ASME GDTP Senior Y14.5-2009 Cheat Sheet

Senior Identity + Program Rules

Not published of exam
Senior Identity Exam + Certification Rules Verification + Gaging Experience Gate

Scope, General Dimensioning + Symbology

10% of exam
Fundamental Rules Symbols + Modifiers Rule #1 Rule #2

Datum Reference Frames

30% of exam
Datum Core Datum Application Material Boundaries Datum Shift

Tolerances of Form

5% of exam
Form Controls Straightness Flatness Cylindricity

Tolerances of Orientation

5% of exam
Orientation Controls Parallelism Perpendicularity Angularity

Tolerances of Location

25% of exam
Position + Boundaries Pattern Position Composite Position Projected Zone

Tolerances of Profile

20% of exam
Profile Controls Profile Distribution Composite Profile All-Around Profile

Tolerances of Runout

5% of exam
Runout Controls Circular Runout Total Runout Coaxial Surfaces

Quick Facts

Identity GDTP Senior Level
Local basis ASME Y14.5-2009
Other current basis Y14.5-2018 offered separately
Legacy basis Y14.5-1994 not this exam
Questions 150 scored MCQs
Duration Maximum six hours
Book Closed book
Overall pass At least 78%
Section floor At least 50% each
Experience Three years relevant GD&T
Recent evidence Personally performed within three years
Technologist prerequisite Not required
ASME membership Not required
Delivery Prometric testing center
Scheduling Within 180 days after approval
Current package $623 for 2009 Senior
Certificate validity Three years

2009 Senior Weights PR

Ten, thirty, five, five, twenty-five, twenty, five
General 10 Datums 30 Form 5 Orientation 5 Location 25 Profile 20 Runout 5

Senior vs Technologist PR

Senior

Selects controls
Applies design intent
Three years experience

Technologist

Reads controls
Interprets drawings
No experience requirement
Create vs interpret

Geometric Control Picker PR

Need standalone surface shape → Form control
Need direction from datum → Orientation control
Need feature location → Position
Need complex-surface control → Surface profile
Need cross-section refinement → Line profile
Need rotating element variation → Circular runout
Need full rotated surface → Total runout
Need pattern refinement → Composite position
Need independent pattern controls → Multiple single segments

Senior Identity PR

Senior scope Select + apply geometric controls
Technologist scope Read + interpret drawings
Design intent Senior documents functional requirements
Calculations Determine geometric requirements
Datum selection Choose function-based datum features
Modifiers Apply appropriate boundary behavior
Composite controls Apply pattern refinements
Manufacturing Apply GD&T to production
Verification Approve compliant evaluation methods
Functional gaging Establish boundary-based acceptance
Individual credential Not organizational certification
Edition specific One exam certifies one revision

Senior Actions PR

Select, calculate, apply, verify, gage
Document design intent Own functional decisions

2009 Senior vs 2018 Senior PR

2009 Senior

78% overall
$623 current package
Separate certificate basis

2018 Senior

74% overall
$495 current package
Separate certificate basis
Choose exact exam revision

Senior Exam Route Picker PR

Select and apply controls → Senior Level
Only interpret existing drawings → Technologist Level
Using this local route → Select 2009 Senior
Seeking 2018 certification → Select 2018 Senior
Application accepted → Schedule within 180 days
Need scheduling extension → Request before expiration
Second attempt failed → Wait 180 days
Certificate nears expiry → Document 24 months experience

Exam + Certification Rules PR

2009 Senior exam 150 scored multiple-choice questions
Time limit Maximum six hours
Reference access Closed book
Overall minimum 78%
Every section Minimum 50%
Experience minimum Three documented years
Experience recency Personal work within three years
Experience quality Independent GD&T application
Application deadline One year after purchase
Scheduling window 180 days after acceptance
Extension One paid 180-day extension
Results Emailed within 24-48 hours
Attempt window Two attempts within six months
Second failure Wait 180 days
2009 retest fee $413
Certificate term Three years from issuance

Verification + Gaging PR

Functional gage Checks worst-case mating boundary
Go result Confirms boundary; not actual error
Virtual-condition gage Represents fixed functional boundary
CMM Builds mathematical datum frame
Datum simulator Must honor contact sequence
Boundary modifier Changes simulator behavior
Bonus tolerance Requires verified feature size
Inspection alignment Match specified datum precedence
Acceptance method Must evaluate stated requirement
Y14.5 scope Defines requirements; not inspection procedures
Senior responsibility Selects verification-compatible controls
Manufacturing planning Respect functional tolerance boundaries
Appendix B Know positional tolerance formulas

Control Families FU

Form, orient, position, profile, runout
Shape Direction Location Surface Rotation

Basic vs Reference Dimension FU

Basic

Boxed value
Theoretically exact
Defines true geometry

Reference

Parenthesized value
Informational only
Derived elsewhere
Exact definition vs information

