ARAMCO COMPUTER BASED TESTING (CBT)

INSPECTOR QUALIFICATION GUIDANCE

Scope:
Scope of this document is to provide a guidance on the process of Inspectors Qualification through Computer
Based Testing (CBT).
Aramco have established a contract with Third Party Vendor “Pearson VUE” to provide service of Computer Based
Testing (CBT) for the qualification (Theory Exams) of Inspectors. These Inspectors must pass relevant Aramco
examinations before they are able to perform related inspection activities on behalf of Aramco. Pearson VUE will
facilitate in scheduling of exams for CBT in one of their authorized test centers worldwide.
Note: This Document in no mean will replace existing General inspection Service contract or Project Contract
obligations with regards to Inspectors Minimum Qualification Requirements. This document is to provide only a
guidance on the CBT process.

Inspectors Qualification process:

 Quality Professionals who wish to be registered and qualified as Inspectors in Aramco system should enroll their
profile first with one of the Inspection agencies or Project Contractors.
 Inspection agency or project contractor will submit a formal request for Inspector qualification exams to one of
the Aramco Regional offices (AOC, ASC, SAO, AAJ, or one of PID inspection offices). The inspection agency or
project contractor shall verify compliance of proposed inspector with minimum academic, certification, and
experience qualification criteria requirements set by Aramco. Request should include supporting documents
(such as list of QM codes to be examined, CV, certificates where applicable, correct personal details of the
candidates, Privacy notice signed by candidate, etc…).
 Aramco will prescreen the received request from inspection agency or project contractor. Upon ensuring
compliance to minimum academic, certification, and experience qualification requirements, Aramco will reply
to the request with authorization confirmation and authorized examinations that can be registered by the
candidate in Pearson VUE website.
 The authorization confirmation may include inspector’s unique registration number created by Aramco
(commonly called SAP number). The registration number is created to track inspector qualification process and
shall not be confused as indication of inspector approval.
 The requesting inspection agency or project contractor shall ensure that information is only shared with the
candidate taking the exam.
 Candidate shall ensure that all information provided to Aramco is matching with information registered in
Pearson VUE which also must match the candidate’s required photo ID(s) used to enter the exam.
 Candidate will schedule appointment and make payment for the exam. Note: candidates shall ensure checking
the registration data and verify it is exactly matching the information provided in the authorization
confirmation by Aramco.
 Candidate Takes Theory exam at Authorized test center.
 Once exam is completed, the candidate will receive test completion receipt from Pearson VUE CBT facility.
Confirmation of exam completion and clear scan of the test completion
 Receipt shall be submitted to the Aramco inspection office by e-mail as advised in the authorization
confirmation e-mail.
 Aramco will review the test results and notifies of interview schedule. The inspection agency or project
contractor may request to change interview date and/or venue 2 days before the scheduled interview.
Candidate availability is important to be able to achieve the proposed target of 2 weeks between receiving of
candidate examination completion receipt and inspector final qualification results.
 Final result Pass / Fail of each exam will be shared through candidates registered inspection agency or project
contractor upon completion of both theory and Interview.
Admissions, Re-Scheduling and Cancellation Policies
Admissions
We ask that Candidates arrive at the test center 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. This will
give candidate adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If candidate arrive more than 15
minutes late from their appointment start time, candidates may be refused admission and will lose the exam
fees.

Candidates should be prepared to show two (2) valid forms of personal ID.
a) One form as a primary ID (with name, photo and signature)
b) One form as a secondary ID (with name and Photo)

Primary ID must:
c) Contain candidate photograph,
d) Contain candidate name in English or regional language where test center located.
e) Be valid (i.e. not expired).

Acceptable Primary IDs include:

 Passport
 Government-issued photo card driving license
 Government-issued national ID card (only accepted if the card is issued in the country where candidate are
testing)
 Employee ID

The name on candidate ID must exactly match the name with which candidate registered for their exam. If
candidate are unsure whether their ID is acceptable, please contact Pearson VUE customer Service before the
day of their exam.
No personal items may be taken into the testing room. This includes all electronic devices, bags, books, notes,
phones, pagers, money, tissues, pens, watches and wallets.

