Free Practice Questions for Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding

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Key Facts: Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding Exam

60 items

Written CBT question count

Q-Net Craftsman qualification specification

60 minutes

Written CBT time limit

Q-Net examination rules

60 / 100

Passing score (36/60 items, no 과락)

National Technical Qualifications Act Enforcement Rules

KRW 14,500

Written examination fee

Q-Net portal fee schedule (checked 2026)

KRW 40,000

Practical examination fee

Q-Net portal fee schedule (checked 2026)

2 years

Written test exemption period

National Technical Qualifications Act Enforcement Decree Article 21

피복아크용접기능사 is HRD Korea's craftsman-grade shielded metal arc welding qualification under MOEL (renamed from 용접기능사 in 2023). The 60-minute written CBT consists of 60 four-option items (passing score: 60/100, no subject minimums) covering arc welding, safety, materials, drawing interpretation, gas cutting, and other welding processes. Fees are KRW 14,500 written and KRW 40,000 practical on Q-Net. OpenExamPrep provides independent English MCQ practice, not an official translation or practical welding simulation.

Sample Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding Practice Questions

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

1What is the typical temperature range generated in the core plasma column of a shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) electric arc?

A.1,500 to 2,000 K

B.2,500 to 3,500 K

C.5,000 to 6,000 K

D.12,000 to 15,000 K

Explanation: The core plasma column of a shielded metal arc welding arc reaches roughly 5,000 to 6,000 K, which Korean welding texts quote as about 5,000 to 6,000 °C (the 273-degree offset is immaterial at this scale). This intense heat readily melts both the steel core wire and the base plate, as well as decomposing the flux coating into protective shielding gases and liquid slag.

2In direct current shielded metal arc welding, how is arc heat approximately distributed when operating on DC straight polarity (DCEN / 직류정극성)?

A.Base metal approx. 70%, electrode approx. 30%

B.Base metal approx. 30%, electrode approx. 70%

C.Base metal 50%, electrode 50%

D.Base metal approx. 90%, electrode approx. 10%

Explanation: In DC straight polarity (DCEN / 직류정극성), the workpiece is connected to the positive terminal (anode) and the electrode to the negative terminal (cathode). Electron bombardment releases the majority of heat at the anode, resulting in approximately 70% of heat entering the base metal (deep penetration) and 30% into the electrode.

3An arc welding operation is performed with an arc voltage of 24 V, a welding current of 150 A, and a travel speed of 18 cm/min. What is the heat input (H) delivered to the weldment in J/cm?

A.7,200 J/cm

B.12,000 J/cm

C.20,000 J/cm

D.36,000 J/cm

Explanation: Welding heat input is calculated using H = (60 × E × I) / v, where E is arc voltage in volts, I is current in amperes, and v is travel speed in cm/min. Substituting the values: H = (60 × 24 × 150) / 18 = 216,000 / 18 = 12,000 J/cm.

4An arc welding power source has a rated secondary current of 200 A and a rated duty cycle of 40%. If this machine is operated at an increased welding current of 250 A, what is its permissible duty cycle (허용사용률)?

A.20.5%

B.25.6%

C.32.0%

D.50.0%

Explanation: The permissible duty cycle is calculated by: Allowable Duty Cycle (%) = (Rated Current / Actual Used Current)^2 × Rated Duty Cycle (%). Here, (200 / 250)^2 × 40% = (0.8)^2 × 40% = 0.64 × 40% = 25.6%. Operating above rated current sharply reduces allowable duty cycle due to internal I^2R thermal losses.

5What is the primary physical cause of magnetic arc blow (자기쏠림 / 아크블로우) in shielded metal arc welding?

A.Excessive moisture absorbed in the electrode coating

B.Fluctuations in three-phase utility supply voltage

C.High electrostatic charge accumulation on the workpiece surface

D.Asymmetrical magnetic flux lines induced around the arc by direct current

Explanation: Magnetic arc blow is caused by unbalanced electromagnetic fields around the DC welding arc. When direct current flows through the electrode and ground path, magnetic flux lines bunch up non-symmetrically near plate edges, ground clamps, or heavy joint geometry, deflecting the mobile arc column away from its intended path.

