AWS CERTIFIED WELDER (CW) PERFOMANCE
QUALIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a welding procedure
specification (WPS)?
A. To provide a step-by-step guide for the welder
B. To ensure weld quality and consistency
C. To define the acceptable welding parameters
D. To document safety procedures
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: A WPS is a formal document that ensures welds are
performed consistently and meet quality standards. It specifies
welding parameters like amperage, voltage, and preheat, but it
is not primarily a step-by-step instruction or safety document.
2. Which welding process uses a consumable electrode that
also serves as filler metal?
A. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
B. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
C. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
D. Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
,Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW all use consumable
electrodes that provide filler metal. GTAW generally uses a
non-consumable tungsten electrode.
3. What is the effect of welding at too high amperage?
A. Excessive spatter
B. Burn-through of the base metal
C. Weak penetration
D. Slag inclusion
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: High amperage increases heat input, which can
cause burn-through and excessive spatter. Low amperage, not
high, can result in weak penetration.
4. What is preheating used for in welding?
A. To reduce thermal shock
B. To prevent hydrogen-induced cracking
C. To make welding faster
D. To increase electrode consumption
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Preheating slows cooling rates, reducing the risk of
thermal shock and hydrogen-induced cracking, especially in
carbon steel.
,5. What type of joint is formed when two metal plates meet at
a 90° angle?
A. Butt joint
B. Lap joint
C. Tee joint
D. Corner joint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A tee joint occurs when one plate is perpendicular to
another, forming a "T" shape.
6. Which defect is caused by trapped gas in the weld metal?
A. Porosity
B. Undercut
C. Incomplete fusion
D. Overlap
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Porosity occurs when gas becomes trapped in the
solidifying weld metal, forming small cavities.
7. What is the purpose of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT)?
A. To improve mechanical properties
B. To relieve residual stresses
, C. To clean the weld surface
D. To change the weld color
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: PWHT improves ductility, reduces hardness, and
relieves stresses but does not clean or color the weld.
8. Which of the following affects the weld penetration?
A. Travel speed
B. Electrode angle
C. Voltage and amperage
D. Workpiece color
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Penetration is influenced by welding parameters and
technique. Workpiece color has no effect.
9. Which welding process requires an inert gas shield?
A. GTAW
B. SMAW
C. Oxy-acetylene welding
D. FCAW
Correct Answer: A, D (gas-shielded version)
Rationale: GTAW always requires an inert gas shield. FCAW
may require a shielding gas depending on the type of flux-cored
QUALIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of a welding procedure
specification (WPS)?
A. To provide a step-by-step guide for the welder
B. To ensure weld quality and consistency
C. To define the acceptable welding parameters
D. To document safety procedures
Correct Answer: B, C
Rationale: A WPS is a formal document that ensures welds are
performed consistently and meet quality standards. It specifies
welding parameters like amperage, voltage, and preheat, but it
is not primarily a step-by-step instruction or safety document.
2. Which welding process uses a consumable electrode that
also serves as filler metal?
A. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
B. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
C. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
D. Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
,Correct Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: SMAW, GMAW, and FCAW all use consumable
electrodes that provide filler metal. GTAW generally uses a
non-consumable tungsten electrode.
3. What is the effect of welding at too high amperage?
A. Excessive spatter
B. Burn-through of the base metal
C. Weak penetration
D. Slag inclusion
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: High amperage increases heat input, which can
cause burn-through and excessive spatter. Low amperage, not
high, can result in weak penetration.
4. What is preheating used for in welding?
A. To reduce thermal shock
B. To prevent hydrogen-induced cracking
C. To make welding faster
D. To increase electrode consumption
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: Preheating slows cooling rates, reducing the risk of
thermal shock and hydrogen-induced cracking, especially in
carbon steel.
,5. What type of joint is formed when two metal plates meet at
a 90° angle?
A. Butt joint
B. Lap joint
C. Tee joint
D. Corner joint
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A tee joint occurs when one plate is perpendicular to
another, forming a "T" shape.
6. Which defect is caused by trapped gas in the weld metal?
A. Porosity
B. Undercut
C. Incomplete fusion
D. Overlap
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Porosity occurs when gas becomes trapped in the
solidifying weld metal, forming small cavities.
7. What is the purpose of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT)?
A. To improve mechanical properties
B. To relieve residual stresses
, C. To clean the weld surface
D. To change the weld color
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: PWHT improves ductility, reduces hardness, and
relieves stresses but does not clean or color the weld.
8. Which of the following affects the weld penetration?
A. Travel speed
B. Electrode angle
C. Voltage and amperage
D. Workpiece color
Correct Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Penetration is influenced by welding parameters and
technique. Workpiece color has no effect.
9. Which welding process requires an inert gas shield?
A. GTAW
B. SMAW
C. Oxy-acetylene welding
D. FCAW
Correct Answer: A, D (gas-shielded version)
Rationale: GTAW always requires an inert gas shield. FCAW
may require a shielding gas depending on the type of flux-cored