Attachment – A
Candidates Tutorial
Body of Knowledge

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) SP 2, Hand Tool Cleaning

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) SP 1, Solvent Cleaning

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) SP 3, Power Tool Cleaning

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) SP 11, Power Tool Cleaning to Bare Metal

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) SP 10, Near-White Blast Cleaning

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC), Paint Manual, Vol. 1

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) PA 2, Measurement of Dry Paint

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) PA 1, Shop, Field and Maintenance Painting

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) PA 4, Guide to Maintenance Repainting with Oil Base or Alkyd
Painting Systems

 Steel Structures Painting Council (SSPC) Vis-1 Guide, Pictorial Surface Standard Dry Blast Cleaning

 American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 1400-94,Test Method for Nondestructive
Measurement of Dry Film

 American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) G62, Standard Test Methods for Holiday Detection in
Pipeline Coatings

 American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 3359, Standard Test Methods for. Measuring Adhesion
by Tape
 American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 337, Standard Test Method for Measuring Humidity
with a Psychometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Temperatures)
 Sample questions for CBT:

1) What is the meaning of Corrosion?

Ans: Corrosion is the deterioration of a material, usually a metal reaction with environment
2) Surface preparation includes a) Solvent cleaning, b) flame cleaning, c) chemical cleaning, d)
brushing, e) abrasive blasting, e) water blasting, e) sanding d) ALL (CLICK whichever applicable)

Ans: All of the above

3) What are the methods followed for Paint application?

Ans: Airless spray, Conventional Spray, Brush, Roller

4) Why surface temperature is considered so important during paint application.

Ans: Temperature have significant (Important) impact on the surface preparation and Coating Operations
5) What is the meaning of

Due point temp:

The temperature at which air becomes saturated and produces dew.
Relative Humidity:
The amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for saturation
at the same temperature.
6) What is RFI and why considered this as important document?
Request For Inspection

(A) Must describe with reasonable particularity each item or category of items to be inspected;
(B) Must specify a reasonable time, place, and manner for the inspection and for performing the related
acts

7) SAES means : Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

8) SAEP means : Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure

9) SAIC means : Saudi Aramco Inspection Check List

10) SATIP means : Saudi Aramco Typical Inspection Plan

11) SATR means : Saudi Aramco Test Report

12) NCR means Non Conformation Report (Describe)

13) SIS 05 5900: Pictorial Standards

14) SSPC Vis – 1 : Stands Guide and Reference Photographs for Steel Surfaces Prepared by Dry
Abrasive Blast Cleaning

15) SSPC SP – 1 : Stands for Solvent Cleaning

16) SSPC SP – 2: Stands for Hand Tool Cleaning

17) SSPC SP – 3 : Stands for Power Tool Cleaning

18) SSPC SP – 5 : Stands for White Metal Blasting

19) SSPC SP – 6 : Stands for Commercials Blast Cleaning

20) SSPC SP – 7 : Stands for Brush Of Blast Cleaning

21) SSPC SP – 10 : Stands for Near White Metal Blast Cleaning

22) SSPC SP – 12 : Stands for White Metal Blast Cleaning

23) SSPC PA – 2 : Stands for Measurement of Dry coating thickness gauge with a magnetic

24) Thin film coating ranges:

Coatings with an average dry film thickness of 20 mils (500 microns) or less

25) Thick film coating ranges:

Coatings with an average dry film thickness greater than 20 mils (500 microns)
26) Solvents and coating shall not be applied to surface warmer than……………80…………°C if
practical alternative exists.

