AWS Certified Welder Performance
Qualification Test Practice Exam 100
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the AWS Certified Welder performance
qualification test?
A. To evaluate theoretical knowledge of welding metallurgy
B. To determine a welder's ability to produce an acceptable weld under
specified conditions
C. To certify welding inspectors
D. To establish the chemical composition of base metals
Correct Answer: To determine a welder's ability to produce an acceptable
weld under specified conditions
Rationale: The AWS Certified Welder program is performance-based. The
welder must demonstrate hands-on ability to produce a sound weld while
following the applicable Welding Procedure Specification and qualification
requirements.
2. Where must an AWS Certified Welder performance qualification test be
conducted?
A. Any location selected by the welder
B. An AWS Accredited Testing Facility
C. Only at AWS headquarters
D. Any welding school
Correct Answer: An AWS Accredited Testing Facility
,Rationale: AWS Certified Welder qualification tests are administered through
AWS Accredited Testing Facilities (ATFs), which are authorized to conduct and
document welder performance qualification testing.
3. Which document provides the welding variables that a welder must follow
during a qualification test?
A. Material Test Report
B. Inspection Report
C. Welding Procedure Specification
D. Welder Continuity Record
Correct Answer: Welding Procedure Specification
Rationale: The WPS establishes the essential welding variables and
requirements that the welder must follow during the performance
qualification test.
4. Which welding process uses a flux-coated consumable electrode?
A. GTAW
B. GMAW
C. SMAW
D. PAW
Correct Answer: SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) uses a consumable electrode
covered with flux. The coating provides shielding and forms slag during
welding.
5. Which welding process uses a continuously fed solid electrode wire and an
externally supplied shielding gas?
A. GMAW
B. SMAW
C. GTAW
D. Oxyfuel welding
,Correct Answer: GMAW
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuously fed
consumable electrode with shielding normally provided by an externally
supplied gas.
6. Which welding process uses a nonconsumable tungsten electrode?
A. FCAW
B. GTAW
C. SMAW
D. GMAW
Correct Answer: GTAW
Rationale: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a nonconsumable tungsten
electrode to establish the arc. Filler metal may be added separately when
required.
7. What is the primary function of shielding gas during gas-shielded arc
welding?
A. Increase base metal thickness
B. Protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric contamination
C. Harden the electrode
D. Eliminate all welding distortion
Correct Answer: Protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric
contamination
Rationale: Shielding gas protects the arc and molten weld metal from
atmospheric gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that could adversely affect
weld quality.
8. What is the main purpose of flux in SMAW?
A. Produce shielding and slag during welding
B. Cool the electrode before welding
, C. Increase base metal thickness
D. Prevent the arc from forming
Correct Answer: Produce shielding and slag during welding
Rationale: The flux coating decomposes and reacts during welding to provide
shielding gases and produce slag that covers and protects the solidifying
weld.
9. Why does travel speed matter during welding?
A. It determines the electrode classification
B. It affects weld deposition and heat input per unit length
C. It changes the base metal chemical composition
D. It establishes the welding position
Correct Answer: It affects weld deposition and heat input per unit length
Rationale: Travel speed directly influences how much weld metal and thermal
energy are deposited along a given length of weld.
10. If welding current is increased substantially while other variables remain
constant, what generally happens to arc energy?
A. It decreases
B. It increases
C. It remains unchanged
D. It becomes zero
Correct Answer: It increases
Rationale: Arc energy is primarily a function of current, voltage, and travel
speed. Increasing current while other variables remain constant increases
heat input.
11. Which document records the results of a welder's performance
qualification test?
A. PQR
Qualification Test Practice Exam 100
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the AWS Certified Welder performance
qualification test?
A. To evaluate theoretical knowledge of welding metallurgy
B. To determine a welder's ability to produce an acceptable weld under
specified conditions
C. To certify welding inspectors
D. To establish the chemical composition of base metals
Correct Answer: To determine a welder's ability to produce an acceptable
weld under specified conditions
Rationale: The AWS Certified Welder program is performance-based. The
welder must demonstrate hands-on ability to produce a sound weld while
following the applicable Welding Procedure Specification and qualification
requirements.
2. Where must an AWS Certified Welder performance qualification test be
conducted?
A. Any location selected by the welder
B. An AWS Accredited Testing Facility
C. Only at AWS headquarters
D. Any welding school
Correct Answer: An AWS Accredited Testing Facility
,Rationale: AWS Certified Welder qualification tests are administered through
AWS Accredited Testing Facilities (ATFs), which are authorized to conduct and
document welder performance qualification testing.
3. Which document provides the welding variables that a welder must follow
during a qualification test?
A. Material Test Report
B. Inspection Report
C. Welding Procedure Specification
D. Welder Continuity Record
Correct Answer: Welding Procedure Specification
Rationale: The WPS establishes the essential welding variables and
requirements that the welder must follow during the performance
qualification test.
4. Which welding process uses a flux-coated consumable electrode?
A. GTAW
B. GMAW
C. SMAW
D. PAW
Correct Answer: SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) uses a consumable electrode
covered with flux. The coating provides shielding and forms slag during
welding.
5. Which welding process uses a continuously fed solid electrode wire and an
externally supplied shielding gas?
A. GMAW
B. SMAW
C. GTAW
D. Oxyfuel welding
,Correct Answer: GMAW
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuously fed
consumable electrode with shielding normally provided by an externally
supplied gas.
6. Which welding process uses a nonconsumable tungsten electrode?
A. FCAW
B. GTAW
C. SMAW
D. GMAW
Correct Answer: GTAW
Rationale: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) uses a nonconsumable tungsten
electrode to establish the arc. Filler metal may be added separately when
required.
7. What is the primary function of shielding gas during gas-shielded arc
welding?
A. Increase base metal thickness
B. Protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric contamination
C. Harden the electrode
D. Eliminate all welding distortion
Correct Answer: Protect the molten weld pool from atmospheric
contamination
Rationale: Shielding gas protects the arc and molten weld metal from
atmospheric gases such as oxygen and nitrogen that could adversely affect
weld quality.
8. What is the main purpose of flux in SMAW?
A. Produce shielding and slag during welding
B. Cool the electrode before welding
, C. Increase base metal thickness
D. Prevent the arc from forming
Correct Answer: Produce shielding and slag during welding
Rationale: The flux coating decomposes and reacts during welding to provide
shielding gases and produce slag that covers and protects the solidifying
weld.
9. Why does travel speed matter during welding?
A. It determines the electrode classification
B. It affects weld deposition and heat input per unit length
C. It changes the base metal chemical composition
D. It establishes the welding position
Correct Answer: It affects weld deposition and heat input per unit length
Rationale: Travel speed directly influences how much weld metal and thermal
energy are deposited along a given length of weld.
10. If welding current is increased substantially while other variables remain
constant, what generally happens to arc energy?
A. It decreases
B. It increases
C. It remains unchanged
D. It becomes zero
Correct Answer: It increases
Rationale: Arc energy is primarily a function of current, voltage, and travel
speed. Increasing current while other variables remain constant increases
heat input.
11. Which document records the results of a welder's performance
qualification test?
A. PQR
