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Exam Review

Key Facts: IIW IWS Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

4

Syllabus Modules

IIW/IAB

200+ hrs

Teaching Hours

IIW

Specialist

Below IWT and IWE

IIW

Written

MCQ + structured exams

IIW/IAB

International

ANB/ATB delivered

IIW

The International Welding Specialist (IWS) is a welding-coordination diploma awarded under the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and its International Authorisation Board (IAB), delivered through national Authorised National Bodies (ANBs) and Authorised Training Bodies (ATBs). Candidates complete over 200 teaching hours and pass written module examinations (multiple-choice plus structured questions) covering Module 1 welding processes and equipment, Module 2 materials and their behaviour during welding, Module 3 construction and design, and Module 4 fabrication, applications and quality. The IWS sits below the IWT and IWE diplomas and confirms competence to plan, supervise and verify welding within a defined technical scope under ISO 14731. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample IIW IWS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the IIW IWS exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under ISO 4063, which reference number designates manual metal arc welding with a covered electrode (MMA/SMAW)?
A.111
B.121
C.135
D.141
Explanation: ISO 4063 assigns reference number 111 to metal-arc welding with covered electrode (MMA, also called SMAW or stick welding). The covered electrode provides both the filler metal and a slag-forming flux coating that shields the arc.
2In the MAG process (ISO 4063 number 135), what is the primary role of the shielding gas?
A.To supply additional filler metal to the weld pool
B.To protect the molten pool and arc from atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen
C.To increase the electrical resistance of the electrode wire
D.To cool the contact tip during high-current welding
Explanation: In gas-shielded arc welding the shielding gas displaces air so that atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen cannot reach the molten metal, preventing porosity and embrittlement. In MAG an active gas such as CO2 or an Ar/CO2 mixture is used, which also influences arc stability and penetration.
3Which electrical characteristic does a power source for manual metal arc welding (MMA) ideally provide?
A.Constant voltage (flat) characteristic
B.Constant (drooping) current characteristic
C.Rising voltage with increasing current
D.Zero open-circuit voltage
Explanation: MMA uses a constant-current (drooping) characteristic so that arc current stays nearly constant despite the natural variation in arc length the welder produces by hand. This keeps burn-off rate and heat input stable when the manual arc length changes.
4In MIG/MAG welding, a constant-voltage power source combined with a constant wire feed speed gives self-regulation of the arc. If the arc momentarily becomes shorter, what happens?
A.Current falls, so burn-off rate falls and the arc lengthens back
B.Current rises, so burn-off rate rises and the arc lengthens back
C.Voltage rises sharply and the wire stubs into the plate
D.Wire feed speed automatically slows down
Explanation: With a flat (constant-voltage) characteristic, a shorter arc draws more current because the static curve is steep, which increases the wire burn-off rate and burns the wire back until the arc length is restored. This 'self-adjusting' arc is why MIG/MAG only needs the welder to set voltage and wire feed speed.
5Which metal transfer mode in MAG welding is characterised by the wire periodically touching the weld pool and short-circuiting at low currents and voltages?
A.Spray transfer
B.Globular transfer
C.Dip (short-circuit) transfer
D.Pulsed transfer
Explanation: Dip (short-circuit) transfer occurs at low voltage and current: the wire tip repeatedly contacts the pool, short-circuits, and the molten droplet is pinched off, typically 50-200 times per second. Its low heat input makes it suited to thin sheet and positional welding.
6In TIG (GTAW) welding, what is the electrode made of?
A.Consumable mild-steel wire
B.Non-consumable tungsten (often alloyed)
C.Copper-coated carbon rod
D.Flux-cored steel tube
Explanation: TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode (frequently alloyed with thoria, lanthana or ceria to improve electron emission and current capacity). Filler, when needed, is added separately as a rod, and an inert gas such as argon shields the arc and pool.
7Why is submerged arc welding (SAW) generally limited to the flat (PA) and horizontal-vertical positions?
A.The granular flux would fall away from the joint in other positions
B.The wire cannot be fed upwards
C.The arc is visible and dazzles the operator
D.The process cannot reach high deposition rates
Explanation: In SAW a blanket of loose granular flux must lie over the joint to cover the arc and protect the pool. Out of the flat or HV position the granular flux simply falls away, so SAW is essentially restricted to downhand and limited horizontal welding, typically mechanised.
8What does the welding position designation 'PF' indicate according to ISO 6947?
A.Flat (downhand) butt welding
B.Horizontal-vertical fillet welding
C.Vertical-up welding
D.Overhead welding
Explanation: ISO 6947 designates PF as vertical-up welding (progression upwards). The related codes are PA flat, PB horizontal-vertical fillet, PC horizontal, PD horizontal-overhead, PE overhead and PG vertical-down.
9What is the main function of the flux coating on an MMA covered electrode?
A.It only colours the electrode for identification
B.It generates shielding gas and slag, stabilises the arc and can add alloying elements
C.It increases the diameter so the electrode lasts longer
D.It conducts the welding current to the workpiece
Explanation: The flux coating performs several jobs: on decomposition it forms a shielding gas and a protective slag over the pool, it stabilises the arc through easily ionised compounds, and it can add deoxidisers and alloying elements to the weld metal. The coating type (rutile, basic, cellulosic) governs these characteristics.
10Which MMA electrode coating type gives the lowest weld-metal hydrogen content and is preferred for crack-sensitive, high-strength steels?
A.Rutile
B.Cellulosic
C.Basic (low-hydrogen)
D.Acid
Explanation: Basic (low-hydrogen) electrodes use calcium carbonate and fluorspar, producing weld metal with very low diffusible hydrogen and good toughness, which is why they are specified for crack-sensitive and high-strength steels. They must be kept dry (baked and held in heated quivers) to retain their low-hydrogen status.