27) Respirable air fed hoods shall be worn by all personal inside confined space when solvent cleaning
or brush painting is in progress in a confined space having volume of less than ……………
16…………….M3

28) Air receiver used between compressor and blasting pot shall be manufactured and stamped in
accordance with …ASME SEC VIII D1……… and/or shall have hydro-tested at … 1.73 Mpa (250 .psi)

29) Grounding wire for blasting and coating equipment shall be AWG 4g or larger

30) Coating crew shall have worn : (1-Safety shoes, 2-safety helmet, 3-goggles, 4-ear plug, 5-half sleeve
shirt, 6-half pant, 7-leather hand gloves, 8-disposable full cover cloth) - Tick whichever applicable.

31) Blasting shall be equipped with Remote control shutoff of the DEADMAN type: Yes/NO

32) Airless spray guns shall be pointed at any one or part of his body : Yes / No

33) Paints on human body can be removed by thinner YES/NO

34) Sigma paint’s primer - base can be mixed with Jotun paint’s primer catalyst: YES/NO

35) Maximum working pressure on paint hose, machine shall be less than……5000 psi

36) Solvents shall not be flushed out into container warmer than ……50……….. °C

37) Coating shall not be applied if the steel temperature is less than 10 °C
38) Substrate temperature shall be at least 3 °C above the dew point temperature.

39) Coating materials temporarily can be stored at site under cover/tarpaulin for not exceeding 14. days

40) Sulfate content in abrasives shall be less than 50ppm

41) Chloride content in abrasives shall be less than 50 ppm

42) Calcium carbonate content in abrasives shall be within ……………0.1……. % in weight.

43) Dew points shall be recorded every ……2……….hours.

44) How dew point temperature defects coating? Dew-point temperature. Failure to consider these
parameters can result in severe coating defects

45) Plotter test shall be carried out at 50 (psi) pressure; the distance between blotting paper and nozzle
pressure shall be 45 to 60 cm. The test should be run for 1 minute after running compressor idle for 5
minutes.

46) One bar is equal to --- 14.503773800721815------------- psi

47) Blasted surface shall be painted within -----4-------- hrs after blasting.

48) Spent abrasives normally shall be re-used. Yes/NO. If YES, which APCS allows for it?

49) Blasting profile can be measured by: Dial micro meter with replica tape, Surface profile needle
gauge.

50) Hypodermic needle gauge is used for measuring nozzle pressure

51) Comb gauge is used for measuring wet film thickness

52) Electromagnetic gauge is used for measuring dry film thickness

53) Sling Psychometer is used for measuring wet bulb dry bulb temperature

54) Contact thermometer is used for measuring surface temperature

55) Thermometer is used for measuring surface temperature

56) Pyrometer is used for measuring surface temperature

57) Due point (diaphragm) calculator is used for calculating dew point, relative humidity

58) Coating activities shall not be carried out if the following occurs:

1………………………………. 2…………………………………
3……………………………………
59) Coating skins shall be cut and removed from already opened paint container. Yes/no

60) If sludge formed in bottom of paint container, it shall be continuously stirred until fully homogenous
mix: Yes/No

61) Thinner can be added to paint If paint data sheet does not specify for that … Y/N
62) Paint brush size will be-------5---------inch (maximum)

63) Wet sponge holiday detector is checked with 67.5/ 90 DC volts for DFT not exceeding 500 µ

64) Some buried coatings shall not be 100% holiday checked prior to burial : YES/NO

65) Bare cast iron pipe shall be coated prior to burial in subcase area or other frequently wetted ground.
YES/NO

66) Buried Stainless Steel lines shall have external coated : YES/ NO

67) Pipe to be thrust bored shall be coated YES/NO

68) How many types of tool cleaning performed in surface preparation?

69) What is the formula for finding: DFT = WFT =

70) Find out DFT, if WFT – 150 micron and Volume Solid -50%

71) Find out WFT, if DFT – 75micron and Volume Solid – 50%

72) SAEP 316 stands for coating personnel

73) Use of sand for blasting in Saudi Aramco is permitted. YES/NO.

