TEXAS STRUCTURAL WELDING
CERTIFICATION EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A welder is preparing to perform shielded metal arc welding
(SMAW) on ASTM A36 structural steel using an E7018 electrode.
Before striking the arc, which action is most critical to ensure weld
quality?
A. Increase travel speed to minimize heat input
B. Clean the joint of rust, oil, moisture, and mill scale
C. Coat the joint with grease to improve penetration
D. Reduce amperage below the manufacturer's recommendation
Answer: B. Clean the joint of rust, oil, moisture, and mill scale
Rationale: Surface contaminants introduce hydrogen, porosity, slag
inclusions, and lack of fusion. Proper joint preparation is essential for
structural weld integrity and compliance with structural welding codes.
2. Which discontinuity is most likely caused by excessive welding
current during SMAW?
A. Lack of fusion
B. Undercut
C. Slag inclusion
D. Cold lap
Answer: B. Undercut
1
,Rationale: Excessive amperage increases arc force and melts the base
metal excessively along the toe of the weld, producing undercut that
reduces fatigue strength.
3. Which electrode is specifically classified as a low-hydrogen
electrode?
A. E6010
B. E6011
C. E6013
D. E7018
Answer: D. E7018
Rationale: E7018 contains a low-hydrogen flux coating designed to
reduce hydrogen-induced cracking in structural steels.
4. According to structural welding principles, what is the primary
purpose of preheating thicker steel sections?
A. Increase arc voltage
B. Reduce cooling rate and hydrogen cracking risk
C. Improve electrode appearance
D. Increase slag production
Answer: B. Reduce cooling rate and hydrogen cracking risk
Rationale: Preheating slows cooling, minimizes residual stresses,
allows hydrogen diffusion, and reduces the likelihood of delayed
cracking.
5. What does the "70" in an E7018 electrode designation represent?
2
,A. 70 volts operating voltage
B. 70 ksi minimum tensile strength
C. 70% deposition efficiency
D. 70 amps recommended current
Answer: B. 70 ksi minimum tensile strength
Rationale: The first two digits identify the minimum tensile strength of
deposited weld metal in thousands of pounds per square inch.
6. Which welding position is considered the most difficult during
qualification testing?
A. Flat (1G)
B. Horizontal (2G)
C. Vertical (3G)
D. Downhand
Answer: C. Vertical (3G)
Rationale: Vertical welding requires excellent puddle control because
gravity affects molten metal, making defects more likely.
7. Which defect most commonly results from inadequate cleaning
between multiple weld passes?
A. Slag inclusion
B. Undercut
C. Burn-through
D. Arc blow
Answer: A. Slag inclusion
Rationale: Failure to remove slag between passes traps nonmetallic
material inside the weld, weakening the joint.
3
, 8. Which gas is commonly used for Gas Metal Arc Welding
(GMAW) structural steel in short-circuit transfer?
A. Pure oxygen
B. Argon and carbon dioxide mixture
C. Nitrogen
D. Helium only
Answer: B. Argon and carbon dioxide mixture
Rationale: Argon/CO₂ mixtures provide stable arc characteristics, good
penetration, and acceptable spatter control.
9. A weld bead displays excessive convexity. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Travel speed too fast
B. Low travel speed with excessive filler deposition
C. Excessive voltage alone
D. Electrode too dry
Answer: B. Low travel speed with excessive filler deposition
Rationale: Moving too slowly deposits excess weld metal, creating a
highly convex bead that may not meet structural code requirements.
10. Which inspection method detects internal weld
discontinuities without destroying the weld?
A. Visual inspection
B. Radiographic testing
C. Soap bubble test
D. Dye penetrant only
4
CERTIFICATION EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A welder is preparing to perform shielded metal arc welding
(SMAW) on ASTM A36 structural steel using an E7018 electrode.
Before striking the arc, which action is most critical to ensure weld
quality?
A. Increase travel speed to minimize heat input
B. Clean the joint of rust, oil, moisture, and mill scale
C. Coat the joint with grease to improve penetration
D. Reduce amperage below the manufacturer's recommendation
Answer: B. Clean the joint of rust, oil, moisture, and mill scale
Rationale: Surface contaminants introduce hydrogen, porosity, slag
inclusions, and lack of fusion. Proper joint preparation is essential for
structural weld integrity and compliance with structural welding codes.
2. Which discontinuity is most likely caused by excessive welding
current during SMAW?
A. Lack of fusion
B. Undercut
C. Slag inclusion
D. Cold lap
Answer: B. Undercut
1
,Rationale: Excessive amperage increases arc force and melts the base
metal excessively along the toe of the weld, producing undercut that
reduces fatigue strength.
3. Which electrode is specifically classified as a low-hydrogen
electrode?
A. E6010
B. E6011
C. E6013
D. E7018
Answer: D. E7018
Rationale: E7018 contains a low-hydrogen flux coating designed to
reduce hydrogen-induced cracking in structural steels.
4. According to structural welding principles, what is the primary
purpose of preheating thicker steel sections?
A. Increase arc voltage
B. Reduce cooling rate and hydrogen cracking risk
C. Improve electrode appearance
D. Increase slag production
Answer: B. Reduce cooling rate and hydrogen cracking risk
Rationale: Preheating slows cooling, minimizes residual stresses,
allows hydrogen diffusion, and reduces the likelihood of delayed
cracking.
5. What does the "70" in an E7018 electrode designation represent?
2
,A. 70 volts operating voltage
B. 70 ksi minimum tensile strength
C. 70% deposition efficiency
D. 70 amps recommended current
Answer: B. 70 ksi minimum tensile strength
Rationale: The first two digits identify the minimum tensile strength of
deposited weld metal in thousands of pounds per square inch.
6. Which welding position is considered the most difficult during
qualification testing?
A. Flat (1G)
B. Horizontal (2G)
C. Vertical (3G)
D. Downhand
Answer: C. Vertical (3G)
Rationale: Vertical welding requires excellent puddle control because
gravity affects molten metal, making defects more likely.
7. Which defect most commonly results from inadequate cleaning
between multiple weld passes?
A. Slag inclusion
B. Undercut
C. Burn-through
D. Arc blow
Answer: A. Slag inclusion
Rationale: Failure to remove slag between passes traps nonmetallic
material inside the weld, weakening the joint.
3
, 8. Which gas is commonly used for Gas Metal Arc Welding
(GMAW) structural steel in short-circuit transfer?
A. Pure oxygen
B. Argon and carbon dioxide mixture
C. Nitrogen
D. Helium only
Answer: B. Argon and carbon dioxide mixture
Rationale: Argon/CO₂ mixtures provide stable arc characteristics, good
penetration, and acceptable spatter control.
9. A weld bead displays excessive convexity. What is the most likely
cause?
A. Travel speed too fast
B. Low travel speed with excessive filler deposition
C. Excessive voltage alone
D. Electrode too dry
Answer: B. Low travel speed with excessive filler deposition
Rationale: Moving too slowly deposits excess weld metal, creating a
highly convex bead that may not meet structural code requirements.
10. Which inspection method detects internal weld
discontinuities without destroying the weld?
A. Visual inspection
B. Radiographic testing
C. Soap bubble test
D. Dye penetrant only
4
