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AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage
Eligibility Requirements – Must hold active CWI certification for minimum 6 years within last 8
years, plus 15 years work experience in at least 3 qualifying areas (procedure development,
base metals control, welder experience, discontinuity detection, repair welding, written
procedure preparation, welder/WPS qualification, code application, QC techniques, or welding
education) .
Old Exam Structure (Legacy) – The previous exam format consisted of 200 questions total: Part
A (Closed Book, Fundamentals, ~100 questions) covering metallurgy, NDE methods, welding
processes, and quality systems; Part B (Open Book, B2.1 Code Application, ~50 questions)
requiring qualification range determinations; Part C (Open Book, Code Specific, ~50 questions) .
Core Body of Knowledge (Legacy) – Key reference documents included AWS B2.1
(Procedure/Welder Qualification), AWS B4.0 (Mechanical Testing), AWS D10.4 (Stainless Steel
Piping – noted as highly tested), AWS QC1 (Certification Requirements), ASNT SNT-TC-1A (NDE
Personnel Qualification), and ISO 9001 quality management principles .
Critical Exam Topics (Legacy) – Heavy emphasis on B2.1 procedure qualification ranges
(thickness, F-numbers, positions), heat input calculations, stainless steel metallurgy (austenitic
sensitization, D10.4 requirements), advanced NDE methods (ET, AET, LT, HDT), ISO 9000 quality
systems, and QA auditing principles .
Stackable Credential Pathway (New) – Candidates must now pass four endorsement exams: (1)
Welder Performance Qualifier (B2.1-based), (2) Welding Procedure Qualifier (B2.1 + D1.1), (3)
Welding Coordination & QA (ISO quality systems, auditing), (4) NDE Coordination
(advantages/limitations of VT, PT, MT, RT, UT, ET) .
Passing Score & Administration – Legacy exam required 72% minimum passing score; exams
are administered via computer-based testing (CBT) at Prometric centers worldwide; each
endorsement exam in the new pathway has its own passing requirements specified in the SCWI
User Guide .
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SCWI Role & Responsibilities – SCWIs are responsible for performing advanced inspections,
managing CWIs/CAWIs, devising inspection procedures, conducting supplier audits, qualifying
welders and procedures, coordinating NDE methods, and ensuring code compliance .
200 MCQs with Rationales – AWS SCWI Exam.
Section 1: Welding Procedure Qualification (B2.1) (Q 1-40)
1. (Coverage: B2.1 procedure qualification ranges for thickness)
According to AWS B2.1, when a welding procedure qualification test is conducted on 1-inch
thick plate using SMAW, what is the maximum base metal thickness that can be qualified for
production welding?
a) 1 inch
b) 1.5 inches
c) 2 inches
d) 3 inches
Correct Answer: c) 2 inches
Rationale: AWS B2.1 typically qualifies from the test coupon thickness up to 2 times the test
coupon thickness for groove welds (when the test coupon is 1 inch or thicker). The minimum
qualified thickness is typically the thickness of the test coupon or 5/8 inch, whichever is less.
This is a fundamental concept in procedure qualification range determination .
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2. (Coverage: B2.1 welding position qualification)
A welder successfully passes a 1G (flat position) groove weld qualification test using SMAW.
Which production welding positions is this welder qualified to perform?
a) Flat position only
b) Flat and horizontal positions
c) Flat, horizontal, and overhead positions
d) All positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead)
Correct Answer: a) Flat position only
Rationale: Under AWS B2.1, a welder qualified in the 1G (flat) position is only qualified to weld
in the flat position. To qualify for all positions, the welder must pass a test in the 3G (vertical) or
4G (overhead) position. This is a key distinction between welder qualification and procedure
qualification .
3. (Coverage: F-number classification for SMAW electrodes)
According to AWS B2.1, what is the F-number for E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes?
a) F-1
b) F-2
c) F-3
d) F-4
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Correct Answer: d) F-4
Rationale: Under AWS A5.1 and B2.1, F-4 electrodes include low-hydrogen types (E7015, E7016,
E7018, E7028). F-1 covers mild steel with high cellulose sodium (E6010), F-2 covers mild steel
with high cellulose potassium (E6011), and F-3 covers mild steel with titania types (E6012,
E6013, E7014). F-number classification is critical for welder qualification substitution .
4. (Coverage: P-number grouping of base metals)
Which P-number is assigned to carbon steels (C-Mn) with specified tensile strength of 70 ksi?
a) P-1
b) P-3
c) P-4
d) P-8
Correct Answer: a) P-1
Rationale: AWS B2.1/ASME Section IX groups carbon and carbon-manganese steels into P-1
(Group 1, 2, or 3 depending on tensile strength). P-3 includes low alloy steels, P-4 includes 1¼Cr-
½Mo, and P-8 includes austenitic stainless steels. P-number grouping determines base metal
substitution for welder and procedure qualification .