Fundamental Rules FU

Basic dimension Theoretically exact value
Reference dimension Informational only
Feature Physical portion of part
Feature of size Size-associated surface relationship
Actual local size Any individual cross-section size
MMC Most material permitted
LMC Least material permitted
Rule #1 Perfect form required at MMC
Size departure Allows Rule #1 form variation
Rule #2 RFS and RMB default
Limits Absolute boundaries; never round
Default temperature 20°C unless otherwise specified
Free state Default unless restrained specified
Origin dimension Starts from defined origin
Statistical tolerance Requires identified statistical basis

Symbols + Modifiers FU

Feature control frame Characteristic + tolerance + datums
Diameter prefix Creates cylindrical tolerance zone
Basic box Marks theoretically exact dimension
Datum identifier Names datum feature
RFS tolerance No modifier shown
RMB datum No modifier shown
MMC tolerance Circled M after tolerance
MMB datum Circled M after datum
LMC tolerance Circled L after tolerance
LMB datum Circled L after datum
Projected zone Circled P after tolerance
Tangent plane Circled T modifier
Free-state symbol Circled F modifier
Unequal profile Circled U sets offset
Continuous feature CF joins interrupted surfaces
All-around symbol Applies around indicated perimeter

Planar Datum Order DA

Seat three, align two, clock one
Primary 3 Secondary 2 Tertiary 1

Datum vs Datum Feature DA

Datum

Theoretically exact
Derived reference
No physical imperfection

Datum feature

Actual part surface
Contains variation
Contacts simulator
Reference vs real feature

Datum Strategy Picker DA

First assembly contact → Primary datum
Need remaining alignment → Secondary datum
Need final clocking → Tertiary datum
Only discrete contacts function → Datum targets
Two features act together → Multiple datum features
Center regardless feature size → RMB
Allow boundary clearance shift → MMB
Protect least-material boundary → LMB
Assembly applies restraint → Restrained condition

Datum Core DA

Datum Theoretically exact reference
Datum feature Actual imperfect part feature
Datum simulator Physical or mathematical boundary
Datum reference frame Three planes create coordinate system
Translations X + Y + Z movement
Rotations About X + Y + Z
Primary datum Constrains first functional freedoms
Secondary datum Constrains remaining functional freedoms
Tertiary datum Completes required constraint
Precedence Frame order controls establishment
Planar 3-2-1 Three + two + one contacts
RMB Simulator adapts without fixed boundary
MMB Simulator fixed at maximum boundary
LMB Simulator fixed at least boundary
Datum shift Available boundary clearance permits movement

RMB vs MMB Datum DA

RMB

No datum modifier
Simulator adapts
No boundary clearance shift

MMB

Circled M datum modifier
Fixed simulator boundary
May permit datum shift
Adaptive vs fixed boundary

Datum Application DA

Selection basis Choose assembly function first
Stable contact Prefer repeatable functional interface
Datum targets Define discrete simulator contacts
Target point Single contact location
Target line Linear contact region
Target area Bounded contact region
Multiple datum features Multiple features establish together
Multiple frames Support different functional relationships
Functional datum Represents assembly interface
Rotational constraint Clock pattern about datum axis
Irregular size feature May use material boundary
Restrained condition Simulates specified assembly restraint
Customized frame Controls selected degrees freedom
Simultaneous requirement Features evaluated in one frame

Form Controls FO

Straightness Controls line elements or axis
Flatness Controls entire planar surface
Circularity Controls each circular element
Cylindricity Controls entire cylindrical surface
Datum reference Never used for form
Surface straightness Two parallel-line zone
Axis straightness May use cylindrical zone
Material modifier Allowed for size-feature axis
Circularity zone Two concentric circles
Cylindricity zone Two coaxial cylinders
Rule #1 overlap Size limits may restrict form
Free-state modifier Evaluates nonrigid part released
Orientation Form controls do not orient

Form vs Orientation OR

Form

No datum
Controls shape
Does not orient

Orientation

Requires datum
Controls direction
Also refines form
Shape vs direction

Orientation Controls OR

Parallelism Orients parallel to datum
Perpendicularity Orients 90° to datum
Angularity Orients at basic angle
Datum requirement Orientation needs datum reference
Surface zone Two oriented parallel planes
Axis zone Cylindrical when diameter shown
Material modifiers Available on size-feature controls
Form refinement Orientation also limits form
Location Orientation does not locate
Tangent plane Controls contacting high-point plane
Datum precedence Sets zone orientation sequence
Basic angle Defines theoretically exact orientation

MMC Bonus LO

Leave MMC, gain geometric tolerance
Protect virtual condition Verify actual size

MMC vs LMC LO

MMC

Most material
Protects assembly boundary
Bonus from MMC departure

LMC

Least material
Protects minimum material
Bonus from LMC departure
Assembly vs material protection

Position Modifier Picker LO

Protect worst-case assembly → MMC
Protect minimum wall thickness → LMC
Need constant geometric tolerance → RFS
Mating feature extends outward → Projected zone
Size departure provides tolerance → Zero at MMC
Refine one pattern framework → Composite position
Requirements locate independently → Multiple single segments
Analyze functional gage → Virtual condition

