Ā Introduction to API 577 – Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
In this module, you shall learn about:
Body of Knowledge
Reference Codes and Standards
Exam TipsĀ
Ā Introduction to API 577 – Welding Inspection and Metallurgy
In this module, you shall learn about:
API 577 certificationĀ is aimedĀ at guiding API authorized inspector on welding inspection issues such as repair of piping, pressure vessel, storage tank and the like.
API RP 577 covers:
API statistics shows an average pass rate of around 50%.
There are already several globally established welding inspector qualifications (CWI & CSWIP). Both CWI & CSWIP as well as API 577 have more or less similar syllabus.
API 577 has additional information about in service welding inspection, metallurgical and mechanical properties with emphasis on ASME V for NDE examinations and ASME IX for WPS, PQR and WPQ verification.
API 577 does not claim to be a substitute for above welding inspection courses, but by certifying as an API 577 Inspector, you can increase your chances of passing CSWIP or CWI Qualifications significantly plus enjoying the benefits of double certification in welding.
If you donāt have any welding inspector qualification, then, this course is a great way to start.
Exam Questions are based on:
API Recommended Practice 577, Welding Processes, Inspection, and Metallurgy, 3rd Edition, October 2020
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC), 2021 edition ā Section IX, Welding, Brazing, and Fusing Qualifications: Part QW only.
Note: Although, there is no mention of ASME V since this is already covered within API RP 577, we have nevertheless brought a few lessons, so you know where the NDT topics are coming from.
If you hold a current API 510, 570 or 653 certifications, you shall automatically qualify to take the API 577; otherwise please refer to the table below prior to submitting an application.
The minimum experience required MUST be documented on your application and should have been gained within the last 10 years.
You are scored on the following areas:
API 577 exam tests the individualās knowledge and expertise in the field of welding and metallurgy.
You are expected to:
The following modules presented during the training to cover the body of knowledge. The modules are numbered based on API 577 to make comparison easy for you:
API 577 Welding inspection course is worth 30 Hours of study and has 92 Lectures; 4 Hours of Video Clips; 1700 Flash Cards and 600 Timed Mock Exam Questions plus a certificate of achievement.
The API 577 examination is specifically aimed at verifying your competency on welding issues.
It is not aimed at verifying whether you can memorize numbers and formulas. After all, what is the point of memorizing when you can easily find them in the relevant document?
Exceptions would be the important everyday knowledge that you are expected to know.Ā For example: āChlorine and fluoride content of PT consumables shall be less than 1% for austenitic materialsā or āThe temperature difference between the probe and ambient temperature shall be maximum 25ā or 15āā.
Exam Questions are based on API RP 577 Welding Inspection and Metallurgy, and ASME IX for WPS, PQR, WPQ and Material (P, F & A Numbers). We have also explained ASME V for Non Destructive Examinations that has been brought in API 577 so you know where these are coming from.
If you wish to attend our classroom training, then, here is our course schedule:
Exam and study tips; Terms and Definitions; Welding Inspection; Welding Processes; Welding Procedure; Welding Materials; Welder Qualification.
Non-destructive Examination; Metallurgy; NDE for Welds; Metallurgy; Welding Issues; Practice Exams (sets of Course material practice exams to cover the body of knowledge and important topics).
Mock exam; review of questions; Q&A.
Each day consists of 4 sessions. Each session lasts 1 hour 50 minutes with 20 minutes break.
API 577 and ASME IX are noted as the only reading material for the exam.
However, the following codes and reference titles need to be memorized, because API may want to verify if you know which code and RP (Recommended Practice) to refer to for an specific issue.
For example, you should know that API 578 is the RP to refer to for PMI (Positive Material Identification).
Below please find the potential questions that may come from following codes and titles.
API 510, Pressure Vessel Inspection Code; API 574 RP is about inspection practices
ASME Section VIII, Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels;
Remember, ASME VIII is for construction while API 510 is for repair and maintenance, they are both codes which means they are mandatory. API 510 is largely based on ASME VIII.