5. (Coverage: Essential variables for SMAW procedure qualification)
Which of the following is considered an essential variable for SMAW procedure qualification
AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
AWS Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) Exam
10-Line Exam Coverage
Eligibility Requirements – Must hold active CWI certification for minimum 6 years within last 8
years, plus 15 years work experience in at least 3 qualifying areas (procedure development,
base metals control, welder experience, discontinuity detection, repair welding, written
procedure preparation, welder/WPS qualification, code application, QC techniques, or welding
education) .
Old Exam Structure (Legacy) – The previous exam format consisted of 200 questions total: Part
A (Closed Book, Fundamentals, ~100 questions) covering metallurgy, NDE methods, welding
processes, and quality systems; Part B (Open Book, B2.1 Code Application, ~50 questions)
requiring qualification range determinations; Part C (Open Book, Code Specific, ~50 questions) .
Core Body of Knowledge (Legacy) – Key reference documents included AWS B2.1
(Procedure/Welder Qualification), AWS B4.0 (Mechanical Testing), AWS D10.4 (Stainless Steel
Piping – noted as highly tested), AWS QC1 (Certification Requirements), ASNT SNT-TC-1A (NDE
Personnel Qualification), and ISO 9001 quality management principles .
Critical Exam Topics (Legacy) – Heavy emphasis on B2.1 procedure qualification ranges
(thickness, F-numbers, positions), heat input calculations, stainless steel metallurgy (austenitic
sensitization, D10.4 requirements), advanced NDE methods (ET, AET, LT, HDT), ISO 9000 quality
systems, and QA auditing principles .
Stackable Credential Pathway (New) – Candidates must now pass four endorsement exams: (1)
Welder Performance Qualifier (B2.1-based), (2) Welding Procedure Qualifier (B2.1 + D1.1), (3)
Welding Coordination & QA (ISO quality systems, auditing), (4) NDE Coordination
(advantages/limitations of VT, PT, MT, RT, UT, ET) .
Passing Score & Administration – Legacy exam required 72% minimum passing score; exams
are administered via computer-based testing (CBT) at Prometric centers worldwide; each
endorsement exam in the new pathway has its own passing requirements specified in the SCWI
User Guide .
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SCWI Role & Responsibilities – SCWIs are responsible for performing advanced inspections,
managing CWIs/CAWIs, devising inspection procedures, conducting supplier audits, qualifying
welders and procedures, coordinating NDE methods, and ensuring code compliance .
200 MCQs with Rationales – AWS SCWI Exam.
Section 1: Welding Procedure Qualification (B2.1) (Q 1-40)
1. (Coverage: B2.1 procedure qualification ranges for thickness)
According to AWS B2.1, when a welding procedure qualification test is conducted on 1-inch
thick plate using SMAW, what is the maximum base metal thickness that can be qualified for
production welding?
a) 1 inch
b) 1.5 inches
c) 2 inches
d) 3 inches
Correct Answer: c) 2 inches
Rationale: AWS B2.1 typically qualifies from the test coupon thickness up to 2 times the test
coupon thickness for groove welds (when the test coupon is 1 inch or thicker). The minimum
qualified thickness is typically the thickness of the test coupon or 5/8 inch, whichever is less.
This is a fundamental concept in procedure qualification range determination .
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2. (Coverage: B2.1 welding position qualification)
A welder successfully passes a 1G (flat position) groove weld qualification test using SMAW.
Which production welding positions is this welder qualified to perform?
a) Flat position only
b) Flat and horizontal positions
c) Flat, horizontal, and overhead positions
d) All positions (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead)
Correct Answer: a) Flat position only
Rationale: Under AWS B2.1, a welder qualified in the 1G (flat) position is only qualified to weld
in the flat position. To qualify for all positions, the welder must pass a test in the 3G (vertical) or
4G (overhead) position. This is a key distinction between welder qualification and procedure
qualification .
3. (Coverage: F-number classification for SMAW electrodes)
According to AWS B2.1, what is the F-number for E7018 low-hydrogen electrodes?
a) F-1
b) F-2
c) F-3
d) F-4
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Correct Answer: d) F-4
Rationale: Under AWS A5.1 and B2.1, F-4 electrodes include low-hydrogen types (E7015, E7016,
E7018, E7028). F-1 covers mild steel with high cellulose sodium (E6010), F-2 covers mild steel
with high cellulose potassium (E6011), and F-3 covers mild steel with titania types (E6012,
E6013, E7014). F-number classification is critical for welder qualification substitution .
4. (Coverage: P-number grouping of base metals)
Which P-number is assigned to carbon steels (C-Mn) with specified tensile strength of 70 ksi?
a) P-1
b) P-3
c) P-4
d) P-8
Correct Answer: a) P-1
Rationale: AWS B2.1/ASME Section IX groups carbon and carbon-manganese steels into P-1
(Group 1, 2, or 3 depending on tensile strength). P-3 includes low alloy steels, P-4 includes 1¼Cr-
½Mo, and P-8 includes austenitic stainless steels. P-number grouping determines base metal
substitution for welder and procedure qualification .
5. (Coverage: Essential variables for SMAW procedure qualification)
Which of the following is considered an essential variable for SMAW procedure qualification
