Welding Contractor Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which welding process primarily uses a continuously fed consumable
wire electrode?
a) Oxy-acetylene welding
b) Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
c) Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
d) Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG)
GMAW (MIG welding) uses a spool of wire that is continuously fed,
unlike stick electrodes or tungsten rods.
2. What shielding gas is most commonly used in Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding (GTAW)?
a) Carbon dioxide
b) Argon
, c) Helium
d) Nitrogen
Argon provides stable arcs and protects the weld pool from
contamination in TIG welding.
3. Which welding symbol indicates a fillet weld?
a) Circle
b) Triangle
c) Square
d) Straight line
The triangle symbol represents a fillet weld on welding blueprints.
4. What is the main purpose of a flux coating on a SMAW electrode?
a) To harden the metal
b) To protect the weld from atmospheric contamination
c) To increase weld speed
d) To provide extra filler metal
Flux melts to create shielding gases and slag, preventing oxidation and
contamination.
5. Which type of flame is best used for welding mild steel with oxy-
acetylene?
a) Oxidizing flame
b) Neutral flame
c) Carburizing flame
d) Reducing flame
, A neutral flame has equal oxygen and acetylene, providing balanced
heating without excess oxidation or carbon.
6. In arc welding, arc blow is caused primarily by:
a) Low electrode temperature
b) Magnetic fields around the workpiece
c) Excessive shielding gas
d) High amperage only
Magnetic forces around the arc cause arc blow, especially at corners or
ends of welds.
7. Which electrode classification is used for low-hydrogen steel welding?
a) E6010
b) E6013
c) E7018
d) E308L
E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode used for structural welding and
preventing hydrogen cracking.
8. In a welding joint, the root refers to:
a) The top surface of the weld
b) The point of deepest penetration
c) The reinforcement bead
d) The flux coating
The root is the point where the weld penetrates deepest between joint
members.
, 9. Which safety device must always be used when performing arc
welding?
a) Dust mask
b) Welding helmet with proper shade lens
c) Safety shoes only
d) Ear plugs only
A welding helmet prevents eye damage from arc radiation (arc flash)
and protects the face.
10. What is porosity in weld metal usually caused by?
a) Excessive amperage
b) Too slow travel speed
c) Gas entrapment
d) Lack of flux
Porosity forms when shielding gas fails to protect the weld pool,
trapping gases inside.
11. What polarity is commonly used for SMAW with E6010
electrodes?
a) AC straight polarity
b) DC electrode positive (DCEP)
c) DC electrode negative (DCEN)
d) Any polarity works
E6010 is designed for DCEP, providing deep penetration.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which welding process primarily uses a continuously fed consumable
wire electrode?
a) Oxy-acetylene welding
b) Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
c) Gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
d) Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG)
GMAW (MIG welding) uses a spool of wire that is continuously fed,
unlike stick electrodes or tungsten rods.
2. What shielding gas is most commonly used in Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding (GTAW)?
a) Carbon dioxide
b) Argon
, c) Helium
d) Nitrogen
Argon provides stable arcs and protects the weld pool from
contamination in TIG welding.
3. Which welding symbol indicates a fillet weld?
a) Circle
b) Triangle
c) Square
d) Straight line
The triangle symbol represents a fillet weld on welding blueprints.
4. What is the main purpose of a flux coating on a SMAW electrode?
a) To harden the metal
b) To protect the weld from atmospheric contamination
c) To increase weld speed
d) To provide extra filler metal
Flux melts to create shielding gases and slag, preventing oxidation and
contamination.
5. Which type of flame is best used for welding mild steel with oxy-
acetylene?
a) Oxidizing flame
b) Neutral flame
c) Carburizing flame
d) Reducing flame
, A neutral flame has equal oxygen and acetylene, providing balanced
heating without excess oxidation or carbon.
6. In arc welding, arc blow is caused primarily by:
a) Low electrode temperature
b) Magnetic fields around the workpiece
c) Excessive shielding gas
d) High amperage only
Magnetic forces around the arc cause arc blow, especially at corners or
ends of welds.
7. Which electrode classification is used for low-hydrogen steel welding?
a) E6010
b) E6013
c) E7018
d) E308L
E7018 is a low-hydrogen electrode used for structural welding and
preventing hydrogen cracking.
8. In a welding joint, the root refers to:
a) The top surface of the weld
b) The point of deepest penetration
c) The reinforcement bead
d) The flux coating
The root is the point where the weld penetrates deepest between joint
members.
, 9. Which safety device must always be used when performing arc
welding?
a) Dust mask
b) Welding helmet with proper shade lens
c) Safety shoes only
d) Ear plugs only
A welding helmet prevents eye damage from arc radiation (arc flash)
and protects the face.
10. What is porosity in weld metal usually caused by?
a) Excessive amperage
b) Too slow travel speed
c) Gas entrapment
d) Lack of flux
Porosity forms when shielding gas fails to protect the weld pool,
trapping gases inside.
11. What polarity is commonly used for SMAW with E6010
electrodes?
a) AC straight polarity
b) DC electrode positive (DCEP)
c) DC electrode negative (DCEN)
d) Any polarity works
E6010 is designed for DCEP, providing deep penetration.
