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AWS Certified Welding Inspector Exam

Acceptance Criteria Practice Questions

30 practice questions with detailed explanations — aligned to the AWS Certified Welding Inspector Exam.

  1. Q1.According to AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 (Statically Loaded), what is the maximum allowable undercut for material thickness less than 1 inch?

    A.1/64 inch
    B.1/32 inch
    C.1/16 inch
    D.None
    B1/32 inch

    Explanation: For statically loaded structures, undercut shall not exceed 1/32 inch (1 mm). (Exception: 1/16 inch is allowed for accumulation of length < 2 inches in any 12 inches).

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  2. Q2.For Cyclically Loaded structures under AWS D1.1, the acceptance criteria for porosity are:

    A.The same as Static
    B.More stringent (stricter)
    C.Less stringent
    D.Not applicable
    BMore stringent (stricter)

    Explanation: Cyclic loading (fatigue) requires stricter acceptance criteria because defects act as stress risers that initiate fatigue cracks.

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  3. Q3.Under AWS D1.1, are cracks acceptable?

    A.Yes, if less than 1/32 inch
    B.Yes, if in the crater only
    C.No, the weld shall have no cracks
    D.Yes, for static loads only
    CNo, the weld shall have no cracks

    Explanation: AWS D1.1 Table 6.1 states clearly: 'The weld shall have no cracks.'

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  4. Q4.According to AWS D1.1, weld reinforcement for a CJP groove weld in a butt joint shall not exceed:

    A.1/16 inch
    B.1/8 inch
    C.3/16 inch
    D.1/4 inch
    B1/8 inch

    Explanation: Weld reinforcement shall not exceed 1/8 inch (3 mm) in height.

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  5. Q5.For visual inspection under AWS D1.1, 'complete fusion' is required:

    A.Only for groove welds
    B.Only for fillet welds
    C.Between weld metal and base metal, and between successive passes
    D.Only on the face
    CBetween weld metal and base metal, and between successive passes

    Explanation: Thorough fusion must exist between all layers of weld metal and between the weld metal and base metal.

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  6. Q6.Under AWS D1.1, the maximum allowable overlap is:

    A.1/32 inch
    B.1/16 inch
    C.1/8 inch
    D.None allowed
    DNone allowed

    Explanation: Overlap is prohibited. The criteria typically state 'Prohibited' or implied by fusion requirements.

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  7. Q7.For a fillet weld to be acceptable under AWS D1.1, the location of the weld relative to the joint must be:

    A.Within 1/8 inch
    B.Exactly as detailed
    C.As shown on the drawings
    D.Approximately correct
    CAs shown on the drawings

    Explanation: Visual inspection criteria require the weld location and size to be 'As specified on the detail drawing'.

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  8. Q8.According to AWS D1.1, arc strikes found on the base metal:

    A.Are acceptable
    B.Must be ground smooth and visually inspected
    C.Must be covered with weld metal
    D.Must be cut out
    BMust be ground smooth and visually inspected

    Explanation: Arc strikes must be ground smooth and checked for cracks (visually or MT/PT) to ensure no damage remains.

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  9. Q9.In AWS D1.1 Static loading, porosity with a diameter of 1/32 inch is acceptable if:

    A.It is the only pore
    B.The sum of diameters does not exceed 3/8 inch in any linear inch of weld
    C.It is painted over
    D.It is internal
    BThe sum of diameters does not exceed 3/8 inch in any linear inch of weld

    Explanation: For static loading, piping porosity 1/32 inch or larger is restricted by frequency: sum of diameters < 3/8 inch in any linear inch.

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  10. Q10.A CJP groove weld in a butt joint is inspected visually. The weld face is flush with the base metal (zero reinforcement). This is:

    A.Acceptable
    B.Rejectable (requires reinforcement)
    C.Rejectable (underfill)
    D.Requires MT
    AAcceptable

    Explanation: Reinforcement is *permitted* up to 1/8 inch, but a flush surface is perfectly acceptable (and often preferred for fatigue) provided there is no underfill.

