Pacific Arc Tig Welding "You will fail weld tests, I've failed many!" In this video he explains the ins and outs of weld tests. For the most part you will be able to retake weld tests. Failing tests will help you learn and understand more. When you fail a test, assess what went wrong and what went well and learn from it. Nerves will get to the best of the best welders when undergoing a weld test. One way to try to cut down the nerves can be confident with your skills while going into the test, try to be relaxed.

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This source is amazing because it shows you don't have to be as serious to do a weld test as you might think, and you can actually be relaxed while still being confident. The thought of the pressure on you to do the best welds possible can be very stressful but I love how he demonstrates what the best thing is for you to do to help with those nerves. When he claims "You will be able to retake weld tests" is something I feel a lot of welders starting out don't always realize. This video is a great demonstration on tips to be able to become a better welder.

CITATION:

Pacific Arc Tig Welding. "WELDER EXPLAINS how to ACTUALLY pass a welding test." 12 January 2024, WELDER EXPLAINS how to ACTUALLY pass a welding test. Accessed 2 October 2025

When getting ready for a weld test there are a lot of things to take into consideration. "I am often asked, how do you pass a weld test?" Asks Matt Scott (Welding Instructor). Many tests will be presented to you in your lifespan as a welder, each one may have different specifications for it. Some examples are AWS tests, ASME tests and API tests. Every type of test has codes that it must be done by. Before taking a test, you'll want to research what codes you'll be testing to. Being prepared for a test is one of the most important things. It will show how serious you are about it, but you will be ready for it. The root pass of your weld test is the most important pass; it may be something you

want to practice the most.

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This article shows how important certain aspects to weld tests really are. I believe it covers most of the points that will prepare you to go out and be confident in your skills of welding. It shows how being prepared for a weld test is one of the most important parts to a weld test and something to take very seriously. It also describes how to come ready, but it also shows things you can do while welding that will improve the outcome and what to practice with to be ready. This example shows how important a root pass is, "The first pass in a weld test, known as the root pass, is the most critical. The last thing a welder wants to do is leave a flaw here."

CITATION:

Scott, Matt. "How to Pass a Welding Test" How to Pass a Welding Test: Expert Tips and Techniques | American Welding Society. Accessed 2 October 2025

A 3G weld test is very specific and something all welders will run into. Some things you need to be aware of to perform a good 3G weld test are, the positioning of the plates are in a vertical position. Triangle Engineering explains what happens once you pass a test. "Passing the test certifies you to weld in the 3G (vertical) position for groove and fillet welds." Some things you will want to know prior to the tests are the thickness of the material and the process of welding you will be tested on. These two things are crucial, you'll want to sharpen your skills in the specified process prior to the test and be prepared with the thickness of the metal.

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I believe this article describes very well what the 3G position is and how you should be ready to take the test for it and not only does it describe what must be done for this test but prepares you for how you should be ready for other tests. It doesn't just tell you what must be done but describes it to you so you know what must be done. It makes you aware of the level of weld test you are going to perform. "The 3G weld test assesses your ability to weld vertically, which is often considered one of the more challenging orientations."

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Triangle Engineering. "A Guide to the 3G Weld Test." 24, September 2024, A Guide to the 3G Weld Test: Tips & Tricks to Help You Pass. Accessed 2 October 2025

In this video Kentucky Welding Institute asks different welders questions about how they prepare for doing weld tests. One way to prepare for a welding test is to run the test over two times yourself to get yourself used to, as well as knowing what it should look like. Running pads for practice, just multiple passes to get yourself used to what type of process you'll be tested on is a great way to be ready. "Think of what your main struggles are and try to practice those" Don't think about the weld test too much or it will get in your head.

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The video is very helpful with helping understand the different point of views people have with weld tests and what they do to become better with tests. It shows that not every weld test will be the same and as you start to do more and more of them, they'll start to get easier and won't require as much preparation.

CITATION:

Kentucky Welding institute. "How to Ace Your First Weld Test Like a Pro." 25 October 2024, How to Ace Your First Weld Test Like A Pro - YouTube Accessed 2 October 2025

In this video Kentucky Welding Institute gives 7 tricks to help you to be able to pass a weld test. One major thing is to present yourself properly and prepared. Something even as having the fit up not properly done can majorly impact your weld test. Set up the machine properly to how you know how to run it. One of the most important parts is the root pass. When completing the caping you need to have enough material but not too much.

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This video has lots of very useful information to help you understand what you need to do to be ready for a weld test, and what you can do while taking the test. It highlights being prepared and checking to make sure everything is done properly the way the job wants it to be.

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Kentucky Welding Institute. "7 Tricks to Help You Pass Your Next Weld Test." 8 August 2023 7 Tricks to Help You Pass Your Next Weld Test - YouTube Accessed 20 November 2025

This article explains why weld tests are necessary, and continues to show what type of weld tests there are. Welding inspectors will look for certain things in a weld test, such as cracks, undercut, weld beat shape and porosity. Some common types of tests are bend tests, tensile tests and macro etch test. If someone comes into a weld test with a certification they'll want, you to prove your skills with different positions.

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The article is very good for understanding why you have to do certain things during a weld test to prepare you, so you know what you'd be walking into. This is very important information to know before; it will help you look more sharp and ready for any test handed your way.

CITATION:

NVC Engineering. "Understanding Welding Tests: Types, Procedures, and Certifications" 26 September 2024 Understanding Welding Tests: Types, Procedures, and Certifications Accessed 20 November 2025

When conducting a 6G weld test you want to make sure both sides of the pipe are fully grinded. You want to make sure both pieces are fully flat that way you can have a nice fit up before you tack them together. Breaking the root pass into 4 quarters is good to help them be the same. Positioning is a major factor to properly lay the beads. When the root pass is fully done it is good to grind it out to get out any slag and it will help with the next pass. The next pass is the hot pass. With 7018 on the passes, you want to hug the top of the pipe so it can properly fuse together.

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I found this video very helpful for root passes, there is a lot to know with a root pass, it is not easy. Pipe welding in general is hard, but a root pass on a pipe can be very tricky using 6010 or 7018. There isn't any more you could ask out of a video when trying to get better with 6G weld tests

CITATION:

Weld Tube. "6G Stick Welding Test | Open Root 6010 & 7018" 25 July 2022 6G Stick Welding Test | Open Root 6010 & 7018 - YouTube Accessed 20 November 2025

You need to prepare everything properly when you are going to do a weld test. You want to have a runoff tab for your weld test so you can create a base and get the best of the bead. Immediately after each pass get rid of the slag. If the slag isn't removed on a bend test it will most likely crack. Running a hot pass is very important after the root pass, after the hot pass none of the root pass should be visible. You want to have a lot wider of a hot pass compared to the root. Slag can get stuck the most on the sides of the weld and that's something you want to focus on while doing passes. You always want to test out the machine on scrap metal to be able to know how your machine works.

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This video is very helpful for a 3G weld test which is fairly common for weld tests, a bend test is a lot different. This video shows what you want to properly do for the bend test for each pass, and how you want to clean the slag out and perform each pass.

CITATION:

Weld.com "1 Inch Side Bend Test | 3G Uphill Stick Welding | D1.5" 5 October 2020

1 Inch Side Bend Test | 3G Uphill Stick Welding | D1.5 Accessed 20 November 2025