Year 2 Exam Study Guide — master what the exam actually tests, concept by concept.
Construction sites are one of the most hazardous work environments in Canada. Fall protection, scaffold safety, struck-by and caught-in hazards are among the leading causes of fatalities. This section ensures you can identify hazards, apply controls, and know the regulations that protect workers.
Shielding gas protects molten metal from oxygen and nitrogen in air, preventing oxidation and porosity. Knowing what each component does — not just what it is — helps you diagnose failures, specify replacements, and explain your work to inspectors and clients.
Back-gouging removes the first root pass to expose defects and allow a new root pass for complete fusion. Knowing what each component does — not just what it is — helps you diagnose failures, specify replacements, and explain your work to inspectors and clients.
Forward angle (drag) improves shielding, penetration, and bead appearance. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Building codes, fire codes, and workplace regulations define the minimum standards that protect occupants and workers. These aren't guidelines — they're legal requirements. Knowing your applicable codes means fewer failed inspections, less rework, and a professional reputation that lasts.
CE = C + Mn/6 + Cr/5 + Mo/5 + V/15; predicts hardness and hydrogen cracking risk. Memorize this formula and practise substituting values — exam questions often give you three variables and ask you to solve for the fourth.
CE = C + Mn/6 + Cr/5 + Mo/5 + V/15
CSA W59 allows undercut ≤0.5mm deep and not exceeding 25% of nominal wall thickness. Understanding and applying code requirements correctly ensures your installations pass inspection and meet legal obligations in your jurisdiction.
Porosity results from gas entrapment due to moisture, poor gas coverage, or contaminated surfaces. Troubleshooting is a systematic process: identify symptoms, narrow down causes logically, and verify your diagnosis before replacing parts. This logical approach is what examiners want to see.
Generally, hardness above 50 HRC significantly increases hydrogen cracking susceptibility. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Burn-through results from excessive heat, gap too large, or travel speed too slow. Troubleshooting is a systematic process: identify symptoms, narrow down causes logically, and verify your diagnosis before replacing parts. This logical approach is what examiners want to see.
Structural calculations, material quantities, load calculations, and slope determinations are all part of journeyperson knowledge. These questions test your ability to move between units, apply geometric principles, and size materials correctly for the application.
Heat input (kJ/mm) = (V × A × 60) / travel speed; measured in kJ/mm or J/mm. Memorize this formula and practise substituting values — exam questions often give you three variables and ask you to solve for the fourth.
mm) = (V × A × 60) / travel speed
Impact strength (Charpy test) measures resistance to brittle fracture at low temperatures. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Proper voltage and amperage balance, along with correct gas shielding, minimizes spatter. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Typical root opening is 2-4 mm to allow complete root penetration and fusion. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
WPS documents all essential variables: process, material, diameter, amperage, voltage, gas, travel speed, technique. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
Construction materials have specific strengths, limitations, and proper applications. Choosing the wrong adhesive, fastener, or structural member isn't just a quality issue — it can be a structural failure waiting to happen. Know your materials.
Argon + 5% CO₂ is standard for mild steel GMAW, providing good arc stability and penetration. Understanding and applying code requirements correctly ensures your installations pass inspection and meet legal obligations in your jurisdiction.
Wire feed speed directly controls the amperage and travel speed, affecting heat input and weld characteristics. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
GMAW operates at 18-30 volts depending on wire diameter and shielding gas. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Self-shielded FCAW wires contain flux that produces protective gas; gas-shielded require external shielding gas. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Plates above 6mm typically require V-bevel (30-35°) or double-V to ensure full penetration. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Thermal stresses from rapid heating and cooling create permanent distortion, especially in thin or long welds. Troubleshooting is a systematic process: identify symptoms, narrow down causes logically, and verify your diagnosis before replacing parts. This logical approach is what examiners want to see.
Peening can relieve some residual tensile stress and reduce distortion tendency. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Preheat reduces cooling rate, allowing hydrogen time to diffuse out and preventing delayed cracking. Knowing what each component does — not just what it is — helps you diagnose failures, specify replacements, and explain your work to inspectors and clients.
Interpass temperature limits vary by material and thickness; typically 150-300°C to control hardness. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
Low-hydrogen electrodes (7018) minimize hydrogen in the weld, preventing cold cracking. Knowing what each component does — not just what it is — helps you diagnose failures, specify replacements, and explain your work to inspectors and clients.
Arrow side refers to the side the arrow points to; other side is the opposite; above line for fillet size. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Rapid cooling creates martensite (hard, brittle); slow cooling forms pearlite (softer, tougher). On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Tempering reduces hardness and brittleness while maintaining reasonable strength. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
GMAW uses DCEP (electrode positive) for better arc stability and penetration. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Fillets join perpendicular surfaces; groove welds fill prepared bevels in same-plane joints. Being able to compare options and explain the trade-offs is a sign of genuine trade knowledge — and exactly what Red Seal examiners look for.
Lamellar tearing occurs in thick materials with high restraint and through-thickness tensile stress. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
UT bounces sound waves through material to detect internal discontinuities. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
Porosity from improper shielding or surface contamination is most common in GMAW. Material selection directly affects performance, code compliance, and longevity. Using the wrong type can fail an inspection or create a hazard down the line.
The three factors for hydrogen cracking: hardenable steel (high C or alloys), hydrogen source, and tensile stress. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Flux is removed with stainless steel wire brush while the weld is warm but safe to handle. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Flux coating provides shielding, stabilizes arc, contributes alloys, and forms slag. Safety regulations exist because the consequences of ignoring them are severe — injury, death, or legal liability. Know these requirements the way you know your own name.
Tapering current at the end of a pass fills the crater and prevents cooling cracks. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Mild steel melts around 1450-1550°C, but the weld pool operates at higher temperatures. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) uses inert shielding; MAG (Metal Active Gas) uses reactive shielding. Being able to compare options and explain the trade-offs is a sign of genuine trade knowledge — and exactly what Red Seal examiners look for.
Quality construction depends on proper sequence, technique, and workmanship standards. Whether it's concrete curing, wood framing, or tile installation — how you do it determines how long it lasts. These questions test the procedural knowledge that defines trade-level competency.
Weld sequence controls stress patterns and can minimize distortion. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
Dark areas on radiographs indicate low-density defects like porosity, cracks, or lack of fusion. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
PQR (Procedure Qualification Record) documents what was welded, how, and test results proving acceptability. On the job, a solid grasp of this concept means faster decisions, fewer errors, and work that passes inspection the first time.
All 40 exam concepts from this guide — test your recall before you sit the exam.