§1.1 · Reading the job
Welding terms and definitions for the CWI
Your crew's word for something and the exam's word for it are often two different words. The CWI uses the terms as AWS A3.0, the society's terms and definitions standard, writes them. Part A is closed book, so the definitions have to be in your head when you sit down (AWS Part A information sheet, March 2024, checked October 2026).
- Exam
- CWI
- Clause
- §1.1
- Tags here
- 17
- Part A minimum
- at least 12%
1.1.1Why the standard's words win
Every other area leans on these words. A symbol, a gauge reading or a D1.1 clause only makes sense when you know exactly what its words point at.
Shop language changes from one crew to the next. One crew calls it cold lap, the next calls it rollover, and A3.0 calls both overlap: weld metal lying past the toe without fusing to the base metal. An exam taken by inspectors from many countries needs one word with one meaning, so it uses the standard's word.
Two editions on the shelf
A3.0 is out as A3.0M/A3.0:2020 and as the 2025 edition. The 2025 book adds additive-manufacturing and NDE terms and reworks a few process variants, temper bead and the test-position wording. The AWS one-week CWI seminar still ships the 2020 book (AWS CWI 1-Week In-Person Seminar page, checked October 2026). Most core terms carry over unchanged, so put your time into joint and weld geometry, discontinuities and process names, and the edition stops mattering.
Part B and Part C work differently. Part B is open book with the Part B Book of Specifications. On Part C the code you picked when you applied is in front of you, and D1.1 has kept its definitions in their own clause (Clause 3) since the 2020 edition. Which D1.1 editions Part C accepts is covered under the Part C code book.
1.1.2Pairs that get swapped
- Joint vs weld
- The joint is where the members meet, before and after welding. The weld is the localized coalescence that holds them together. You inspect the joint at fit-up and the weld once it exists.
- Pass vs bead vs layer
- A pass is one progression of welding along the joint. The bead is what that pass leaves behind. A layer is one or more beads at the same level of a multipass weld.
- Fillet leg vs throat
- Legs run from the joint root to the toes, and fillet size is given by the legs. The throat is the shortest distance from the root to the face, and strength is figured on the effective throat. See fillet size vs throat.
- Backing vs back gouging
- Backing is material placed against the root side to support the weld. Back gouging removes metal from the root side of a weld so the second side can be welded to sound metal.
- Backing weld vs back weld
- A backing weld goes in before the groove weld, on the root side. A back weld goes in after the groove weld, on the back of the joint.
- Undercut vs underfill
- Undercut is a groove melted into the base metal at the toe. Underfill is a weld face or root that sits below the surface of the adjacent base metal.
- Incomplete fusion vs incomplete joint penetration
- Incomplete fusion means weld metal didn't fuse to a fusion face or to the bead next to it. Incomplete joint penetration means the weld metal didn't reach through the joint thickness. The two are compared on incomplete fusion vs incomplete penetration.
- Discontinuity vs defect
- A discontinuity is any interruption in the structure. It becomes a defect only when the acceptance criteria reject it. Details on discontinuity vs defect.
1.1.3Shop word, A3.0 word
| On the floor | In A3.0 | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|
| Stinger | Electrode holder | Equipment and process tags |
| Rod, stick | Covered electrode (SMAW) | Joining and cutting processes |
| Cold lap, rollover | Overlap | Visual examination, Part B |
| Lack of fusion | Incomplete fusion | RT and UT selection |
| Lack of pen | Incomplete joint penetration | CJP and PJP calls on Part C |
| Pinholes, wormholes | Porosity, including piping porosity | Porosity |
| The procedure | Welding procedure specification (WPS), backed by a PQR | WPS vs PQR |
| Welder cert | Welder performance qualification record | Welder and procedure qualification |
Shop words vary by region. The right-hand column is where the defined term comes back later in the exam.
1.1.4Name it the A3.0 way
Pick the word A3.0 would use, even where a shop word sounds closer to home.
0 of 17 tagged · 0 accepted
Tag 01
What is the correct term for the groove face angle as measured from a line perpendicular to the surface being welded?