74) Pre-blast inspections carried out to find: a) OIL/CREASE b) Sharp edges, c) weld spatters, d)
Rust grade, e) Adhesion test f) blasting profile g) DFT ( √ as applicable)

75) Paints exceeded shelf life shall be used for painting : YES/NO

76) Paints which have gelled can be used for painting: YES/NO

77) For quantities less than 5 litres of paint, Power stirrer is required: YES/NO

78) If steel temperature is below 10 deg Celsius, paint can be applied: YES/NO

79) If steel temperature is less than 3 °C above the dew point, paint can be applied: YES/NO

80) Coating can be with dry spray, sagging, pinhole and blisters. YES/NO

81) What is the minimum requirement of airless spray machine raising ratio ……45:1/ 68:1……

82) In repair, below 0.1M2 damage of paint, spot cleaning to be by using …hand power tool and paint
application will be by ….…brush.

83) In repair above 0.1M2 damage of paint, Surface preparation to be by abrasive blasting method and
paint application will be by…………. Spray

84) The maximum length of field girth weld coating on pipeline shall be11 inch or 280.mm

85) The fully remote controlled crawling machine with 2 cameras shall be used for checking of internal
cleaning & coating of piping from …10…… inch dia to ……20…. Inch dia pipe.
86) The weld cap or internal root protrusion shall not be more than ……13 .mm

87) For cleaning of internal surface, sand can be used as abrasives. YES/NO

88) How many readings of DFT shall be taken for one field weld joints? 6 Readings

89) Curing test on FBE can also be checked by MEK…. Soaked pad in contact with coated surface for 1
minute followed by vigorous rubbing for 30 seconds.

90) What is the field adhesion test on FBE? X Cut

91) What is meaning of custom coated pipes?

1) What is the meaning of Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE)?

Fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coating is a powder coating broadly used to provide
protection to pipelines, steel pipes

2) What APCS is followed for internal FBE coating of pipe? 102

3) What APCS is followed for external FBE coating of pipe? 104

4) Vendor shall maintain samples of FBE powder with relevant certificate till 1 year. YES/NO

5) In X-cut test, what is length of 2 incisions?13mm

6) What is the maximum temperature allowed while testing of pipes? 88.C

7) What is the DC volt range for Holiday testing of FBE coating? 2400 volts

92) Coated pipes checked for cracks by using 10X magnificent glass. YES/NO

93) Small defects of FBE coating considered up to ……………………………mm2

94) Large defects of FBE coating considered exceeding ……………………………mm2

95) Damages exceeded the area of 1860 CM2 shall be totally …recoated (discarded/recoated)

96) Feathering of coating damage edge shall be ………50………… mm from bare metal.

97) Steel cables can be used for handling of coated pipes. YES/NO

98) Coated pipes can be dragged and rolled to any extent. YES/NO

99) 12 meter length coated pipe shall have 3… nos of full encirclement separation pad/rope.

100) 24 meter length coated pipe shall have 5 nos of full encirclement separation pad/rope.

101) SAES -H - 100 covers the minimum mandatory coating requirements for the internal &
external protection of industrial facilities inside plants – YES/NO

102) What ASTM Standard Test Methods for Chloride Ion in Water -…STM D 512

103) What ASTM D Standard Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water – ASTM D 516
104) In which Aramco standards have safety requirements in Industrial coating SPES–H- 102

105) What is minimum Nozzle air pressure required for Abrasive blasting ……90 PSI

106) What is the maximum DFT can be used for Low voltage/ Sponge type holiday test; Below
500 microns

107) Inspector shall check and approve the air quality twice per shift of 8 Hours period. YES/NO

108) What is the meaning of (V.S) Volume Solid?

The term Which indicate the proposition of the solid contacting the paints on a volume basis..
109) In High voltage Spark test, what should be the speed of probe during test …30 cm per sec

110) What is meant by curing mechanism :

Convertible coatings cure by one of several polymerization mechanisms, even when solvent
evaporation is also involved. 
111) If coating is too thick, the coating will ….… to crack as it dries,

112) What is the meaning of blistering?

