AWS CERTIFIED WELDER (CW) PRACTICE EXAMINATION —
FORM A NEWEST 2026 UPDATE — ACTUAL QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY GRADED A+
Content covered (most tested areas): SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
fundamentals; welding safety; base metals; filler metals;
WPS/PQR basics; joint design; welding symbols;
discontinuities/defects; inspection and testing; positions; heat
input and distortion control; preheat/interpass; shielding
gases; polarity; equipment setup.
1. In SMAW, what does the electrode coating primarily provide?
A. Electrical insulation only
B. Alloying elements only
C. Shielding gas and slag
D. Increased current flow
Answer: C. Shielding gas and slag
The flux coating decomposes to produce shielding gases and
forms a protective slag over the weld pool.
2. Which polarity is most commonly used with E6010 electrodes?
A. AC only
B. DCEN
C. DCEP
D. Either DCEN or AC only
Answer: C. DCEP
E6010 is designed for deep penetration using direct current
electrode positive.
,3. In GMAW, the shielding gas for short-circuit transfer on carbon
steel is typically:
A. 100% Argon
B. 100% CO₂
C. Argon-Oxygen mix (98/2)
D. Argon-Helium mix
Answer: B. 100% CO₂
Pure CO₂ is economical and provides good penetration for short-
circuiting transfer.
4. What welding position is designated as 3G?
A. Flat groove
B. Horizontal groove
C. Vertical groove
D. Overhead groove
Answer: C. Vertical groove
“G” indicates groove weld; 3G denotes vertical position.
5. Porosity in weld metal is most commonly caused by:
A. Excessive amperage
B. Rapid cooling
C. Gas entrapment
D. Improper polarity
Answer: C. Gas entrapment
Entrapped gases during solidification create rounded cavities.
6. What does a WPS specify?
A. Inspector qualifications
B. Welding variables and procedures
C. Mechanical test results only
, D. Base metal chemical analysis
Answer: B. Welding variables and procedures
A WPS details parameters like current, voltage, travel speed, and
materials.
7. FCAW without external shielding gas is known as:
A. FCAW-G
B. FCAW-S
C. SAW
D. MCAW
Answer: B. FCAW-S
Self-shielded flux-cored arc welding generates its own protective
gases.
8. Undercut is best described as:
A. Excess weld metal buildup
B. A groove melted into base metal at weld toe
C. Incomplete penetration
D. Slag inclusion
Answer: B. A groove melted into base metal at weld toe
Undercut reduces cross-sectional strength.
9. Preheat is applied primarily to:
A. Increase travel speed
B. Reduce residual stress and cracking
C. Improve weld appearance
D. Reduce equipment wear
Answer: B. Reduce residual stress and cracking
Preheating slows cooling, minimizing hydrogen cracking risk.
FORM A NEWEST 2026 UPDATE — ACTUAL QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS | ALREADY GRADED A+
Content covered (most tested areas): SMAW, GMAW, FCAW
fundamentals; welding safety; base metals; filler metals;
WPS/PQR basics; joint design; welding symbols;
discontinuities/defects; inspection and testing; positions; heat
input and distortion control; preheat/interpass; shielding
gases; polarity; equipment setup.
1. In SMAW, what does the electrode coating primarily provide?
A. Electrical insulation only
B. Alloying elements only
C. Shielding gas and slag
D. Increased current flow
Answer: C. Shielding gas and slag
The flux coating decomposes to produce shielding gases and
forms a protective slag over the weld pool.
2. Which polarity is most commonly used with E6010 electrodes?
A. AC only
B. DCEN
C. DCEP
D. Either DCEN or AC only
Answer: C. DCEP
E6010 is designed for deep penetration using direct current
electrode positive.
,3. In GMAW, the shielding gas for short-circuit transfer on carbon
steel is typically:
A. 100% Argon
B. 100% CO₂
C. Argon-Oxygen mix (98/2)
D. Argon-Helium mix
Answer: B. 100% CO₂
Pure CO₂ is economical and provides good penetration for short-
circuiting transfer.
4. What welding position is designated as 3G?
A. Flat groove
B. Horizontal groove
C. Vertical groove
D. Overhead groove
Answer: C. Vertical groove
“G” indicates groove weld; 3G denotes vertical position.
5. Porosity in weld metal is most commonly caused by:
A. Excessive amperage
B. Rapid cooling
C. Gas entrapment
D. Improper polarity
Answer: C. Gas entrapment
Entrapped gases during solidification create rounded cavities.
6. What does a WPS specify?
A. Inspector qualifications
B. Welding variables and procedures
C. Mechanical test results only
, D. Base metal chemical analysis
Answer: B. Welding variables and procedures
A WPS details parameters like current, voltage, travel speed, and
materials.
7. FCAW without external shielding gas is known as:
A. FCAW-G
B. FCAW-S
C. SAW
D. MCAW
Answer: B. FCAW-S
Self-shielded flux-cored arc welding generates its own protective
gases.
8. Undercut is best described as:
A. Excess weld metal buildup
B. A groove melted into base metal at weld toe
C. Incomplete penetration
D. Slag inclusion
Answer: B. A groove melted into base metal at weld toe
Undercut reduces cross-sectional strength.
9. Preheat is applied primarily to:
A. Increase travel speed
B. Reduce residual stress and cracking
C. Improve weld appearance
D. Reduce equipment wear
Answer: B. Reduce residual stress and cracking
Preheating slows cooling, minimizing hydrogen cracking risk.
