Sri Lanka NVQ Level 3 Welder Written Examination exam-day guide
Sri Lanka NVQ Level 3 Welder Written Examination · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
National Identity Card or valid photo ID
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The name must match your NVQ registration. If you have changed your name or your ID is expired, contact the training provider or the relevant assessment centre before exam day to confirm what alternative proof is accepted.
Admission card / candidate registration slip
If your provider issued an admission or index-number document, carry it. Where you are unsure whether it is required, confirm with the provider and keep a printed copy with you either way.
Confirmed reporting time and venue address
Write down the exact reporting time, gate closing time, and workshop or hall location, and check the route the day before. Do not rely on memory; times can differ between the written paper and the practical test.
Provider's tool and PPE list
Ask the provider in advance which personal protective equipment and hand tools you must supply yourself and which are provided at the workshop. Bring the full list they give you; do not assume the centre supplies gloves, helmet, or apron.
Workshop PPE: welding helmet or shield, safety glasses, gloves, leather apron, safety boots
Bring serviceable, clean PPE that fits. Inspect the helmet lens and glove condition before the day. Whether the centre supplies any of this varies, so confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Hand tools you are permitted to bring
Typical items include a chipping hammer, wire brush, measuring tape, try square, and centre punch. Confirm the permitted list with the provider, because some centres supply all tools and restrict personal items.
Calculator and pens/pencils if the written paper allows them
Carry a basic non-programmable calculator, black or blue pens, a pencil, and an eraser. Confirm whether calculators and mobile phones are permitted in the written paper; phone use is commonly restricted.
No mobile phone use during the test
Plan to switch your phone off and store it as instructed. If you need it for transport, arrange this in advance. Confirm the centre's storage arrangements with the provider.
Food, water, and any required medication
Practical tests can run long with limited breaks. Bring water and a light snack if permitted, and carry prescribed medication. Tell the invigilator or assessor in advance if you have a medical condition relevant to safety.
Rest and readiness plan for the day before
Avoid late-night practice, alcohol, or heavy physical work the night before. Welding assessment demands steady hands, clear judgement, and full attention to safety.
Read the practical task sheet carefully on the day
Before striking an arc, read the drawing, dimensions, joint type, process, electrode or wire specification, and tolerances. Ask the assessor only procedural questions permitted by the rules; do not ask for help with the technical content.
Pre-check your workstation for safety
Check the earth clamp, cables, insulation, gas connections if applicable, fume extraction, screens, and fire extinguisher location before starting. Report any defect to the assessor immediately instead of working around it.
Plan the day
Confirm the reporting time, venue, and what to bring by contacting your training provider. Re-read the assessment criteria for the joints and positions you will be tested on, and list the process parameters you intend to use, such as current range, electrode size, travel speed, and root gap. Do one controlled practice session on the specified joint type, then stop and review your defects rather than practising to exhaustion.
Check your PPE and tools: helmet lens clarity, glove condition, boot soles, tape and square accuracy. Replace anything defective. Pack everything in one bag so nothing is forgotten. Confirm your transport plan and travel time, including a buffer for traffic.
Do light revision only: safety rules, joint preparation, and the inspection points you will check on your own work. Prepare clothes suitable for a workshop, with no loose sleeves or synthetic fabric that could catch sparks. Set out ID, admission documents, PPE, tools, water, and medication. Eat properly, sleep early, and do not attempt new techniques or heavy practice.
Eat a proper meal and arrive early, allowing extra time for registration and safety briefing. Carry your ID and documents in hand. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed. Listen carefully to the briefing, note the time allocation and any stop-work signal, and locate the emergency exits, first-aid point, and fire equipment.
Inspect the workstation and materials, report defects, set your machine parameters, and prepare the joint to the specified dimensions. Measure twice and mark clearly. Keep your area tidy and your tools arranged so you are not searching mid-task.
Work to your planned sequence, maintain a stable stance, and control heat input and distortion. Monitor the arc, pool, and slag between passes. Do not rush to finish early; use the allotted time to check dimensions and clean each pass as required. If a defect appears, decide calmly whether to correct it within the rules.
Clean the weld, remove spatter and slag as instructed, and check dimensions and squareness against the drawing. Label or present your work exactly as the assessor directs. Leave the workstation safe and tidy, and return any borrowed tools.
Note the questions you found difficult and any feedback the assessor gives, if feedback is permitted. Keep your documents safe. Ask the provider when and how results will be published and what the re-assessment procedure is, in case you need it.
Rules to check
Carry original photo identification matching your registration details. If your ID is unavailable or details differ, contact the provider before the test to confirm accepted alternatives; do not assume a photocopy will be accepted.
Follow all safety instructions from the assessor and invigilator, including PPE use, screens, fume control, and hot-work precautions. Unsafe conduct can lead to removal from the workshop, so confirm the centre's safety rules during the briefing.
Work only on your own assigned task and materials. Do not accept help, tools, or technical advice from other candidates during the test. Ask the assessor only procedural or safety questions that the rules allow.
Phones and other electronic devices are normally restricted during the test. Confirm the centre's policy with the provider in advance and store devices as instructed.
Respect the stated time allocation. Stop work immediately when instructed. Continuing after the stop signal may affect scoring, so confirm the timing rules at the briefing.
Breaks and movement in and out of the workshop are usually controlled. Ask the assessor before leaving your station, and confirm the centre's policy on toilet breaks and refreshments with the provider.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for your qualification, which may cover dimensional accuracy, weld quality, workmanship, safety, and timekeeping. Ask the provider for the criteria and weighting rather than relying on assumptions.
Keep the workshop clean and report any accident, injury, or equipment defect immediately. Do not attempt to repair centre equipment yourself.