FCAW NC II exam-day guide
FCAW NC II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document (passport, driver's licence, or national ID) whose name matches your registration exactly. Confirm with the provider which ID types they accept and whether a photocopy is ever allowed - most test centres require the original.
Admission or confirmation letter
Print or save the registration confirmation showing your candidate number, test date, time, and venue. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy on your phone is acceptable.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Bring your own welding helmet with the correct shade lens, safety glasses, flame-resistant coveralls or jacket, leather gloves, and steel-toe safety boots. Confirm with the provider whether they supply any PPE or expect you to bring everything.
Welding tools you are expected to supply
Typical items include a chipping hammer, wire brush, tip cleaners, and a small hand file. Confirm with the provider the exact tool list, because some centres supply all tools and some require candidates to bring their own.
Knowledge of the required test positions and joint types
Review the flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions and the joint configurations (butt, tee, lap) named in your assessment package. Practise each position so you can set machine parameters without hesitation.
Machine setup and parameter practice
Rehearse setting voltage, wire-feed speed, gas flow rate if applicable, and polarity for the FCAW process on the machine type used by the provider. Confirm with the provider which machine model and wire type (self-shielded or gas-shielded) is used on test day.
Weld inspection self-check routine
Practise inspecting your own practice welds for undercut, porosity, slag inclusions, incomplete fusion, and spatter before the exam. On test day you will be judged on visual and possibly destructive or non-destructive inspection results.
Rest, hydration, and a light meal plan
Welding requires steady hands and concentration. Plan a normal night's sleep before the exam and a light meal that will not make you sluggish. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the holding area.
Arrival time and venue logistics
Check the venue address, travel time, and required arrival time (often well before the scheduled slot for registration and briefing). Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and whether late arrivals are refused entry.
Review of safety and conduct rules
Read the provider's safety briefing in advance: fire watch, fume extraction, hot-work permits, and housekeeping. Confirm with the provider any site-specific rules such as jewellery restrictions or long-hair tying.
Backup plan for equipment failure
Ask in advance what happens if your helmet lens is damaged or your gloves fail inspection. Confirm with the provider whether loaner equipment is available or whether you must bring spares.
Contact details for the provider
Save the test centre phone number and the name of the assessment coordinator in case of travel delays or last-minute questions. Confirm with the provider the best number to call on the morning of the exam.
Plan the day
Re-read the assessment standard or syllabus you were given and list every position, joint, and inspection criterion you will be tested on. Do one or two full practice welds in each required position and record the machine settings that gave the best results, so you can reproduce them under pressure.
Inspect and pack your PPE and tools. Check the helmet lens for cracks or spatter, confirm the gloves are not worn through, and make sure boots are clean and compliant. Replace anything doubtful now rather than on exam morning.
Confirm your registration, candidate number, venue address, reporting time, and the provider's ID and PPE requirements. If anything is unclear, call the provider and get a written confirmation.
Do a light review only - machine settings, safety rules, and inspection criteria. Avoid heavy practice that could leave you fatigued or with sore hands. Pack your bag with ID, confirmation letter, PPE, tools, and any allowed snacks or water.
Plan your route and transport, set two alarms, and aim for a normal night's sleep. Confirm with the provider whether you may bring notes into the holding area or whether all materials must be stored in a locker.
Eat a light breakfast, avoid alcohol and sedatives, and arrive at the venue with time to spare - often 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival window and late-arrival policy.
At registration, present your ID and confirmation, sign any attendance or safety documents, and listen carefully to the briefing. Ask the assessor to clarify any instruction you do not understand before work begins.
Set up your station methodically: check the machine, polarity, wire, gas, and grounding, then arrange tools within reach. Perform each weld in the required position, clean between passes, and inspect your work before moving on.
Manage time by allocating a fixed block to setup, each weld, and final inspection. If a weld goes wrong, stay calm, follow the provider's rule on rework or replacement, and do not attempt unauthorised repairs.
Clean your station, return loaner tools, and collect your belongings. Ask the assessor when and how results will be communicated, and note any feedback offered for future practice.
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID matching your registration name; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether expired ID is refused.
Arrive at the reporting time stated in your confirmation. Confirm with the provider the late-arrival and no-show policy, as many centres refuse entry after the briefing begins.
Wear the required PPE at all times in the workshop, including eye protection, flame-resistant clothing, gloves, and safety boots. Confirm with the provider whether any PPE is supplied or must be brought.
Follow all safety instructions from the assessor, including fire watch, fume extraction, hot-work permits, and housekeeping. Unsafe behaviour may lead to removal from the test.
Work only on your own test piece and do not accept help, tools, or coaching from other candidates. Confirm with the provider what communication is permitted during the test.
Breaks are usually at the assessor's discretion. Confirm with the provider whether scheduled breaks are allowed, whether you may leave the workshop, and whether the clock stops during breaks.
Scoring is based on the inspection criteria in the assessment package, which may include visual inspection and destructive or non-destructive testing. Confirm with the provider the pass criteria, rework policy, and appeals process.
Do not use phones, smartwatches, or notes in the workshop unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider where personal items must be stored during the test.