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2026 Edition

Welding Practice Test

Take this free welding practice exam to get a sample of the types of questions on an actual welding exam.
 
Earning a certification as a welder can lead to job opportunities, pay raises and promotion in the construction and fabrication industries. The leading organization in welding certification is the American Welding Society (AWS). The AWS offers diferent types of certifcation, such as for welding techinician, inspector and educator. To earn certifications, you will have to pass a welding exam.
 
To prepare for your welding exam, use our Welding Practice Exam with fully explained answers. It is written by welding expert Edward Bohnart, a certified Master Welder and welding educator with over 35 years of experience in the welding industry. Simulate the exam on our test platform. Take as many tests as you like. There are no time limits or recurring charges.
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1 What is the major function of the coating on an arc welding electrode?
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The key is major function, and that is to purify the weld pool and weld metal.

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2 Square wave refers to the ____________.
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The shape of the output wave form from this type power source is referred to as square wave. These type power sources have enhanced performance on a.c. They can control the balance, amplitude, frequency etc… to allow better control of penetration and cleaning action.
3 Shielding gases are used to protect the molten metal from _______.
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
The surrounding air around the weld pool, contains oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. These gases get into the molten weld pool and cause gas bubbles to form (porosity) and lead to embrittlement and weld cracking.
4 Weld backing is used with a process that uses a separate flux and electrode to _______ .
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Weld backing is used on the back side of the joint to prevent melt through and to assure complete penetration of the weld joint.

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5 _________ is the weight of a volume of material compared with an equal volume of water.
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The density of steel is 490 pounds per cubic foot and its specific gravity is 7.8 times that of water. Water weighs 1000 Kg/m3. Therefore, a cubic meter of steel would weigh approximately 7800 kg depending upon the exact grade of steel being checked. Porosity, slag inclusion or other types of discontinuities would reduce the weight but not the specific gravity. 
6 A medium carbon steel has a carbon content of what percentage range?
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7 If a liquid weld pool is at a very high level of energy, at what approximate temperature will the steel begin to solidify?
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When welding, the melting point of steel (approx. 27800 F) versus the solidification point of the fast freezing flux or slag (approx. 32000 F)  is important to know. Also, it is important to know that the melting point varies with the carbon and alloy content of steel. Steel is magnetic until heated above the transformation temperature of approximately 1333 0 F. How fast the metal conducts heat will have a large effect of preheat and inter-pass temperature control. How much the metal expands on heating and contracts when cooling needs to be understood to control buckling and distortion.

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8 __________ is a groove melted into the base metal next to the weld toe or weld root and has not been filled in.
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Undercut best describes this fashion. Some people want to call it “under fill” but it is not correct, since it is not in the weld being located next to the toe.
9 If the weld does not combine with another weld or the base metal it is referred to as:
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If the weld does not combine with another weld or the base metal it is referred to as Incomplete fusion.
10 To determine if a welder is qualified, the welder must pass a ________________ test.
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
WPQR determines if a welder is qualified to a Welding Procedure Specification.

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11 Which term best describes the operation where a welder or welding operator has control of a molten weld pool and the weld pool has a side to side motion that is transverse to the travel direction?
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This welding technique would appear in the welding instructions or in the welding procedure specification. This generally increases the heat input per weld pass, but will generally reduce the total number of weld passes required to fill the joint. 
12 A broken surface is being observed. A small pore or inclusion type discontinuity appears as a round bright area. Which term fits this description?
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
A fisheye is caused by the presence of hydrogen in the weld. If this appeared on a break test of some type it may or may not be acceptable. Always verify the acceptance criteria per the code or specification.
13 Arc time is:
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
This is also considered the operating factor and is thought of as the percentage of a shift that a welder/welding operator is actually welding. For robotic and mechanized welding, it can be as high as 90% while for manual and semiautomatic welding it can be as low as 10-20% operating factors.
 

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14 What is the difference between back and backing welds?
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Though the weld symbols are identical, the sequence of how the welds are made is different.  The back weld is made last and the backing weld is made first.
15 What NDE process is indicated in the following description? Detects surface discontinuities only. It can also verify fit-up, joint configuration, weld dimensions and profiles.
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
VT stands for Visual Examination. This is the most common NDE process and can be used before, during and after welding to assure product quality and productivity.
16 Penetrant Testing uses a penetrating liquid dye which is applied to a properly prepared surface. The dye is pulled into the discontinuity by _______ action.
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
Capillary action is the ability of a liquid to flow in a narrow space or root opening. This is accomplished without the assistance of external forces and even in opposition of external forces like gravity.

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17 Which of the following is an established norm or requirement issued by the federal, state or local government about technical systems?
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A standard is established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc…
18 Before welding can be done to an industrial welding standard, the supervisor needs to verify:
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
All industrial codes and standards reference the requirement for having qualified procedures. They need to be openly available and the welders need to be trained on their proper use. The welders need to be qualified on those procedures and their qualification must be current. The supervisor needs to do this by verifying the welder's continuity report.
19 Normal pant and shirt material worn around welding should be of what material?
Incorrect. Please choose another answer.
Cotton and wool are generally recommended apparel around welding operations. Synthetics like polyester, rayon etc… are not recommended as they melt, creating more of burn hazard.

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20 What is the minimum oxygen level for a confined space?
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Quality starts with who wrote the material. Our writers:

Edward Bohnart, Welding Instructor, is an AWS certified master welder and welding educator who has over thirty five years of experience in the welding industry. He has served as a Board member of the American Welding Society for over a decade and was its National President from 1995 - 1996. Ed has lectured at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Colorado School of Mines, Texas A&M and Arizona State University. The AWS has recognized Ed as a Counselor, with the National Meritorious Award, the George E. Willis Award, the Plummer Memorial Educational Lecturer Award and designated him as a Distinguished Member.

This Welding Practice Test is designed to be used as a study method for passing an examination on the fundamentals of welding. It is intended for anyone wishing a career in the welding industry, advancing their technical or engineering level of knowledge. It is also suitable for on the job training and apprenticeship training programs. It can serve as a supplementary training tool in building construction, metalworking and industrial technology training programs. The practice test provides a course of instruction in welding and cutting that will enable students to learn the principles.
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