6Which of the following is NOT an effective countermeasure to prevent or reduce magnetic arc blow (자기쏠림) during welding?

A.Switching from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC)

B.Relocating the ground clamp farther away or connecting dual ground cables

C.Increasing the welding current and lengthening the arc

D.Attaching run-off tabs or end plates at the joint edges

Explanation: Increasing welding current strengthens the induced magnetic field (B ∝ I), and lengthening the arc makes the plasma column more flexible and easily deflected, worsening magnetic arc blow. The correct countermeasure is to shorten the arc, reduce current, switch to AC, or adjust ground placement.

7Which of the following is NOT a primary technological function of the flux coating (피복제) on a covered arc welding electrode?

A.Generating protective shielding gases (CO, CO2, H2) to isolate molten metal from air

B.Increasing electrical resistance across the core wire to accelerate ohmic preheating

C.Forming a light, low-melting slag that covers and insulates the cooling weld bead

D.Deoxidizing molten weld metal and introducing alloying elements into the deposit

Explanation: The flux coating is designed to provide arc stability, gas shielding, slag coverage, deoxidation (via Fe-Mn, Fe-Si), and alloy addition. It is not intended to increase electrical core wire resistance; excessive core resistance would cause overheating, spalling of the coating, and arc instability.

8In the KS D 7004 covered electrode designation 'E4316', what does the number '43' indicate?

A.Minimum tensile strength of the deposited weld metal of 43 kgf/mm2

B.Core wire diameter of 4.3 mm

C.Recommended arc voltage of 43 V

D.Chemical yield of 43% alloy content

Explanation: In KS D 7004 (and JIS Z 3211) electrode designations, 'E' stands for electric arc covered electrode, and the first two digits '43' represent the minimum tensile strength of the deposited metal in kgf/mm2 (approximately 420 to 430 MPa).

9What is the defining metallurgical characteristic and primary usage of a low-hydrogen covered electrode (저수소계, KS E4316)?

A.It contains large amounts of cellulose, giving shallow penetration for thin automotive bodywork

B.It has high titanium dioxide content, producing exceptionally glossy cosmetic beads on light sheet metal

C.It generates large amounts of carbon monoxide to eliminate the need for joint beveling

D.It produces weld metal with extremely low diffusible hydrogen, offering superior resistance to delayed cold cracking in thick structural steel

Explanation: Low-hydrogen electrodes (E4316) use calcium carbonate (limestone) and calcium fluoride (fluorspar) in their flux coating, avoiding organic binders. The resulting deposited metal has very low diffusible hydrogen (<5 mL/100g), giving outstanding crack resistance when welding thick plates, high-tensile steels, or highly restrained structures.

10Which KS covered electrode type is known as high-titania (고산화티탄계, E4313) and characterized by shallow penetration, easy re-striking, and a smooth bead appearance?

A.E4301

B.E4311

C.E4313

D.E4316

Explanation: E4313 is the high-titania type electrode, containing over 30% titanium dioxide (TiO2 / rutile). It features very easy arc initiation and re-striking, low spatter, shallow penetration, and an exceptionally smooth, aesthetically pleasing bead, making it ideal for thin plate and light cosmetic steel fabrication.

About the Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding Exam

Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding (피복아크용접기능사) is South Korea's statutory craftsman qualification for manual metal arc welding, administered by HRD Korea via Q-Net under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Formerly known as 용접기능사 (Welding Craftsman), the credential was renamed effective January 1, 2023, when HRD Korea also replaced the old written syllabus (용접일반, 용접재료, 기계제도) with the current six subjects. The 60-question written CBT covers arc welding principles, power source characteristics, covered electrode flux compositions (KS D 7004), defect prevention, electric shock prevention devices, welding metallurgy, KS B 0052 symbols, oxy-acetylene cutting, and alternative welding processes. Candidates passing the written exam take a work-type butt and fillet welding practical test of about 2 hours. OpenExamPrep provides an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation for written test preparation, not an official translation or welding workshop simulator.

