Alberta Welder Apprenticeship
Certification Exam Practice (Levels 1–3)
(Questions And Correct Answers )
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most important reason for wearing a
welding helmet?
A. To look professional
B. To protect your eyes and face from sparks and UV radiation
C. To keep your head warm
D. To prevent inhaling fumes
B. To protect your eyes and face from sparks and UV radiation
Rationale: Welding helmets protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV)
and infrared (IR) radiation, flying sparks, and molten metal, preventing
eye injuries like arc eye.
2. Which welding process uses a continuously fed consumable wire
electrode and shielding gas?
A. SMAW
B. GMAW
C. OAW
D. FCAW (self-shielded)
B. GMAW
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuous wire
electrode and external shielding gas to protect the weld pool from
contamination.
3. What is the primary function of flux in SMAW (stick) welding?
A. To make the electrode stronger
B. To shield the molten weld from contamination
C. To cool the weld faster
D. To increase electrical conductivity
, B. To shield the molten weld from contamination
Rationale: The flux coating melts and produces gas and slag that
protect the weld from atmospheric contamination.
4. Which metal is most commonly welded using TIG welding?
A. Aluminum
B. Cast iron
C. Bronze
D. Lead
A. Aluminum
Rationale: TIG welding is preferred for aluminum due to its ability to
produce clean, precise welds with controlled heat input.
5. What is the purpose of preheating steel before welding?
A. To change its color
B. To reduce the risk of cracking
C. To make welding faster
D. To save electricity
B. To reduce the risk of cracking
Rationale: Preheating reduces thermal shock and allows hydrogen to
diffuse, reducing the likelihood of weld cracking.
6. Which of the following is the correct definition of a fillet weld?
A. A weld that fills a hole
B. A weld joining two surfaces at approximately right angles
C. A weld along the edge of a single metal piece
D. A decorative weld
B. A weld joining two surfaces at approximately right angles
Rationale: Fillet welds are used to join two pieces of metal at right
angles, commonly in T, lap, or corner joints.
7. What is the main hazard when welding galvanized steel?
A. Sparks
B. Zinc fume inhalation
C. Electric shock
D. Arc flash
B. Zinc fume inhalation
Rationale: Heating galvanized steel releases zinc fumes, which can
cause metal fume fever if inhaled. Proper ventilation and PPE are
required.
, 8. Which welding process does NOT use an external shielding gas?
A. GMAW
B. GTAW
C. SMAW
D. FCAW (gas-shielded)
C. SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) uses flux-coated
electrodes that produce their own shielding gas.
9. When reading a blueprint, what does a thick solid line typically
indicate?
A. Hidden edges
B. Centerlines
C. Visible edges
D. Weld symbols
C. Visible edges
Rationale: Thick solid lines are used to show edges that are visible in
the view being represented on the drawing.
10. What is the main purpose of a backhand welding technique?
A. To make welds look smoother
B. To weld in tight corners
C. To reduce heat input and prevent burn-through
D. To increase deposition rate
C. To reduce heat input and prevent burn-through
Rationale: Backhand welding directs the electrode toward the base
metal to control heat, making it suitable for thin materials.
11. Which type of joint is used when two pieces of metal are end-to-
end in the same plane?
A. Lap joint
B. Butt joint
C. Corner joint
D. Edge joint
B. Butt joint
Rationale: Butt joints connect two pieces along a single plane, often
welded along the seam.
12. What is the effect of using too high amperage during welding?
A. Produces a weaker weld with poor penetration
B. Produces excessive penetration and possible burn-through
Certification Exam Practice (Levels 1–3)
(Questions And Correct Answers )
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most important reason for wearing a
welding helmet?
A. To look professional
B. To protect your eyes and face from sparks and UV radiation
C. To keep your head warm
D. To prevent inhaling fumes
B. To protect your eyes and face from sparks and UV radiation
Rationale: Welding helmets protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV)
and infrared (IR) radiation, flying sparks, and molten metal, preventing
eye injuries like arc eye.
2. Which welding process uses a continuously fed consumable wire
electrode and shielding gas?
A. SMAW
B. GMAW
C. OAW
D. FCAW (self-shielded)
B. GMAW
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuous wire
electrode and external shielding gas to protect the weld pool from
contamination.
3. What is the primary function of flux in SMAW (stick) welding?
A. To make the electrode stronger
B. To shield the molten weld from contamination
C. To cool the weld faster
D. To increase electrical conductivity
, B. To shield the molten weld from contamination
Rationale: The flux coating melts and produces gas and slag that
protect the weld from atmospheric contamination.
4. Which metal is most commonly welded using TIG welding?
A. Aluminum
B. Cast iron
C. Bronze
D. Lead
A. Aluminum
Rationale: TIG welding is preferred for aluminum due to its ability to
produce clean, precise welds with controlled heat input.
5. What is the purpose of preheating steel before welding?
A. To change its color
B. To reduce the risk of cracking
C. To make welding faster
D. To save electricity
B. To reduce the risk of cracking
Rationale: Preheating reduces thermal shock and allows hydrogen to
diffuse, reducing the likelihood of weld cracking.
6. Which of the following is the correct definition of a fillet weld?
A. A weld that fills a hole
B. A weld joining two surfaces at approximately right angles
C. A weld along the edge of a single metal piece
D. A decorative weld
B. A weld joining two surfaces at approximately right angles
Rationale: Fillet welds are used to join two pieces of metal at right
angles, commonly in T, lap, or corner joints.
7. What is the main hazard when welding galvanized steel?
A. Sparks
B. Zinc fume inhalation
C. Electric shock
D. Arc flash
B. Zinc fume inhalation
Rationale: Heating galvanized steel releases zinc fumes, which can
cause metal fume fever if inhaled. Proper ventilation and PPE are
required.
, 8. Which welding process does NOT use an external shielding gas?
A. GMAW
B. GTAW
C. SMAW
D. FCAW (gas-shielded)
C. SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) uses flux-coated
electrodes that produce their own shielding gas.
9. When reading a blueprint, what does a thick solid line typically
indicate?
A. Hidden edges
B. Centerlines
C. Visible edges
D. Weld symbols
C. Visible edges
Rationale: Thick solid lines are used to show edges that are visible in
the view being represented on the drawing.
10. What is the main purpose of a backhand welding technique?
A. To make welds look smoother
B. To weld in tight corners
C. To reduce heat input and prevent burn-through
D. To increase deposition rate
C. To reduce heat input and prevent burn-through
Rationale: Backhand welding directs the electrode toward the base
metal to control heat, making it suitable for thin materials.
11. Which type of joint is used when two pieces of metal are end-to-
end in the same plane?
A. Lap joint
B. Butt joint
C. Corner joint
D. Edge joint
B. Butt joint
Rationale: Butt joints connect two pieces along a single plane, often
welded along the seam.
12. What is the effect of using too high amperage during welding?
A. Produces a weaker weld with poor penetration
B. Produces excessive penetration and possible burn-through
