ASME SECTION 9 ACTUAL EXAM NEWEST WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW VERSION!
Question 1
Which of the following best defines a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?
A) A document used to record the results of a welder's performance test.
B) A certificate issued by the inspector to approve a completed weldment.
C) A written document providing direction to the welder for making production welds in
accordance with Code requirements.
D) A list of all welders currently qualified to work in a specific shop.
E) A report detailing the chemical analysis of the base metals used.
Correct Answer: C) A written document providing direction to the welder for making
production welds in accordance with Code requirements.
Rationale: Per QW-100.1, the WPS is intended to provide the specific directions needed for
the welder or welding operator to ensure that production welding meets the standards
established during the qualification process.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of qualifying a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?
A) To test the mechanical skill of the welder.
B) To determine that the weldment proposed for construction is capable of providing the required
properties for its intended application.
C) To save money on filler metal costs.
D) To eliminate the need for post-weld heat treatment.
E) To ensure that the welding machine is calibrated correctly.
Correct Answer: B) To determine that the weldment proposed for construction is capable of
providing the required properties for its intended application.
Rationale: Procedure qualification (PQR) demonstrates that the combination of materials
and techniques defined in the WPS produces a weld with acceptable mechanical properties
(strength, ductility, etc.) as required by the construction code.
Question 3
In welder performance qualification, what is the basic criterion established for qualifying a
welder?
A) The welder’s knowledge of metallurgy.
B) The welder’s ability to read blueprints.
C) The welder’s ability to operate a crane.
D) The welder’s ability to deposit sound weld metal.
E) The welder’s speed in completing a joint.
Correct Answer: D) The welder’s ability to deposit sound weld metal.
Rationale: According to QW-100.2, the focus of performance qualification is the welder’s
, 2
physical ability to produce a weld free of defects (soundness), whereas procedure
qualification (WPS) focuses on the properties of the weldment.
Question 4
Which welding test position designates "overhead" fillet welding on a plate?
A) 1F
B) 2F
C) 3F
D) 4F
E) 5F
Correct Answer: D) 4F
Rationale: In ASME Section IX, the digit represents the position (1-Flat, 2-Horizontal, 3-
Vertical, 4-Overhead) and 'F' stands for Fillet. Therefore, 4F is the overhead fillet position.
Question 5
When performing a 1F fillet weld test on a plate, the test coupon must be held at what angle?
A) 15 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 90 degrees
E) 0 degrees (Flat)
Correct Answer: C) 45 degrees
Rationale: For a 1F plate test, the assembly is tilted so that the joint is positioned at a 45-
degree angle to the horizontal, allowing the weld to be deposited in a "flat" trough-like
orientation.
Question 6
Which test is specifically performed to determine the ultimate tensile strength of a groove weld
joint during procedure qualification?
A) Guided bend test
B) Tension test
C) Charpy V-Notch test
D) Macro-examination
E) Fillet-weld break test
Correct Answer: B) Tension test
Rationale: Per QW-141.1, the tension test is used to measure the ultimate strength of the
joint to ensure it meets the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal (or as
allowed by the Code).
Question 7
Under certain conditions, what may be substituted for mechanical testing in a groove weld
, 3
performance qualification for a welding operator?
A) Visual inspection only.
B) A written exam on welding theory.
C) Hardness testing.
D) Radiographic or Ultrasonic volumetric examination.
E) Review of previous work history.
Correct Answer: D) Radiographic or Ultrasonic volumetric examination.
Rationale: QW-143 and QW-302.2 allow for volumetric NDE (Radiography or Ultrasonics)
to be used instead of mechanical bends to prove the ability of a welder or welding operator
to make sound welds in groove joints.
Question 8
When a procedure qualification test coupon is over 1 inch (25mm) thick, how are the tension test
specimens handled?
A) Only one specimen is required regardless of thickness.
B) The test is canceled and a thinner coupon is used.
C) Multiple reduced-section specimens may be taken to represent the full thickness.
D) Only the root of the weld is tested.
E) The coupon must be machined down to 0.5 inches.
Correct Answer: C) Multiple reduced-section specimens may be taken to represent the full
thickness.
Rationale: QW-151.1(b) specifies that for thick coupons, multiple specimens may be used at
each location so that the entire thickness of the weld is evaluated during the tension test.
Question 9
A procedure qualification is performed on SA-333 Grade 6 plate. The tensile strength of the
specimen is 70,100 psi. If the specimen thickness was 0.550 inches, what width would result in a
specimen that meets the requirements?
