Lesson 11: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – Taking the SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate (CSWA-S) Exam

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In Lesson 10, we addressed general information and content on the SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate (CSWA-S) exam.

Passing the CSWA-S exam indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of demonstrating an understanding in the principles of stress analysis and Finite Element Method (FEM).

Lesson 11 covers taking the on-line proctored SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate (CSWA-S) exam. The exam can be taken on Desktop SOLIDWORKS.

The main requirement for obtaining the SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate (CSWA-S) certification is to take and pass the on-line proctored (Academic Provider) 120-minute exam which consists of 20 questions. Minimum pass grade is 70% (70 points out of 100 points).

The questions consist of 3 hands-on problems, single answer, multiple-choice, yes/no and multiple selections for a total of 100 points. Point allocation ranges from 3 points to 20 points per question, depending on the difficulty.

On the exam it will state, “ Use default size, high quality elements”. Set Jacobian points to 16. This could affect the results in the exam using an older SOLIDWORKS version.

Taking the on-line proctored CSWA-S Exam

Click the provided link: https://3dexperience.virtualtester.com/#home.

The 3DEXPERIENCE Certification Center Home page is displayed.

The 3DEXPERIENCE Certification Center is where students are able to login to take their certification opportunities, manage their certificates, address their digital badges, and make changes to their account settings.

If your school is an Academic Provider, the provider can allocate free student CSWA-S exam opportunities.

Login to 3DEXPERIENCE Certification Center Home page. Note: A 3DEXPERIENCE ID is required.

Click the LOGIN icon

Download the TesterPRO Client to your desktop.

Un-zip the Tester PRO Client.

Read the License Agreement.

Agree to the Candidate Conduct Policy.

Click I Agree.

Install the Tester PRO Client.

Click install.

Click Finish.

View the available languages.

Select Test Language.

Click Continue.

Create an account. If you already have an account, select “I already have a VirtualTester UserID and password”. Enter your school email address. Enter password.

Click Continue.

Select SOLIDWORKS.

Select SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate.

This will depend on the exam opportunity given by the Academic Provider.

Click Start Exam.

Select language.

Click Start Exam.

Click Yes.

Read the instructions. Agree to the Confidentiality Agreement and Candidate Conduct Policy. Click I Agree.

Click Start Examination. Note: Timing yourself is crucial. One exam strategy is to answer all the hands-on questions first within 90 minutes. Here you will gain the most points. Leave 30 minutes to answer the multiple choice yes/no, and multiple answer questions. Use SOLIDWORKS Simulation Help during the exam.

You are allowed to answer the questions in any order you prefer.

Note: Use a point as a decimal separator on a single answer question.

Use the Summary Screen during the exam to view the list of all questions you have or have not answered.

The questions consist of 4 hands-on problems (13 points, 7 points, 5 points and 20 points) single answer, and the rest are multiple choice questions for a total of 100 points. A passing grade is 70% (70 out of 100) or higher.

When finished, click End Examination.

Click Yes.

The exam is automatically graded and the final grade is displayed to the student. The exam grade is provided directly to the Academic Provider. An Academic Certification Provider is defined as an educational institution on subscription, with a minimum number of licenses (varies by country), that is eligible to administer CSWA, CSWP and other specialty exams.

Download the class results into an excel spread sheet. You need a minimum passing score of 70 or higher. The exam is out of 100 points.

All candidates receive an electronic certification, a digital badge, business card logo and optional personal listing in the SOLIDWORKS Certification directory when they pass the CSWA-S exam.

If you fail the CSWA-S exam, you will need to wait 14-days before retaking it again. Note: Individual questions results are not provided. The number of wrong and correct questions is displayed. The results will display the strong Topics areas and Topic areas to study.

Lesson 11 is finished.

Lesson 12 covers general information and content of the on-line proctored SOLIDWORKS Sustainability Associate (CSWA-SD) exam. Note: Formally called the Certified Sustainable Design Associate, old acronym (CSDA).

Sustainable engineering is the integration of social, environmental, and economic conditions into a product or process. Soon all design will be Sustainable Design.

Other blogs in this SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification Series

Lesson 1 SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – What is the Journey?

Lesson 2 SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – Certification Provider Program for EDU

Lesson 3 SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification 3DEXPERIENCE Certification Center

Lesson 4: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – Exam Opportunities

Lesson 5: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – Student Needs

Lesson 6: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – CSWA Exam Part 1

Lesson 7: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – CSWA Exam Part 2

Lesson 8: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – SOLIDWORKS Additive Manufacturing Associate (CSWA-AM) Exam

Lesson 9: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – Taking the SOLIDWORKS Additive Manufacturing Associate Exam

Lesson 10: SOLIDWORKS Academic Certification – SOLIDWORKS Simulation Associate (CSWA-S) Exam

 

Design well, Marie

 

 

Marie Planchard

Marie Planchard

Senior Director, Early Engagement, 3DEXPERIENCE Works at Dassault Systemes
Marie Planchard is an education and engineering advocate. As Senior Director of Education & Early Engagement, SOLIDWORKS, she is responsible for global development of content and social outreach across all levels of learning.
Marie Planchard

@marieplanchard1