In damp weather, a small quantity of water vapor is absorbed into the paint structure
and is then evaporated again in dry conditions (osmosis).

113) What is the meaning of Sagging?

Over application of paint, excessive thinners, wrong (lack) of curing agent or just poor
workmanship. Could, in extreme circumstances, be a formulation problem.
114) What is pinhole?

o Air trapped in putty.

o Excessive putty film thickness.
o Incorrect spray viscosity for surface materials.
o Excessive surface film thickness.
o Insufficient flash-off between coats

115) What is cracking?

Cracks of various lengths, widths and depths
116) What is chalking?
Decomposition of the binding agents at the paint surface resulting in the release of the
Color pigments. Reds and yellow colors turn whitish and dark blues turn bronze.

117) What is Orange peel?

Poor surface texture of the paint similar to the surface texture of an orange skin.
118) What is cratering?
Trapped air bubbles which have burst to leave small craters as the coating dries. The coating
has insufficient time to flow into a uniform film.

119) What is wrinkling?

Textured paint surface with uneven wave type formation that occurs when the paint surface
dries faster than the substrate coats. This problem only occurs in the presence of
Synthetic enamels.

120) What is peel off & lifting?

Peel off: Loss of adhesion between paint and substrate - topcoat to primer and/or old finish,
or primer to substrate.
Lifting: Surface distortion or shriveling, while the topcoat is being applied or while drying

121) What is the runs?

These are beads, droplets, larger globules or "curtain effect" in the paint finish on
vertical surfaces.

122) SAES-H-001 refers to Coating Selection and application requirements for Industrial Plants
and
Equipment.

123) SAES-H-002 refers to Internal and External coatings for steel pipelines and piping

124) SAES-H-002V refers to coating material & application requirement for industrial facilities

125) SAES-H-003 refers to Protective coating for Industrial Concrete structure

126) SAES-H-101 refers to Approval protective coating systems for industrial plants and
equipment

127) SAES-H-102refers to Safety Requirement for coating applications

128) SAES-H-200 refers to Storage handling and installation of externally coated pipe

129) SAES-H-201 refers to general Specification for over the ditch external and internal FBE
coating of field weld girth.

130) What is the SATIP reference for “Paint application of liquid coating system for Industrial
facilities”?

131) What are the SAICs to be followed in SATIP-H-100-01

132) For blasting nozzle size of 1/2”, what shall be the minimum CFM of compressor?

133) Surface preparation A-Sa2½ is same as of D-Sa2½: Yes/No (Describe why?)

134) What are the responsibilities of Coating Inspectors with regard to Specifications?

135) A mist coat application cannot be used on inorganic zinc to displace the air before over-
coating – TRUE/FALSE :

136) For Girth Weld Applications, Visco-Elastic Coatings Shall Cover 1.5 times the width of the
girth weld bare area for pipe diameter up to 12" and 2 times the width of the girth weld bare area for pipe
diameter greater than 12" – TRUE/FALSE :

137) Define: SA 2 and SA 2.5 in Abrasive Blasting?

Sa 2 Thorough blast cleaning. Almost all mill scale, rust and foreign matter shall be removed.
Finally, the surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, clean dry Compressed air or a clean
brush. It shall be greyish in color and correspond in Appearance to the prints designated Sa 2.

Sa 2½ Very thorough blast cleaning. Mill scale, rust and foreign matter shall be removed to
the extent that the only traces remaining are slight stains in the forms of spots or stripes.
Finally, the surface is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, clean dry compressed air or a clean
brush. It shall the correspond in appearance to the prints designated Sa 2½.

138) What SAES to be referred for “Safety Requirements for Coating Applications”
SAES – H- 102

139) What is minimum Nozzle air pressure required for Abrasive blasting as per SAES-H-100,
90 psi

140) Why feathering or beveling of coating damage edge prepared?

