Hello
As a SolidWorks user, I am looking for information to take a certification.
I wanted to know if among you, this type of certification has been useful to you in your job?
Are the tests complex (especially CSWE)? Is this a very theoretical question (shortcuts, functions, etc.) or rather a complete design work?
Have a good day and thank you in advance.
Hello
This can indeed be useful. For example, if you want to join a position with a SolidWorks reseller, the fact that you are certified is undeniably a plus.
Similarly, with an equivalent CV, a SolidWorks certification can obviously influence the choice of a design manager.
For certifications, you can take them directly in the "SolidWorks Customers Portal", and this several times (you have the right to retake the same certification)
It's not a complete design work, but more MCQs on features, and to tell the truth, it's quite tricky on some issues.
Now, if you want more information, I advise you to contact Mickaël who can tell you about it since he has passed several.
Is the certification a multiple-choice question in the language of Schakepeare or is it possible to do it in the language of Molière?
There is a time limit I guess?
Are there training programs?
Hello
There are in fact several "levels" of certifications, there are certifications for support technicians, these are questions in the form of multiple choice questions specific to the support (installation questions, use of Rx, possibilities, new features...). These certificates can be taken in several languages, including French.
Then there are certifications that all users with a Virtual tester account can take, in order of difficulty:
CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate)
CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Professional)
CSWE (Certified SolidWorks Expert)
For CSWA certification, there are a few questions, from design, assembly, for the next two, there are a lot of designs, even 100% designs if I remember correctly.
I started with the CSWA to see what it looked like, certification is not very complex for a user who has been working on SolidWorks for a few years.
For the CSWP, there are several modules:
CSWP Core (design of a mechanical part, change of dimension, use of equation, the answers are about the mass of the part, or the position of a center of gravity.
This certificate is broken down into three segments, if one of the segments is missed, it can be retaken individually without having to redo the entire certificate.
Then there are specific modules, CSWP drawing (in my opinion the simplest), CSWP sheet metal (design of a sheet, dimension variation... and it is asked either the mass of the part, or the length of a unfolded part), CSWP surface (quite complex and the time is quite tight in my opinion), there is also Molding tool, welded construction and simulation, but I have not passed them. The certificates I mentioned above can be taken in French, English...
For the CSWE, I haven't tried, in any case, to be able to pass it, you need to have the CSWP Core certification and at least 4 CSWP modules.
On the SolidWorks website, if you are under a maintenance contract, there is a link to the certifications (see attached screenshot), you will find the types of certificates and pieces of examples in PDF format (I advise to make the examples), there is also a free code to pass a CSWA certificate and a code for one of the CSWP modules (the link to the code is on the part (right) of the Certification Offers for Subscription Service Customers page )
Good luck
Mickael
Thank you for these answers!
I had another question about the validity of the certification.
Once passed, the certification is valid indefinitely or does it have to be retaken every year? It may depend on the version of SolidWorks??
Well, all that's left to do is get started!!!!!!!!
It depends on the certifications, for CSWA, CSWP and CSWE certifications, they are final, only the reseller-specific certifications need to be retaken every year.
Thank you mickael for this information, especially since I didn't even know that the maintenance contract offers some tests. I set aside my Friday afternoon to spend it! I'm still hesitating between the CSWA or the CSWP.
Thank you again and have a good end of the day.
Hello
I got my CSWP. Thank you again for your messages because otherwise I would never have dared to pass it. As soon as I can, I take the CSWE!
Have a nice day.
Hello.... and sorry for the digging up!!
I would like to know if the result is simplistic (ok or not ok for the test) or if there is an explanation for each missed game, to improve specific points!!
Thank you
Hello
We don't have any feedback on the mistakes...
On the other hand, I made screen prints to think about it later.