Position + Boundaries LO

True position Theoretically exact feature location
Basic dimensions Locate true position
Position Controls axes or center planes
Cylindrical zone Requires diameter symbol
Planar zone Controls noncylindrical center plane
RFS position Tolerance constant across size
MMC position Bonus grows from MMC departure
LMC position Bonus grows from LMC departure
Internal virtual condition MMC size minus tolerance
External virtual condition MMC size plus tolerance
Zero at MMC Size departure supplies tolerance
Projected zone Protects extended mating interface
Datum-referenced position Also controls orientation
Feature size Position never controls size
Concentricity Median points relative datum axis 2009
Symmetry Median points relative datum plane 2009

Position vs Profile LO

Position

Locates size features
Axis or center plane
Can support bonus tolerance

Profile

Controls complex surfaces
True-profile boundary
Broad design communication
Feature centers vs surfaces

Pattern Position LO

Upper composite segment Locates pattern to datums
Lower composite segment Refines feature relationships
Repeated lower datums Constrain pattern orientation
No lower datums Framework floats within upper zone
Multiple single segments Each requirement independently located
Pattern basics Define exact feature spacing
Simultaneous requirements Share matching datum framework
Separate requirement Breaks simultaneous evaluation
Floating fastener Assembly clearance shared
Fixed fastener Clearance allocated by design
Appendix B Position formulas are required
Worst-case analysis Use material boundaries

Composite vs Multiple Single-Segment LO

Composite

One connected framework
Upper locates pattern
Lower refines relationships

Multiple single

Independent requirements
Each locates separately
No composite framework
Refinement vs independence

Profile Strategy Picker PR

Only cross-section matters → Line profile
Entire surface matters → Surface profile
Form only required → No datum references
Orientation also required → Add datum reference
Location also required → Reference needed datums
Zone must shift asymmetrically → Unequal-profile modifier
Overall plus refinement needed → Composite profile
Independent controls needed → Multiple single segments

Profile Controls PR

True profile Exact basic geometry
Line profile Controls individual cross-sectional elements
Surface profile Controls entire three-dimensional surface
Zone direction Normal to true profile
Default disposition Equally disposed about profile
Unequal disposition U value sets one boundary
No datum Controls form independently
With datums Adds orientation and location
All around Applies around indicated perimeter
Between points Limits controlled profile span
Composite profile upper Controls overall profile framework
Composite profile lower Refines feature relationship
Multiple single segments Create independent profile requirements
Combined controls Profile can refine other controls
Profile datum references May use boundary modifiers
Complex surfaces Profile communicates broad design intent

Circular vs Total Runout RU

Circular

One circular element
Fixed indicator location
Per cross-section

Total

Entire surface
Indicator traverses
Controls cumulative variation
Element vs whole surface

Runout Controls RU

Circular runout Controls each circular element
Total runout Controls entire rotated surface
Datum axis Required rotational reference
Inspection motion Rotate part 360°
Circular evaluation Indicator fixed axially
Total evaluation Indicator traverses entire surface
Face runout Controls face during rotation
Total effect Limits cumulative surface variation
Material modifiers Not used with runout
FIM Full indicator movement
Datum simulation Must produce stable axis
Concentricity Not equivalent to runout

Common Traps

Senior identity

Selects and applies controls ≠ Not Technologist interpretation only

Edition identity

This route: Y14.5-2009 ≠ 2018 requires separate exam

Legacy 1994 Edition

Not this exam basis ≠ Do not mix legacy rules

Current experience rule

Three documented years ≠ Not stale five-year text

Passing rule

78% overall required ≠ 50% each section required

Open-book assumption

Exam is closed book ≠ Appendix formulas still tested

Datum language

Datum is exact ≠ Datum feature is imperfect

Datum modifiers

RMB means no symbol ≠ MMB uses circled M

Form references

Form uses no datum ≠ Orientation requires datum

Profile disposition

Equal disposition is default ≠ U creates unequal disposition

Composite logic

Lower segment refines pattern ≠ Not independent second control

Position and size

Position controls feature location ≠ Size dimension controls size

Runout confusion

Runout evaluates rotating surface ≠ Not concentricity median points

Credential scope

Certification belongs to individual ≠ Not employer or product

Last Minute

1. Identity: Y14.5-2009 Senior Level
2. Senior selects and applies controls
3. 150 scored MCQs; six hours maximum
4. Closed book
5. Pass: 78% overall
6. Pass: 50% every section
7. Experience: three documented years
8. Recent work must be personal
9. Technologist certification not required
10. ASME membership not required
11. Datums carry 30%
12. Location carries 25%
13. Profile carries 20%
14. Appendix B formulas are required
15. Datum feature differs from datum
16. RMB is datum-reference default
17. MMC departure creates bonus tolerance
18. Form controls never reference datums
19. Orientation does not locate
20. Composite lower segment refines pattern
21. Profile defaults equally disposed
22. Runout requires datum axis
23. Schedule within 180 approval days
24. Second failure triggers 180-day wait
25. Certificate expires after three years

ASME GDTP Senior Level

Practice Questions 115 questions Study Guide 55 topics Cheat Sheet 182 facts Flashcards 50 cards Free CE Podcast