Certified SolidWorks Professional

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

1. 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.

2. 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.