l e a r n i n g 2010 solidworks cswa exam preparation

CSWA Exam PreparationCSWA Exam Preparation

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction to the CSWA Exam �

SolidWorks 2010L E A R N I N G

Introduction to the CSWA Exam

The Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) exam is a comprehensive professional certification exam designed to measure proficiency in SolidWorks. The exam is available to students and professionals who wish to earn CSWA certification and demonstrate their SolidWorks skills to employers. Learning SolidWorks 2010 focuses on topics addressed on the CSWA exam and will help you prepare for the exam. The examples, practices, and exercises in the textbook are designed to help you build essential SolidWorks skills and acquire the knowledge needed to pass the CSWA exam.

This document serves as an introduction to the organization of the CSWA exam and the general process used in taking the exam. Questions on the CSWA exam require you to demonstrate specific SolidWorks modeling skills or knowledge of a given topic. Practice questions are provided on the student Web site (www.g-wlearning.com/CAD) to help you become familiar with the types of questions featured on the CSWA exam.

The CSWA exam can be taken at a CSWA Provider institution or by visiting www.solidworks.com. Ask your instructor or employer or visit www.solidworks.com for more information about taking the CSWA exam.

CSWA Exam OrganizationThe CSWA exam is an electronic exam that is taken online using the TesterPRO Client

software. See Figure 1. The TesterPRO Client software is available at www.virtualtester.com. You must download the software and create a user account to take the exam. A user name and password are entered to create the user account. After downloading the software and entering your account information, you can start the exam.

When you start the exam, the software generates the exam questions automatically. The questions are issued in random order. This serves the purpose of generating each exam with unique questions.

There are seven total questions on the exam. CSWA exam questions are organized into five major categories. These categories are listed as follows:

�Basic Modeling Theory and Drawing Theory�Part Modeling�Advanced Part Modeling�Assembly Modeling�Advanced Modeling Theory and Analysis

Each exam category is represented by one or two questions on the exam. Questions in the Part Modeling, Advanced Part Modeling, and Assembly Modeling categories require you to create a part or assembly and answer a related question. The questions in these categories are in multiple choice format. Questions in the Basic Modeling Theory and Drawing Theory category and the Advanced Modeling Theory and Analysis category require a response based on knowledge of the related topic. The questions in these categories are in multiple choice or Yes/No format.

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There are �00 total points on the exam. You must score at least 70 points to pass the exam and earn CSWA certification. The breakdown of questions is as follows:

CSWA Exam Breakdown

CategoryNumber of Questions Points Total

Basic Modeling Theory and Drawing Theory � 5 �0

Part Modeling � 30 30

Advanced Part Modeling � �0 �0

Assembly Modeling � 30 30

Advanced Modeling Theory and Analysis � 5 �0

Total = �00

The exam must be completed in �80 minutes (3 hours) or less. Keep this in mind as you prepare for the exam. The questions related to the Basic Modeling Theory and Drawing Theory category and the Advanced Modeling Theory and Analysis category should be answered in �0 minutes or less. The questions related to the Part Modeling, Advanced Part Modeling, and Assembly Modeling categories should be completed in 45 minutes or less. A good way to prepare for the CSWA exam is to practice creating part and assembly models and time yourself when doing so.

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Figure 1. The TesterPRO Client software interface.

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Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Introduction to the CSWA Exam 3

Make sure to manage your time well when taking the exam. A good strategy is to initially read through all of the questions when you start the exam to familiarize yourself with the entire contents. This will help you estimate the amount of time required to complete all of the questions. Keep in mind that you do not have to answer the questions in order. Review the questions and answer them in a sequence that you are most comfortable with.

CSWA Exam Question FormatAs previously discussed, the questions on the CSWA exam test your knowledge of topics

and theory and your modeling skills. The theory-related questions on the exam require you to answer a multiple choice or Yes/No question. The modeling-related questions on the exam require you to create a part or assembly in SolidWorks and then determine specific data to answer a related multiple choice question. The following sections discuss the question types in further detail.

Theory QuestionsThe theory questions on the CSWA exam test your knowledge of tools, fundamentals,

and techniques. The questions are related to three key areas:�Basic SolidWorks modeling theory�Drawing theory�Structural analysis and SimulationXpress theory

There are several ways to prepare for these questions. To prepare for questions on basic SolidWorks modeling theory, study the modeling techniques and common tools in SolidWorks. Study the part, drawing, and assembly modes in SolidWorks and the tools available for working in each mode. To prepare for the questions on drawing theory, study all of the types of drawing views that can be created in SolidWorks when working in drawing mode. Know the tools and procedures used to create section views, auxiliary views, detail views, and other common types of views. Chapters 8 and 9 in Learning SolidWorks 2010 introduce the tools used for creating drawing views. Study these chapters carefully.

Questions related to structural analysis and SimulationXpress test your knowledge of structural analysis tools and related terminology. Chapter �9 in Learning SolidWorks 2010 introduces structural analysis and SimulationXpress. Study this chapter carefully and refer to the SolidWorks help system for additional information.

When taking the CSWA exam, you can use the SolidWorks help system to help answer a question. The SolidWorks help system provides a comprehensive resource of information and many illustrated examples of various topics, including drawing view generation and topics related to SimulationXpress. Familiarize yourself with the help system and its contents. Researching topics in the help system will help you prepare for the CSWA exam.

