I've been welding for about 4 years in a shop that does structural steel, mostly flat and horizontal. I'm trying to get my AWS certification and can't decide whether to start with 3G (vertical) or go straight for 6G (pipe, all positions). My foreman says 6G covers everything so just do that, but some people I've talked to online say it's better to certify in 3G first because the plate coupons are more forgiving than the 6G pipe test.
My current skill level is solid on flat and horizontal — I'd say 90% pass rate if I tested in 1G or 2G today. Vertical is where I get inconsistent, probably 60-70% on a good day. I've never welded pipe. The 6G test is a single 6-inch schedule pipe coupon at a 45-degree fixed angle that covers all positions, and from what I understand it's one of the harder welding tests you can take.
I'm doing SMAW and FCAW and my employer doesn't care which process I certify in as long as I have the card. The 3G SMAW cert would qualify me for flat, horizontal, and vertical production, which covers probably 80% of what I actually do at work. The 6G would add more value if I ever move into pipe work.
I'm looking at scheduling a test in 8-10 weeks. Is 10 weeks of focused practice enough to attempt 6G if you've never welded pipe, or am I setting myself up to fail?
Your foreman is right that 6G covers more positions, but certification strategy is different from what's theoretically better. Get the one you can pass now, then build toward 6G. AWS certifications are valid for 6 years with continuity statements so there's no urgency to do them all at once.
I certified 3G first and then 6G about a year later. No regrets doing it that way. The vertical plate practice built the muscle memory I needed before tackling pipe, and I passed 6G on my first attempt. Guys who try 6G cold usually take 2-3 attempts.
10 weeks from zero pipe experience to 6G is possible but it's tight. Most people need 3-6 months of dedicated pipe practice to pass 6G consistently. You'd be going in hoping to pass rather than expecting to.
If the cert is for your current job and 3G covers what you need, get the 3G now and come back for 6G when you've put in more pipe time.
If you're doing SMAW for 3G, practice your 5-rod vertical up stringer beads until they're automatic. The test coupon is 3/8-inch plate and they're looking at complete fusion, no undercut, and consistent bead profile. Your 60-70% vertical pass rate will improve fast with focused reps.
Not a welder but I'm in a similar headspace with certification pressure right now — I've been grinding through practice tests for my FCE and honestly the "jump to the hardest one or build up" debate is real in every field. I just pulled a 74 on a fce writing essays and reports 4 mock last week which felt decent but I still need more reps on the timed sections before I sit the actual exam in September.
From what I've read about 6G though, your foreman's logic tracks — if you pass it, you're essentially certified for everything below it too, so the time investment makes sense if you've already got solid fundamentals. Four years in structural steel isn't nothing. Good luck with whichever route you pick.
I went straight for 6G and failed my first attempt, honestly wasn't ready for the overhead positions at all. What changed the second time was I spent three weeks doing nothing but out-of-position practice, specifically overhead and vertical, before I even thought about pipe. Your foreman's right that 6G covers everything, but that's also exactly why it humbles you fast if you've mostly been doing flat and horizontal work.
Second attempt I passed, and looking back I'd tell you to at least get comfortable with 3G first if you've never really trained vertical seriously. It's not that 3G is easier, it just builds the muscle memory you need before you're juggling all positions at once. Kind of like how I used to study for written tests by doing tons of practice on one section at a time, same idea as grinding through fce writing essays and reports 4 before moving to mixed sets. Lock in the fundamentals, then stack the complexity.