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Leaving Cert Engineering: Non-destructive testing

How often Non-destructive testing comes up on the Engineering papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Engineering course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Non-destructive testing, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Non-destructive testing.

(a)Magnetic particle testing could NOT be used on which material?
  1. Mild steel
  2. Aluminium
  3. Grey cast iron
(b)NDT method that uses X-rays or gamma rays to show internal porosity in a weld?
  1. Dye penetrant testing
  2. Eddy current testing
  3. Radiography
(c)In dye penetrant testing, what is applied after the excess penetrant is removed?
  1. Developer
  2. Magnetic ink
  3. Couplant
Show the answers

(a) Aluminium

(b) Radiography

(c) Developer

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Non-destructive testing.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q3
2024Q3
2023Q3
2022Q3
2021Q3
2019Q2
2018Q2
2017Q2
2016Q2

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Non-destructive testing questions

Non-destructive testing, 3 marks

Eddy current testing is especially suited to?

  1. Finding deep flaws in the middle of thick castings
  2. Testing plastic mouldings for hidden air bubbles
  3. Fast checks of tubes, rods and aircraft skins for cracks
Show the answer

Fast checks of tubes, rods and aircraft skins for cracks

An AC coil induces eddy currents near the surface; a crack changes them. It is quick and needs no contact, but only works on conductors and near the surface.

Non-destructive testing, 3 marks

In magnetic particle testing, a crack shows up best when it lies?

  1. In any direction equally
  2. At right angles to the magnetic field
  3. Parallel to the magnetic field
Show the answer

At right angles to the magnetic field

A crack across the field makes flux leak out, gathering the particles. A crack along the field barely disturbs it, so parts are tested in two directions.

Non-destructive testing, 2 marks

The simplest NDT method, and the first applied to any weld?

  1. Visual inspection
  2. Radiography
  3. Ultrasonic testing
Show the answer

Visual inspection

A trained eye, perhaps with a magnifier and gauges, finds undercut, spatter, cracks and poor profile at once. Other NDT methods follow if needed.

Other Engineering topics

All of Leaving Cert Engineering