Most CAD professionals today recognize the need to become certified to prove their skills, prepare for new job searches, and to learn new skills while at their existing job. Specifying a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) certification on your resume is a great way to increase your chances of landing a new job, getting a promotion, or looking more qualified when representing your company on a consulting job.

The primary goal of this book is not only to help you pass the CSWA exam, but also to ensure that you understand and comprehend the concepts and implementation details of the CSWA process. The second goal is to provide the most comprehensive coverage of CSWA exam related topics available, without too much coverage of topics not on the exam. The third and ultimate goal is to get you from where you are today to the point that you can confidently pass the CSWA exam.

DS SolidWorks Corp. offers various stages of certification. Each stage represents increasing levels of expertise in 3D CAD design as it applies to engineering: Certified SolidWorks Associate CSWA, Certified SolidWorks Professional CSWP and Certified SolidWorks Expert CSWE along with specialty fields in Simulation, Sheet Metal, and Surfacing.

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 on-line proctored 180 minute exam (minimum of 165 out of 240 points). The new CSWA exam consists of fourteen questions in five categories. Passing this exam provides students the chance to prove their knowledge and expertise and to be part of a worldwide industry certification standard.