Exam sponsor: HRD Korea (Q-Net) / Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written examination of 60 four-option CBT questions in 60 minutes across Arc Welding (아크용접), Welding Safety (용접안전), Welding Materials (용접재료), Blueprint Reading (도면해독), Gas Cutting (가스절단), and Other Welding Methods (기타용접) presented as one mixed paper with no per-subject minimum, followed by a work-type practical examination in 피복아크용접 실무 lasting about 2 hours.

Time Limit

60 minutes written; about 2 hours practical

Passing Score

Written: 60/100 (36/60); practical: 60/100

Exam / Certification Fees

KRW 14,500 written / KRW 40,000 practical (Q-Net, 2026)

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

Q-Net qualification detail page for Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding (피복아크용접기능사) · Source checked 2026-09-21Official qualification record: written subjects, practical subject, fees and sitting schedule.
Enforcement Rules of the National Technical Qualifications Act, Table 8 (국가기술자격법 시행규칙 [별표 8]) · Source checked 2026-09-21Statutory subjects: 필기시험 아크용접, 용접안전, 용접재료, 도면해독, 가스절단, 기타용접 / 실기시험 피복아크용접 실무.
Q-Net examination standard for 피복아크용접기능사 (출제기준, 2023.1.1.~2026.12.31.) · Source checked 2026-09-21직무분야 재료 / 중직무분야 용접. 필기검정방법 객관식, 문제수 60, 시험시간 1시간; 실기검정방법 작업형, 시험시간 2시간 정도. Ten 주요항목 with no published per-subject item counts.
Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS / 국가표준인증통합정보센터) · Source checked 2026-09-21KS B 0052 (welding symbols) and KS D 7004 (covered electrodes for mild steel). The examination standard requires 용접기호 관련 한국산업규격(KS) and 피복아크용접봉 knowledge without naming individual KS numbers.

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.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 30 of 100 practice items

Arc Welding (아크용접)

Arc physics, arc voltage and length, arc blow causes and countermeasures, DCEN vs DCEP polarities, AC vs DC welding power sources, duty cycle calculations, heat input equations, KS D 7004 covered electrode types (E4301, E4311, E4313, E4316, E4324), flux coating roles and moisture baking, and weld defects (undercut, overlap, porosity, cold/hot cracks) and distortion control.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 15 of 100 practice items

Welding Safety (용접안전)

AC welder automatic electric shock prevention devices (자동전격방지기 / 전격방지기) no-load voltage reduction, grounding, protective equipment, welding filter shade selection (Shade #10-12), ultraviolet keratitis and infrared hazards, toxic gases (ozone, NOx, CO), confined space ventilation standards, and acetylene/oxygen high-pressure cylinder handling and flashback arrestors.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 20 of 100 practice items

Welding Materials (용접재료)

Carbon steel classification and weldability, carbon equivalent (Ceq) formulas, effects of sulfur (hot shortness) and phosphorus (cold shortness), hydrogen-induced delayed cracking, microstructural zones of the heat-affected zone (HAZ), cast iron welding techniques and chilling prevention, austenitic stainless steel sensitization and intergranular corrosion, and tensile, impact, and bend testing.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 15 of 100 practice items

Blueprint Reading (도면해독)

KS B 0052 welding symbol structure, reference line, arrow side (below line) versus other side (above line), basic weld symbols (square, V, X, fillet, plug, spot), supplementary symbols (flush, convex, concave, weld-all-around, field weld), dimension placement (leg length, pitch, groove angle), theoretical throat calculations (a = 0.707s), and third-angle orthographic projection rules.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 10 of 100 practice items

Gas Cutting (가스절단)

Combustion chemistry of iron in high-purity oxygen (3Fe + 2O2 -> Fe3O4), preheating flame conditions, cutting tip construction, oxygen purity impact (>99.5%), drag and drag line definitions, cutting defect troubleshooting, and thermal gouging using carbon arc air gouging.

Not separately weighted by HRD Korea; 10 of 100 practice items

Other Welding Methods (기타용접)

Submerged arc welding (SAW) principles and flux blankets, Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW / TIG) electrode selection and shielding gases, Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW / MIG / CO2) metal transfer modes, electric resistance welding (spot, seam, projection) Joule heating formulas, and thermit railway rail welding.

