CWI retest

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Hi All-I'm going back to take my CWI test again...I admit I did take it pretty cold. I was able to get the CWE portion, but, I want to make certain that I'm very prepared this time. Last time I took the seminar in front of the exam and it was ok, though I think they did spend alot of time on fundamentals and as a teacher I'm used to learning vocab words . I want to focus my study on the code and hands on portion and have all the books needed, but, I came across this site with $25 modules for online study. Anyone have any experience with them, are they any good.Thanks for any responses.
Reply:I tried a few of them, seriously i thought they were a joke, the api code portion was all of the API study guide book questions in order, same thing, i thought it was a waste of time and money, they refunded my money.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:Thanks for the response. Next question and here's one that I get a hundred different answers on. I'm an instructors in a new vo- tech high school. We want to run qualification tests that are pre qualed in D1.1. These are marked not for commerical use, because by rights fabricators should cert test my guys to their specific code. Therefore my test is really saying my students have been tested against AWS benchmarks and are deemed proficient. Since I don't certify for commercial or code work, is it acceptable for me to test as a CWE?Thanks for the insights.
Reply:So D1.1 has provisions in it that allow for inspectors one being a current or previous cwi, Canadian welding bureau inspector, or someone who has the qualifications deemed acceptable. Do you have the qualifications to understand D1.1 and inspecting and qualifying welders? Here is what i don't understand about your question, lets think about it this way. If you use prequalified WPS's why can they not be used for commercial use. "they are the same thing" So think about that for a minute. By code criteria the fabricator, contractor has to qualify the people anyway for their job. Since you don't stamp paper work per say, who cares is the actual answer i would deem acceptable.So what you would be providing is a piece of paper that says they passed D1.1 qualifications at your high school. But do they technically need the paperwork? No, what you need to be working on is the SENSE program........Just my opinion.I forgot how to change this.
Reply:I am an instructor and CWI at a community college and do provide and stamp certifications for the students that have gone through the program, and showed consistent proficiency to take a qualification test.   Per code it is the contractors responsibility to test the proficiency of all their welders.  This essentially makes my paperwork from our community college meaningless, right?  However, it DOES show they have successfully passed a qualification test (most of the procedures are prequalified).  It also allows them to add to their resume that they are currently qualified for various processes, that have been administered, visually inspected, and destructively tested by a CWI.  This helps them get a foot in the door to actual test at a shop.Now apply AWS D1.1 Clause 6.1.4 Inspector Qualification Requirements, 6.1.4.1 Basis for Qualification(3) An individual who, by training or experience, or both, in metals fabrication, inspection, and testing, is competent to perform inspection of the workThe engineer can elect to specify the basis of inspector qualification and this would be specified in the contract documents.You are well within your professional capacity to produce any paperwork showing results of a student qualification test. It's a grey area, but It would technically hold the same weight as my paperwork...keyword is 'technically'.  My opinion is that the CWI stamp is a critical component to the weight of these pieces of paper.  Conversely the quality of the welders you produce are also a critical component to the weight of these pieces of paper.  I apologize if I have given no clear opinion, but again, it's a grey area.  My advice, retake the test ASAP and get the stamp.  Problem solved. With the handbooks and study materials you have you should be able to prepare sufficiently.  What code are you testing to?  I always advocate D1.1 because it is one of the most widely used codes in the world.Jay DavisAWS-CWIC-60 Specialty Welding ContractorLoving husband, and father of two boys (