AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) Part A: Fundamentals — American Welding Society
The AWS Certified Welding Inspector examination has a closed-book Part A on fundamentals that covers welding terminology, processes, symbols, weld examination, nondestructive testing, metallurgy and inspector duties. The real Part A has 150 scored questions plus unscored pretest items and runs 135 minutes. SummitCert's portal provides explained practice questions, flashcards, a timed 150-question mock and progress tracking by subject.
One-time purchase · lifetime access · study on any device
Everything included — in full detail
This is exactly what you unlock. No vague promises — real numbers, straight from the portal.
Your full practice pool — 350 questions total, written to mirror the real exam blueprint, with full answer explanations for every question.
Including Definition and Terminology, Welding Processes, Symbols - Welding and NDE, and more.
A complete, realistic exam-day simulation with the same question count and time limit as the real thing.
Covering every key term, concept, and framework you're expected to know.
Hand-picked walkthroughs and explainers organized by topic.
Visual breakdowns of the frameworks and models the exam tests you on.
The exact formulas and calculations you need, ready to review before test day.
A searchable glossary so unfamiliar terminology never slows you down.
See your accuracy by domain, spot weak areas early, and follow a built-in study schedule.
Tailored to this exam: it knows your progress and weak areas, remembers your earlier chats, and picks up where you left off on your other devices.
Study anywhere — your progress syncs on the device you are using and picks up where you left off.
No subscriptions, no renewals — buy once and keep studying until you pass.
See the CWI Welding Inspector Exam portal
Real screenshots — this is exactly what you'll be studying in. Click to zoom in.
How would you like to start?
Try before you buy, or jump straight into full access.
Topics you'll drill
8 core topics pulled straight from the real question bank.
- Definition and Terminology
- Welding Processes
- Symbols - Welding and NDE
- Weld Examination
- Welding Performance
- Test Methods - NDE
- Heat Control and Metallurgy (Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel)
- Welding Related Calculations
CWI Welding Inspector Exam exam requirements & cost
Straight from the certifying body — separate from what we charge for the study portal.
The AWS CWI exam information for Part A (Fundamentals) lists 150 scored multiple-choice questions plus 15 unscored pretest questions in 135 minutes, taken closed book on a computer. The content outline spreads questions across eleven areas: Definition and Terminology 15 percent, Welding Processes 15, Symbols for Welding and NDE 12, Weld Examination 12, Welding Performance 11, Test Methods for NDE 10, Heat Control and Metallurgy 7, Welding Related Calculations 7, Duties and Responsibilities 5, Destructive Tests 4 and Cutting 2. The portal mock uses 150 questions in 135 minutes; the 15 unscored pretest questions of the real exam are not simulated. AWS sets a minimum score for each part of the CWI examination; the CWI materials the portal follows list 72 percent of the scored questions, so confirm the current requirement with AWS. The mock shows 72 percent only as a self-check. AWS and the testing site set the CWI fees, which differ for AWS members and non-members and between parts, so no single amount is quoted here; confirm the current fee for Part A with AWS. The content outline spreads questions across 11 areas; the largest are Definition and Terminology (15.0%); Welding Processes (15.0%); Symbols for Welding and NDE (12.0%). The full list of areas and weights is on the portal exam page. AWS sets eligibility by a combination of education and welding-related work experience; confirm the current requirement table with AWS before you apply.
CWI Welding Inspector Exam exam blueprint
Real domain weighting from the certifying body's own published exam syllabus.
- Definition and Terminology15%
- Welding Processes15%
- Symbols for Welding and NDE12%
- Weld Examination12%
- Welding Performance11%
- Test Methods for NDE10%
- Heat Control and Metallurgy7%
- Welding Related Calculations7%
- Duties and Responsibilities5%
- Destructive Tests4%
- Cutting2%
Real pass rate, retake policy, scoring, and a study timeline for CWI Welding Inspector Exam — free, no purchase required.
Common questions
You might also need
Core plus Type I, II and III refrigerant handling — full prep for the Universal certification EPA-approved organizations require to work on any HVAC/R system.
General knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles and every core topic on the CDL Class A permit test — full-length timed mock exam included.
Treatment process, laboratory analysis, equipment operation, and source water characteristics — full prep for the entry-level Class I water treatment operator exam used by 70+ state and provincial certification programs.
Hazard and risk identification, emergency preparedness and incident response, safety-program development, and leadership/training content across all four BCSP-tested domains — full prep for the 200-question Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) exam.
Business organization and licensing, finances, employment, insurance and liens, contracts, public works and safety — practice for the California CSLB Law and Business exam, with 1,000 flashcards, 350 quiz questions and a 115-question mock exam.