How many questions are on the SAQCC-CP Foundation Week exam (E1A)?

Examination E1A is a two-hour closed-book paper of fifty multiple-choice questions covering welding processes, defects, visual inspection, introduction to NDT, welding procedures and welder qualifications, and materials technology, per SAIW initial certification requirements.

What experience do I need before SAQCC-CP certification?

Applicants typically need five years of documented inspection and testing experience on ten pressure vessels or ten steam generators, reducible to three years with a metallurgy degree or one year with existing CP certification and continuing professional development evidence.

What regulations govern SAQCC Competent Person duties?

In-service inspection of pressure vessels and steam generators is mandated by Regulation 11 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, with personnel requirements defined in SANS 10227 Table 1 for Approved Inspection Authorities.

What is the hydrotest pressure under PER?

Pre-commissioning and in-service hydraulic tests under PER Regulation 11(1)(a) and (d) are conducted at 1,25 times the design pressure, witnessed by an Approved Inspection Authority except where Category I SANS 347 provisions allow user inspection.

Can I skip Foundation Week training?

Candidates holding an SAIW Level 1 Welding Inspector diploma, International Welding Practitioner or Specialist qualification, or who completed the SAIW Five-Day Engineers Appreciation course may challenge Examination E1A directly without attending Foundation Week training.

Is this free SAQCC-CP practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover Foundation Week and Core Week topics with teaching explanations for every answer plus free daily AI tutor interactions. All content is free and updated for 2026 using SAIW examination specifications and verified PER requirements.

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100+ Free SAQCC-CP Examination Practice Questions

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Key Facts: SAQCC-CP Examination Exam

E1A Foundation MCQs

SAIW

1,25×

Design Pressure Hydrotest

PER Reg. 11

36 mo

Max In-Service Interval

PER Reg. 11(1)(d)

9 yr

Recertification Cycle

SAIW

SAQCC-CP

Certification Body

SAIW

SANS 10227

AIA Personnel Criteria

SABS

The SAQCC Competent Person (CP) examination certifies inspectors to carry out in-service pressure vessel and steam generator inspection under South Africa's OHS Act Pressure Equipment Regulations, typically while employed by an Approved Inspection Authority (AIA). Candidates complete SAIW Foundation Week and a Core Week track, passing Examination E1A (50 multiple-choice questions, two hours, closed book) plus E1B for pressure vessels (35 MCQ closed book and ~20 open-book questions on PER and SANS 10227) or E2 for steam generators (two-hour closed-book MCQ). Entry requires documented experience on ten vessels or boilers and recertification after nine years. This free prep includes 100 practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample SAQCC-CP Examination Practice Questions

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

1In the SAQCC-CP Foundation Week (E1A) syllabus, which arc welding process uses a consumable electrode coated with flux and is commonly called MMA or stick welding?

A.Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

B.Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

C.Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)

D.Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)

Explanation: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), also termed Manual Metal Arc (MMA), uses a flux-coated consumable rod. The flux decomposes to shield the molten pool and forms slag that must be removed between passes — a core E1A topic.

2Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is best described as:

A.A process using a continuously fed wire electrode with external shielding gas

B.A process using only flux-coated electrodes without shielding gas

C.A process limited to flat-position welding under granular flux

D.A process that always requires a non-consumable tungsten electrode

Explanation: GMAW (MIG/MAG) feeds a continuous solid or metal-cored wire while shielding gas protects the arc and molten pool. It is widely used in pressure-equipment fabrication and repair covered in CP training.

3Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and an inert shielding gas such as argon?

A.SMAW

B.SAW

C.GTAW

D.FCAW without gas

Explanation: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) establishes the arc between a tungsten electrode and the workpiece while inert gas shields the weld zone. It gives precise control for root passes and exotic materials — knowledge expected at Foundation Week level.

4Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) is primarily characterised by:

A.Hand-held flux-coated electrodes for all positions

B.An arc submerged under a blanket of granular flux with a continuously fed wire

C.Oxy-fuel gas welding of pressure vessel shells

D.Explosion welding of dissimilar metals

Explanation: SAW hides the arc beneath granular flux on flat or horizontal seams, enabling high deposition rates on boilers and pressure vessels. The flux recycles and must be managed to avoid inclusion defects.

5Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) differs from solid-wire GMAW mainly because:

A.FCAW never produces slag

B.FCAW uses a tubular wire that may contain flux and can be self-shielded or gas-shielded

C.FCAW requires a non-consumable tungsten electrode

D.FCAW is only used for brazing copper tubes

Explanation: FCAW wire has a flux core that can provide shielding (self-shielded) or work with external gas (dual-shield). Inspectors must recognise FCAW slag systems and associated defect risks during visual examination.

6For site repair of a pressure vessel nozzle, which process combination is most often selected when root access is limited and quality must be controlled?

A.SAW in the vertical-up position without backing

B.GTAW for the root pass followed by SMAW or GMAW fill passes

C.Oxy-acetylene cutting only

D.Friction stir welding without procedure qualification

Explanation: GTAW gives precise root control on critical nozzles; fill and cap passes may use SMAW or GMAW per an approved WPS. CP candidates must understand why process selection affects defect risk and inspection scope.

7In GMAW, changing from argon-rich shielding to CO₂-rich shielding typically:

A.Eliminates all spatter and porosity

B.Increases arc energy and penetration but may increase spatter

C.Makes the process fully self-shielded without gas cylinders

D.Prevents the need for a WPS

Explanation: CO₂ is an active gas that increases penetration and heat input compared with pure argon blends, but spatter and fume can rise. Inspectors evaluate whether the shielding gas matches the qualified WPS.

8Which statement about welding position designations is correct for CP Foundation knowledge?

A.1G means a pipe rotated in the flat position

B.3G means a groove weld in the horizontal position on plate

C.4F means a fillet weld on pipe in the overhead position

D.2G always refers to pipe in the vertical-fixed position

Explanation: AWS/ISO position codes: 1G is pipe rotated (flat), 2G is pipe horizontal fixed, 3G is plate vertical, etc. Welder qualification and WPS tests reference these positions — E1A expects familiarity with common codes.

9When inspecting a production weld made by SAW, which factor most distinguishes SAW from SMAW on a long seam?

A.SAW leaves no need for inter-pass slag removal on multi-pass joints

B.SAW uses granular flux that can trap inclusions if not cleaned at starts/stops

C.SAW cannot be used on carbon steel pressure vessels

D.SAW always eliminates the heat-affected zone

Explanation: SAW flux must be managed at starts, stops, and repairs; unfused flux or slag pockets are inspection concerns. CP inspectors relate process characteristics to likely defect mechanisms.

10A repair WPS specifies SMAW with E7018 electrodes. The inspector should verify that:

A.The electrode classification matches the qualified WPS and is stored dry per manufacturer requirements

B.Any electrode type may be substituted if the welder is experienced

C.E7018 is only for aluminium alloys

D.Hydrogen-controlled electrodes never require preheat

Explanation: Low-hydrogen E7018 electrodes must match the WPS and be kept dry to avoid hydrogen cracking. Material-technology and WPS topics in E1A tie electrode classification to defect prevention.

About the SAQCC-CP Examination Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for South Africa SAQCC Competent Person (CP) Examination is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.