AWS CERTIFIED WELDING INSPECTOR (CWI)
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026 UPDATE — ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Exam Type: Multiple Choice (Based on AWS Official CWI Syllabus & Real
Exam Difficulty)
Content Covered (Most Tested Areas):
• Welding Processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SAW)
• Welding Symbols & Blueprints
• Welding Metallurgy Fundamentals
• Destructive & Nondestructive Testing (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT)
• Discontinuities & Defects
• Procedure Qualification (WPS, PQR, WPQ)
• Preheat & Interpass Temperature
• Heat Treatment
• Safety & Inspection Responsibilities
• Codes & Standards (AWS D1.1 focus)
1. What is the primary purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification
(WPS)?
, A. Record welder continuity
B. Provide inspection checklists
C. Authorize welding inspectors
D. Provide detailed welding parameters for production welding
Explanation: A WPS gives required variables such as current, voltage,
travel speed, filler metal, and preheat necessary to produce acceptable
welds.
2. Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten
electrode?
A. SMAW
B. GMAW
C. FCAW
D. GTAW
Explanation: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a non-consumable
tungsten electrode to produce the weld.
3. In visual inspection, undercut is classified as a:
A. Surface reinforcement
B. Dimensional tolerance
C. Surface discontinuity
D. Subsurface inclusion
Explanation: Undercut appears at the weld toe and is visible on the
surface.
, 4. What document records the actual variables used during
qualification of a welding procedure?
A. WPS
B. WPQ
C. PQR
D. Code Book
Explanation: The Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) documents
actual test results and variables used.
5. Which discontinuity is typically caused by entrapped slag?
A. Porosity
B. Crater crack
C. Slag inclusion
D. Undercut
Explanation: Slag inclusions occur when slag is trapped between weld
passes.
6. The root opening in a groove weld primarily affects:
A. Weld reinforcement
B. Weld color
C. Penetration and fusion
D. Electrode coating
Explanation: Root opening controls weld penetration and proper fusion
at the joint root.
, 7. Preheat is used mainly to:
A. Increase travel speed
B. Reduce electrode consumption
C. Reduce risk of hydrogen cracking
D. Improve weld appearance
Explanation: Preheat slows cooling rate and reduces hydrogen-induced
cracking.
8. A concave fillet weld profile may reduce:
A. Ductility
B. Hardness
C. Effective throat thickness
D. Base metal thickness
Explanation: Concavity reduces the effective throat and weld strength.
9. Magnetic Particle Testing is primarily used for detecting:
A. Internal porosity
B. Surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic
materials
C. Thickness variations
D. Weld reinforcement height
Explanation: MT works only on ferromagnetic materials and detects
surface cracks.
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026 UPDATE — ACTUAL
QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY
GRADED A+
Exam Type: Multiple Choice (Based on AWS Official CWI Syllabus & Real
Exam Difficulty)
Content Covered (Most Tested Areas):
• Welding Processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, SAW)
• Welding Symbols & Blueprints
• Welding Metallurgy Fundamentals
• Destructive & Nondestructive Testing (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT)
• Discontinuities & Defects
• Procedure Qualification (WPS, PQR, WPQ)
• Preheat & Interpass Temperature
• Heat Treatment
• Safety & Inspection Responsibilities
• Codes & Standards (AWS D1.1 focus)
1. What is the primary purpose of a Welding Procedure Specification
(WPS)?
, A. Record welder continuity
B. Provide inspection checklists
C. Authorize welding inspectors
D. Provide detailed welding parameters for production welding
Explanation: A WPS gives required variables such as current, voltage,
travel speed, filler metal, and preheat necessary to produce acceptable
welds.
2. Which welding process uses a non-consumable tungsten
electrode?
A. SMAW
B. GMAW
C. FCAW
D. GTAW
Explanation: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a non-consumable
tungsten electrode to produce the weld.
3. In visual inspection, undercut is classified as a:
A. Surface reinforcement
B. Dimensional tolerance
C. Surface discontinuity
D. Subsurface inclusion
Explanation: Undercut appears at the weld toe and is visible on the
surface.
, 4. What document records the actual variables used during
qualification of a welding procedure?
A. WPS
B. WPQ
C. PQR
D. Code Book
Explanation: The Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) documents
actual test results and variables used.
5. Which discontinuity is typically caused by entrapped slag?
A. Porosity
B. Crater crack
C. Slag inclusion
D. Undercut
Explanation: Slag inclusions occur when slag is trapped between weld
passes.
6. The root opening in a groove weld primarily affects:
A. Weld reinforcement
B. Weld color
C. Penetration and fusion
D. Electrode coating
Explanation: Root opening controls weld penetration and proper fusion
at the joint root.
, 7. Preheat is used mainly to:
A. Increase travel speed
B. Reduce electrode consumption
C. Reduce risk of hydrogen cracking
D. Improve weld appearance
Explanation: Preheat slows cooling rate and reduces hydrogen-induced
cracking.
8. A concave fillet weld profile may reduce:
A. Ductility
B. Hardness
C. Effective throat thickness
D. Base metal thickness
Explanation: Concavity reduces the effective throat and weld strength.
9. Magnetic Particle Testing is primarily used for detecting:
A. Internal porosity
B. Surface and near-surface discontinuities in ferromagnetic
materials
C. Thickness variations
D. Weld reinforcement height
Explanation: MT works only on ferromagnetic materials and detects
surface cracks.