Remarks on every option
- A Groove angle is the total included angle between the groove faces of both members, not one face measured from the perpendicular.
- B Correct: Bevel angle is the angle of one member's prepared edge, measured from a plane perpendicular to the surface.
- C Face angle isn't a joint-geometry term. For one member it's the bevel angle; for both together it's the groove angle.
- D Preparation angle is shop talk, not a defined term. The prep on one member is the bevel angle.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 02
What is the correct term for the gap between parts to be joined by welding?
Remarks on every option
- A Joint clearance is a brazing and soldering term for the gap between faying surfaces, not the welding name for this gap.
- B Groove gap sounds right but isn't the defined term. The separation at the joint root is the root opening.
- C Weld space isn't a defined welding term.
- D Correct: Root opening is the separation between the members at the joint root. It's set at fit-up and checked before welding starts.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 03
What is the correct term for the vertical distance between the root of a groove and its face?
Remarks on every option
- A Face distance isn't a defined term.
- B Correct: Groove depth runs from the base metal surface down to the root of the groove. Don't confuse it with groove weld size.
- C Joint depth isn't a standard term. The prepared depth is the groove depth; what the weld achieves is the groove weld size.
- D Root height isn't a defined term. The root face is the unbeveled land at the root, a different dimension.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 04
What is the correct term for the point where the face of the weld joins the base metal surface?
Remarks on every option
- A Correct: The weld toe is where the weld face meets the base metal. It's where you look for undercut and overlap.
- B Junction is a general word, not the defined term for where the face meets the base metal.
- C Edge belongs to the member (edge joint, edge preparation), not to where the weld face ends.
- D The weld interface is the boundary between weld metal and base metal inside the joint, not the visible line on the surface.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 05
What is the correct term for the visible exposed portion of a completed weld?
Remarks on every option
- A Correct: The weld face is the exposed surface of a weld on the side it was made from.
- B Surface is too general. The defined term for the exposed side of a weld is the face.
- C Cap is shop slang for the cover pass. The exposed surface itself is the weld face.
- D Crown is informal for the high point of the bead, not the defined term for the exposed surface.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 06
The term 'reinforcement' in welding refers to:
Remarks on every option
- A Gussets and stiffeners are separate members, not weld metal. Reinforcement is a weld term.
- B A heavier root pass is a technique choice. Reinforcement is the excess metal above the surface, on the face or root side.
- C Correct: Reinforcement is weld metal beyond what fills the joint, on the face or root side. Too much of it is checked against code profile limits.
- D Backing supports the root while you weld. It isn't excess weld metal.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 07
The area adjacent to a weld that has not melted but has been metallurgically affected by the heat is called:
Remarks on every option
- A The fusion zone is the part that melted. The stem describes metal that didn't melt.
- B Correct: The heat-affected zone is base metal that never melted but had its microstructure or properties changed by welding heat.
- C Thermal impact region isn't a defined term.
- D Temperature gradient area describes a heat pattern, not a defined zone of the weld.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 08
What is the correct term for the region where two metals are joined through fusion?
Remarks on every option
- A Weld area is too loose. It isn't the defined term for the melted region.
- B Bond region isn't a standard term. The boundary is the weld interface; the melted area is the fusion zone.
- C Correct: The fusion zone is the area of base metal melted during welding, as seen on a cross section.
- D Joint section isn't a defined term.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 09
Two members meet at approximately right angles, with the edge of one resting against the face of the other away from its edge. What joint type is this?
Remarks on every option
- A A butt joint has the members lying in about the same plane, edge to edge. These two meet at roughly a right angle.
- B A corner joint is also near a right angle, but the members meet at their edges to form an L. Here one edge lands on the face.
- C A lap joint has the members overlapping in parallel planes. Nothing here overlaps.
- D Correct: A T-joint is two members at about right angles with the edge of one set against the face of the other, forming a T.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 10
What term describes the joining of two members lying approximately in the same plane?
Remarks on every option
- A Level joint isn't a joint type. The five basic types are butt, corner, T, lap and edge.
- B Plane joint isn't a defined joint type, even though the members lie in one plane.
