Welding

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Safety 

• Identify various welding hazards and safe practices 
• Display familiarity with industrial and OSHA safety standards 
• Demonstrate knowledge of oxyfuel safety procedures 
• Demonstrate knowledge of arc welding and cutting safety procedures 
• Demonstrate proper and safe use of PPE, hand tools, and power equipment

 

Welding Symbols and Blueprint Reading

• Interpret weld and welding symbols 
• Read and interpret blueprints and sketches

 

Oxyfuel Cutting (OFC) 

• Identify oxyfuel cutting principles 
• Identify and maintain oxyfuel equipment 
• Assemble and disassemble oxyfuel equipment 
• Handle and store compressed gas cylinders 
• Cut and form metal with oxyfuel equipment  

 

Arc Cutting Process (Carbon Arc and Plasma Arc) 

• Identify arc cutting process principles 
• Assemble and disassemble arc cutting equipment 
• Identify and maintain arc cutting equipment 
• Exhibit an understanding of arc cutting consumables 
• Demonstrate appropriate use of arc cutting equipment  

 

Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Metals

• Identify metals by physical characteristics
• Explain the pre-heating and post-heating processes 
• Exhibit understanding of distortion control methods 
• Identify basic mechanical properties of metals



Weld Fit-Up and Quality

• Identify various joint designs (joint geometry) and welding positions 
• Clean and prepare materials for groove and fillet welds 
• Identify welding defects and/or discontinuities 
• Test welds using various techniques 
• Use standard measuring and layout tools 
• Describe welding industry codes, standards, and procedures 

 

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

• Explain principles of SMAW 
• Set up and maintain SMAW equipment 
• Demonstrate selection and application of SMAW consumables 
• Perform fillet and groove welds on plate in all positions

 

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

• Explain principles of GMAW and FCAW 
• Set up and maintain GMAW and FCAW equipment 
• Demonstrate selection and application of GMAW and FCAW consumables 
• Perform fillet and groove welds on plate in all positions

 

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

• • Explain principles of GTAW 
  • Set up and maintain GTAW equipment 
  • Demonstrate selection and application of GTAW consumables 
  • Perform fillet and groove welds on ferrous and nonferrous metals in all positions 

 

Written Assessment: 

Administration Time: 3 hours   

Number of Questions: 172

 

Areas Covered:

Safety: 12%

Welding Symbols and Blueprint Reading: 7%

Oxyfuel Cutting (OFC): 12%

Arc Cutting Process (Carbon Arc and Plasma Arc): 11%

Physical Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Metals: 10%

Weld Fit-Up and Quality: 15%

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SWAM): 9%

Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Flux Cored Arc Welding: 12%

Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW): 12%

 

Sample Questions: 

An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) provides detailed information

1. about matching the base metal metallurgy with the welding filler metal
2. about the operating specifications of welding equipment and machinery
3. regarding appropriate uses of different weld joint geometries
4. regarding possible hazards resulting from the use of a product

 

A neutral oxygen-acetylene flame has a temperature range of 

1. 230 to 280 degrees Fahrenheit
2. 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit 
3. 3000 to 35000 degrees Fahrenheit 
4. 5800 to 6300 degrees Fahrenheit

 

Oxygen cylinders should be ______ fuel gas cylinders when not in use.

1. stored separately from
2. chained to
3. the same color as 
4. at the same pressure as

 

In the PAC (Plasma Arc Cutting) process, compressed air must be

1. completely dry 
2. moist
3. lubricated 
4. CO2

 

Which of the following is a ferrous metal?

1. aluminum
2. copper
3. magnesium
4. mild steel

 

When welding 3-G certification test weld, the weld must be welded in the _____ position.

1. vertical
2. flat
3. overhead
4. horizontal

Which number is the smallest?

1. 0.250
2. 0.500
3. 0.005
4. 0.050 

Which condition would cause an electrode holder to overheat?

1. loose connection
2. excessively long cable
3. insufficient current flow 
4. low voltage 

The ______ welding process involves a non-consumable electrode.

1. SMAW
2. GMAW 
3. GTAW
4. SAW

Argon and helium gases are

1. inert
2. reactive
3. neutral
4. oxidizing

 

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours 

Number of Jobs: 6

 

Areas Covered:

23% Oxyfuel Cutting

Participant will select and set up equipment correctly and safely, lay out the project according to the provided diagram, and cut to specified dimensions.

 

20% SMAW V-Groove, 3G

Participant will select and set up equipment correctly and safely, tack the steel pieces to the base, and perform three weld passes in a V-groove according to specifications.

 

12% GMAW, 2F

Participant will select and set up materials correctly and safely, and using tubing, steel, and welding wire, weld material according to specifications.

 

15% Aluminum GTAW Tee Joint, 2F

Participant will select and set up equipment correctly and safely, and using aluminum and filler rod, weld a Tee-joint in the horizontal position according to specifications.

 

12% Stainless Steel GTAW Lap Joint, 2F 

Participant will set up equipment correctly and safely, and using stinless steel and filler rod, weld a lap joint according to specification. 

 

18% Uphill FCAW, 3F

Participant will set up equipment correctly and safely, and using mild steel and filler material, weld a root pass and a cap pass according to specifications. 

 

Sample Job:

Aluminum GTAW Tee Joint, 2F

Maximum Time:   20 minutes 

Participant Activity: The participant will use two pieces of sheet aluminum and filler rod to weld a Tee-joint in the horizontal position.