Welding Certification Practice Exam (AWS
D1.1, D1.5, etc.) – Verified Questions,
Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations
for Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which welding process is most commonly used in AWS D1.1 structural
steel welding?
A) Oxy-fuel welding
B) SMAW
C) TIG
D) MIG
Answer: B) SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is widely used in structural
steel due to versatility and field suitability.
2. What is the primary purpose of preheating steel before welding?
A) To speed up welding
B) To reduce hydrogen-induced cracking
C) To improve electrode life
D) To decrease weld penetration
Answer: B) To reduce hydrogen-induced cracking
Preheating reduces the cooling rate, which minimizes residual stress and
hydrogen cracking.
3. In D1.1, what is the maximum allowable weld size for a fillet weld if
the base metal is 1/4" thick?
A) 1/8"
B) 3/16"
C) 1/4"
D) 5/16"
,Answer: B) 3/16"
The fillet weld size is typically about 0.75 times the thinner base metal
thickness.
4. Which type of electrode is recommended for welding high-strength
bridge steel under AWS D1.5?
A) E6010
B) E7018
C) E308L
D) E316L
Answer: B) E7018
E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes are preferred for high-strength steels due to
reduced cracking risk.
5. What is the purpose of a back gouge in groove welds?
A) To reduce weld size
B) To improve root penetration
C) To allow multi-pass welding
D) To remove weld defects
Answer: B) To improve root penetration
Back gouging ensures proper fusion at the root, critical for strength in groove
welds.
6. Which welding position is identified as “2F”?
A) Flat fillet weld
B) Horizontal fillet weld
C) Vertical fillet weld
D) Overhead fillet weld
Answer: B) Horizontal fillet weld
AWS uses “F” for fillet and “G” for groove; 2F specifies a horizontal fillet weld.
7. What is the main hazard of welding galvanized steel?
A) Sparks
, B) Ultraviolet light
C) Zinc fumes
D) Oxygen deficiency
Answer: C) Zinc fumes
Galvanized coatings produce toxic zinc oxide fumes; proper ventilation or
respiratory protection is required.
8. Which type of joint is most commonly used in bridge steel
connections?
A) Butt joint
B) Lap joint
C) Tee joint
D) Corner joint
Answer: A) Butt joint
Butt joints are preferred for full-penetration welds providing maximum
strength in bridge construction.
9. In AWS D1.1, how is the minimum preheat temperature determined?
A) By electrode type only
B) By steel thickness, carbon equivalent, and ambient conditions
C) By welding position
D) By weld size
Answer: B) By steel thickness, carbon equivalent, and ambient conditions
Preheat reduces risk of cracking, especially in thicker or higher carbon steels.
10.What does the “7018” designation in a welding electrode mean?
A) Tensile strength of 70,000 psi and low hydrogen
B) Weld thickness of 7/8"
C) Electrode diameter 0.7018"
D) Type of coating
Answer: A) Tensile strength of 70,000 psi and low hydrogen
AWS electrode numbers describe tensile strength (70,000 psi), welding position,
and coating/hydrogen type.
D1.1, D1.5, etc.) – Verified Questions,
Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations
for Students||Already Graded A+
1. Which welding process is most commonly used in AWS D1.1 structural
steel welding?
A) Oxy-fuel welding
B) SMAW
C) TIG
D) MIG
Answer: B) SMAW
Rationale: Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) is widely used in structural
steel due to versatility and field suitability.
2. What is the primary purpose of preheating steel before welding?
A) To speed up welding
B) To reduce hydrogen-induced cracking
C) To improve electrode life
D) To decrease weld penetration
Answer: B) To reduce hydrogen-induced cracking
Preheating reduces the cooling rate, which minimizes residual stress and
hydrogen cracking.
3. In D1.1, what is the maximum allowable weld size for a fillet weld if
the base metal is 1/4" thick?
A) 1/8"
B) 3/16"
C) 1/4"
D) 5/16"
,Answer: B) 3/16"
The fillet weld size is typically about 0.75 times the thinner base metal
thickness.
4. Which type of electrode is recommended for welding high-strength
bridge steel under AWS D1.5?
A) E6010
B) E7018
C) E308L
D) E316L
Answer: B) E7018
E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes are preferred for high-strength steels due to
reduced cracking risk.
5. What is the purpose of a back gouge in groove welds?
A) To reduce weld size
B) To improve root penetration
C) To allow multi-pass welding
D) To remove weld defects
Answer: B) To improve root penetration
Back gouging ensures proper fusion at the root, critical for strength in groove
welds.
6. Which welding position is identified as “2F”?
A) Flat fillet weld
B) Horizontal fillet weld
C) Vertical fillet weld
D) Overhead fillet weld
Answer: B) Horizontal fillet weld
AWS uses “F” for fillet and “G” for groove; 2F specifies a horizontal fillet weld.
7. What is the main hazard of welding galvanized steel?
A) Sparks
, B) Ultraviolet light
C) Zinc fumes
D) Oxygen deficiency
Answer: C) Zinc fumes
Galvanized coatings produce toxic zinc oxide fumes; proper ventilation or
respiratory protection is required.
8. Which type of joint is most commonly used in bridge steel
connections?
A) Butt joint
B) Lap joint
C) Tee joint
D) Corner joint
Answer: A) Butt joint
Butt joints are preferred for full-penetration welds providing maximum
strength in bridge construction.
9. In AWS D1.1, how is the minimum preheat temperature determined?
A) By electrode type only
B) By steel thickness, carbon equivalent, and ambient conditions
C) By welding position
D) By weld size
Answer: B) By steel thickness, carbon equivalent, and ambient conditions
Preheat reduces risk of cracking, especially in thicker or higher carbon steels.
10.What does the “7018” designation in a welding electrode mean?
A) Tensile strength of 70,000 psi and low hydrogen
B) Weld thickness of 7/8"
C) Electrode diameter 0.7018"
D) Type of coating
Answer: A) Tensile strength of 70,000 psi and low hydrogen
AWS electrode numbers describe tensile strength (70,000 psi), welding position,
and coating/hydrogen type.
