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Review for the CWB Welding Inspector Level 1 Advancement 10 day Course
Here’s a quote from the 10-day pamphlet that I find did not live up to its standards “World-Class teaching and knowledge from our CWB instructors”.
As an experienced 10yrs welder I took the course and found the instructor horrible and useless! I might as well have studied the modules at home and that would have saved me the $2, 000 I wasted on this ridiculous 10-day course! The instructor spent more time discussing irrelevant topics rather then helping people understand the scope of being able to write the module exams.
Here’s what you can expect with the 10-day course that the CWB Client Service Advisors are not very clear in telling you in the beginning:
1) Expect to write 1-2 close book module exams per day (a module can consist of 50-200 pages)
2) Having the modules written in the Queen’s English doesn’t help!
3) Very heavy course load for 10 days. Other experience welders and engineers found this difficult. Out of 16 people who took the course with me, so far today only 2 have passed.
4) If you fail a module you have the option to re-write it ONCE the next day, but if you fail that re-write you can only re-write it again at the end of the 10-day course.
5) If you have exam module related questions don’t expect the instructor to answer your question, as the "World Class" instructor would always respond back by telling you to refer to the module – what good does that do when you already know that and were expecting a instructor to provide you knowledge and guidance to help you succeed in writing the module exams.
6) An old semi-blind instructor teaching the course who can’t even see the overhead projector.
7) If you want to review a failed module you can do it at the expense of $75 per each module.
Once you pass the 10-day course it doesn’t get any easier when you go and write your code exams. In my opinion this is the “CASH COW” period of the CWB. Here’s what you can expect:
1) Poorly qualified Client Service Advisors at the call-center who repetitively give you the wrong information ie. Exams results, Not being accurate with what to expect when re-writing your code exams.
2) Re-writing the code exams multiple times – don’t expect to pass at the first try! If you do, then you must be a friend of the person marking your test. But here’s the down low of what you need to know about the way CWB runs the exam schedule (Remember passing mark for ALL exams is 70%):
- Round 1: Write your specific code book exams (open book)+ practical (visual) exam
- Round 2: If you fail Round 1, then you only need to re-write the ones you fail for a “low” cost of $250. TIP: remember don’t rely on the Client service ladies when you call in for your exam results, as they generally give you the wrong information (Which is hard to understand when they are reading your marks off the computer- makes you question their competency). Make sure you get the hard-copy in the mail to know what you actually passed and failed.
- Round 3: If you fail Round 2 you will need to pay another $250 to re-write all the code exams (open book), practical (visual) exam + a BONUS random 50 multiple choice close book exam on the 10-day module course you took…ohhhh and what the Client service ladies forget to mention again is that with the 50 multiple choice questions there is an ADDITIONAL 10 essay question (50 multiple choice = 50% + the 10 essay questions = 50%).
- Round 4: If you fail Round 3, pay another $250 to re-write only what you failed. Don’t forget my “Tip” from round 2 section.
- After Round 4 if you fail, you have to repeat Round 3 and 4 again until either you lose the patience to keep trying or you run out of money. REMINDER: You have 1 year from the time you finish the 10-day course to get your certification and if you can’t accomplish that then you would need to re-register and pay approx. $380 to re-write only the code exams + practical (visual) exam. If you fail this time around again, expect to have a repeat of everything starting from Round 2.
3) Don’t expect CWB to offer you practice code exams to help you prepare to write and re-write the code exams as they don’t have any practice code exams to offer! What sort bureau who makes tons of money from the many people throughout Canada having to write and re-write exams don’t have practice code exams to offer people? = CASH COW!
Hopefully after reading this it has made things more clearly so that you don’t get surprised by the unexpected but who knows they are the “BUREAU” and can do anything! (As I write this I'm looking over my shoulder) So PLEASE pass this along to anyone else that will benefit from this hidden information.
Sincerely, Anonymous
(FYI - Any sorts of complaints to the CWB call center will most likely get you black listed and make it difficult for you to get your certification)
Hello
I am a journey man scaffold-er and have pretty much no welding experience . I registered for CWB L1 for May 2018.. i have bought all the books and they just sent me a book called exam prep book, which contains all the question and the answers for all the modules. and it also has questions and answers for Practical Welding inspection, verification of material and also acceptance criteria .. has any one had this kind of book sent to them? ( the text book is only 8 chapters ) its the latest and updated version..
Do you want to sell your books?
Hello
I am preparing for ASME B31.1 open book exam can anyone please tell me how to prepare and what type of questions can be asked?
Regarding the open book examination, it is speed exam and quit many of the exams ask to find the wrong choice item or one which cant apply.
that is like answering 4 question for one. I found out it is better to revise the book before the exam.
And I fail practical examination beyond my expectation. Still I have no idea what was wrong on my answer. I ask the agent for review and she told me to pay 108 dollars.I always feel CWB is selling Job not providing a service of education but i was surprised when i heard to pay just to know your mistakes for the exam i already paid.
