AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers, Plus Explained Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Updated/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which AWS specification covers structural steel welding
inspection?
a) D1.1
b) D1.3
c) D1.5
d) D1.6
Answer: a) D1.1
Rationale: AWS D1.1 is the structural welding code for steel and
provides the standards for welding inspection and qualification.
2. What is the primary purpose of a welding procedure specification
(WPS)?
a) To train welders
b) To provide detailed instructions for welding
c) To certify materials
d) To inspect welds
Answer: b) To provide detailed instructions for welding
Rationale: A WPS ensures welds are made consistently and meet code
requirements.
, 3. What type of weld is typically used to join two plates at a right
angle?
a) Butt weld
b) Fillet weld
c) Groove weld
d) Plug weld
Answer: b) Fillet weld
Rationale: Fillet welds are commonly used in T-joints, lap joints, and
corner joints where plates meet at right angles.
4. Which NDT method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect
internal flaws?
a) Radiographic testing (RT)
b) Ultrasonic testing (UT)
c) Magnetic particle testing (MT)
d) Liquid penetrant testing (PT)
Answer: b) Ultrasonic testing (UT)
Rationale: UT uses sound waves to detect internal discontinuities in
welds.
5. What does preheat in welding help prevent?
a) Porosity
b) Distortion
c) Cracking
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Rationale: Preheating reduces thermal gradients, which can prevent
porosity, excessive distortion, and cracking.
6. Which welding position is designated as 3G?
a) Flat groove weld
, b) Horizontal groove weld
c) Vertical groove weld
d) Overhead groove weld
Answer: c) Vertical groove weld
Rationale: 3G refers to a vertical groove weld, which is welded in the
vertical position.
7. What is the primary defect detected by magnetic particle testing
(MT)?
a) Surface and near-surface cracks
b) Porosity
c) Undercut
d) Lack of fusion
Answer: a) Surface and near-surface cracks
Rationale: MT is effective for detecting surface and near-surface
discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials.
8. Which factor does not affect the mechanical properties of a weld?
a) Base metal composition
b) Electrode type
c) Ambient light
d) Welding technique
Answer: c) Ambient light
Rationale: Ambient light does not affect weld quality, whereas base
metal, electrode, and technique do.
9. What is the purpose of a welder performance qualification
(WPQ)?
a) To ensure the welder can produce welds meeting code
requirements
b) To certify materials
, c) To determine welding positions
d) To create a welding procedure specification
Answer: a) To ensure the welder can produce welds meeting code
requirements
Rationale: WPQ tests a welder’s ability to produce sound welds per
code specifications.
10. Which type of discontinuity is caused by trapped gas in the
weld metal?
a) Porosity
b) Slag inclusion
c) Cracking
d) Undercut
Answer: a) Porosity
Rationale: Porosity occurs when gas is trapped in the weld metal,
forming small cavities.
11. Which inspection technique requires the use of a radioactive
source?
a) UT
b) RT
c) PT
d) MT
Answer: b) RT
Rationale: Radiographic testing uses X-rays or gamma rays to inspect
internal welds.
12. What is meant by “backing” in welding?
a) Supporting the joint from behind
b) Preheating the weld area
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers, Plus Explained Rationales/Expert
Verified For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Updated/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which AWS specification covers structural steel welding
inspection?
a) D1.1
b) D1.3
c) D1.5
d) D1.6
Answer: a) D1.1
Rationale: AWS D1.1 is the structural welding code for steel and
provides the standards for welding inspection and qualification.
2. What is the primary purpose of a welding procedure specification
(WPS)?
a) To train welders
b) To provide detailed instructions for welding
c) To certify materials
d) To inspect welds
Answer: b) To provide detailed instructions for welding
Rationale: A WPS ensures welds are made consistently and meet code
requirements.
, 3. What type of weld is typically used to join two plates at a right
angle?
a) Butt weld
b) Fillet weld
c) Groove weld
d) Plug weld
Answer: b) Fillet weld
Rationale: Fillet welds are commonly used in T-joints, lap joints, and
corner joints where plates meet at right angles.
4. Which NDT method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect
internal flaws?
a) Radiographic testing (RT)
b) Ultrasonic testing (UT)
c) Magnetic particle testing (MT)
d) Liquid penetrant testing (PT)
Answer: b) Ultrasonic testing (UT)
Rationale: UT uses sound waves to detect internal discontinuities in
welds.
5. What does preheat in welding help prevent?
a) Porosity
b) Distortion
c) Cracking
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Rationale: Preheating reduces thermal gradients, which can prevent
porosity, excessive distortion, and cracking.
6. Which welding position is designated as 3G?
a) Flat groove weld
, b) Horizontal groove weld
c) Vertical groove weld
d) Overhead groove weld
Answer: c) Vertical groove weld
Rationale: 3G refers to a vertical groove weld, which is welded in the
vertical position.
7. What is the primary defect detected by magnetic particle testing
(MT)?
a) Surface and near-surface cracks
b) Porosity
c) Undercut
d) Lack of fusion
Answer: a) Surface and near-surface cracks
Rationale: MT is effective for detecting surface and near-surface
discontinuities in ferromagnetic materials.
8. Which factor does not affect the mechanical properties of a weld?
a) Base metal composition
b) Electrode type
c) Ambient light
d) Welding technique
Answer: c) Ambient light
Rationale: Ambient light does not affect weld quality, whereas base
metal, electrode, and technique do.
9. What is the purpose of a welder performance qualification
(WPQ)?
a) To ensure the welder can produce welds meeting code
requirements
b) To certify materials
, c) To determine welding positions
d) To create a welding procedure specification
Answer: a) To ensure the welder can produce welds meeting code
requirements
Rationale: WPQ tests a welder’s ability to produce sound welds per
code specifications.
10. Which type of discontinuity is caused by trapped gas in the
weld metal?
a) Porosity
b) Slag inclusion
c) Cracking
d) Undercut
Answer: a) Porosity
Rationale: Porosity occurs when gas is trapped in the weld metal,
forming small cavities.
11. Which inspection technique requires the use of a radioactive
source?
a) UT
b) RT
c) PT
d) MT
Answer: b) RT
Rationale: Radiographic testing uses X-rays or gamma rays to inspect
internal welds.
12. What is meant by “backing” in welding?
a) Supporting the joint from behind
b) Preheating the weld area
