Certification FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions on the SolidWorks Certification Programs.
1. What is the Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) exam?
2. What is the goal of the CSWP exam?
3. Do I need an Internet connection to take the CSWA/CSWP?
4. What is the policy on retaking the CSWA/CSWP?
5. What do I receive when I pass the exam?
6. I have my certification. Why don't I show up in the online directory?
7. In which languages are the exams available?
8. Can I buy an exam in bulk and then distribute it to my employees?
10. I took the exam and my Internet connection failed when the test ended. How do I report my results?
11. Will my answers be lost if my computer crashes? Will I lose my test credit and have to pay again?
12. Can I discuss my results with someone at SolidWorks or review the reasons if I failed?
13. Where can I report technical issues and enhancement requests regarding the testing software?
14. I do not use SolidWorks or SolidWorks Simulation. Can I still take the exam?
15. Which commercial version of the software should I use to take the CSWP exams?
16. When I took the exam, I entered ',' for every decimal place, not "." Is this okay?
17. Will a certificate be mailed out to me once I pass an exam?
1. What is Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) exam?
The CSWP exam is a comprehensive, non-proctored online exam that tests an individual’s ability to design and analyze parametric parts and movable assemblies using a variety of complex features in SolidWorks, including design validation tools. A Certified SolidWorks Professional is an individual that has successfully passed this exam.
2. What is the goal of the CSWP exam?
The goal of the Certified SolidWorks Professional Program is that it establishes an Industry standard by which SolidWorks professionals are evaluated. This evaluation is completed using a fair, comprehensive test of your knowledge of SolidWorks both in the areas of Mechanical Design and Design Validation. Completing the evaluation will accomplish two goals. First, on an individual level, achieving certification establishes you as a highly competent professional in the use of SolidWorks. Second, for the hiring managers, acts as a valuable assessment to attest for the individual’s competency, thereby reducing the amount of time and energy required to research prospective candidates.
3. Do I need an Internet connection to take the CSWA/CSWP?
Yes. For the entire time you are testing, you need to have an Internet connection. There is no standalone test available.
4. What is the policy on retaking the CSWA/CSWP?
There is a 30-day waiting period before retaking the CSWA and any Advanced CSWP exam. There is a 14-day waiting period before retaking any CSWP segment exam.
5. What do I receive when I pass the exam?
You will receive certificates for each exam that you pass. You receive an email that directs you to our electronic certificate access page. There you can login and download your electronic certificate(s) and electronic business card logo(s); CSWP’s also receive discounts to partner products and SolidWorks World events. For more information refer to www.solidworks.com/cswp.
6. I have my certification. Why don't I show up in the online directory?
The option to be displayed in the online CSWP directory is something that must be approved by the user. By default it is set to not display your listing in the diretory so you need to login to your account and select the option to be displayed. You can login to your account by visiting this link: https://www.virtualtester.com/solidworks/user.php?do=login Once logged into your account navigate to your settings page and select the "Yes" option for "List in Online Directory".
7. In which languages are the exams available?
The CSWP/CSWA exams are available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Japanese, Turkish, and Traditional Chinese.
8. Can I buy an exam in bulk and then distribute it to my employees?
Yes. You are allowed to purchase exams in bulk on our webstore then transfer testing credits to users of your choice in the form of a 'voucher'. To create vouchers from your bulk purchase, log into your virtualtester account and follow the simple instructions: www.virtualtester.com/solidworks/user.php
No. Once started, exams cannot be paused.
10. I took the exam and my Internet connection failed when the test ended. How do I report my results now?
The tester software will retry to connect for ~2 minutes. If the connection is still not available, an error message will be displayed and a TXT file will be saved on your desktop. The name of the file is: Tangix_TesterPro_Error_Date_Time.
Please send this file to support@tangix.com
11. Will my answers be lost if my computer crashes? Will I lose my testing credit/have to pay again if my computer crashes?
You will have to start the examination over and no refund will be available. Once you click ‘take exam’ your exam credit will be redeemed and we cannot refund your payment or voucher. If you computer crashes, your answers are not recoverable.
12. Can I discuss my results with someone at SolidWorks or review the reasons if I failed?
You can discuss your exam with an authorized training and support provider, or contact us at certification@solidworks.com
Due the complexity of an online testing environment, where every candidate receives a unique exam, we are unable to provide individuals with hands on analysis of improvement areas in their exam. However, we can encourage you to visit our public website, where you will find a list of exam topics that you should be proficient in for each exam.
13. Where can I report technical issues and enhancement requests regarding the testing software?
Send an email to support@tangix.com
14. I do not use SolidWorks or SolidWorks Simulation. Can I still take the exam with an evaluation copy?
Yes. But you will have to get the evaluation version from one of the SolidWorks resellers in your area.
15. Which commercial version of the software should I use to take the CSWP exams?
For all exams, you can use any version of SolidWorks 2008 and higher. Students can take the exams on SolidWorks Student Edition 2009 or higher.
16. When I took the exam, I entered ',' for every decimal place, not "." Is this okay?
The client test software uses the decimal point separator setting under Control Panel--> Regional & Language options-->Customize-->Decimal symbol. If you use a decimal point separator different from the above setting, it will not be accepted in the answer field. If you feel that you have still experienced a virtualtester client problem regarding this, send an email to support@tangix.com.
17. Will a certificate be mailed out to me once I pass an exam?
SolidWorks no longer mails out certificates to individuals who have passed an exam. We have made it a simple download that you can print from your computer so you no longer have to wait to receive it. To print your certificate simply visit www.virtualtester.com/solidworks/user.php. On that page, simply click the "Print My Certificate" button and follow the on-screen instructions. Please note that not all exams have printable certificates.
