Your CSWP Exam

Preparation Guide

34 TIPS AND TRICKS from CSWPs on how to prepare, practice,

and pass the Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional exam
Pass the CSWP Exam on Your
First Try with These Insider
Tips and Tricks
We asked CSWPs (and even one CSWE) how to pass the Certified
SOLIDWORKS Professional exam.

SOLIDWORKS Certification: The CSWP 3 Confirm you have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer.
You’ll need it for the design table functionality to work properly.
On test day, you’ll have 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete the CSWP
exam, which will cover the following topics: 4 Test the design table functionality prior to taking the exam.
SOLIDWORKS Essentials
Note: To test the functionality, use an example model and type
SOLIDWORKS Drawings
in the formulas embedded in SOLIDWORKS when you create a
Advanced Part Modeling new design table in Excel. You want to be sure you know how
Advanced Assembly Modeling to enter in the right information in the table in order to get
accurate results.

TIPS FOR HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE 5 Use two monitors if possible so you can run SOLIDWORKS on one
CSWP EXAM monitor and the exam application on the other monitor. This isn’t
required, but it’ll help you be more efficient by avoiding switching
Use these tips to help you properly set up your equipment and prep
tabs.
yourself for the exam.
Note: If you use two monitors, set one to low resolution and
1 Make sure your computer consistently runs properly. Don’t use a
run the exam application on that one.
computer that’s unreliable because the last thing you want is for
your computer to crash during the exam.
6 Start and run SOLIDWORKS before launching the exam application.

2 You must have SOLIDWORKS 2015 or later.

7 Eat, drink, and use the restroom prior to beginning the exam. The
exam times out after 3 hours and 20 minutes and most people
Note: If you’re using an older version of SOLIDWORKS
need every second to take the exam.
(anything before 2015), you won’t be able to open some of the
testing files. If you don’t have a compatible version, you’ll need
8 Take the exam when you have 3.5 hours of uninterrupted time
to reach out to your reseller for an upgrade.
available.

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TIPS FOR HOW TO STUDY AND PRACTICE
FOR THE CSWP
You’ll need hands-on practice to successfully pass the test. Use
these tips to organize your studying efforts.
9 You’ll need to be proficient in using limit distance and limit angle
mates for the exam, so make sure you practice these techniques.
10 Practice modeling objects from drawings. You’ll need to be able to
quickly read drawings and use the basic tools.
11 Get comfortable creating and working with configurations (both
manually created and generated with a Design Table).
12 Practice working with variables. You’ll be asked to update parts
and/or assemblies multiple times by changing a dimension value.
If the same dimension is being updated in multiple questions, you
might find it faster to use a variable for the impacted dimensions
so each question can be modified quickly.
Note: To do this successfully, determine if you can set up the
variables faster than you can update each dimension individu-
ally for each question.
13 Take an expert-led CSWP Prep Course with guided video tutorials
and practice models.
14 Take the SOLIDWORKS CSWP practice exam.
15 Take the SOLIDWORKS Skills Gap Assessment to quickly evaluate
your strengths and weaknesses. It will show you what you’re
already great at and what you should focus your time on while
you prep for the exam.
2 | Your CSWP Exam Preparation Guide
16 Hands-on experience is key. The more you can familiarize your-
self with the features and tools beforehand, the less time you’ll
waste trying to find the right functionalities during the exam.
17 Take the CSWP for free! You’ll save big bucks by earning a free
exam voucher. Here’s how:
Become a SolidProfessor member.
Complete the Become a Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional
Learning Path.
Note: You can earn your free exam voucher — while prep-
ping for the exam — in just 11 hours.
Email vouchers@solidprofessor.com to request your
free voucher.
TIPS WHILE TAKING THE CSWP EXAM
Use these tips to improve your efficiency and productivity during
the exam.
18 Read the questions and prompts thoroughly from start to finish.
Don’t assume you know what’s coming.
Note: Understanding the problem’s expectation from the
beginning will save you time in the long run.
19 Write your answers down on a piece of paper. There are a lot of
questions on the exam, so keeping track of your answers in
another location will help you enter the right value into each field.
20 Before you begin modeling each part or assembly, skip ahead in
the exam to see how the part will be updated in upcoming ques-
tions and which dimensions will change. This will give you a better
understanding of how to efficiently set up your design intent.
Note: If you go down the wrong path at the start, it’ll be more
challenging and take longer to update the part in future questions.
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21 It’s OK to invest your time in the first model. Every other question
builds on the first model, so it’s normal to spend a good portion
of your time there.
22 Save your models for each individual question with unique
names. Save frequently so your progress isn’t lost.
Note: This will save you a lot of time if SOLIDWORKS freezes or
you need to double check a previous answer.
23 Use the Measure Tool to quickly find and correct mistakes you
might’ve made.
24 Round your answers to the same number of decimal points as
the prompt.
Example: If the prompt rounds to the nearest one-hundredth
(e.g., 68.18), your answer needs to also round to the nearest
one-hundredth (e.g., 129.10).
25 Use the unit of measure required by the prompt.
Example: If the prompt asks for your answer in millimeters,
you must convert your answer into millimeters.
26 Account for all variable value changes between questions. Don’t
assume the values will remain the same.
Example: In one instance, you might be asked to provide your
answer in millimeters and in another instance, you might be
asked to provide your answer in meters.
27 Use the correct coordinate systems when you’re working with
assemblies.
3 | Your CSWP Exam Preparation Guide
28 Set variable values to easily make adjustments using the
Equation Manager.
29 Be aware of parametric history and how features will affect one
another downstream.
30 Before committing to an answer, verify that you can find all the
listed dimensions.
31 If you’re stuck on a problem, work from the largest shapes to the
smallest. Don’t get too wrapped up in finding the perfect way to
build a model. Once you have an idea, be confident and start
modeling.
Example: If you have to model a block with a hole through it,
don’t worry about making them both in a single sketch if you’re
uncomfortable with that technique. You can make it as two
separate features.
32 The easiest way to increase your speed is to use keyboard shortcuts.
Example: Type Ctrl+ D to instantly create a drawing from a part
or assembly.
SEE PG. 4 FOR A LIST OF POPULAR SOLIDWORKS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS.
33 Check the Results Summary page in the test prompt at the end of
the exam to see if you accidentally left any answers blank.
34 If you have time, cross reference each of the answers you entered
into the fields with the answers you wrote down on paper.
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 EDIT SHORTCUTS

Ctrl + Z Undo

Ctrl + Y Redo

Enter Repeat last command

Ctrl + X Cut

Ctrl + C Copy

Ctrl + V Paste

Delete Delete
Keyboard Shortcuts That’ll Increase Your Ctrl + B Rebuild
Efficiency in SOLIDWORKS
Ctrl + Q Forced rebuild
One of the easiest ways to become more efficient during this timed
Ctrl + R Redraw screen
exam is to use keyboard shortcuts. When you’re taking your practice
exams, prep courses, and skills assessment, practice the most popular S Open shortcut bar
shortcuts below. By the time you’re ready to take the exam, you’ll be
Ctrl + click items Select multiple items
able to launch commands quickly instead of searching for them in
the toolbar. Shift + drag Move item

FILE SHORTCUTS
VIEW SHORTCUTS
Ctrl + N New
Arrow keys Rotate model
Ctrl + O Open
Ctrl + arrow keys Pan model
Ctrl + D Make new drawing from part or assembly
Ctrl + R Redraw the screen
Ctrl + A Make new assembly from part or assembly
Spacebar Orientation
Ctrl + S Save
F Zoom to fit

Shift + Z Zoom in

Z Zoom out

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About SolidProfessor

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