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  11. Q11.Under API 1104 (Pipeline), are 'burn-throughs' acceptable?

    A.Never
    B.Yes, within specific size limits
    C.Only on the cover pass
    D.Only if filled with lead
    BYes, within specific size limits

    Explanation: API 1104 allows burn-through (BT) if the maximum dimension does not exceed 1/4 inch (and other density limits). This differs from D1.1 structural.

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  12. Q12.Which code would typically be used for pressure vessel inspection?

    A.AWS D1.1
    B.ASME Section VIII
    C.API 1104
    D.AWS D1.5
    BASME Section VIII

    Explanation: ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) Section VIII covers pressure vessels. D1.1 is structural steel; API 1104 is pipelines.

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  13. Q13.When inspecting under AWS D1.1, undersized fillet welds are:

    A.Never allowed
    B.Allowed up to 1/16 inch undersize for 10% of the length
    C.Allowed if painted
    D.Allowed up to 1/8 inch undersize
    BAllowed up to 1/16 inch undersize for 10% of the length

    Explanation: D1.1 Table 6.1 Note: Fillet welds may be undersized by 1/16 inch for 10% of the length, provided the undersize does not occur at the ends.

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  14. Q14.Under ASME Section IX, what is the acceptance criterion for a guided bend test?

    A.No open discontinuity exceeding 1/16 inch
    B.No open discontinuity exceeding 1/8 inch (3mm)
    C.No cracks allowed
    D.No porosity allowed
    BNo open discontinuity exceeding 1/8 inch (3mm)

    Explanation: ASME Section IX (and AWS D1.1) generally allow open discontinuities on the convex surface up to 1/8 inch.

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  15. Q15.For AWS D1.1 Cyclic Loading, what is the maximum allowable undercut?

    A.1/32 inch generally
    B.0.01 inch (0.25 mm) for material < 1 inch thick when transverse to stress
    C.1/16 inch
    D.None allowed
    B0.01 inch (0.25 mm) for material < 1 inch thick when transverse to stress

    Explanation: Cyclic criteria are very strict. For stress transverse to the weld in thin material, undercut is limited to 0.01 inch.

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  16. Q16.According to AWS D1.1, if a backing bar is removed, the root surface must be:

    A.Left as is
    B.Ground flush or smooth
    C.Reinforced by 1/8 inch
    D.Magnetic particle tested
    BGround flush or smooth

    Explanation: When backing is removed, the root surface must be ground smooth/flush to remove the lack of fusion plane that existed between the backing and the root.

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  17. Q17.A 'rounded indication' in RT (AWS D1.1) is defined as one where:

    A.Length is less than 3 times the width
    B.Length is greater than 3 times the width
    C.It is perfectly circular
    D.It is porosity
    ALength is less than 3 times the width

    Explanation: Rounded indications have a length less than 3 times their width. Elongated indications have length > 3x width.

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  18. Q18.Under AWS D1.1, measuring fillet weld size for acceptance:

    A.Measure the leg length for all welds
    B.Measure leg length for convex, throat for concave
    C.Measure throat for all welds
    D.Measure the face width
    BMeasure leg length for convex, throat for concave

    Explanation: The effective size must be verified. For convex, leg size determines throat. For concave, actual throat must be measured to ensure it meets the design throat.

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  19. Q19.Under API 1104, 'Inadequate Penetration' (IP) is considered a defect if:

    A.The length of an individual indication exceeds 1 inch
    B.Any IP exists
    C.The length exceeds 1/4 inch
    D.It is open to the surface
    AThe length of an individual indication exceeds 1 inch

    Explanation: API 1104 allows IP (without high-low) if the aggregate length doesn't exceed 1 inch in 12 inches (varies by section, but 1 inch individual is a common threshold).

