CWB (Canadian Welding Bureau) Welding
Inspector Exam | Complete Study Guide with
Actual Exam Questions, Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
To measure the strength of a welded joint, what mechanical test would you
prescribe?
A. A transverse weld tension test
B. A Charpy test
C. A CTOD test
D. An all weld metal tension test
E. A side bend test
Answer: A
Rationale: A transverse weld tension test measures the strength of a welded joint
by pulling a specimen across the weld. This test evaluates the joint's overall tensile
strength. The Charpy test measures impact toughness, CTOD measures fracture
toughness, and the all-weld metal tension test evaluates the deposited weld metal
alone.
Question 2
Select the cutting process that would provide the narrowest heat affected zone
when cutting 12.5 mm (0.5 in) thick carbon steel.
A. Oxy-acetylene cutting
B. Air-carbon arc cutting
C. Oxy-propane cutting
D. Plasma arc cutting
E. Laser beam cutting
pg. 1
,Answer: E
Rationale: Laser beam cutting produces the narrowest heat-affected zone (HAZ)
due to its highly focused, concentrated heat source. The precision of laser cutting
minimizes thermal input to the surrounding material compared to plasma, oxy-fuel,
or air-carbon arc cutting.
Question 3
Which of the following refers to a welder test where a pipe assembly is placed
vertically and the joint welded in the horizontal position without rotating the
assembly?
A. 1G
B. 2G
C. 3G
D. 5G
E. 6G
Answer: D
Rationale: The 5G position is a pipe welding test where the pipe is fixed in a
vertical position and welded in the horizontal position without rotating. This
position tests the welder's ability to weld in all positions (overhead, vertical, and
flat) around a stationary pipe.
Question 4
Which of the following imperfections is normally considered as unacceptable
regardless of size or location?
A. Porosity
B. Crack
C. Inadequate penetration
D. Lamination
E. Burn-through
Answer: B
pg. 2
,Rationale: Cracks are considered unacceptable regardless of size or location in
virtually all welding codes because they are stress risers that can lead to
catastrophic failure. Cracks are sharp discontinuities that concentrate stress and
promote brittle fracture.
Question 5
Select the correct penetrameter thickness for 2% sensitivity when radiographing a
weldment 1.25 inches in thickness.
A. 0.012 in
B. 0.015 in
C. 0.025 in
D. 0.030 in
Answer: C
Rationale: Penetrameter (IQI) thickness for 2% sensitivity is calculated as 2% of
the material thickness. For 1.25 inches, 1.25 × 0.02 = 0.025 inches. The
penetrameter should be the thinnest one that is visible, demonstrating adequate
image sensitivity.
Question 6
Which of the following statements concerning porosity is true?
A. Porosity cannot be trapped within a weld
B. Porosity moves up through later passes and will show only in a final pass
C. Porosity is restricted to the centre line of a weld
D. Porosity can result from faulty welder technique
E. Porosity can be dissipated by an appropriate heat treatment
Answer: D
Rationale: Porosity is caused by gas entrapment during solidification and can
result from faulty welder technique, including incorrect arc length, improper travel
speed, moisture in the electrode, or insufficient shielding gas. Porosity can occur
anywhere in the weld and cannot be removed by heat treatment.
pg. 3
, Question 7
An irregular, dense white spot is seen on the radiograph of a weld. Assuming it was
caused by the welding process used, which one of the processes below would be
responsible?
A. SMAW process
B. GTAW process
C. GMAW process
D. ST process
E. ESW process
Answer: B
Rationale: In GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), tungsten inclusions can occur
if the electrode contacts the molten weld pool. Tungsten is highly dense and
appears as an irregular, dense white spot on a radiograph. This defect is unique to
the GTAW process.
Question 8
Which of the following operations is known to result in the emission of ionizing
radiation at levels dangerous to human health?
A. Shielded metal arc welding
B. Plasma arc welding
C. Operation of high voltage portable generator sets
D. Radiographic inspection
E. Electroslag and electrogas welding
Answer: D
Rationale: Radiographic inspection uses ionizing radiation from X-ray machines
or radioactive isotopes (e.g., Iridium-192, Cobalt-60) that is dangerous to human
health. Proper safety protocols including distance, shielding, and monitoring are
essential when performing radiographic inspection.
