Certified SolidWorks Professional

You can get official CSWP information from this site
http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/Training/CSWP.html.

Monkey

 

Does anyone have any CSP info, study guide etc or general study information?
Your help is appreciated!!
LB

 

I was one of the very few that passed the test at SWW2004 and would offer
some tips. If interested, read on.

1. Go through the "What's new" in 2004 - I rudely found out the test was
2004, not 2003. Even if you don't use it yet, study up on the changes - the
written test killed me.

2. Make sure you know how to do all the basics, even if you don't normally
use them. This would include lofts, revolves, sweeps, ellipses, in-context
mates & features, reference geometry, symmetry, linking, patterns,
min/max/center, external references, configs, custom properties, etc, etc,
etc.

3. Think about your special area - free form, sheetmetal, top-down design.
Really know how to use all the features available - study up on what's
available for tools & features in that area.

4. Drawings: Multisheet, section views, detail views, all types of views,
BOM, customizing the title block, inserting geometric tolerancing, standard
tolerances, all kinds of dims, datums, etc, etc, etc.

5. Most of all - read everything. (Did you get this far in this email?)
Take the time to understand the design intent, read the scoring criteria
carefully, do the work, go back and review the scoring criteria to make sure
you covered what's required. I can't emphasize this point enough.

All in all, I felt it was a good, fair test. Long day (8-5:30 - ran out
only for coffee) but a good solid check of most of the basics, not just a
"gimmee." The skills portion is "open book" in that you can use the help
section, but if you have to look up much, you will run out of time. Most
importantly, read.

WT

 

Wayne I also passed the test at SolidWorks World.

I have to agree with everything you have said.
Point # 5 is where I had the most problem. There are many ways to model a
part. I found it difficult to try and figure out which modeling technique
or techniques to use to meet the grading criteria. The grading now being
done by computer it's more important than ever to follow the directions and
design intent exactly. I lost some points on a particular part because I
was missing a certain kind of relationship the computer was looking for. In
my mind I had achieved the design intent of the part and it rebuilt properly
but I did it in such away that the specific relationship the computer was
looking for wasn't there.

I would say the best way to prepare for the test is to know SW well. You
don't need to be an expert in every aspect of the software but you should
know a little bit about all areas. Take your time while taking the test. I
felt there was plenty of time to complete the test. Don't rush. Read and
understand every step before you move to the next and then double check
every step after you have completed a section. 2/3 of the test is
understanding SW. The other 1/3 is understanding the test.

 

Yes, I will be taking the test within the next
several months. THANKS for the heads up info.

-Dennis

 

Here were my strategies in taking the CSWP exam. Good luck. Marie

CSWP Test Taking Strategies:

General steps before an 8-hour exam:

Three to six months before you take the test:
Weekly review all online SW help topics in Help, SW Online Users
Guide.
Print and highlight the areas that you are not familiar with. Create
a checklist. Check what you know and what you don't know.
Review all functionality and all options in sketch, feature,
assembly, drawing and annotations toolbars.
Review all functionality in the main menu areas, standard toolbar and
view toolbar.
Record the areas you are not familiar with in SW functionality.
Example, if you only use Blind and Through All for an Extruded
feature, create your own exercise all the other options in the Depth
drop down list.
Read the What's New Manual cover-to-cover. Complete the exercises
and review the examples.
Go through the SW online tutorials, even if you have and review the
SW tips.
Read the SW document "Introducing SolidWorks" – don't laugh. There
is a section one page on design intent and design method. These
concepts are very important for the exam. You need to know how to
implement design intent in the sketch, the feature, the part and the
assembly through relations, symmetry and reusing geometry. These are
just good modeling practices.

One to three months before you take the test
Review all the areas you were not familiar with, again.
Explain to your colleagues the new things you have learned to help
reinforce the new information.
If your VAR holds a review session or What's new session – attend.

Physical Preparation:

This is not an exam to cram for. You need sleep, limited coffee and
food that sits well in your stomach. Do not overeat for breakfast or
lunch – you will get sleepy.
Bring a relaxation tape or music you like to listen too the night
before the exam, especially if you have to take the exam in a strange
city or location.

Taking the test:

Exam day – you are prepared. You will first face multiple-choice
questions. In my opinion, this was the most difficult part of the
test because the questions went from one subject to another.
Read the directions and the question. See if the question wants one
or more answers. See if you know the answer before you look at the 4
selections. This will help build your confidence and not second-guess
yourself and cut down confusing choices.

Eliminate the answers you know are wrong.

There are no test taking strategies you could utilize on taking
multiple choice tests – Example: Select B, or if two answers sound
the same it is probably one of them.

My advice is to read the question carefully and read all the answers
carefully. Do not get discouraged if you do not know an answer
because your skills portion of the text is next. Praise yourself when
you get a question right. Do not daydream on why you got an answer
wrong – just move on.


Skills Portion:

There are many questions and many parts to each question. Read the
entire question. Then go back and read each part. If you don't know
something go on and then return when you have completed the other
sections.

Only provide what is asked of you. Do not give more. There is no
extra credit. Example: If SW asks for one annotation such as a
horizontal dimension, do not dimension the entire drawing, you will
not have enough time.

Do not daydream on how you would do the design at home. Move on, you
must work quickly but correctly.

Review all the advanced topics before you select the one of your
choice. After you complete the advanced topics, return to the
questions you did not answer and try again.

Don't worry if the person next to you leaves before you. Think that
you are alone in the room and it is your test.

Physical – remove tension – stretch at lunch. Sit straight in the
chair and move your ankles so your feet won't fall asleep.


Reward yourself.

Preparing for the exam increases your SW knowledge. You have worked
hard. Go do something nice for yourself.