NOTE

The SolidWorks software includes a number of tutorials for modeling parts and assemblies, creating drawings, and working with analysis tools. Tutorials specifically designed for CSWA exam preparation are available. To access the tutorials in SolidWorks, select Help>SolidWorks�Tutorials�from the Menu�Bar.

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Modeling QuestionsA typical modeling question on the CSWA exam requires you to build a model, apply

a material to the model, and then determine the mass or the center of mass of the model. In some cases, you may be required to determine the center of mass based on a coordinate system you create. Before starting a model, make sure you understand the requirements of the question and construct the model accordingly. For example, you may want to orient a part to use a certain origin location or a certain orientation of the default planes.

Modeling questions on the CSWA exam typically include a dimensioned pictorial drawing and/or several dimensioned orthographic views. To create models accurately, you must be able to read detail drawings and understand common drafting conventions. Study the given views carefully and make sure you fully understand the associated information and construction of the part.

Each modeling question typically provides you with several items of information to work with. In most cases, the unit system and part material will be identified. The part origin will also be identified. The origin may be identified as “arbitrary” or it may be specified in one of the views. Modeling questions for assemblies typically identify the location of the origin in one of the views.

The dimensions provided with a modeling question in the drawing views may include variables labeled “A,” “B,” or “C.” The related values are provided separately from the drawing views. You will need to use the appropriate dimensions to complete the model correctly. The variables are used in the exam questions to make each question unique.

When completing the modeling questions, use tools such as construction geometry and reference geometry to your advantage. Convert entities to simplify sketches whenever possible. Utilize symmetry when appropriate. When several identical features are required, use patterning or mirroring methods. Always strive to use the most efficient methods available to create the model. As you model, check your work to make sure you are building the model correctly. Apply design intent to address the requirements of the question.

The best way to prepare for the modeling questions on the CSWA exam is to practice creating part and assembly models in SolidWorks. The examples, practices, and exercises in Learning SolidWorks 2010 provide a variety of models for building your skills. Refer to the tutorials available in the SolidWorks software for additional practice.

Using the TesterPRO Client SoftwareThe TesterPRO Client software provides a number of useful tools when taking the CSWA

exam. The navigation controls at the bottom of the screen are used to page back and forth between questions. Refer to Figure 1. Remember, you do not have to answer the questions in order. If you need to change an answer to a question, you can “reset” the answer by using the appropriate tool.

For certain questions, you may need to “scroll down” to display all of the instructions. In such cases, use the scroll bar provided.

You will often need to switch between the TesterPRO Client software and SolidWorks while completing the modeling questions on the exam. Use the [Alt][Tab] key combination to switch between programs. In addition, when working on the modeling questions, you will frequently need to switch between drawing views to display different details. The TesterPRO Client software provides zooming tools to zoom into drawing views and enlarge details.

The software interface also provides a timer at the bottom of the screen allowing you to keep track of time as you work on the exam. Refer to Figure 1. Use the timer to keep track of progress and ensure you allocate enough time for all of the questions.


Upon completion of the exam, your answers are automatically graded by the software and a score is generated. See Figure 2. At this point, you will learn whether you have earned certification. If you pass the exam, you can download and print out a CSWA certificate from the SolidWorks Certification Center at www.virtualtester.com/solidworks. See Figure 3.

Figure 2. The TesterPRO Client software generates your score automatically upon completion of the CSWA exam.

Figure 3. A downloadable certificate is granted upon passing the CSWA exam.




Using the CSWA Exam Practice Questions

Practice questions for the CSWA exam are provided on the student Web site (www.g-wlearning.com/CAD). The questions are identified by exam category. If needed, review the appropriate tools or techniques to help you answer the questions.

NOTE

The SolidWorks Web site (www.solidworks.com) provides sample CSWA exam questions and additional resources for preparing for the CSWA exam.

CSWA Exam Recommended Competencies

At the beginning of each chapter in the textbook, a list of recommended exam competencies is given to identify coverage of CSWA exam topics in the chapter. As you study each chapter, review the CSWA exam competencies to make sure you possess the skills or knowledge associated with the chapter topics. Note that the competencies given in the textbook serve as general guidelines and that topics addressed on the CSWA exam are subject to change.

An expanded listing of CSWA exam recommended competencies referenced throughout the text is available on the student Web site (www.g-wlearning.com/CAD). Correlation charts identifying competencies in each exam category are provided. The charts can be used to quickly locate the text chapters where the competencies are first addressed.

Summary

To earn CSWA certification, you must have a thorough knowledge of SolidWorks modeling tools and techniques. You must understand practical applications for SolidWorks tools. You must be able to read detail drawings and create three-dimensional models based on the information provided. You must also be able to apply design intent when constructing a given model or assembly. In addition, you must be able to work efficiently.

As you work through the textbook, practice using the SolidWorks tools discussed. Practice until you are comfortable using each tool in different situations. Study models and detail drawings and visualize how the related features are constructed. Study and master the different tools available for sketching, creating features, creating assemblies, and creating drawing views. The best way to prepare for the CSWA exam is to practice. The best way to learn is to learn by doing. Keep these goals in mind as you work through the textbook.

NOTE

The Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) exam is also available for advanced professional certification.

l e a r n i n g 2010 solidworks cswa exam preparation

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