A) 0.500 inches
B) 0.750 inches
C) 0.998 inches
D) 1.500 inches
E) 2.000 inches
Correct Answer: C) 0.998 inches
Rationale: Based on standard dimensions in QW-462.1, the reduced section width for a
plate specimen is typically approx. 0.75" to 1". Calculations for ultimate load divided by
area must equal or exceed the required tensile strength.
Question 10
A tensile test is performed on SA-335 Grade P1 pipe (specified tensile 55 ksi). The specimen
breaks in the base metal outside the weld interface. What is the minimum acceptable tensile
, 4
strength for this specimen to pass?
A) 55.00 ksi
B) 52.25 ksi
C) 60.00 ksi
D) 45.50 ksi
E) 50.00 ksi
Correct Answer: B) 52.25 ksi
Rationale: Per QW-153.1(d), if the specimen breaks in the base metal outside of the weld or
weld interface, the test shall be accepted as meeting the requirements provided the strength
is not more than 5% below the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal (0.95 x
55 = 52.25).
Question 11
During a guided bend test, an open discontinuity is found in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)
measuring 5/32 inches. What is the status of this test?
A) Pass, as long as the weld metal is sound.
B) Pass, because the HAZ is not part of the weld.
C) Fail, because the discontinuity exceeds 1/8 inches.
D) Fail, only if it is a crack.
E) Pass, if the inspector thinks it is acceptable.
Correct Answer: C) Fail, because the discontinuity exceeds 1/8 inches.
Rationale: QW-163 states that the specimen shall have no open discontinuities in the weld or
heat-affected zone exceeding 1/8 inch (3 mm), measured in any direction on the convex
surface of the specimen after bending.
Question 12
During a bend test, a discontinuity measuring 5/32 inches appears on the corner of the specimen.
What is the correct procedure?
A) Reject the specimen immediately.
B) Ignore it, as corner cracks are always excluded.
C) Inspect further to see if the crack resulted from slag inclusions or other internal defects.
D) Re-weld the corner and bend again.
E) Measure only the portion of the crack that is on the face.
Correct Answer: C) Inspect further to see if the crack resulted from slag inclusions or other
internal defects.
Rationale: QW-163 provides an exception: cracks at the corners of the specimen shall not be
considered unless there is definite evidence that they result from slag inclusions or other
internal discontinuities.
Question 13
Which testing standard must Charpy V-Notch impact tests conform to for WPS qualifications?
DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW VERSION!
Question 1
Which of the following best defines a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?
A) A document used to record the results of a welder's performance test.
B) A certificate issued by the inspector to approve a completed weldment.
C) A written document providing direction to the welder for making production welds in
accordance with Code requirements.
D) A list of all welders currently qualified to work in a specific shop.
E) A report detailing the chemical analysis of the base metals used.
Correct Answer: C) A written document providing direction to the welder for making
production welds in accordance with Code requirements.
Rationale: Per QW-100.1, the WPS is intended to provide the specific directions needed for
the welder or welding operator to ensure that production welding meets the standards
established during the qualification process.
Question 2
What is the primary purpose of qualifying a Welding Procedure Specification (WPS)?
A) To test the mechanical skill of the welder.
B) To determine that the weldment proposed for construction is capable of providing the required
properties for its intended application.
C) To save money on filler metal costs.
D) To eliminate the need for post-weld heat treatment.
E) To ensure that the welding machine is calibrated correctly.
Correct Answer: B) To determine that the weldment proposed for construction is capable of
providing the required properties for its intended application.
Rationale: Procedure qualification (PQR) demonstrates that the combination of materials
and techniques defined in the WPS produces a weld with acceptable mechanical properties
(strength, ductility, etc.) as required by the construction code.
Question 3
In welder performance qualification, what is the basic criterion established for qualifying a
welder?
A) The welder’s knowledge of metallurgy.
B) The welder’s ability to read blueprints.
C) The welder’s ability to operate a crane.
D) The welder’s ability to deposit sound weld metal.
E) The welder’s speed in completing a joint.
Correct Answer: D) The welder’s ability to deposit sound weld metal.
Rationale: According to QW-100.2, the focus of performance qualification is the welder’s
, 2
physical ability to produce a weld free of defects (soundness), whereas procedure
qualification (WPS) focuses on the properties of the weldment.
Question 4
Which welding test position designates "overhead" fillet welding on a plate?
A) 1F
B) 2F
C) 3F
D) 4F
E) 5F
Correct Answer: D) 4F
Rationale: In ASME Section IX, the digit represents the position (1-Flat, 2-Horizontal, 3-
Vertical, 4-Overhead) and 'F' stands for Fillet. Therefore, 4F is the overhead fillet position.
Question 5
When performing a 1F fillet weld test on a plate, the test coupon must be held at what angle?
