NACE CIP 1 CBT Review Guide 2026/2027 | Surface
Preparation, Coatings & Inspection Fundamentals
NACE CIP 1 CBT Exam /NACE CIP 1 CBT Review
Guide 2026/2027 | Surface Preparation, Coatings &
Inspection Fundamentals
Section 1: Corrosion Fundamentals
1. Corrosion generally occurs at which of the following sites?
• A) Cathode
• B) Anode
• C) Electrolyte
• D) Metallic pathway
Answer: B
Rationale: Corrosion is an electrochemical process where metal dissolution occurs
at the anode. The anode is the site of oxidation (loss of electrons), which causes
the metal to corrode .
2. Which one of these elements is NOT necessary for corrosion to occur?
• A) Anode
• B) Cathode
• C) Reference Cell
• D) Electrolyte
Answer: C
Rationale: The basic corrosion cell requires four components: an anode, a cathode,
,an electrolyte, and a metallic return path. A reference cell is used for cathodic
protection measurement but is not necessary for corrosion to occur .
3. Galvanic corrosion occurs on which of the following substrates?
• A) Concrete
• B) Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
• C) Metal
• D) Wood
Answer: C
Rationale: Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical process that occurs when two
dissimilar metals are in electrical contact in the presence of an electrolyte. It can
only occur on metal substrates .
4. The form of corrosion that has the largest potential for unexpected catastrophic
failure is:
• A) General Corrosion
• B) Atmospheric Corrosion
• C) Galvanic Corrosion
• D) Localized Corrosion
Answer: D
Rationale: Localized corrosion (such as pitting, crevice corrosion, or stress
corrosion cracking) can cause rapid, unexpected failure with little visible warning.
General corrosion is more predictable and easier to detect .
5. Dew point is the temperature at which:
• A) Water freezes
• B) Humidity decreases
• C) Condensation occurs
• D) The air is saturated
,Answer: C
Rationale: Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to
condense into liquid water. When the surface temperature falls below the dew
point, moisture will form on the surface, which is critical to avoid during coating
application .
6. Relative humidity is defined as:
• A) A measure of the amount of moisture in the air compared to saturation
level
• B) A measure of the amount of moisture in the air compared to the air
temperature
• C) The lowest temperature at which moisture forms on a steel surface
• D) The highest temperature at which moisture forms on a steel surface
Answer: A
Rationale: Relative humidity is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in
the air to the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, expressed as a
percentage. It measures how close the air is to being fully saturated with
moisture .
7. Passivation can best be described as:
• A) A protective metallic oxide surface layer that slows corrosion
• B) The removal of surface contaminants
• C) The process of applying a coating
• D) The reaction between dissimilar metals
Answer: A
Rationale: Passivation refers to the formation of a thin, protective oxide layer on a
metal surface that acts as a barrier, significantly slowing the corrosion rate.
Stainless steel naturally passivates through chromium oxide formation .
8. Corrosion generally occurs at the ________, which is the site of ________.
, • A) Cathode; reduction
• B) Anode; oxidation
• C) Electrolyte; ion transfer
• D) Metallic pathway; electron flow
Answer: B
Rationale: In the corrosion cell, the anode is where metal atoms lose electrons
(oxidation) and dissolve into the electrolyte as ions. This is where actual metal loss
(corrosion) occurs. The cathode is where reduction takes place .
9. Which factor has the greatest influence on the rate of atmospheric corrosion?
• A) Wind speed
• B) Time of wetness
• C) Altitude
• D) Atmospheric pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Time of wetness—the duration that a metal surface remains wet or
damp—is the most critical factor in atmospheric corrosion rates. Moisture is
necessary for the electrolyte to facilitate the electrochemical corrosion process .
