Purchase a copy of API 1104 (20th edition I believe) and read it a couple of times. The first time to familiarize yourself with its content. The second time, you add index tabs at the start of each section and the tables.
API 1104 does not have an index, so I recommend you make one and add it to the back of the text. Pick key words out of each paragraph and add them to the index. If you have Excel or Word use a table format, you can use the sort function to put the words in alphabetical order.
The time you spend will be well worth the effort.
You can also purchase the book "Welding Inspection Technology" before the seminar. Read it and study the material before hand so that you will not be overwhelmed by the volume of information covered in the seminar.
Welding symbols (A2.4) and terms and definitions (A3.0) are important. The terms and definitions should be studied. There are a good number of questions based on the terminology contained in AWS A3.0. Be aware that the terminology contained in API 1104 may differ from AWS A3.0. You will have to use AWS terms on the fundamentals examination and API on the open code book examination.
Many people attend the AWS seminar without the proper preparation. They are quickly overwhelmed and the frustration is evident by the end of the first or second day. Be perpared to stay in your room to study the entire week of the seminar if you are scheduled to take the examination right after the seminar. Those that get together to let off steam during the week usually don't fare very well on the examination.
High school algebra should be adequate. You have to be able to calculate areas of circles, squares, and rectangles. You have to be able to calculate heat input, elongation, reduction in area, and convert U.S. customary units (inches, pounds, psi, etc) to metric and vice versa. There are enough math questions to fail the examination if you are weak in that subject.
A = ? X r2
A = ? X d/4
Heat Input = Q= (I X E X 60)/TS
Elongation = (Lf – Lo)/Lo X 100%
25.4 mm = 1 inch
(notice the subscripts and pi don't print in this format)
There will not be enough time at the AWS seminar to learn algebra and the course is not intended to teach math skills. If you are a bit “rusty” with high school algebra, I suggest you take a class at your local high school or community college. Many communities offer courses for a small fee. If your high school doesn’t offer a class, check with other communities in your area. I know our local high school doesn’t offer evening adult classes, but our neighboring town does.
I studied for several months before I took the AWS CWI examination. I purchased the books before the seminar and read each one cover to cover and did all the problems in the workbooks. The effort was worthwhile. I passed on the first try. That being said, I had an advantage over many people taking the examination. I had been welding for several years as an Ironworker and I completed a few years of college (engineering technology) before taking the examination. Math, the subject many people struggle with, was not a problem. Likewise, questions about the welding processes were not a problem because I had experience with many of the processes. I was familiar with their operating principles and the welding defects each welding process was prone to produce.
Good luck on the examination. It will be worth the time and effort you put into studying. The CWI credentials change my life. As they say, the CWI is the beginning of your education and the CWI seminar is the first of many. I’ve been going to “school” ever since.
The book I would recommend is the AWS 'Certification Manual for Welding Inspectors'. It's 176 bucks and worth every penny. It, along with the code book (1104) and some practical experience which hopefully every candidate has, will get you through successfully. Speaking from experience, I studied the manual and passed the exam without a seminar, but, I had many years experience in the welding field.
I wouldn't get too hung up on 1104 because, at least when I took the test, it was open book.
If you study the manual and answer each practice quiz successfully, you will pass. Spend lot's of time on symbols, because every inspector has to, not just know them, but understand them.
Good Luck
The number of questions for the API 1104 open book portion has been increased from 46 to 60 questions. I understand that this was done to ensure that the level of difficulty was similar to the D1.1 open book exam.
IMO, individuals who study the D1.1 for the open book exam have an advantage when it comes to the practical exam. This is because the B Specifications has many tables and criteria which are similar to what is found in D1.1
Today I purchased a book published by AWS titled "Certification Manual for Welding Inspectors" and got a copy of API 1104. I think Im headed in the right direction now. I appreciate all of the input so far.......keep it coming. Thanks
Thanks for the information . I plan to undertake CWI examination this year. Though I have API 1104 Can anyone share AWS Certification manual if soft copy is available/
