Hi Thirdeye and others,
Just a heads up. The number of questions on the API 1104 is soon to be increased in a matter of weeks or days from 46 to 60 questions, which is more than total currently offered on the D1.1 exam. It has been long known that the 1104 exam (primarily due to the number of pages in 1104 vs. number of pages in D1.1) is easier to complete in the 2 hour time period allowed on the exam. The Certification Committee is quite aware of this disparity and has recently taken the first steps to fix this by making the 1104 exam more challenging. I have just taken the new 1104 exam which is soon to be used, and it is much more challenging than the previous one, incorporating information from both Apppendices A (Alternate Acceptance Criteria) and B (Inservice Repairs), which were not previously included. I encourage all to read Bob Wiswesser's article in the most recent issue of Inspection Trends. Bob is Chairman of the Certification Committee, I know and work with him on various AWS programs, and he tells it like it is. The winds are changing and new Code options (primarily ASME Codes) are soon to be offered. The D1.5 (Bridge Code), and D15.1 (Railcars)) have always been available, though D1.1 and 1104 have been most popular. The AWS instructors such as myself are in the process of adjusting our training classes and materials to accommodate the more challenging API 1104 exam as well as the new exams for ASME B31.1, B31.3, and ASME VIII, all of which contain questions on ASME IX. Stay tuned into the changes. I think they are significant.