BY the way another Certifying company CGSB for nondestructive testing, are much different. I myself get explanation on the phone free
the open book exam is a test of speed, and when looking through section VIII & IX of the asme code it is very tough, you get about 2.5 mins per question or you are playing catch up, and after getting a 68.9%, a 69.8%, and then 69%, at $145 a pop, I have to agree with the cash cow deal. also if you are not writing your code exams at a CWB location with computers, expect to wait 2 months for your mark, which makes the year go by very fast especially if you have a job, because taking a full day off every time you want to do a re-write can be tough, especially when they tell the one day a month they hold it in your city, the room is full. took me the full year to get 3 re-writes, guess driving 5 hours to Nisku would have been a better bet. now being told that I must re apply eye tests etc, company reference all over again and prove that I have been working in the industry all over again, when they have my whole file right in front of them, and re write the practical I got 95% on, as well as the closed book that I passed with a 93%, that makes no sense. total rip off. and for your info people 69.8% is not a passing 70%.
Hi. I came across this thread in a search for CWB exams. I have taken these inspector exams multiple times for level 1 and level 2 certification. I did not do courses choosing the self study route and doing the individual module exams. Here are my observations.
1. For the closed book requirement read through the relevant modules at least twice making an effort to absorb the material. For the level 2 exam do a quick read of the level 1 modules as there will be level 1 questions. Rereading of the module material is a definite requirement for any retests.
2. I found the open book exams more difficult than the closed book due the extensive specifications to scan through and the relatively short exam time. A scan or read through of the specifications is definitely recommended to familiarize one with the layout. For the actual open book test use the PDF option and bring a laptop. Bring your power cord and perhaps an extension cord if you do not know the exam room layout. If you do not own an advanced PDF writer/reader download a free advanced reader like pdf Exchange viewer. This software has a convenient search window which outputs a list of occurrences for a given search string allowing one to quickly scan and find the best fit. Practise with the software before the exam.
3. I too failed the practical and also couldn't understand where I went wrong. Luckily my company paid for the 75 dollar review fee. This is a small price to pay especially if you have already spent hundreds on the courses (my own out of pocket cost was close to 2000 for module materials and exam fees). For the 75 bucks the bureau rep will show you exactly where you went wrong almost guaranteeing a pass. In my case I did not identify all defects that were present and used the wrong terms. Research the right terms i.e. incomplete fusion, incomplete penetration, excessive convexity, arc strike, spatter etc. Examine all sides and edges of a specimen for defects; identify all even if you think they are not rejectable e.g. tack welds are inspected to the same degree as the actual weld. You really do not lose marks for identifying defects that are not there but don't check off all possible defects for each specimen in the hope of getting the right ones.
Hope this helps.
I recently saw this thread a few months ago and thought, nah, the CWB wouldn't hose people like that. However, after taking the course and failing the practical, yes... the practical, I now agree with him. I know there is no way that I failed the practical without something having gone terribly wrong. So i call in to get my results, you know, to see what I failed, which things were wrong... not looking for an answer key, just wanted to hear what I got wrong repeatedly that lower my score to a fail (because they dock you if it doesn't match their "key") ... Here's the kicker... ready? They want $75 bones to tell me MY results. Cash Cow, I think so. I mean, I already have to rewrite my practical for $110, why the hell do I have to pay 75 bucks for something they can email me. I calling in again tomorrow to speak with a represenative that can, "explain" to me why I have to pay the fee... because the other service agent was unable to tell me, seriously... She just went silent when I asked why I had to pay the fee, and I am a very polite person... Unbelievable.
"i cant believe you couldn't pass an open book exam FOUR TIMES! you must be stupid. I'm glade our country has high standards so idiots like you don't get a free pass. If any [censored] could easily pass an exam that puts him/her in a position of quality control and to uphold standards, don't you think the quality and standards would fall? Rhetorical question [censored]. Maybe next time try!"
Woah... Take it easy there bud! Judging from your grammar and spelling, I'm guessing you're not the smartest either... This guy was simply trying to point out that he wasted $2000 on a course that didn't help him much. The great thing is that you don't necessarily need to take it. This course is meant for people like myself who don't have the required experience to qualify for acceptance into the Inspection program.
Anyway, Is there any chance that the exams for this course might be available to the public? Does anyone know? Even having a study guide version would be handy.
i cant believe you couldn't pass an open book exam FOUR TIMES! you must be stupid. I'm glade our country has high standards so idiots like you don't get a free pass. If any [censored] could easily pass an exam that puts him/her in a position of quality control and to uphold standards, don't you think the quality and standards would fall? Rhetorical question [censored]. Maybe next time try!
What are the chances of reading at home and passing particularly if you have just one year experience as an Graduate Engineer. Can I also get the material from individuals or just from CWB?