Question 9
The ultrasonic transducer is pressed against the plate of a welded joint. The sound
pg. 4
Inspector Exam | Complete Study Guide with
Actual Exam Questions, Verified Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
To measure the strength of a welded joint, what mechanical test would you
prescribe?
A. A transverse weld tension test
B. A Charpy test
C. A CTOD test
D. An all weld metal tension test
E. A side bend test
Answer: A
Rationale: A transverse weld tension test measures the strength of a welded joint
by pulling a specimen across the weld. This test evaluates the joint's overall tensile
strength. The Charpy test measures impact toughness, CTOD measures fracture
toughness, and the all-weld metal tension test evaluates the deposited weld metal
alone.
Question 2
Select the cutting process that would provide the narrowest heat affected zone
when cutting 12.5 mm (0.5 in) thick carbon steel.
A. Oxy-acetylene cutting
B. Air-carbon arc cutting
C. Oxy-propane cutting
D. Plasma arc cutting
E. Laser beam cutting
pg. 1
,Answer: E
Rationale: Laser beam cutting produces the narrowest heat-affected zone (HAZ)
due to its highly focused, concentrated heat source. The precision of laser cutting
minimizes thermal input to the surrounding material compared to plasma, oxy-fuel,
or air-carbon arc cutting.
Question 3
Which of the following refers to a welder test where a pipe assembly is placed
vertically and the joint welded in the horizontal position without rotating the
assembly?
A. 1G
B. 2G
C. 3G
D. 5G
E. 6G
Answer: D
Rationale: The 5G position is a pipe welding test where the pipe is fixed in a
vertical position and welded in the horizontal position without rotating. This
position tests the welder's ability to weld in all positions (overhead, vertical, and
flat) around a stationary pipe.
Question 4
Which of the following imperfections is normally considered as unacceptable
regardless of size or location?
A. Porosity
B. Crack
C. Inadequate penetration
D. Lamination
E. Burn-through
Answer: B
pg. 2
,Rationale: Cracks are considered unacceptable regardless of size or location in
virtually all welding codes because they are stress risers that can lead to
catastrophic failure. Cracks are sharp discontinuities that concentrate stress and
promote brittle fracture.
Question 5
Select the correct penetrameter thickness for 2% sensitivity when radiographing a
weldment 1.25 inches in thickness.
A. 0.012 in
B. 0.015 in
C. 0.025 in
D. 0.030 in
Answer: C
Rationale: Penetrameter (IQI) thickness for 2% sensitivity is calculated as 2% of
the material thickness. For 1.25 inches, 1.25 × 0.02 = 0.025 inches. The
penetrameter should be the thinnest one that is visible, demonstrating adequate
image sensitivity.
Question 6
Which of the following statements concerning porosity is true?
A. Porosity cannot be trapped within a weld
B. Porosity moves up through later passes and will show only in a final pass
C. Porosity is restricted to the centre line of a weld
D. Porosity can result from faulty welder technique
E. Porosity can be dissipated by an appropriate heat treatment
Answer: D
Rationale: Porosity is caused by gas entrapment during solidification and can
result from faulty welder technique, including incorrect arc length, improper travel
speed, moisture in the electrode, or insufficient shielding gas. Porosity can occur
anywhere in the weld and cannot be removed by heat treatment.
pg. 3
, Question 7
An irregular, dense white spot is seen on the radiograph of a weld. Assuming it was
caused by the welding process used, which one of the processes below would be
responsible?
A. SMAW process
B. GTAW process
C. GMAW process
D. ST process
E. ESW process
Answer: B
Rationale: In GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding), tungsten inclusions can occur
if the electrode contacts the molten weld pool. Tungsten is highly dense and
appears as an irregular, dense white spot on a radiograph. This defect is unique to
the GTAW process.
Question 8
Which of the following operations is known to result in the emission of ionizing
radiation at levels dangerous to human health?
A. Shielded metal arc welding
B. Plasma arc welding
C. Operation of high voltage portable generator sets
D. Radiographic inspection
E. Electroslag and electrogas welding
Answer: D
Rationale: Radiographic inspection uses ionizing radiation from X-ray machines
or radioactive isotopes (e.g., Iridium-192, Cobalt-60) that is dangerous to human
health. Proper safety protocols including distance, shielding, and monitoring are
essential when performing radiographic inspection.
Question 9
The ultrasonic transducer is pressed against the plate of a welded joint. The sound
pg. 4