- C Flat is a welding position, not a joint type.
- D Correct: A butt joint joins two members lying approximately in the same plane.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 11
In a welding scenario where two thin metal sheets are joined together without any filler metal, what type of welding process is used?
Remarks on every option
- A A fillet weld is a weld shape for lap, T and corner joints. It says nothing about filler metal.
- B Correct: An autogenous weld is a fusion weld made without filler metal. The joint is just melted base metal.
- C Brazing uses a filler metal that melts above 840°F without melting the base metal. It isn't filler-free.
- D Soldering uses a filler metal that melts below 840°F. Filler is the whole point of it.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 12
What is the correct term for the metallic or nonmetallic material used to dissolve or prevent the formation of oxides during welding?
Remarks on every option
- A Correct: Flux is the material that dissolves or prevents oxides and other unwanted substances during welding, brazing or soldering.
- B Purifier isn't a welding term.
- C A catalyst speeds a chemical reaction without being used up. That isn't what flux does.
- D Cleaner suggests pre-weld surface prep. It isn't the defined term for oxide control during welding.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 13
What is the correct term for the angle between the electrode and the work piece measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the weld?
Remarks on every option
- A Travel angle is measured along the line of travel, in the plane that contains the weld axis.
- B Electrode angle is a loose term. The two defined angles are work angle and travel angle.
- C Correct: Work angle is measured in a plane perpendicular to the weld axis. Travel angle is the one measured along the weld.
- D Position angle isn't a defined term. Weld position comes from the weld axis inclination and face rotation.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 14
Which term describes the forehand travel angle (the torch or electrode pointed in the direction of travel) commonly used to help control the weld pool in overhead welding?
Remarks on every option
- A Backhand means the electrode points back at the finished weld, the opposite of forehand.
- B Tilt is a general word, not a technique name.
- C Drag is another name for backhand welding: the electrode points back toward the completed weld.
- D Correct: Push is the shop name for forehand. The torch or electrode points in the direction of travel.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 15
What is the primary purpose of a tack weld in assembly?
Remarks on every option
- A Tacks aren't meant to carry service loads. Most get welded over or removed.
- B Tacks help hold shape, but distortion is controlled by sequence, restraint and heat input. Their job is holding fit-up.
- C Correct: A tack weld holds the parts in alignment until the final welds are made.
- D Parameters get set on test plates or per the WPS, not by tacking the production assembly.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 16
What does 'GMAW' stand for?
Remarks on every option
- A Not the expansion. The G is Gas, for the shielding gas.
- B No such term. The M is Metal, for the consumable wire electrode.
- C Correct: GMAW is gas metal arc welding: a continuously fed wire electrode under gas shielding.
- D Not a welding term. The letters stand for Gas Metal Arc Welding.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
Tag 17
What is the correct term for the metallic path between the welding circuit and the workpiece?
Remarks on every option
- A The power line is the primary supply to the machine, not the secondary circuit to the work.
- B Ground wire is common shop slang, but a ground is a safety connection to earth. The conductor to the work is the work lead.
- C Correct: The work lead (workpiece lead) is the conductor between the power source and the workpiece.
- D Return cable is shop slang. The defined term is work lead.
Pick an option. The remarks on all 4 open here.
1.1.5Studying A3.0 for Part A
Do I have to memorize all of A3.0?
No. A3.0 is a long standard, and the exam samples it. Spend your hours on the terms the other areas depend on: joint and weld geometry, discontinuity names, process names and the parts of a welding symbol. Those come back on every part of the exam.
Which A3.0 edition should I study from?
The 2020 edition is still the one in the AWS seminar kit (AWS CWI 1-Week In-Person Seminar page, checked October 2026), and a 2025 edition is also published. Most core terms carry over unchanged between them, so either one works for Part A.
Can I look up a definition during the exam?
Not on Part A. It's closed book, and no reference appears on screen (AWS Part A information sheet, March 2024, checked October 2026). Part B is open book with the Book of Specifications. On Part C you have the code you chose when you applied, and D1.1 keeps its terms in Clause 3, in the 2020 edition and the 2025 one alike.
More tags on your break
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