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  20. Q20.In AWS D1.1 Visual Inspection, craters are acceptable if:

    A.They are less than 1/16 inch deep
    B.They are filled to the full cross-section of the weld
    C.They are free of cracks
    D.Both B and C
    DBoth B and C

    Explanation: Craters must be filled to the full cross-section (no underfill) AND be free of cracks.

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  21. Q21.For AWS D1.5 (Bridge Code), are craters allowed?

    A.Yes
    B.No, craters must be filled
    C.Only on stiffeners
    D.Only if < 1/8 inch
    BNo, craters must be filled

    Explanation: Bridge codes (D1.5) are strict. Craters must be filled to the full cross section.

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  22. Q22.When inspecting groove welds in butt joints (AWS D1.1), misalignment of parts shall not exceed:

    A.1/16 inch
    B.10% of the thickness, max 1/8 inch
    C.1/4 inch
    D.50% of the thickness
    B10% of the thickness, max 1/8 inch

    Explanation: Offset (misalignment) is limited to 10% of thickness, but not more than 1/8 inch.

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  23. Q23.Which code allows the use of 'slugs' (adding loose metal) in a weld?

    A.AWS D1.1
    B.ASME Section IX
    C.API 1104
    D.None of the above
    DNone of the above

    Explanation: The use of slugs (adding rods or metal chunks to fill a gap) is prohibited by all major welding codes as it results in lack of fusion.

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  24. Q24.According to AWS D1.1, excessive convexity is rejectable because:

    A.It wastes metal
    B.It creates stress concentrations (notches) at the toe
    C.It looks bad
    D.It increases hardness
    BIt creates stress concentrations (notches) at the toe

    Explanation: While it wastes metal, the code rejection basis is the stress concentration created by the sharp re-entrant angle at the toe.

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  25. Q25.For a procedure qualification (PQR) tensile test under AWS D1.1, the tensile strength must be:

    A.Greater than the yield strength
    B.Not less than the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal
    C.Equal to the filler metal strength
    D.60,000 psi
    BNot less than the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal

    Explanation: The specimen must withstand a load at least equal to the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal being tested.

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  26. Q26.In AWS D1.1, cleaning of the completed weld involves removal of:

    A.Slag only
    B.Spatter only
    C.Slag and spatter
    D.Paint
    CSlag and spatter

    Explanation: D1.1 requires the removal of slag. Spatter removal is also generally required for inspection and coating, though 'loose' spatter is the specific requirement.

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  27. Q27.Is 'whiskers' (wire feed through) acceptable in a finished weld under AWS D1.1?

    A.Yes, always
    B.No, they must be removed
    C.Only in static structures
    D.Only if they are short
    BNo, they must be removed

    Explanation: Whiskers are considered a discontinuity and generally must be removed/cut off to prevent potential lack of fusion paths or injury.

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  28. Q28.Under AWS D1.1, which NDT method is generally required for detecting cracks in CJP groove welds subject to cyclic loading?

    A.VT only
    B.RT or UT
    C.PT
    D.LT
    BRT or UT

    Explanation: Cyclically loaded CJP welds typically require internal volumetric inspection (RT or UT) to ensure no internal fatigue initiation sites exist.

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  29. Q29.Acceptance criteria for Visual Inspection (VT) are found in which section of AWS D1.1?

    A.Section 3
    B.Section 4
    C.Section 6 (Inspection)
    D.Annex B
    CSection 6 (Inspection)

    Explanation: Section 6 (Inspection) contains Table 6.1, which lists the Visual Inspection Acceptance Criteria.

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  30. Q30.If a weld fails visual inspection:

    A.It must be cut out
    B.It must be repaired/corrected before any NDT is performed
    C.It should be X-rayed to see if it's really bad
    D.The welder is fired
    BIt must be repaired/corrected before any NDT is performed

    Explanation: Visual inspection is the first line of defense. Defects found visually must be corrected before expensive NDT methods are applied.

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