Official Guide to Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate Exams: CSWA, CSDA, CSWSA-FEA - SOLIDWORKS 2015-2017 - Preparation Exam Guide

Sep 30, 2026

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Official Guide to Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate Exams: CSWA, CSDA, CSWSA-FEA, SOLIDWORKS 2015-2017 outlines CSWA certification structure, eligibility requirements, and exam format for both part 1 and part 2. It details question categories and subject areas, including drafting competencies, drawing views, part creation and modification workflows across basic, intermediate, and advanced levels, plus sketching and feature operations. Guidance is provided for score thresholds, navigation tools, summary screens, retake timing, and exam-time strategies such as answering in any order.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

CSWA Introduction and Drafting Competencies

CSWA certification requirements and exam format (parts 1 and 2)

Exam question categories and subject areas

Basic, intermediate, and advanced part creation and modification

Assembly creation and modification

Exam navigation, time management, and retake rules

Official Guide to Certified SOLIDWORKS® Associate Exams: CSWA, CSDA, CSWSA-FEA SOLIDWORKS® 2015-2017 An authorized CSWA preparation exam guide with additional information on the CSDA and CSWSA-FEA exams DAVID C. PLANCHARD CSWP & SOLIDWORKS Accredited Educator SDC PUBLICATIONS Better Textbooks. Lower Prices. [www.SDCpublications.com](www.SDCpublications.com) ACCESS CODE UNIQUE CODE INSIDE Visit the following websites to learn more about this book: CHAPTER 2-CSWA INTRODUCTION AND DRAFTING COMPETENCIES | Introduction
DS SOLIDWORKS Corp. offers various types of certification. Each stage represents increasing levels of expertise in 3D CAD: Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate CSWA, Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional CSWP and Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert CSWE along with specialty fields. | | | --- | --- | The CSWA certification indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of 3D CAD design and engineering practices and principles. The main requirement for obtaining the CSWA certification is to take and pass the two part on-line proctored exams. This first exam (part 1) is 90 minutes, minimum passing score is 80, with 6 questions. The second exam (part 2) is 90 minutes, minimum passing score is 80 with 8 questions. The CSWA exam consists of 14 questions in the following five categories and subject areas: • Drafting Competencies: (Three questions- multiple choice-5 points each) . • Questions on general drawing views: Projected, Section, Break, Crop, Detail, Alternate Position, etc. • Basic Part Creation and Modification:(Two questions-one multiple choice/one single answer-15 points each) . • Sketch Planes: • Front, Top, Right. • 2D Sketching: Screen shots from an exam • Geometric Relations and Dimensioning. • Extruded Boss/Base Feature. • Extruded Cut feature. • Modification of Basic part. In the Basic Part Creation and Modification category, there is a dimension modification question based on the first (multiple choice) question. You should be within 1% of the multiple choice answer before you go on to the modification single answer section. • Intermediate Part Creation and Modification; (Two questions-one multiple choice/one single answer-15 points each) . • Sketch Planes: • Front, Top, Right. • 2D Sketching: • Geometric Relations and Dimensioning. • Extruded Boss/Base Feature. • Extruded Cut Feature. • Revolved Boss/Base Feature. • Mirror and Fillet Feature. • Circular and Linear Pattern Feature. • Plane Feature. • Modification of Intermediate Part: • Sketch, Feature, Pattern, etc. • Modification of Intermediate part. In the Intermediate Part Creation and Modification category, there are two dimension modification questions based on the first (multiple choice) question. You should be within 1% of the multiple choice answer before you go on to the modification single answer section. Screen shots from an exam • Advanced Part Creation and Modification; (Three questions-one multiple choice/two single answers – 15 points each). • Sketch Planes: • Front, Top, Right, Face, Created Plane etc. • 2D Sketching or 3D Sketching. • Sketch Tools: • Offset Entities, Convert Entitles, etc. • Extruded Boss/Base Feature. • Extruded Cut Feature. • Revolved Boss/Base Feature. • Mirror and Fillet Feature. • Circular and Linear Pattern Feature. • Shell Feature. • Plane Feature. • More Difficult Geometry Modifications. In the Advanced Part Creation and Modification category, there are two dimension modification questions based on the first (multiple choice) question. You should be within 1% of the multiple choice answer before you go on to the modification single answer section. • Assembly Creation and Modification; (Two different assemblies-four questions-two multiple choice/two single answers-30 points each) . • Insert the first (fixed) component. • Insert all needed components. • Standard Mates. • Modification of key param

FAQs

What are the main requirements to earn the CSWA certification?

To obtain CSWA certification, you must take and pass two part online proctored exams. Each part has a stated minimum passing score and a fixed duration.

How long are CSWA part 1 and part 2, and how many questions are in each?

Part 1 is 90 minutes and includes 6 questions. Part 2 is 90 minutes and includes 8 questions, with the same minimum passing score stated for both.

What should you know about the dimension modification questions in the Basic and Intermediate categories?

In the Basic Part Creation and Modification category, there is a dimension modification question based on the first multiple-choice question, requiring accuracy within 1% before proceeding. The Intermediate category includes two such dimension modification questions with the same 1% guidance.

Sep 30, 2026

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