Preparing for the CRI exam? A printable CRI practice test PDF lets you review questions, test your knowledge offline, and build the exam readiness that timed, screen-based testing demands. Whether you are studying at home, commuting, or revisiting weak areas on paper, a printed practice test remains one of the most effective preparation formats available. This page provides a free PDF download and a structured study guide for the CRI examination. Practice with the free Certified Radiographic Interpreter practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).
The CRI assessment tests candidates on the core competencies required for certification or qualification in the field. A strong preparation strategy combines repeated practice testing with targeted review of areas where accuracy falls below 70%. Use this PDF alongside the online CRI practice tests on this site for the most complete preparation experience — paper for review and annotation, online for timed simulation with instant scoring.
Candidates are tested across the primary knowledge domains that define competency in the CRI field. Each domain contributes a weighted percentage of the total scored questions. High-weight domains deserve proportionally more preparation time. The exam format is typically multiple-choice, and understanding the question structure — identifying the best answer rather than the first correct-sounding one — is as important as content knowledge.
Common high-priority areas include foundational theory, applied practice, regulations or standards governing the field, and scenario-based reasoning that tests judgment under realistic conditions. Review official exam content outlines from the certifying body to confirm current domain weights before your examination date, as content outlines are updated periodically.
Print the PDF, set a timer proportional to the number of questions, and complete each section without reference materials to simulate real exam conditions. After grading, categorize every incorrect answer by domain to build a targeted error log. Prioritize re-study in your weakest domains, then take an additional timed practice session to confirm improvement. Repeat the cycle until accuracy is consistently above 75% across all domains.
Interactive Certified Radiographic Interpreter resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against American Welding Society. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (Code Knowledge Exam) | 78 open-book multiple-choice questions | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Number of questions (General Knowledge Exam) | 70 multiple-choice questions | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Number of questions (Practical (Film Interpretation) Exam) | 40 questions on at least 10 radiographs | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Time limit | 3 hours per part (3 parts) | American Welding Society |
| Passing score | 70% on each part and an 80% average | American Welding Society |
| Exam fee | $1,005 (AWS member) / $1,270 (non-member) | American Welding Society |
| Exam fee (Initial Seminar and Exam) | $2,195 (member) / $2,460 (non-member) | American Welding Society |
| Retake fee (All Parts) | $745 to retest all parts | American Welding Society |
| Retake fee (Per Part) | $385 per part | American Welding Society |
| Retake policy | Up to 3 reexaminations within 3 years | American Welding Society |
| Validity | 3 years | American Welding Society |
| Renewal | Renew at 3 and 6 years; Practical exam + vision test + activity | American Welding Society |
| Delivery | Paper-based, given by AWS the day after the seminar | American Welding Society |
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against American Welding Society. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Before attempting practice tests, ensure you have reviewed the official study materials for the CRI exam. Most certifying bodies publish a candidate handbook or content outline that lists exactly what knowledge is tested. Read this document first — it tells you not only what to study but also what to ignore. Allocate study time in proportion to domain weights: spend more time on high-weight domains and less on domains you already know well.
Once you have reviewed the content, move to practice testing. Each practice test session should be treated as a diagnostic: the questions you answer incorrectly are more valuable than the ones you answer correctly. Keep an error log organized by domain. After three to four practice tests, patterns in your errors will become clear. These patterns tell you exactly where to concentrate additional study effort.
In the week before the CRI exam, focus on review rather than new learning. Take one full-length timed practice test to confirm readiness, then spend the remaining days reviewing your error log and reinforcing the concepts behind your most common mistakes. Avoid cramming new material in the final 48 hours — consolidation of existing knowledge is more valuable at that stage than attempting to add new content.
After completing this PDF, take full online CRI practice tests at CRI practice test — instant scoring with explanations for every answer. Use both formats together: this PDF for offline review and annotation, the online tests for timed simulation with immediate feedback. Together they give you the most complete CRI exam preparation available on a single platform.
Try these questions from our free Certified Radiographic Interpreter practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which test tool is used to verify the resolution capability of a radiographic imaging system?
Answer: B. Wire IQI or hole-type penetrameter
Wire IQIs and hole-type penetrameters assess the minimum detectable discontinuity size, confirming the system meets required sensitivity thresholds.
On a radiograph, a planar defect oriented parallel to the X-ray beam will appear:
Answer: A. As a sharp, well-defined dark line
Planar defects such as cracks aligned parallel to the beam show maximum density contrast and appear as sharp dark lines.
In radiographic documentation, what does a 'reject' disposition require beyond just recording the indication?
Answer: B. A nonconformance report or NCR must be generated per quality system requirements
Rejected indications must be dispositioned through the quality system, typically requiring a nonconformance report (NCR) that tracks repair or acceptance by engineering.
How should CRI professionals handle confidential information related to advanced imaging techniques?
Answer: B. Follow established protocols for data protection, access control, and disclosure in accordance with applicable regulations
Confidential information must be handled according to established protocols, regulatory requirements, and professional ethics standards, including proper access control and disclosure procedures.
Take the full Certified Radiographic Interpreter practice test