CWI Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education
The AWS CWI certification requires passing three distinct exam parts: Fundamentals (Part A), Practical (Part B), and Code Application (Part C). Success demands a deep understanding of welding processes, symbols, and inspection methods. Try our Journeyman Plumbers practice test. Practice with the free CWI practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (500+ questions with answer explanations).
CWI Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CWI - Certified Welding Inspector exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
- Part A (Fundamentals) of the AWS CWI exam has 150 questions on topics such as metallurgy, nondestructive testing, welding symbols and WPS/PQR. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- Part B (Practical) of the AWS CWI exam consists of hands-on activities using AWS-provided equipment and 46 questions about those activities. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- Each part of the AWS CWI exam has two hours of exam time, with about 2.5 hours of total seat time at the Prometric center. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- CWI candidates must score at least 72% on each of the three exam parts (A, B and C) to earn the AWS CWI credential. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- The initial AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) exams cost $1,255 for AWS members and $1,520 for non-members under the AWS price list effective January 1, 2026. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- A CWI retest costs $445 for Part A or Part C, $870 for both Parts A and C, $385 for Part B, and $915 (members) or $1,180 (non-members) for all three parts. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- A CWI candidate who fails Part C (Code Book) must retest with the same code book during the three-year retest period. (aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud)
- The AWS CWI certification is valid for nine years, and holders must submit a renewal application at years three and six. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
- AWS delivers CWI Parts A and C as computer-based tests at more than 450 Prometric centers, while the practical Part B is held in person at AWS seminar sites in the U.S. and abroad. (American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education)
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
CWI Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (Part A – Fundamentals) | 150 questions | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Number of questions (Part B – Practical) | Hands-on activities + 46 questions | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Number of questions (Part C – Code Book) | 50–65 open-book questions | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Time limit | 2 hours per part (2.5 hours seat time) | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Passing score | 72% on each part | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Exam fee | $1,255 (AWS member) / $1,520 (non-member) for the initial CWI exams | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Retake fee | $445 per part (A or C), $870 for A and C, $385 for Part B, $915 member / $1,180 non-member for all parts | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Retake policy | Retest within a 3-year period; Part C retest must use the same code | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Validity | 9 years, with renewals at years 3 and 6 | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Delivery | Parts A & C: computer-based at Prometric centers; Part B: in person at AWS seminar sites | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Score release | About 2 weeks after Parts A and C (by email) | American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education |
| Late registration deadline | Fast Track up to 18 business days before the event week, $395 non-refundable | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Registration deadline | 6 weeks before the seminar/exam week | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
| Testing window | Parts A and C within 120 days after Part B | aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud |
Facts verified Oct 21, 2026 against American Welding Society (AWS) — Certification and Education. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free CWI Study Tools
Interactive CWI resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- Free AWS CWI Questions and Answers — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- CWI flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- CWI study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- CWI cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
CWI Exam Flashcards
Essential concepts for the Certified Welding Inspector exam
🏗️What does the welding symbol flag indicate?
The flag indicates a field weld, meaning the weld is to be performed on-site rather than in the shop.
START CWI PRACTICE TEST🔥What is the primary cause of porosity?
Porosity is typically caused by trapped gas in the weld pool, often due to moisture, contamination, or improper shielding gas coverage.
REVIEW CWI QUESTIONS📏What is a V-WAC gauge used for?
A V-WAC gauge is used to measure undercut depth, crown height, porosity checks, and pit depth comparison.
TRY CWI MOCK EXAM📘What does AWS D1.1 cover?
AWS D1.1 covers the Structural Welding Code for Steel, one of the primary codes tested in the CWI exam.
PRACTICE CWI TEST NOW⚠️What is arc flash?
Arc flash is a painful eye condition caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the welding arc without proper eye protection.
GET CWI EXAM PREPCWI Certification Study Guide
This study guide breaks down the essential components of the CWI certification process. From understanding the exam format to knowing the costs, use these tabs to navigate your path to becoming a CWI inspector.