Preparing for the Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Written: 60/100 (36/60); practical: 60/100
Assessment: Written examination of 60 four-option CBT questions in 60 minutes across Arc Welding (아크용접), Welding Safety (용접안전), Welding Materials (용접재료), Blueprint Reading (도면해독), Gas Cutting (가스절단), and Other Welding Methods (기타용접) presented as one mixed paper with no per-subject minimum, followed by a work-type practical examination in 피복아크용접 실무 lasting about 2 hours.
Time limit: 60 minutes written; about 2 hours practical
Exam / certification fees: KRW 14,500 written / KRW 40,000 practical (Q-Net, 2026) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the KS D 7004 covered electrode designations: know that E4301 is Ilmenite, E4313 is High Titania, E4316 is Low Hydrogen, and E4324 is Iron Powder Titania, along with their drying temperatures (low-hydrogen requires 300-350°C for 1-2 hours).

2Understand polarity differences cold: DCEN (정극성, straight) puts 70% of heat into the base plate for deep penetration; DCEP (역극성, reverse) puts 70% of heat into the electrode for shallow penetration and fast deposition.

3Drill key calculations: heat input H = (60 * E * I) / v in J/cm, allowable duty cycle = (I_rated / I_actual)^2 * Rated Duty Cycle, and theoretical fillet throat thickness a = 0.707 * s.

4Learn the KS B 0052 welding symbol geometry: symbols below the horizontal reference line indicate arrow-side welding; symbols above indicate the other side.

5Memorise Korean industrial gas cylinder colors: Oxygen is green, Acetylene is yellow, CO2 is blue, Nitrogen is grey, and LPG is light grey.

6Focus on common welding defect mechanisms: undercut is caused by excessive current or travel speed, overlap by low current or slow speed, and cold cracking by diffusible hydrogen and residual stress.

7Study the safety specifications: an automatic electric shock prevention device (자동전격방지기) must drop the welder output-side no-load voltage to 25 V or less within 1 second of the arc being interrupted (지동시간 1.0초 이내, 방호장치 자율안전기준 고시 [별표 2]); the start time (시동시간) is about 0.06 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Craftsman Shielded Metal Arc Welding (피복아크용접기능사)?

It is South Korea's official national technical qualification for manual shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), administered by HRD Korea via Q-Net under the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Formerly known as 용접기능사 (Welding Craftsman), it was renamed effective January 1, 2023, while retaining its standardized written examination blueprint.

Who is eligible to take the 피복아크용접기능사 exam?

Anyone may register. As a Craftsman (기능사) grade credential under the National Technical Qualifications Act, there are no education, age, or prior work experience requirements.

What is the examination structure and passing standard?

The written test is a 60-minute computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 60 four-option multiple-choice items covering six subjects (아크용접, 용접안전, 용접재료, 도면해독, 가스절단, 기타용접) with a passing threshold of 60/100 (at least 36 correct answers, no per-subject minimum). The practical test is a work-type performance exam (작업형) of about 2 hours evaluating butt and fillet welding across various positions, also requiring 60/100 to pass.

What are the fees and mutual exemption policies?

Registration fees on Q-Net are KRW 14,500 for the written CBT and KRW 40,000 for the practical exam. Passing the written test grants a 2-year exemption from retaking the written exam for this qualification. Mutual written exemption with Gas Tungsten Arc (가스텅스텐아크용접기능사) and CO2 Gas Arc (이산화탄소가스아크용접기능사) works differently: Q-Net grants it to people who have actually obtained one of the three qualifications, for 2 years from the acquisition date. The three 종목 share five of their six written subjects (용접안전, 용접재료, 도면해독, 가스절단, 기타용접) but differ in the first subject (아크용접 versus 가스텅스텐아크용접 versus 이산화탄소가스아크용접), and the old subject-by-subject mutual exemption between 용접기능사 and 특수용접기능사 ended on 2023-01-01.

Is this practice bank affiliated with HRD Korea or Q-Net?

No. This practice bank is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation developed by OpenExamPrep. It is not an official test release, not an official Q-Net translation, and does not substitute for hands-on workshop welding performance practice.