141) Polyamide Epoxy based paint can be over coated on enamel based paints: YES/NO

142) What SAES to be referred for Blotter test, briefly explain the test method?

143) What SAES to be refer for color coding and identification___B067___

144) Inspector shall check and approve the air quality at start and Mid-Point of each _8__ Hours
Period as per Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards.

145) What is meaning of Sacrificial Coating?

A corrosion prevention method in which a metal coating is subjected to preferential corrosion
as a means of protecting the substrate metal.
Sacrificial coatings the process of coating a metal surface with another metal that is more
Likely to be oxidized is referred to as sacrificial coating Cathodic protection replicates the
effects of a sacrificial coating but with a more active metal
146) Mention Generic type ____________________

147) What is the Voltage requirement for Holiday Detection Test for field applied Girth Weld
Coating on H.V.S liquid epoxy (APCS 113A), _________

148) What is the Min-Max .Voltage requirement for Holiday Detection Test on Hand Applied
Tape Wrap of (APCS 113 C), Min…………………. Volts, Max. ………………………….. Volts

149) What is the surface preparation requirement for stopaq (wrapping) application?

150) How many type of cutting angle of TOOK GAUGE blades are used : Define the type , angle
and applicable dry film thickness –

151) What is the meaning of induction time and Pot life?

Time the coating is kept after mixing before application

Amount of time after mixing a two-part paint system during which it can be applied.

152) What is meant by Curing Mechanism :

Coatings that cure by solvent or water evaporation are unchanged chemically during curing.
They are said to be thermoplastic, because they can be softened by heat or by solvent. Chemically
curing coatings are said to be thermosetting, because they are not softened by heating or by solvent.

153) Define the term “Coating”

Paint or coating defined by its protective, rather than its aesthetic properties, although it can
Provide both. A layer of a substance spread over a surface for protection or decoration; a covering
layer.

154) Define the terms “Atomization”

The breakup of a liquid into small particles to produce a fine mist. Paint guns use
compressed air to atomize paint for spraying. 

155) Define the terms “Polymerizations”:

Polymerization is the joining together of a string or structure of repeated units. Main

constituents of the polymers are Hydrogen, carbon, Nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine.
156) How many types of Polymerizations can occurs:

a. Linear polymers,
b. Branched polymers
c. Cross linked polymers

157) Name the coating Non-destructive inspection instruments :

158) Define the Visco-Elastic & adhesive Tape wrap overlapping system for APCS 113C.

159) Difference between Polyamide and polyamine epoxy paints:

160) While repair on touch up of Galvanized steel surface, what generic paint used as primer
Normally

161) What shall be the sizes of hose for compressor to pot, pot to nozzle, and breathing air filter to
blaster’s hood?

162) 4µg/CM2 is equal to ……………………….mg/M2

163) Can Zinc Rich Epoxy can be applied to Austenitic Stainless Steel surface? Why?

164) While surface preparation inspection, what are the test can be carried out?

165) On FBE shop application, what are the coating tests to be carried out?

166) How adjust spray gun?

167) Calculate the size of compressor for following a) 1 Blast nozzle, b) 1 Blast nozzle + 1 Blast
Hood, c) 1 Blast nozzle + 1 Blast hood + 1 Exhaust fan.

168) How many photographs in SSPC VIS-1? 50 full color photos

169) Can we measure 155 microns profile with Replica Tape Method?

170) What is the min & max distance of airless spray gun from the surface?

171) Air Temperature is 32 degree and Relative humidity is 70%. What is Dew point?
a) 26 b) 20 c) 31

172) Airless spray uses which pressure?

 a) 60 to 100 psi
b) 600 to 1000 psi
c) 2000 to 3500 psi

173) What is measured by Zahn cup?

a) % of thinner added
b) Ratio of mixtures
c) ………………………..

174) In ASTM D-714 blistering standard, the value of 6F refers to?