- Topics: Welding-related work
- Questions: Verification
Seminars to prepare for the rigorous exam.
- Topics: CWI Exam Prep
- Questions: 40-Hour Courses
The CWI part b practice test is often the most difficult section. Focus on learning how to correctly use the V-WAC gauge, fillet weld gauges, and micrometers. Practical application is key to passing this section of the CWI test. Try our Safety Trained Supervisor practice test.
CWI Exam Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
200
140 out of 200 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
Budget approximately $2,000 - $3,000 for your CWI certification journey, including exam fees, code books, and preparatory courses. This investment typically pays off within the first few months of employment as a CWI inspector.
CWI Test Day Checklist
- ✓Valid Government ID
- ✓AWS Confirmation Letter
- ✓Code Book (Part C)
- ✓Simple Calculator
- ✓Inspection Tools (Provided)
- ✓No Smart Devices
- ✓Arrive 30 Mins Early
- ✓Review Flashcards
Ready to Pass the AWS CWI?
Join thousands of certified inspectors who used our CWI practice test to succeed. Start studying today and boost your career.
CWI Renewal Requirements
Renewal
3 Years
Recertification
9 Years
PDHs Needed
80 Hours
Submit your CWI renewal application 60 days before expiration. You can renew by showing work experience or by earning Professional Development Hours (PDHs).
- +Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- +Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- +Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- +Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
- −Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- −Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- −May require continuing education to maintain
- −Some employers may not require certification
Sample CWI Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CWI practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A welder's performance qualification test requires a nick-break test on a groove weld. What is the primary objective of this specific destructive test?
- A. To measure the weld's ultimate tensile strength.
- B. To determine the hardness of the heat-affected zone (HAZ).
- C. To reveal the internal soundness and fusion of the weld metal.
- D. To calculate the percentage of elongation for ductility.
Answer: C. To reveal the internal soundness and fusion of the weld metal.
The nick-break test involves cutting notches into the weld and then fracturing the specimen along the weld line. This exposes the internal fracture surface, allowing for a visual examination of the weld's internal quality. It is specifically used to check for discontinuities such as slag inclusions, porosity, and lack of fusion.
When AWS D1.1 requires a 'CVN test' as a supplemental essential variable, what property does this test measure?
- A. Weld metal hardness at elevated temperature
- B. Notch toughness (impact energy absorbed at a specified temperature)
- C. Ultimate tensile strength of the deposited weld metal
- D. Ductility as measured by percent elongation
Answer: B. Notch toughness (impact energy absorbed at a specified temperature)
The Charpy V-Notch (CVN) test measures the notch toughness of weld metal by determining the energy absorbed when a notched specimen is fractured at a specified temperature.
During a transverse tensile test of a welded specimen, which of the following properties is NOT directly determined from the test data?
- A. Impact Strength
- B. Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS)
- C. Location of fracture
- D. Ductility (via elongation)
Answer: A. Impact Strength
A transverse tensile test measures a material's response to a slow, static pulling force, which is used to determine its ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, ductility (elongation and reduction of area), and the fracture location (weld metal, HAZ, or base metal). Impact strength, which is a measure of toughness under a high strain rate, is determined by a dynamic test like the Charpy V-Notch test, not a tensile test.
An all-weld-metal tension test differs from a transverse weld tension test in that it:
- A. Measures HAZ strength only
- B. Tests the mechanical properties of the deposited weld metal alone
- C. Includes base metal in the gauge length
- D. Evaluates root pass strength exclusively
Answer: B. Tests the mechanical properties of the deposited weld metal alone
An all-weld-metal tension test extracts the specimen entirely from deposited weld metal, isolating its mechanical properties.
CWI Questions and Answers
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- aws-p-001-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud — Late registration, registration deadline, test dates, retake policy, exam information · verified Oct 2026
- aws.org — Time limit, fees, retake fee, test delivery, exam format, passing score, score release, score validity · verified Oct 2026