Becoming a proficient user of any CAD software can be helpful professionally and personally fun. Showing proficiency with a certification lets people know that you are capable of completing tasks accurately and in a timely manner. A true understanding of Solidworks allows you to seamlessly pass designs to customers and suppliers and have confidence they will be able to easily understand and work with the files.

So how do you pass the Solidworks CSWP?
Passing the Solidworks CSWP exam.
Take a look at the explanation of what the CSWP is straight from Solidworks.
Grab the sample test from Solidworks.
Write up of CSWP Part I
Write up of CSWP Part II
Write up of CSWP Part III
Tips on how to pass:
Tip to remember: Use all parts of the Software
Top Ten Tips for Taking the CSWP
Take a look at the complete list of CSWP posts.
Before starting make sure to review the Beginning Prep:
Table of Contents
CSWP Overview
A-1. Built in Tutorials
A-2. Help Menus
A-3. Other Resources: Google, Youtube, Blogs, Forums
A-4. User Groups
A-5. Tangix Tester Pro
A-6. Setup Layout, Files, and Equations to Save Time
A-7. Look over the entire test
If the CSWP-Core isn't enough for you there are more certification exams.
How to pass the CSWP Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

The advanced exams all require slightly more in depth knowledge of the corresponding features. Additionally many advanced exams require knowledge that is covered in the core CSWP. To review the features covered in the sheet metal exam check out CSWP Sheet Metal Study.
How to pass the CSWP Advanced Mold Tools Specialist
3dEngr.com review of the CSWP Mold tools exam.
All of the above will help you understand the tests, but tutorials, training and others users are also important.
There are loads of other resources available, books, videos, blogs, but focusing on one portion at a time and developing a learning plan makes things much easier. Feel free to add any advice/tips/thoughts in the comments.


8 comments:
Hello Chris,
I'm in the process of studying to take the CSWP. Any tips on how I should set up my screen so I can see the exam and SW at the same time without having to shrink either so small that I can barely read them?
By the way, I have found your tips on taking the test extremly helpful! Thanks!
Terri
Terri,
Screen setup is easiest if you have dual monitors, or something massive (I use a 24" screen). Put the client on one screen and open SW on the other. If you only have one screen I'd suggest opening only these two applications and tiling them vertically next to each other. This will cut into your design area on SW but with some quick use of the scroll wheel you can get over that.
Be careful though if you do anything else because the testing client is FIRST CLICK ACTIVATED. That means if you click the window to make it activate, and you happen to click in the answer area, you are potentially changing your answer. Before moving on from each question make sure to double check this and then be careful when going forward and back in questions.
Other than that I'd suggest to not change your style a lot. If you generally use Solidworks full screen with other programs open behind it try that. It may slow you down a bit but you can double check things one time at the end of each question. Don't try to change to much from your day to day use, if necessary pull up a .pdf of the sample test and treat it as the client and see what works.
Best of luck.
Hey Chris,
Thanks for your quick answer! I think I will just try to get a bigger monitor before I take the test. I've been wanting one anyway.
Terri
Hey Chris,
I'm currently using Solidworks 2010-11. After doing a practice test, I have noticed that my answers are more different than the actual answers.
Could there be a problem with the options or is it making false cuts?
Could be a lot of things, what practice test are you using?
Thanks for the post, very helpful!!
Wanted to point out your link to the SW sample test is for the 2009 test, and there is a dimension missing in the updated model for Q4 (should be another 30mm dimension in the HH-HH view near the KK-KK section line). I had to go to the 2010B sample test to get that value.
Thought I'd share just in case anyone else was getting stuck.
Thanks again for the post!!
Hi all I got a question..
I've just done the sameple test and the mass is different only .01 grams...then is it wrong answer in the real test?
To the above reader,
Typically they allow for some small rounding error. It's possible something about your model is not ideal however most of the masses are large enough that .01g variance will be neglibeable, and the answer will be accepted.
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