CWI practice testRead every weld symbol cold.
Part A fundamentals and weld symbols with worked calculations, Part B practical inspection, and Part C by clause number.
The lesson plan
34 lessons in 8 chapters · about 5 minutes each
- Part A 10%+
1Weld and NDE symbols5
Part A: Symbols – Welding and NDE
- Welding symbols: arrow side and other side Lesson 1 · free
- Fillet and groove weld symbols
- Size, length and pitch
- Tails, flags and contours
- Reading NDE symbols
- Part A 26%+
2Terms, processes and cutting5
Part A: Definition and Terminology; Welding Processes; Cutting
- Joints, welds and their parts
- Stick welding (SMAW)
- MIG and flux-cored welding
- TIG and submerged arc welding
- Thermal cutting and gouging
- Part A 15%+
3Metallurgy and weld math4
Part A: Heat Control & Metallurgy (carbon and low-alloy steel); Welding Related Calculations; Destructive Tests
- Preheat and cooling rate
- Heat input, worked out
- Tensile strength calculations
- Bend, hardness and impact tests
- Part A 18%+ · Part B 8%+
4Finding flaws4
Part A: Weld Examination; Test Methods – NDE. Part B: NDE
- Discontinuity or defect?
- Cracks, porosity and undercut
- Magnetic particle and penetrant testing
- Radiography and ultrasonic testing
- Part A 13%+
5Your job as an inspector3
Part A: Duties and Responsibilities; Welding Performance
- Who can become a CWI
- What a welding inspector does
- WPS, PQR and welder qualification
- Part B 78%+
6Part B: the practical5
Part B: Welding Inspection and Flaws; Procedure and Welder Qualifications; Mechanical Test and Properties; Utilization of Specification and Drawings
- Measuring welds with the gauges
- Inspecting the plastic replicas
- Checking a PQR against the WPS
- Grading bend test specimens
- Using the Book of Specifications
- Part C 50%+
7Part C: qualification and fabrication4
Part C: Qualification; Fabrication
- Finding your way in D1.1
- Prequalified versus qualified WPSs
- Qualifying welders under the code
- Fit-up, preheat and fabrication limits
- Part C 35%+
8Part C: inspection and records4
Part C: Inspection; Reports and Records; Materials and Design
- Visual acceptance criteria by clause
- Base metals and joint design
- Records an inspector signs
- Test day
Built on AWS CWI Examination Information Guides: Part A Fundamentals, Part B Practical, Part C Codebook Applications (test specifications per AWS B5.1) · Parts A and B Rev. 03.01.2024; Part C Rev. 02.11.2025
Read lesson 1: Arrow side, other side
Drawings show weld requirements as symbols: where the weld goes, the joint type, and the weld’s size and amount.
Those symbols help you share weld requirements with designers, fabricators, and other inspectors. AWS A2.4 provides this common way to communicate.
Every welding symbol starts with a reference line and an arrow that points at the joint.
The arrow touches one side of the joint. That side is the arrow side.
A fillet triangle below the line means weld the arrow side. The number on its left is the leg size.
The fillet symbol sits above the reference line. Where does the weld go?
- Arrow side
- Other side
- Both sides
Answer: Other side. Above the line is the other side. Below is the arrow side. Both means both.
Above the line, the weld moves to the other side of the joint.
Next lesson: Fillet and groove weld symbols
The full class, $149 at launch.
Paid once, when it opens. Lesson 1 is free now.
- Worked calculations
- Symbols & visual inspection
- Code navigation drills
Not affiliated with AWS. We teach by clause number and never reproduce the code.
Questions
What are the three parts of the CWI exam?
Part A, Fundamentals; Part B, Practical, hands-on with tools AWS supplies; and Part C, Code Applications, worked from the code book.
Who can take the CWI exam?
AWS sets education and experience rules (commonly a high school diploma plus five years of welding work) and a vision test. Check AWS’s current rules.
Do you reproduce the code book?
No. We teach you to find answers by clause number and never reproduce the code.
When does it open, and what will it cost?
Lesson 1 is free now. The full class opens at $149, paid once.