Onshape has grown from a cloud CAD experiment into a platform used in thousands of classrooms and engineering teams, and it now has its own certification program. The Certified Onshape Associate exam is the entry-level credential, and it’s a smart first certification for students, hobbyists, and anyone who designs in the browser. This guide covers the exam format, cost, topics, how to register, and how to prepare.
What Is the Certified Onshape Associate Exam?
The Certified Onshape Associate exam verifies that you understand Onshape’s core tools: part modeling, multi-part modeling, basic assembly design, drawings, and sharing and collaboration. Onshape describes it as geared toward students, but it’s appropriate for any beginner-level Onshape user. It’s taken online, so you can sit the exam from any computer with a web browser.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Detail | Certified Onshape Associate |
|---|---|
| Questions | 45 questions in two sections |
| Time limit | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Passing score | 75% |
| Cost | $50 per attempt, with discounts for bulk purchases |
| Where | Online, through the Onshape Learning Center |
| Level | Beginner |
Details can change, so confirm the current format and price in the Onshape Learning Center before you register.
Topics Covered on the Exam
- Part Studios: sketching, feature creation, multi-part modeling, and editing existing designs.
- Assemblies: inserting parts, mating, defining motion, and using standard content such as fasteners.
- Drawings: general drafting knowledge and Onshape’s drawing workflows.
- Sharing and collaboration: the cloud-based tools that make Onshape different, such as sharing documents with teammates.
The Associate exam doesn’t cover Onshape’s advanced data management, advanced modeling, or advanced assembly motion. Those topics belong to the Certified Onshape Professional exam.
Certified Onshape Associate vs. Certified Onshape Professional
Onshape’s advanced credential is the Certified Onshape Professional. According to Onshape, it has a modeling section (10 questions, 50 points) and a knowledge-based section (50 questions, 50 points), a three-hour limit, a passing score of 70%, and a cost of $100 per attempt. It’s intended for users with roughly 75 to 100 hours of design experience in Onshape, and the certificate doesn’t expire. If you’re new to Onshape, start with the Associate. If you use Onshape daily at work, the Professional exam carries more weight with employers.
How to Prepare for the Certified Onshape Associate Exam
1. Take the free Onshape Learning Center courses
Onshape’s own self-paced courses cover the fundamentals of Part Studios, assemblies, and drawings. Work through them in order, and build the example models yourself instead of just watching.
2. Use the official practice exam
Onshape offers a practice exam for the Certified Onshape Associate with an exam guide, practice questions, and answer keys with full Onshape documents. Take it under timed conditions and review every question you miss.
3. Take a structured prep course
SolidProfessor offers Onshape courses, including beginner to certification training, with practice exams. Onshape notes that students who complete SolidProfessor’s online prep course are eligible for a free exam voucher, which covers the $50 fee.
4. Practice speed on common modeling tasks
Three hours for 45 questions is about four minutes per question, so speed matters. Practice sketching with constraints, using variables, making multi-part designs in one Part Studio, and measuring mass properties until those steps are automatic.
Exam Day Tips
- Check your connection. Onshape runs in the browser, so a stable internet connection is essential.
- Answer the quick knowledge questions first. Bank those points, then spend the remaining time on modeling questions.
- Double-check units and materials. Most wrong answers on modeling questions come from the wrong unit system or material.
- Flag and move on. Don’t let one difficult question consume 20 minutes.
Onshape vs. SOLIDWORKS Certification: Which Should You Take?
If your school, team, or target employer uses SOLIDWORKS, the CSWA and CSWP are still the most widely recognized CAD certifications in manufacturing. If you learn and design in Onshape, or want a lower-cost first credential you can take from a Chromebook, the Certified Onshape Associate is an excellent choice. Many students earn both, since the core modeling skills transfer directly. We’ve compared the two programs in more depth in Onshape vs. SOLIDWORKS certification, and you can read our earlier look at Onshape certification tests and studying for the CSWP with Onshape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Certified Onshape Associate exam cost?
The exam costs $50 per attempt. Students who complete SolidProfessor’s Onshape prep course can qualify for a free exam voucher.
How many questions are on the Onshape Associate exam?
There are 45 questions in two sections, with a three-hour time limit.
What score do you need to pass?
You need 75% to pass the Certified Onshape Associate exam.
Can I take the Onshape certification on a Chromebook?
Onshape runs in a web browser, so it works on Chromebooks, Macs, and Windows computers. Check the exam requirements in the Onshape Learning Center before your attempt.
Working toward CAD certification? See the complete SOLIDWORKS Certification Guide, which also includes our Onshape certification resources.