10. A form of corrosion that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact in
the presence of an electrolyte is called:
• A) Uniform corrosion
• B) Pitting corrosion
• C) Galvanic corrosion
• D) Crevice corrosion
Answer: C
Rationale: Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are electrically
Preparation, Coatings & Inspection Fundamentals
NACE CIP 1 CBT Exam /NACE CIP 1 CBT Review
Guide 2026/2027 | Surface Preparation, Coatings &
Inspection Fundamentals
Section 1: Corrosion Fundamentals
1. Corrosion generally occurs at which of the following sites?
• A) Cathode
• B) Anode
• C) Electrolyte
• D) Metallic pathway
Answer: B
Rationale: Corrosion is an electrochemical process where metal dissolution occurs
at the anode. The anode is the site of oxidation (loss of electrons), which causes
the metal to corrode .
2. Which one of these elements is NOT necessary for corrosion to occur?
• A) Anode
• B) Cathode
• C) Reference Cell
• D) Electrolyte
Answer: C
Rationale: The basic corrosion cell requires four components: an anode, a cathode,
,an electrolyte, and a metallic return path. A reference cell is used for cathodic
protection measurement but is not necessary for corrosion to occur .
3. Galvanic corrosion occurs on which of the following substrates?
• A) Concrete
• B) Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
• C) Metal
• D) Wood
Answer: C
Rationale: Galvanic corrosion is an electrochemical process that occurs when two
dissimilar metals are in electrical contact in the presence of an electrolyte. It can
only occur on metal substrates .
4. The form of corrosion that has the largest potential for unexpected catastrophic
failure is:
• A) General Corrosion
• B) Atmospheric Corrosion
• C) Galvanic Corrosion
• D) Localized Corrosion
Answer: D
Rationale: Localized corrosion (such as pitting, crevice corrosion, or stress
corrosion cracking) can cause rapid, unexpected failure with little visible warning.
General corrosion is more predictable and easier to detect .
5. Dew point is the temperature at which:
• A) Water freezes
• B) Humidity decreases
• C) Condensation occurs
• D) The air is saturated
,Answer: C
Rationale: Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to
condense into liquid water. When the surface temperature falls below the dew
point, moisture will form on the surface, which is critical to avoid during coating
application .
6. Relative humidity is defined as:
• A) A measure of the amount of moisture in the air compared to saturation
level
• B) A measure of the amount of moisture in the air compared to the air
temperature
• C) The lowest temperature at which moisture forms on a steel surface
• D) The highest temperature at which moisture forms on a steel surface
Answer: A
Rationale: Relative humidity is the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in
the air to the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, expressed as a
percentage. It measures how close the air is to being fully saturated with
moisture .
7. Passivation can best be described as:
• A) A protective metallic oxide surface layer that slows corrosion
• B) The removal of surface contaminants
• C) The process of applying a coating
• D) The reaction between dissimilar metals
Answer: A
Rationale: Passivation refers to the formation of a thin, protective oxide layer on a
metal surface that acts as a barrier, significantly slowing the corrosion rate.
Stainless steel naturally passivates through chromium oxide formation .
8. Corrosion generally occurs at the ________, which is the site of ________.
, • A) Cathode; reduction
• B) Anode; oxidation
• C) Electrolyte; ion transfer
• D) Metallic pathway; electron flow
Answer: B
Rationale: In the corrosion cell, the anode is where metal atoms lose electrons
(oxidation) and dissolve into the electrolyte as ions. This is where actual metal loss
(corrosion) occurs. The cathode is where reduction takes place .
9. Which factor has the greatest influence on the rate of atmospheric corrosion?
• A) Wind speed
• B) Time of wetness
• C) Altitude
• D) Atmospheric pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Time of wetness—the duration that a metal surface remains wet or
damp—is the most critical factor in atmospheric corrosion rates. Moisture is
necessary for the electrolyte to facilitate the electrochemical corrosion process .
10. A form of corrosion that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact in
the presence of an electrolyte is called:
• A) Uniform corrosion
• B) Pitting corrosion
• C) Galvanic corrosion
• D) Crevice corrosion
Answer: C
Rationale: Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are electrically
