Hi WBI,
You can indeed spend 5 hours in the phone system, I have a phone bill to prove it. When it's working properly I am sure you are right though. That day they were having a real problem with phones as their number was being answered at the wrong location and all attempts to transfer were unsuccesfull. I bid a few jobs in California last year and the state beaurocracy is as inefficient as any I've dealt with.
Anyway, I took and passed the test yesterday. They said they averaged a 77% failure rate, of the 8 that tested with me, 3 passed, the other 2 took the light gage test. I would add to the good advice above, that the ability to look up answers in the code book quickly is important. On the open book part, you're required to both answer the question and cite the section, table or figure where the answer is found.
JT, Congrats on passing.
WBI, Yes there was a sign.
OK let me modify that comment about the sign. I never saw it in the two years when I helped administer the exam from 1982 to 1984. During that period some of the tests were given where Plumbing Inspectors sat in the mornings. Maybe it was their sign ;-)
Congrats on passing the test JT. That test has been intentionally difficult for several years. The idea is that a welder can be given a plan or WPS and told to go build it with some assurance that it will be done right. Lately, especially on public works jobs, there are superintendents or project managers who come from totally unrelated trades. Imagine waiting for a painter to explain a weld symbol. It's happened.
As for the phone center, it always helps to have the name of a person or operating section to ask for directly. Unfortunately, bureaucrats tend to hide and not tell people where they are. In Los Angeles, if you want to know about building trade licenses, ask for "Licensing" If you want to know about fabricators or materials testing ask for "Materials Control" BTW Materials Control also writes and administers the welders test.
WBI:
The sign was ther for a short period in 1988 or 89, I'm getting old. Severeal of my students pointed it out when they were testing. I would take the test myself even though I already had my license. This was to keep up with the test material.
Please note this was not for the purpose of memorization, trying to keep up with current test data was all. I strictly disdain memorization in lieu of learning and studying, and still do 15 years later.
I admire your ethics and feel confident that some of that attitude was instilled in your students. It's nice to know that there are people out there who are serious in their approach to a job and pass it along to others. Unfortunately, there are also those who look for the short cuts and would rather learn simple answers than learn how to deal with questions. It's probably the last lot that cause the tests to be re-written every time a new code comes out.
My question is, does the written exam ask too much of a welder? Some of the questions seem more suited to a CWI
I don't think it's so much asking too much of the welder as it is asking the wrong thing. It's ridiculous, in my opinion. But it's their ball and bat so if you want to play...
The closed book general welding questions are appropriate, but what purpose does it serve to make the welder display an ability to look up answers in the code book quickly? You don't have to know the answers to any of the code related questions, you only need to look the answer up and cite the section, table ect where you found it. He will never need to do this on the job, he doesn't even need to ever lay eyes on the code again.
I think it would be of greater value to ask more, and more difficult welding questions that relate to the work the welder will be doing.
Make it as hard as you want, but make it relevant.
JTMcC.
DGXL is familiar with some of those tests out there on the west coast, but I think he might be out of town as I haven't seen him on here in a week or so. I'm sure when he gets back he could shed some light on what is required of you at those testing sites. There are some other folks that monitor this forum that live and work out that way, maybe someone will offer some info for you.
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