounded paths. OEM and I-CAR procedures call for disconnecting the battery before welding on a vehicle.
7Where should the work clamp (ground) be placed when welding on a vehicle?
A.As close as possible to the weld area on a clean, conductive surface
B.On the painted body as far away as possible
C.On the battery negative terminal
D.On the suspension
Explanation: Place the work clamp as close to the weld as practical on bare, clean metal so welding current does not seek alternative paths through bearings, modules, or seams.
8Standard shielding gas for GMA (MIG) welding steel in automotive collision repair is:
A.100% Argon
B.75% Argon / 25% CO2 (C25)
C.100% CO2
D.75% Helium / 25% Argon
Explanation: C25 (75% argon / 25% CO2) is the standard shielding gas blend for GMA welding steel in collision repair. It provides a stable arc, low spatter, and good penetration for short-circuit transfer.
9Which solid wire is the most common consumable for GMA welding mild steel in automotive collision repair?
A.ER308L
B.ER70S-6
C.ER4043
D.ER5356
Explanation: ER70S-6 is a copper-coated solid wire with high silicon and manganese content. Its deoxidizers handle mill scale and light surface contamination, making it the standard choice for mild and HSLA steel collision welding.
10Which polarity is standard for GMA welding (GMAW)?
A.DCEN (direct current electrode negative)
B.DCEP (direct current electrode positive)
C.AC high frequency
D.AC square wave
Explanation: GMA welding uses DCEP (direct current electrode positive, or 'reverse polarity'). DCEP delivers stable arc characteristics, good penetration, and proper droplet transfer for solid wire.

About the I-CAR SWQT Exam

The I-CAR Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test (SWQT) is a hands-on welding qualification with a written theory component. The performance test requires the candidate to produce four weld types (fillet on lap joint, plug on lap joint, butt joint with backing, and open butt joint) in two positions (vertical and overhead), for eight welds total, on 18-gauge automotive electrogalvanized steel. Welds are visually inspected to AWS D8.8 / D1.3 criteria and destructively tested. The qualification is valid for three years and is required for technicians in structural roles at I-CAR Gold Class shops.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 3 hours hands-on plus written theory

Passing Score

All required welds must pass visual and destructive inspection

Exam Fee

Varies by distributor/country (verify with local I-CAR site) (I-CAR Welding Training and Certification)

I-CAR SWQT Exam Content Outline

Practical

Plug Weld on Lap Joint

Punched lap coupon plug welds in vertical and overhead positions, verified by twist test with a 5-10 mm tear-out in the base coupon.

Practical

Fillet Weld on Lap Joint

Continuous lap fillet weld in vertical and overhead positions, inspected visually and by peel/tear-down to AWS criteria.

Practical

Butt Joint with Backing

1 to 1-1/2 in. (25-38 mm) GMA weld on a butt joint with backing in vertical and overhead positions.

Practical

Open Butt Joint

Open square-edge butt weld in vertical and overhead positions, inspected for full penetration and AWS D8.8 visual acceptance.

Written

Theory Test

Multiple-choice items covering welding safety, weld nomenclature, joint types, electrode/wire selection, shielding gas, machine setup, and destructive testing.

How to Pass the I-CAR SWQT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: All required welds must pass visual and destructive inspection
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Approximately 3 hours hands-on plus written theory
  • Exam fee: Varies by distributor/country (verify with local I-CAR site)

Keys to Passing

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

I-CAR SWQT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice on 18-gauge automotive electrogalvanized steel before test day — substrate behavior (galvanized burn-off, increased spatter) differs from clean cold-rolled mild steel.
2Set your auto-darkening helmet to shade 10-13 for short-circuit GMA on thin steel; too dark masks puddle behavior and too light risks arc-eye and UV/IR exposure.
3Lock in the voltage/wire-feed-speed relationship: increasing wire-feed speed increases amperage, while voltage controls arc length and bead width. Memorize symptoms of cold settings (ropy, stacked beads) versus hot settings (burn-through, undercut).
4Maintain contact-tip-to-work distance (CTWD) around 3/8 in. (10 mm); a longer stickout drops amperage, runs cold, and risks cold lap.
5Use a push (forward) travel angle for short-circuit GMA on thin steel — it lowers penetration and reduces burn-through risk on 18-gauge coupons; pull is generally reserved for thicker plate.
6Drill the plug weld twist test until the bottom (base) coupon consistently tears out a 5-10 mm nugget — the weld should be stronger than the parent metal.
7Memorize AWS D8.8 visual acceptance language (no cracks, limited porosity, no undercut beyond limits, full root fusion) and AWS D1.3 sheet-steel terminology that I-CAR references in destructive testing language.
8Know AHSS/UHSS and boron-steel rules: limited heat input, no straightening with heat above OEM limits, sectioning only at factory seams approved by the OEM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the I-CAR Steel Welding Qualification Test (SWQT)?

SWQT is I-CAR's hands-on welding qualification for GMA (MIG) welding on automotive steel, plus a written theory component. Candidates complete eight welds (four weld types in two positions) inspected to AWS D8.8 standards.

How long does the SWQT take?

The full test takes about three hours. Candidates get a 40-minute familiarization period, then 20 minutes for the vertical-position welds and 20 minutes for the overhead-position welds, plus the written theory portion.

What welds are required on the SWQT?

Four weld types are tested in two positions for eight welds total: plug weld on a lap joint, fillet weld on a lap joint, butt joint with backing, and open butt joint, in both vertical and overhead positions.

What material is used for SWQT testing?

Testing is performed on 18-gauge automotive-grade, 60/60 electrogalvanized steel coupons that simulate typical collision-repair sheet metal.

How long is the SWQT qualification valid?

The SWQT qualification is valid for three years. Renewal is typically completed by passing the skills test again.

What shielding gas and wire are used?

The standard combination for GMA welding on steel in collision repair is C25 shielding gas (75% argon / 25% carbon dioxide) with ER70S-6 solid wire.

Which AWS standards are referenced?

I-CAR's visual acceptance criteria align with AWS D8.8 (Specification for Automotive Weld Quality — Arc Welding of Steel) and AWS D1.3 (Structural Welding Code — Sheet Steel).

Is the SWQT required for Gold Class shops?

Yes. Structural Technicians at I-CAR Gold Class shops must hold a current welding qualification, and welding skill checks are evaluated as part of the Gold Class designation.

What destructive tests are used?

Plug welds are validated with a twist test (looking for a 5-10 mm nugget tear-out in the base coupon), and lap fillets are validated with a peel/tear-down test. The base metal should fail before the weld.

What PPE is required for the test?

An auto-darkening welding helmet (typically shade 10-13 for GMA), leather welding gloves, leather welding jacket or apron, safety glasses, and closed-toe leather boots. Cuffs and pockets that can catch sparks are not allowed.