How much time does one needs to prepare for CSWE ?
Hello,
I highly recommend Paul Tran's CSWE book (SDC Publications).
It will aid you tremendously.
BUT, as Mr. Gupta pointed out, there's a new exam (longer with more & some different topics), so review ALL of your study materials closely for the proper exam content.
As I type this, I went to SDC Publications: Search Results: cswe but this search only returned the manual for the previous exam format.
Since this book was such a help, I suggest contacting SDC Pubs (Zach@sdcpublications.com) to see if Mr. Tran is working on an updated edition.
Lastly, like all of the other exams, work the topics in the bullet listing on the CSWE page. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Cheers,
Kevin
The revised edition of book in coming in April 2016 but again it is based on older format of exam: Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert Preparation Materials
But I would agree that his books are really great help for exams.
Hello,
Thanks for looking into that.
Too bad about Mr. Tran's new book being dated.
I really appreciated having his book and it shaved off a lot of study time and anxiety.
Cheers,
Kevin
I really just looked up what was covered and made sure I knew the ins and outs, if you passed all of the advanced exams the CSWE should be a breeze.
Hello,
With the 6 month wait to retake it if I didn't pass, I wouldn't say "breeze" was in my CSWE study/test vocabulary .
Cheers,
Kevin
I felt like it was easier than it should have been, which is why I'm excited there is a new one. unlike the surfacing exam, or sheet metal exam, I was able to take the exam twice to double check my answers before clicking done (still with time remaining). So with the old exam I feel if you have all of the advanced exams, you are already a solidworks expert and the exam was just a go ahead field goal, sure you can screw it up (like the Vikings), but if you stay calm and just take it like its any other exam you will pass it.
nothing compares to the Mold tools exam though.... That one was so bad I sent an email to solidworks telling them so...
Anton Miller wrote:
nothing compares to the Mold tools exam though.... That one was so bad I sent an email to solidworks telling them so...
I didn't found any issue with the mold exam though.
Hello,
It really does come down to prep.
The more & better you prep, the more time you'll have for review (which I think SW factors into the total time allotment: exam plus some review time).
What was your issue with the Molds exam?
I was told by a CSWE at my VAR that it was the easiest and sheet metal was the hardest.
He had mold experience and no sheet metal. I'm the opposite, so I thought SM would be easier than Molds, but it wasn't
Molds seemed "rather easy". Is that your issue with it?
Cheers,
Kevin
I had very less experience using surfacing so I felt that was the hardest for me but rest all were like breeze.
Exactly, 5 questions, and it didn't even cover all the functions, it took me 15 minutes and 10 to review, 100%. After the exam I laughed, then got kind of angered because of how easy it was, I mean they could have done so much more. I would elaborate, but I think that could infringe on some rules....
The surfacing and the sheet metal exams are wonderful... I honestly think they need to look at those and make all exams on that difficulty level. weldment is close, but still could be better. Drawings and mold tools, LAUGHABLE.
Hello,
In defense of Drawings, there's only so far you can drive that bus before it runs out of diesel.
Although, SW added advanced BOM to the new CSWE!?
Cheers,
Kevin
Anton,
I have to agree with you on the drawing tools and mold tools exams, they were rather easy. I use the sheet metal tool on a daily basis and I thought that exam was challenging but manageable. I had to learn the weldment tool in solidworks just for the exam, my company doesn't do weldments that way. I thought the weldment exam was the hardest one I have taken. I haven't taken the surfacing exam yet so I can't comment on that.
Hey hello Mandeep Singh,
I passed the CSWE about 1 month ago, yep the new version,
The time you need to prepare for the cswe depends largely on your skills and where you daily use SW for.
The new exam (v.2.0) covers about all aspects of SW (sketch/3d-sketch/weldments/assy configurations and BOM's/Belt&chain/surfacing/springs/sheetmetal/molding/..)
(see: Certified SolidWorks Expert | SOLIDWORKS )
The exact time you need to prepare is also depend on your self-confidence, you may need 20-30hours of preparation or even more.
However, How long you need to prepare doesn't really matter... you'll need to have confidence taking the exam (lacking it will put you in time-need)
I hope you succeed and wish you all the best.
Bart, may I ask about Molds you mention in CSWE? Is there anything in this new exam except the draft feature? Description of the exam does not mention any ...
EDIT: passed cswe. No Mold features except one question of draft.
Ben,
I'm polishing off the last few topics to take the CSWE in a few days. Do you have any advice on spring modeling? i.e. were there questions regarding specialty springs or were they simply helical, circular, and end mods on helical?
Thanks all for replying to my query.
I am just concerned about the new version , if I am able to but the Paul ebook , is that still sufficient or not for the newer version .
Keep in mind that SolidWorks does offer a number of tutorials (some free and some for certain subscription levels). They could serve as a means of extra practice in areas that you don't feel as confident.
You could also try just taking the list of CSWE topics and heading over to Youtube for exercises. Granted some of this is hit and miss.
Depends on your expertise with the tool and different options. Also note that CSWE exam has a new version now.