CWI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CWI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which section of AWS D1.1 contains the requirements for WPS qualification by testing (as opposed to prequalification)? → Section 5
2. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in welds is promoted by which combination of conditions? → Tensile stress, susceptible material, and corrosive environment
3. According to AWS D1.1, what is the minimum preheat temperature for welding 1-inch thick ASTM A36 steel when the ambient temperature is above 32°F? → No preheat required
4. During a skills progression session, a student can perform a skill correctly in isolation but fails when climbing a full route. This indicates: → The student needs practice transferring skills to dynamic, variable environments
5. Which of the following base metal conditions most increases the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC)? → High carbon equivalent and high restraint
6. When inspecting a radiograph, a rounded indication with a length-to-width ratio of 3:1 or less is classified as: → A porosity indication
7. A CWI needs to verify fillet weld size acceptance criteria. In AWS D1.1, where would this information be found? → Section 6 — Inspection
8. A CWI finds a crack in a completed structural weld. What is the FIRST action the inspector should take? → Document and report the discontinuity to the responsible party per project procedures
9. Which discontinuity is unique to resistance spot welding and appears as a hollow cavity within the nugget? → Shrinkage void (void in nugget)
10. A Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact test measures a material's: → Toughness (notch toughness)
11. When visually inspecting weld spatter, a CWI should be concerned if the spatter: → Interferes with required NDE or violates code acceptance criteria
12. In Climbing Wall Instructor practice, what is the FIRST step when a safety hazard is identified in the workplace? → Immediately secure the area and report the hazard
13. What is the primary hazard associated with 'backclipping' a bolt on a lead climb? → The rope can unclip itself if the climber falls
14. The guided bend test mandrel diameter is specified to control: → The outer fiber strain imposed on the weld
15. What is the purpose of a preheat when welding high-carbon or alloy steels? → Reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking
16. Which type of weld discontinuity is described as elongated or tubular pores aligned roughly parallel to the weld axis, often indicating moisture contamination? → Wormhole (piping) porosity
17. In radiographic testing, which IQI type shows a series of wires of decreasing diameter? → Wire-type IQI
18. Under ASME Section IX, the A-Number in a WPS refers to the classification of: → Deposited weld metal chemical composition
19. In ultrasonic testing, what type of wave travels along the surface of a material and is useful for detecting near-surface defects? → Rayleigh (surface) wave
20. What is the purpose of 'preheating' before welding high-carbon or alloy steels? → Reduce the cooling rate to minimize hydrogen cracking and hard HAZ formation
21. What is 'hydrogen-induced cracking' (HIC) most commonly associated with in welding? → High-strength low-alloy steel welded without adequate preheat
22. Which discontinuity is characterized by fusion that does not extend to the full cross-section of the joint as specified? → Incomplete joint penetration
23. A weld inspector finds scattered porosity throughout the weld. Which cause is LEAST likely responsible? → Excessive travel speed
24. What type of magnetic particle indication appears as a tight, sharp line and is typically associated with a crack? → Sharp linear indication
25. In a skill demonstration, the 'explanation-demonstration-imitation-correction' (EDIC) cycle is most effective when: → The demonstration is performed slowly with narration, then at normal speed
26. In GTAW, what is the effect of using pure argon shielding gas on an aluminum weld? → It provides cathodic cleaning action that removes the oxide layer
27. Which document authorizes a welder to perform production welding on a specific project? → The Welder Qualification Test Record (WQTR)
28. When AWS D1.1 lists a requirement as 'shall,' this indicates the requirement is: → Mandatory
29. In AWS D1.1, what is the purpose of the Essential Variables listed in Section 5? → They specify changes that require requalification of the WPS
30. A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) is defined as: → A document that records actual welding conditions used to qualify a WPS