PT Level II practice: review by topic

Organize practice under the four published headings

The PT General outline lists four topic headings, and ASNT publishes no percentage weights for them. Our course expands them into five modules, giving indication interpretation and records their own focused treatment, so you cover every heading in depth. The number of modules is a course design choice, not an exam weighting.

Published topic	Course material to review	A useful review outcome
Review PT Principles	Capillary action, process sequence, developers and limitations	Explain what the process can reveal and why each step is needed
Selection of the Appropriate PT Method	Penetrant types, removal methods and matching the method to the part	Give the reason for the method choice, including the procedure constraints
Inspection and Evaluation of Indications	Viewing conditions, indication classes, discontinuities, sizing and records	Separate the observation from the acceptance decision
Inspection Procedures and Standards	Written procedures, process checks, compatibility and cleanup	Identify the controlling instruction and the evidence that the process is working

For the exam format and a method-selection walkthrough, use the PT Level II exam guide. The free General check is not a replacement for sector-specific or employer practical assessment.

Use an error log with a reason column

Write down the topic and the reason you chose your answer before opening the explanation. When you review, compare that reason with the explanation rather than recording only the correct option.

1. Identify the assumption that changed: surface condition, process order, method, viewing condition, indication class or document.
2. Review the relevant lesson, then explain the corrected decision in your own words.
3. Write one condition that would change the decision. For example, ask whether a different part surface would affect method choice, without inventing a new acceptance rule.
4. Return to practice after reviewing the topic. Keep the original mistake in the log so repeated errors stay visible.

The goal is to explain the process without the answer choices in front of you. A higher score from remembering a repeated item gives less information about what you can apply to a different situation.

Treat interpretation and acceptance as separate steps

An indication description and an accept-or-reject decision answer different questions. In study notes, first record what is observed and whether the process conditions support interpretation. Then identify the document that supplies acceptance criteria. A remembered size limit from another procedure is not a substitute for that document.

Use the PT process-control and indication workflow when your mistakes involve heavy background, uncertain observations or an evaluation made before checking the process. That guide complements the method-choice material rather than repeating it.

Read the free result as a starting point

The check is untimed, needs no signup and explains each answer. Its ten questions help select a study topic; they do not cover every possible task or establish practical competence. A result is not a forecast of your exam outcome. Combine it with your error log and a review of all four topic areas.

Keep examination preparation separate from eligibility and certification. The requirements guide, ASNT versus employer certification guide and exam-day guide cover those next steps.

Sources

Show the list

This routine follows Angle Beam's PT modules on principles, method selection, interpretation, sizing and records, and procedures and process control. Outline checked 19 October 2026.

• ASNT NDT Level II examinations, published PT topics and formats.
• ASNT NDT Level II program, certification program requirements.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by ASNT.