If you want to become a CWI, you need some welding experience. And, you need to pass the CWI exam. The amount of experience you need varies on your education level, but the CWI exam is always the same.
The CWI text is always three parts. You get two hours for each section. They focus on fundamentals, practical application, and code application.
The best thing you can do is be fully prepared. We’ve put together a list of 5 things you can do to prepare for your test.
1. Create a Study Plan
Everyone learns a little differently. While the test is the same for everyone, your study plan needs to tailored specifically to you.
If flash cards work for you, then start there. If they don’t, then you should try reading the content over and taking notes.
There’s no one full-proof study plan, the key is to know what works for you and build your plan around it. Most plans should contain more than one study method.
2. Just Reading the Content isn’t Enough
Just reading your books or study guides isn’t enough to learn the content. You need to actually study it.
Focus and make sure that you are absorbing as much of the information as possible. Don’t just skim the material, try to really understand it. As you study try not to just memorize the information, you want to ask yourself why these procedures need to been done in certain ways.
It’s a long test, so the better grasp you have on the material, the more likely you will be able to recall it under the stress of the CWI exam.
3. Take Welding Certification Practice Tests
The CWI prep courses and practice tests have been made to help you understand what information is going to be on the CWI exam. By bringing the relevant information to the forefront, you have much better odds of passing the exam.
What makes it even better is that both the courses and the practice tests are designed so you can go at your own pace. That gives you the opportunity to really absorb the material.
4. Know What the Sections are About
It can be really helpful to your self-study to know the breakdown and the number of questions in each of the sections.
Part A is all about your fundamental knowledge; this section is 150 questions. Part B is all about inspection both welding and nondestructive testing; it is 46 questions. Part C is the only open book section and it’s about the codebook; this is 46 questions as well.
You have to get 72 percent on all of the sections to pass.
5. Teach a Friend
A lot of times, the best way to know if you actually understand something is to teach someone. As you’re explaining it to someone who has no knowledge about welding, you can really tell what you do and don’t know.
Teaching a subject has proven to help you remember it, this is called the protege effect.
Pass Your CWI Exam
Passing your CWI exam is a big step toward your future, studying for it can be stress full.
However, if you follow the tips we’ve laid out, it should be as stress-free as possible. If you are interested in courses or have any questions you can contact us.
