If you're looking to become a Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA), you'll need to pass the CSWA exam. This exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in using SOLIDWORKS software to create 3D models and assemblies. But what exactly does the CSWA exam format look like? In this article, we'll take a closer look at what you can expect from the CSWA exam format.
1. Exam Duration
The CSWA exam is a timed exam that lasts for 3 hours. During this time, you'll need to complete a series of questions that test your knowledge and skills in using SOLIDWORKS software. This may include multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and hands-on modeling exercises.
2. Exam Content
The CSWA exam covers three categories: part modeling, assembly modeling, and drafting. To pass the CSWA exam, you'll need to be proficient in the following skills:
Sketch entities (lines, rectangles, circles, arcs, ellipses, centerlines)
Sketch tools (offset, convert, trim)
Sketch relations
Boss and cut features (extrudes, revolves, sweeps, lofts)
Fillets and chamfers
Linear, circular, and fill patterns
Dimensions
Feature conditions (start and end)
Mass properties
Materials
Inserting components
Standard mates (coincident, parallel, perpendicular, tangent, concentric, distance, angle)
Reference geometry (planes, axis, mate references)
Drawing views
Annotations
The Part Modeling section of the exam contains 14 questions and focuses on creating 3D models of individual parts using SOLIDWORKS. This section may include questions that ask you to create specific features or dimensions on a part or questions that ask you to analyze a given part to identify its features or dimensions.
The Assembly Modeling section of the exam contains five questions and focuses on creating 3D assemblies of multiple parts using SOLIDWORKS. This section may include questions that ask you to assemble specific parts or questions that ask you to analyze a given assembly to identify its parts and features.
The Drawing section of the exam contains four questions and focuses on creating 2D drawings of 3D models and assemblies using SOLIDWORKS. This section may include questions that ask you to create specific views or dimensions on a drawing or questions that ask you to analyze a given drawing to identify its views and dimensions.
3. Exam Scoring
The CSWA exam is a pass/fail exam, and the passing score is 70%. This means you'll need to correctly answer at least 70% of the questions on the exam to pass. Your score will be calculated based on the number of questions you answered correctly, so it's important to answer as many questions as possible.
4. Exam Preparation
To prepare for the CSWA exam, it's important to have a solid understanding of the basics of using SOLIDWORKS software. This may include understanding how to create 3D models and assemblies, how to apply dimensions and constraints, and how to create 2D drawings.
There are many resources available to help you prepare for the CSWA exam, including online tutorials, practice exams, and study guides. One great resource is the webpage with video tutorials at https://www.senpaicorner.com/cswa, which provides helpful video tutorials to aid in your preparation. It's also a good idea to practice using SOLIDWORKS software as much as possible, so you can become familiar with the interface and tools.
In conclusion, the CSWA exam is a rigorous exam designed to test your knowledge and skills in using SOLIDWORKS software. By understanding the format of the exam and the skills that will be tested, you can better prepare yourself for success. With the right preparation and practice, you'll be well on your way to becoming a Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate and taking your 3D modeling and design skills to the next level.