API 570,Piping Inspection Code
ASME B31.3, Rules for the Process Piping Code
API RP 578, For Material Verification or Positive Material Identification (PMI)
API 650, Standard for storage tank (Construction code)
API RP 582, Welding Guidelines for oil and gas
ASME Section IX, Code for verification of welding procedure and welder qualification (WPS/PQR and WPQ)
NDE Technician Qualifications are based on one of the following guidelines who require more or less the same level of experience, training and examination for NDE Technicians
ASNT SNT-TC-1A is a guideline and the basis for written practice for qualification of NDE personnel
ASNT CP-189 is a standard version of the SNT-TC-1A guideline
ISO 9712 (replaced EN 473) is the European standard for qualification of NDE personnel
You should also know about:
There is no negative marking; therefore, it is advisable to answer all the questions. You can increase your chances by narrowing down the possible correct answers by striking off the obvious wrong choices. During the exam, hold the mouse on possible wrong answers and right click. This would strike them off helping you to concentrate on the remaining possible answers.
All API questions are multi choice (4 possible answers). API never uses terms such as āā none of the aboveā or āall of the aboveā as possible answer.
Remember that all questions carry equal mark. For example, a simple question asking for symbol of Magnesium (Mg) or Manganese (Mn) has equal mark as that of a half a page long question.
Although, time management should not be an issue because the exam is 3.25 hours or 195 minutes long for 110 questions, that is, roughly 1.5 minutes per question.Ā Nevertheless, before ending the exam, you may wish to keep the pace and also allow some time for reviewing all the questions once again or at least that question that you are in doubt.
Hence, it is recommended to flag off those question that is taking considerable time and come back to them at the end. Note: there is a flag off bottom below each question.
When solving the doubtful questions, try to understand as why a particular answer may be right while the other three given answers should be wrong. Eliminate wrong answers to increase your chances of picking the correct answer.
Please note that sometimes the wrong answer is quite a valid statement, but it is the wrong answer simply because it is either not relevant to the question or the question asked is in negative form (NOT). Hence, it is very important that you carefully read and understand the question.
Some exam API questions contain irrelevant information. This is not aimed to confuse you but to verify whether you can differentiate between relevant and irrelevant information in an actual scenario.
Some questions are solely based on your experience as an inspector. Remember that all certifications require certain level of experience in addition to the education and knowledge. We shall provide picture and videos to enhance your field experience.
API intends to verify your understanding of principles and theory; interpretation and evaluation; so mere memorizing the facts and figures of the study materials does not really help.
Although a few questions may come straight from the API study material, most questions are either rephrased or brought within a context or in a scenario or the question and answer are swapped. Hence, it is very important that you have a clear understanding of fundamentals.
Time management is not normally of great importance since The API 577 exam is 3.25 hours long to answer 110 questions, of which only 100 are scored. The remaining 10 are pre-test, which are not scored. These questions are shuffled so you wonāt know which questions are scored and which one not scored.Ā This leaves you with approximately 1.5 minutes or 100 seconds maximum. Please note that time using the toilet, checking out and in, commenting on any question, reviewing the questions, etc. is coming off your allowance. For better time management, flag off those questions you are not sure of and revisit them once you have completed all other questions. Try to eliminate the absolute wrong answers by negative reasoning in order to increase your chances of getting the answer right.
Remember that all questions carry equal marks and the minimum passing grade is around 70% (minimum 400 on a scale of 500), so, it is logical to attempt smaller questions quickly and then in the remaining time, try re-attempting those questions that are longer, more complicated, or you are simply stuck spending too much time on it without any progress.
Although education can offset for less experience, you should appreciate the fact that unless one does not have real hands-on experience in the field, it would be difficult to āāFEELā the underlying reasons behind some of the codes, standards and recommended practices. The experience is gained through observation, power of deduction and is eventually a common sense really. To complement you experience, we shall provide several video clips and illustration to enhance your field experience.