IPC Certified Interconnect Designer
Advanced (CID+) Certification Exam (New
2026/ 2027 Update) Questions & Answers
{Grade A} 100% Correct (Verified
Solutions)
What is a courtyard? - Correct answer Room needed for attachment, testability, and
repair
Only sufficient for electrical and physical clearance and may not allow for testability,
repairs, or visual inspection
Since the industry has not standardized on a specific clearance for these issues,
designer are encourage to maximize the space wherever possible for ease in? -
Correct answer Test fixture design + maintenance of the assembly
The designer should work with the assembly engineer to determine if cleaning is
needed and? - Correct answer if the components are compatible with the cleaning
processes
,Why can you leave no-clean fluxes residues on the board? - Correct answer They are
non-corrosive and non-conductive and can be left on the board
If you are doing a feasibility evaluation, what should you do? - Correct answer Find
mechanical outline, component sizes, and testing requirements (component disperse)
What are some ways you can strategize component placement? - Correct answer
Reduce case size, utilizing via-in-pad, large comp on primary / small discrete
components on secondary side
For through-hole components, what is the component assembly sequence? - Correct
answer Insert leads in plated through holes and then wave/drag soldered to the barrel
For components placed on the secondary side that go through wave soldering, what
must be determined about the board? - Correct answer Components are rated at a
temperature that can take the heat of the solder wave
,For SMT components, what is the component assembly sequence? - Correct answer
Parts are placed in solder paste and then reflowed either by vapor-phase, infrared,
hot-air convection, laser, conduction, or combination of all
In component assembly, what must you do when SMT components are nearby through
hole components? - Correct answer Do not place secondary SMT parts next to
protruding through-hole leads.
Ensure a minimum clearance of 20 mil away from the through-hole leads to prevent
SMT devices from being affected by the wave
What's the advantage of surface mount parts? - Correct answer Because of shorter
lead lengths in SMT parts, the stress induced by shock and vibe is considerably
smaller compared to through hole leads
What is an important element that ties into vibration and shock forces? - Correct
answer CTE mismatch places mechanical stress on solder joints as temperature
changes
, The reflow temperature for lead-free solder melts at a __ - Correct answer higher
temperature
What condition is it okay for flux residue to remain on the board once the boards are
purchased and maintained clean? - Correct answer Flux residue must be no-clean
(non-conductive and non-corrosive)
Any cleaning must be done prior to any conformal coating (T/F) - Correct answer True;
if coating is used to cover all components and board areas, it must be compatible with
the solder mask and flux residue (it is important these chemistries do not impact each
other)
What are critical aspects to identify early prior to development phase of any design? -
Correct answer Parts lists to find long lead items, available quantities, alternate
source, specific part number variation, costs
Advanced (CID+) Certification Exam (New
2026/ 2027 Update) Questions & Answers
{Grade A} 100% Correct (Verified
Solutions)
What is a courtyard? - Correct answer Room needed for attachment, testability, and
repair
Only sufficient for electrical and physical clearance and may not allow for testability,
repairs, or visual inspection
Since the industry has not standardized on a specific clearance for these issues,
designer are encourage to maximize the space wherever possible for ease in? -
Correct answer Test fixture design + maintenance of the assembly
The designer should work with the assembly engineer to determine if cleaning is
needed and? - Correct answer if the components are compatible with the cleaning
processes
,Why can you leave no-clean fluxes residues on the board? - Correct answer They are
non-corrosive and non-conductive and can be left on the board
If you are doing a feasibility evaluation, what should you do? - Correct answer Find
mechanical outline, component sizes, and testing requirements (component disperse)
What are some ways you can strategize component placement? - Correct answer
Reduce case size, utilizing via-in-pad, large comp on primary / small discrete
components on secondary side
For through-hole components, what is the component assembly sequence? - Correct
answer Insert leads in plated through holes and then wave/drag soldered to the barrel
For components placed on the secondary side that go through wave soldering, what
must be determined about the board? - Correct answer Components are rated at a
temperature that can take the heat of the solder wave
,For SMT components, what is the component assembly sequence? - Correct answer
Parts are placed in solder paste and then reflowed either by vapor-phase, infrared,
hot-air convection, laser, conduction, or combination of all
In component assembly, what must you do when SMT components are nearby through
hole components? - Correct answer Do not place secondary SMT parts next to
protruding through-hole leads.
Ensure a minimum clearance of 20 mil away from the through-hole leads to prevent
SMT devices from being affected by the wave
What's the advantage of surface mount parts? - Correct answer Because of shorter
lead lengths in SMT parts, the stress induced by shock and vibe is considerably
smaller compared to through hole leads
What is an important element that ties into vibration and shock forces? - Correct
answer CTE mismatch places mechanical stress on solder joints as temperature
changes
, The reflow temperature for lead-free solder melts at a __ - Correct answer higher
temperature
What condition is it okay for flux residue to remain on the board once the boards are
purchased and maintained clean? - Correct answer Flux residue must be no-clean
(non-conductive and non-corrosive)
Any cleaning must be done prior to any conformal coating (T/F) - Correct answer True;
if coating is used to cover all components and board areas, it must be compatible with
the solder mask and flux residue (it is important these chemistries do not impact each
other)
What are critical aspects to identify early prior to development phase of any design? -
Correct answer Parts lists to find long lead items, available quantities, alternate
source, specific part number variation, costs