A) 15 degrees
B) 30 degrees
C) 45 degrees
D) 90 degrees
E) 0 degrees (Flat)
Correct Answer: C) 45 degrees
Rationale: For a 1F plate test, the assembly is tilted so that the joint is positioned at a 45-
degree angle to the horizontal, allowing the weld to be deposited in a "flat" trough-like
orientation.
Question 6
Which test is specifically performed to determine the ultimate tensile strength of a groove weld
joint during procedure qualification?
A) Guided bend test
B) Tension test
C) Charpy V-Notch test
D) Macro-examination
E) Fillet-weld break test
Correct Answer: B) Tension test
Rationale: Per QW-141.1, the tension test is used to measure the ultimate strength of the
joint to ensure it meets the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal (or as
allowed by the Code).
Question 7
Under certain conditions, what may be substituted for mechanical testing in a groove weld
, 3
performance qualification for a welding operator?
A) Visual inspection only.
B) A written exam on welding theory.
C) Hardness testing.
D) Radiographic or Ultrasonic volumetric examination.
E) Review of previous work history.
Correct Answer: D) Radiographic or Ultrasonic volumetric examination.
Rationale: QW-143 and QW-302.2 allow for volumetric NDE (Radiography or Ultrasonics)
to be used instead of mechanical bends to prove the ability of a welder or welding operator
to make sound welds in groove joints.
Question 8
When a procedure qualification test coupon is over 1 inch (25mm) thick, how are the tension test
specimens handled?
A) Only one specimen is required regardless of thickness.
B) The test is canceled and a thinner coupon is used.
C) Multiple reduced-section specimens may be taken to represent the full thickness.
D) Only the root of the weld is tested.
E) The coupon must be machined down to 0.5 inches.
Correct Answer: C) Multiple reduced-section specimens may be taken to represent the full
thickness.
Rationale: QW-151.1(b) specifies that for thick coupons, multiple specimens may be used at
each location so that the entire thickness of the weld is evaluated during the tension test.
Question 9
A procedure qualification is performed on SA-333 Grade 6 plate. The tensile strength of the
specimen is 70,100 psi. If the specimen thickness was 0.550 inches, what width would result in a
specimen that meets the requirements?
A) 0.500 inches
B) 0.750 inches
C) 0.998 inches
D) 1.500 inches
E) 2.000 inches
Correct Answer: C) 0.998 inches
Rationale: Based on standard dimensions in QW-462.1, the reduced section width for a
plate specimen is typically approx. 0.75" to 1". Calculations for ultimate load divided by
area must equal or exceed the required tensile strength.
Question 10
A tensile test is performed on SA-335 Grade P1 pipe (specified tensile 55 ksi). The specimen
breaks in the base metal outside the weld interface. What is the minimum acceptable tensile
, 4
strength for this specimen to pass?
A) 55.00 ksi
B) 52.25 ksi
C) 60.00 ksi
D) 45.50 ksi
E) 50.00 ksi
Correct Answer: B) 52.25 ksi
Rationale: Per QW-153.1(d), if the specimen breaks in the base metal outside of the weld or
weld interface, the test shall be accepted as meeting the requirements provided the strength
is not more than 5% below the minimum specified tensile strength of the base metal (0.95 x
55 = 52.25).
Question 11
During a guided bend test, an open discontinuity is found in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)
measuring 5/32 inches. What is the status of this test?
A) Pass, as long as the weld metal is sound.
B) Pass, because the HAZ is not part of the weld.
C) Fail, because the discontinuity exceeds 1/8 inches.
D) Fail, only if it is a crack.
E) Pass, if the inspector thinks it is acceptable.
Correct Answer: C) Fail, because the discontinuity exceeds 1/8 inches.
Rationale: QW-163 states that the specimen shall have no open discontinuities in the weld or
heat-affected zone exceeding 1/8 inch (3 mm), measured in any direction on the convex
surface of the specimen after bending.
Question 12
During a bend test, a discontinuity measuring 5/32 inches appears on the corner of the specimen.
What is the correct procedure?
A) Reject the specimen immediately.
B) Ignore it, as corner cracks are always excluded.
C) Inspect further to see if the crack resulted from slag inclusions or other internal defects.
D) Re-weld the corner and bend again.
E) Measure only the portion of the crack that is on the face.
Correct Answer: C) Inspect further to see if the crack resulted from slag inclusions or other
internal defects.
Rationale: QW-163 provides an exception: cracks at the corners of the specimen shall not be
considered unless there is definite evidence that they result from slag inclusions or other
internal discontinuities.
Question 13
Which testing standard must Charpy V-Notch impact tests conform to for WPS qualifications?
