S.Workman,

I'll give you some invaluable advice that a good freind of mine gave to me when I was preparing to test a few years ago.

First, you mentioned the D1.1 in your post so I am assuming that this is what you intend to test with. Don't!!! Opt for the API 1104 if it is not too late. It will make no difference on your certifacation. The difference is do you want to have to search through 360 some odd pages of code or 80? I don't have the excact quantities right but you get the idea. Once you become an inspector you can inspect to any code so don't feel that just because you presently deal in structural that you must use D1.1.

Secondly, take your time! You will have two hours on each part which is more than enough if you are prepared. When you finish go back and check anything you were not sure of.

Third, beware of "trick" questions especially in the open book portion. What I mean is you will some times be asked to refrence a chart for some info but make darn sure you check the footnotes! This is where all the little exceptions are hidden. If you are in to big of a hurry you will overlook these and lose valuable points.

Don't hesitate to challenge questions, time permitting, of course, if you feel a question was worded funny. For example I challenged an X-Ray question becuase of poor photo quality. Study hard, get plenty of rest and you'll be fine.

Hope this helps. Good luck and God bless!

Beracah

I will respectfully disagree with the previous post. Just because the 1104 is smaller, does not necessarily make it easier. Having used the code in the past, I did not find it as straight forward as the other codes such as D1.1. When I ran a training class for CWI candidates, we always tried to influence the candidate to use the code they were most familiar with, not just use the D1.1 that we covered in our classes. The good thing about the code book part is usually the answer in the book will be quoted on the answer sheet so you can have pretty good confidence when you find it. And you can bookmark and/or tab your code book any way you want. As stated before, be sure you read the footnotes!!!

"Trick" question can be ones that are worded such as "Which of the following is not...?". On the math, be sure you convert your answer to metric and imperial as both answers may be given. Use a calculator you are familiar with, but just make sure it is legal (does not perform conversions automatically). Read every answer even if the first answer sounds right. They are looking for the best answer, not just a correct answer (if you understand what I mean). Two hours is plenty of time if you are prepared. Study hardest on what you do not know naturally. What comes naturally should not be a problem. I was an inspector so code book and NDE was a breeze. The welding and metallurgy was what I studied hardest.

Be sure you keep good track of what question you are answering on your answer sheet. This becomes a problem for some when they skip a question. You can scratch all in your test booklet so use that to make notes. When you start the test you want to give yourself the opportunity to read every question. Go through the whole test. Do not hesitate to skip a question if you are not SURE of the answer. If you are not sure, skip it and come back. That way if you do find yourself feeling pressed for time, you will already have read every question and answered the ones you had confidence in. You will often find the similar questions asked a couple of different ways which can help you.

Bring your own flashlight for the hands on. Zero the micrometer before you use it. READ their code book. It is similar but not exactly like any other code. DO NOT go from memory! Even if the weld is ugly, it may not be rejectable. Even if it is pretty, it may not be acceptable. Judge each weld by the given criteria.

And finally, do not panic if you don't know a few answers. The fundamental is 150 question so you can miss 45 questions and still pass. The other 2 tests are 46 questions so you can miss 13 and still pass. If you are reasonably competent and prepared, it should not be that hard. Good luck!!!