Page 1 of 144
AWS Certified Welder – D1.1 Structural Steel exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
AWS Certified Welder – D1.1 Structural Steel
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Welding Processes and Basic Welding Practice — SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, GTAW, polarity,
current, voltage, shielding, electrodes, filler metals, arc control, and welding variables.
2. Welding Symbols and Joint Types — fillet welds, groove welds, plug and slot welds, joints,
dimensions, weld locations, contour symbols, finishing symbols, and drawing interpretation.
3. Structural Steel Materials — carbon steel, low-alloy steel, base-metal identification, material
groups, thickness, weldability, and material specifications.
4. Prequalified WPS Requirements — WPS variables, joint details, base metals, filler metals,
positions, preheat, interpass temperature, electrical parameters, and limitations.
5. Welder Performance Qualification — qualification tests, test positions, test plates, essential
variables, visual examination, bend testing, and limits of qualification.
6. Joint Preparation and Fit-Up — bevel angle, root opening, root face, alignment, tack welds,
backing, cleanliness, restraint, and dimensional control.
7. Welding Procedure and Fabrication — preheating, interpass control, welding sequence,
distortion control, heat input, weld size, starts and stops, and workmanship.
8. Weld Discontinuities and Defects — cracks, porosity, slag inclusions, lack of fusion, incomplete
penetration, undercut, overlap, arc strikes, and unacceptable weld conditions.
9. Inspection and Testing — visual inspection, NDT methods, VT, MT, PT, UT, RT, inspection timing,
acceptance criteria, repair, and documentation.
10. Safety, Quality Control, and Code Compliance — PPE, electrical safety, fire prevention, fumes,
welding equipment, code requirements, inspection records, drawings, WPS compliance, and
corrective action.
250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A welder is preparing a structural steel joint before welding. Which action is most important for
achieving a sound weld?
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A. Increase travel speed
B. Remove dirt, oil, rust, and other contaminants
C. Reduce shielding gas
D. Increase electrode length
Answer: B
Rationale: Clean joint surfaces help prevent contamination, porosity, lack of fusion, and other welding
problems.
Question 2
When a welder uses SMAW on structural steel, what provides the shielding needed to protect the
molten weld metal?
A. Compressed air
B. Electrode coating
C. Water spray
D. Base-metal paint
Answer: B
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Rationale: The SMAW electrode coating produces shielding gases and slag that protect the molten weld
from the atmosphere.
Question 3
A fillet weld is being made between two plates positioned at approximately right angles. What type of
joint is being welded?
A. Butt joint
B. Lap joint
C. T-joint
D. Edge joint
Answer: C
Rationale: A T-joint connects two members at approximately right angles and commonly uses a fillet
weld.
Question 4
Why is preheating used when welding certain structural steel materials and thicknesses?
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A. To make the electrode shorter
B. To reduce the risk of hydrogen cracking
C. To increase paint adhesion
D. To eliminate the need for inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper preheat slows cooling and helps reduce the conditions that can contribute to
hydrogen-assisted cracking.
Question 5
A welder notices that the electrode is sticking repeatedly to the workpiece during SMAW. Which
adjustment should be checked first?
A. Welding current
B. Plate color
C. Ground clamp paint
D. Workpiece length
Answer: A
AWS Certified Welder – D1.1 Structural Steel exam
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
AWS Certified Welder – D1.1 Structural Steel
10 MOST-TESTED EXAM COVERAGE AREAS
1. Welding Processes and Basic Welding Practice — SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, SAW, GTAW, polarity,
current, voltage, shielding, electrodes, filler metals, arc control, and welding variables.
2. Welding Symbols and Joint Types — fillet welds, groove welds, plug and slot welds, joints,
dimensions, weld locations, contour symbols, finishing symbols, and drawing interpretation.
3. Structural Steel Materials — carbon steel, low-alloy steel, base-metal identification, material
groups, thickness, weldability, and material specifications.
4. Prequalified WPS Requirements — WPS variables, joint details, base metals, filler metals,
positions, preheat, interpass temperature, electrical parameters, and limitations.
5. Welder Performance Qualification — qualification tests, test positions, test plates, essential
variables, visual examination, bend testing, and limits of qualification.
6. Joint Preparation and Fit-Up — bevel angle, root opening, root face, alignment, tack welds,
backing, cleanliness, restraint, and dimensional control.
7. Welding Procedure and Fabrication — preheating, interpass control, welding sequence,
distortion control, heat input, weld size, starts and stops, and workmanship.
8. Weld Discontinuities and Defects — cracks, porosity, slag inclusions, lack of fusion, incomplete
penetration, undercut, overlap, arc strikes, and unacceptable weld conditions.
9. Inspection and Testing — visual inspection, NDT methods, VT, MT, PT, UT, RT, inspection timing,
acceptance criteria, repair, and documentation.
10. Safety, Quality Control, and Code Compliance — PPE, electrical safety, fire prevention, fumes,
welding equipment, code requirements, inspection records, drawings, WPS compliance, and
corrective action.
250 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question 1
A welder is preparing a structural steel joint before welding. Which action is most important for
achieving a sound weld?
, Page 2 of 144
A. Increase travel speed
B. Remove dirt, oil, rust, and other contaminants
C. Reduce shielding gas
D. Increase electrode length
Answer: B
Rationale: Clean joint surfaces help prevent contamination, porosity, lack of fusion, and other welding
problems.
Question 2
When a welder uses SMAW on structural steel, what provides the shielding needed to protect the
molten weld metal?
A. Compressed air
B. Electrode coating
C. Water spray
D. Base-metal paint
Answer: B
, Page 3 of 144
Rationale: The SMAW electrode coating produces shielding gases and slag that protect the molten weld
from the atmosphere.
Question 3
A fillet weld is being made between two plates positioned at approximately right angles. What type of
joint is being welded?
A. Butt joint
B. Lap joint
C. T-joint
D. Edge joint
Answer: C
Rationale: A T-joint connects two members at approximately right angles and commonly uses a fillet
weld.
Question 4
Why is preheating used when welding certain structural steel materials and thicknesses?
, Page 4 of 144
A. To make the electrode shorter
B. To reduce the risk of hydrogen cracking
C. To increase paint adhesion
D. To eliminate the need for inspection
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper preheat slows cooling and helps reduce the conditions that can contribute to
hydrogen-assisted cracking.
Question 5
A welder notices that the electrode is sticking repeatedly to the workpiece during SMAW. Which
adjustment should be checked first?
A. Welding current
B. Plate color
C. Ground clamp paint
D. Workpiece length
Answer: A