About the IIW IWS Exam

The International Welding Specialist (IWS) is an IIW/IAB welding-coordination diploma for personnel who plan, supervise and verify welding within a defined technical scope. It is assessed by written module examinations across welding processes, materials, design, and fabrication and quality, and sits one tier below the International Welding Technologist (IWT) and International Welding Engineer (IWE).

Exam sponsor: International Institute of Welding (IIW), International Authorisation Board (IAB), delivered through national ANBs and ATBs. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written examinations at the end of each of the four modules (welding processes, materials, design, fabrication), combining multiple-choice and structured questions; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items distributed across the four modules

Time Limit

Several hours of written examination split across the module exams

Passing Score

Set by the IIW guideline and national ANB (commonly around 60% per module exam)

Exam / Certification Fees

Bundled in the ATB course and exam package; varies by country and provider

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Module 1 - Welding Processes & Equipment

Arc, resistance and beam processes, ISO 4063 process numbers, power sources and characteristics, metal transfer, consumables, shielding gases and ISO 6947 positions

25%

Module 2 - Materials & Their Behaviour During Welding

Metallurgy, carbon equivalent and weldability, the HAZ, hydrogen and solidification cracking, preheat and PWHT, stainless steels, aluminium and consumable selection

25%

Module 3 - Construction & Design

Joint preparations, ISO 2553 welding symbols, fillet throat and weld strength, residual stress and distortion, fatigue, stress concentration and brittle fracture

25%

Module 4 - Fabrication, Applications & Quality

ISO 3834 quality, ISO 14731 coordination, WPS/WPQR and welder qualification, ISO 6520 imperfections and ISO 5817 acceptance, NDE methods, safety and documentation

Preparing for the IIW IWS Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set by the IIW guideline and national ANB (commonly around 60% per module exam)
  • Assessment: Written examinations at the end of each of the four modules (welding processes, materials, design, fabrication), combining multiple-choice and structured questions; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items distributed across the four modules
  • Time limit: Several hours of written examination split across the module exams
  • Exam / certification fees: Bundled in the ATB course and exam package; varies by country and provider Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

IIW IWS: Suggested Study Strategy

1Treat the four modules equally - each is roughly a quarter of the syllabus, so do not neglect any one paper
2Memorise the ISO 4063 process numbers (111 MMA, 121 SAW, 131 MIG, 135 MAG, 141 TIG) and ISO 6947 position codes
3Learn the IIW carbon equivalent formula and how preheat, heat input and hydrogen control prevent cold cracking
4Practise reading ISO 2553 welding symbols, including arrow/other side, fillet throat sizing and the weld-all-round and site-weld symbols
5Know the standards map: ISO 5817 acceptance levels B/C/D, ISO 6520 imperfections, ISO 3834 quality and ISO 14731 coordination
6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting your module exams

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the IIW IWS exam structured?

The International Welding Specialist qualification is assessed by written examinations at the end of each of the four modules - welding processes and equipment, materials and their behaviour, construction and design, and fabrication, applications and quality. The written papers combine multiple-choice and structured questions, with the exact format set by your national Authorised National Body.

What score do I need to pass the IWS exams?

The pass mark is set by the IIW guideline and your national ANB and is commonly around 60% per module examination. Because the syllabus is broad, balanced preparation across all four modules is essential to pass every paper.

How is the IWS different from the IWE and IWT diplomas?

The IWS (Specialist) sits below the IWT (Technologist) and IWE (Engineer) in the IIW welding-coordination ladder. It covers the same four module areas but at specialist depth and within a narrower technical scope, suiting personnel who plan and supervise simpler welded constructions.

What topics does the IWS cover?

The four modules cover welding processes and equipment, materials and their behaviour during welding (metallurgy and weldability), construction and design, and fabrication, applications and quality, including standards such as ISO 4063, ISO 2553, ISO 5817, ISO 3834 and ISO 14731.

What are the entry requirements for the IWS?

Candidates usually need a technical certificate or an approved access route and must enrol at an IIW Authorised Training Body. Some bodies offer an entry examination for applicants who do not hold the standard qualification, and training totals over 200 teaching hours.

Is this free IWS practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover all four IWS modules with a teaching explanation for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free forever and updated for 2026, making it an ideal supplement to your ATB course.