CAWI study plan
CAWI · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Welding Inspection and Certification Fundamentals & Welding Processes, Procedures, and Qualifications
Define the CAWI certification scope, eligibility routes, and renewal or recertification requirements in your own words
Map the duties of an inspector versus a welding supervisor, welding engineer, and third-party examiner, listing at least eight distinct responsibilities for the inspector
Identify the main reference standards landscape (ISO 9606, ISO 15614, ISO 5817, AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX) and state what each one governs without confusing their scopes
Build a personal glossary of 30 inspection and certification terms with a one-line definition for each
Your checkpoint
A one-page certification roadmap plus a 30-term glossary, self-quizzed to 90 percent accuracy
Welding Inspection and Certification Fundamentals & Welding Processes, Procedures, and Qualifications
Trace the document flow from enquiry through welding procedure specification, procedure qualification record, welder qualification, production, and final acceptance
Explain the inspector's role at each hold point and witness point in that flow
Distinguish procedure qualification from welder performance qualification using at least four concrete contrasts
Draft a checklist an inspector would use before welding starts on a new job
Your checkpoint
A process-flow diagram with inspector hold points annotated, plus a pre-weld checklist of at least 15 items
Welding Processes, Procedures, and Qualifications
Compare SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, and SAW on heat input, deposition rate, typical positions, and common defects
Describe how process selection drives procedure qualification variables and essential versus non-essential variables
Summarize the essential variables for a procedure qualification test and explain why each one is controlled
Explain the range-of-qualification concept for thickness, diameter, position, and process
Your checkpoint
A comparison matrix covering five processes across at least six attributes, with essential variables highlighted
Welding Processes, Procedures, and Qualifications & Welding Metallurgy, Materials, and Weldability
Walk through a procedure qualification test step by step: preparation, welding, specimen extraction, testing, and acceptance
Interpret a welder qualification test record and determine whether the welder's qualification covers a given production joint
Relate heat input calculations to procedure limits and demonstrate the arithmetic
Predict how a change in preheat, current, or travel speed affects qualification validity
Your checkpoint
Two worked case studies: one procedure qualification and one welder qualification, each with a written accept or reject decision and justification
Welding Metallurgy, Materials, and Weldability
Describe the iron-carbon equilibrium diagram and the effect of cooling rate on ferrite, pearlite, bainite, and martensite formation
Explain the heat-affected zone and how peak temperature and cooling time change its microstructure and toughness
Define hardenability, carbon equivalent, and hydrogen-assisted cold cracking, and state the countermeasures for each
Classify carbon steels, low-alloy steels, stainless steels, and aluminium alloys by weldability concerns
Your checkpoint
A one-page HAZ diagram with annotated zones and a table of at least 10 material groups with their principal weldability risks
Welding Metallurgy, Materials, and Weldability & Weld Examination, Testing, and Code Compliance
List the main weld discontinuities and explain which are planar, which are volumetric, and why that distinction changes detection method
Match each discontinuity type to the examination method most likely to detect it
Explain the metallurgical mechanisms behind solidification cracking, lamellar tearing, and reheat cracking
Interpret a carbon equivalent value and recommend preheat and interpass controls for a given steel
Your checkpoint
A defect-to-method matrix covering at least 12 discontinuities with detection rationale for each
Weld Examination, Testing, and Code Compliance
Compare visual, penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and radiographic examination on principle, typical applications, and limitations
Explain sensitivity, technique, and acceptance criteria as separate concepts in non-destructive examination
Interpret quality levels or acceptance categories for weld imperfections and apply them to sample indications
Describe destructive tests used in qualification: tensile, bend, impact, hardness, and macro examination, and what each proves
Your checkpoint
Five practice interpretation scenarios where you assign an acceptance decision to described indications and defend it in writing
Welding Inspection and Certification Fundamentals & Welding Processes, Procedures, and Qualifications & Welding Metallurgy, Materials, and Weldability & Weld Examination, Testing, and Code Compliance
Review all four domains using a spaced-repetition pass over your glossary, matrices, and case studies
Complete at least two timed mixed-domain practice sets and analyse every error by root cause
Re-derive the highest-risk calculations from memory: heat input, carbon equivalent, and range of qualification
Write a personal weak-area list with a remediation action for each item
Your checkpoint
A full timed mock examination scored and reviewed, with an error log and remediation plan
Milestones
Week 2: Explain the document flow and inspector hold points to a colleague or on paper without notes, and score at least 85 percent on a self-made fundamentals quiz
Week 4: Correctly decide both qualification case studies, including identifying at least one variable that would invalidate the qualification
Week 6: Match at least 10 of 12 discontinuities to their most likely detection method and justify each choice in one sentence
Week 8: Score at least 75 percent on the timed mixed-domain mock examination with no domain below 65 percent