CWI Test on the 3rd. of Oct. :-( :-(

[90harley]

Wednesday the 23rd., I start my CWI prep. course. I have dodged this for the past 9 years. 9 years ago I tested and received a CAWI and was vary discouraged, however I had very little training and was only 23 years old! It did not take me long to realize I was in over my head. Today, I have been in welding inspection for the pas 9 years and I am still very nervous!! VERY NERVOUS! The math scars the hell out of me. I work for a Nuclear based company and the only people that perform some of the CWI type questions that I have seen leading up to the class are Nuclear Engineers!! My question is what can I do extra to ensure that I will make the math portion? I know very little about algebra, the area of a circle, or a square bar for that mater. I am also told that part “B” is way off the charts as well. I don’t have much time to order new books at this point so I am looking for publications on the net. Can anyone give me any tips?, if I could find a few sample questions that would be a big help. Some of my friends say “you will pass no prob.” But others warn me of hidden curve ahead.

 

[gtaw]

Are you planning to attend the AWS CWI review?

If not, purchase the books listed on the AWS website and start studying. You don't have much time.



Best regards - Al

 

[90harley]

Yes, I am taking a 10 day course given by Real Testing from Pascagoula Mississippi. They have a 95% pass rate and if you don’t pass they will give you the course again for free. It's around $1500 plus $ for the test, it's set-up in a remote area in Ga. I thank only 19 people are singed up.Never the less I still need to pass it on the first go...

 

[Ron]

90harley...the math is not that rigorous; however, you do need to understand how to do the calculations, not just plug and chug a formula. For example, you will need to be able to calculate the effective throat length of a fillet weld. If the legs are equal, it's fairly simple...if they are not, it gets a little more difficult. Some familiarity with trigonometry would be helpful.

Good luck. It won't be as bad as you think!

 

[gtaw]

I've never heard of a requirement to calculate the throat dimension of a fillet weld on the CWI examination, nor have I seen a need to use trig functions.

It is necessary to calculate the area of a circle and a rectangle. You need to calculate the ultimate tensile strength given the dimensions of the test piece and the maximum load. You do need to calculate elongation and reduction in area. There may even be a reason to convert from US customary to SI or vice versa, but that is about the extent of the need for mathematics.


Best regards - Al

 

[Ron]

Al...I wasn't referring specifically to the test. A CWI needs a basic understanding of how to calculate such, whether it is a question on the exam or not. The exam measures basic competence within a narrow subject area. Once the exam is passed and the CWI designation is given, the CWI then has little or no required oversight on decisions other than perhaps an adversarial disagreement. It will serve him well to understand a few things beyond the confines of the exam.

 

[DVWE]

90harley,

Did you have the prep course when you tested 9 years ago?

 

[90harley]

Yes, but it was spread out over 4 weeks and very informal. This class is 10 days 8 hours a day and I am told that it’s very in depth in training.

 

[DVWE]

It is. And you will be given plenty of examples of all the math questions that pertain to the test. As long as you study and understand the homework assignments and understand the problems, you'll be fine. If you get stumped, ask questions, that's what your instructor is there for.

 

[gtaw]

Hello Ron;

I agree that the CWI needs to know much more than what is on the examination.



Best regards - Al

 

[Mr168]

A GOOD CWI needs to know much more than what is on the examination. I've come across many a CWI who memorized enough for the exam, but couldn't inspect their way out of a paper bag.

 

[90harley]

This is partly the reason I inspected for 9 years prior to taking it again. I work as a QA manager, and hire CWI’s to perform work for my company and you would be surprised as to some of the answers to simple questions I have listen to over the years. Know mater who you are if you work in the field of API “510” “570” “653”, you can’t jump over night to ASME Sec. I, B31.3 or B31.1. It takes time to work through the new codes. I mainly work under the rules of the NRC “Nuclear Regulatory Commissions” 10CFR Part 21,50 ext. so the jump to API 1104 for the test is rusty to me.

 

[DVWE]

I take it they require you to test to API 1104?

 

[gtaw]

If you are familar with ASME, take Section IX and B31.1 and B31.3 as your open book code examination.

Best regards - Al

 

[90harley]

Sorry for the delay in informing everyone, I passed!!, and if I keep my further education hours up I will never have to take it again!!! This test is no joke!! However I feel that I had an advantages buy taking a prep. course through Real Education! There 10, 7 or 5 day course is thought buy the owners of the company Gerald and Linda Taylor. Mr. Taylor has been involved with AWS and the CWI testing process since the mid 1970. He has challenged AWS in several areas regarding BAD questions and BAD answers that could have added in the failures of some test. His wife, Linda also a SCWI has brought a wealth of knowledge to the program. Linda’s background includes an E9 status in the US Military were she wrote test for the Military. Combined the Taylors have put together a program like no other. All through out the course you will take test, several tests building you confidence level up. These tests will also teach you how to deal with the (2) hour time limit put on by AWS. The day before the CWI exam you will take a practice exam that will mock-up the actual test. When you complete Linda’s version of the exam after her training you will find the AWS CWI actual test is not that bad!!!! To me her test was by far more difficult than the AWS test. This over prepares you witch is a plus! Don’t get me wrong you will still have to work hard and study hard every day. But if you lesson to the Taylors and do ALL the homework you should be fine.

 

[DVWE]

Hey good job man!

 

[Ron]

Congrats 90harley...way to go.

 

[JAPWELDER]

I took the Real Education class two times in a row, 8 months apart and still failed Part B. I made 90s on all of the practice test, and yet still failed and got a CAWI. I did so well in the class that I left there with all the confidence in the world that I would pass, but was very dissapointed in the end. I don't know that I feel like spending more than the $5000.00 that I've already spent because I don't know if I can even pass the thrid time. What would anyone say that I could do to try and pass part b.

 

[DVWE]

Part B is the open book code test, correct?

 

[90harley]

The deal with part B is the trick questions, Linda will help you with that. If you took the class with Gerould Taylor I would try to get his wife Linda to help you. Also more tricks, for the samples coupons the question will say “looking at sample A1” make sure it is A1 and not B1, B1 will be on the other side of the plate. We hade a guy fail all of the questions on that part because he was looking at the wrong side!! Under a time pressure that will be over looked. If that happens a time or two it will cost you!! Call Real and talk to Linda Taylor.