CSWA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CSWA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. At an angle of 90° to a given line, plane, or surface. → Perpendicular
2. The drawing of a 3d object that shows a corner view of a figure. it is not drawn in perspective and the distances are not distorted. → Isometric drawing
3. How do you access the drafting standard setting (ANSI, ISO, etc.) in SolidWorks? → Tools > Options > Document Properties > Drafting Standard
4. A sketched 2D or 3D curve defined by a set of control points. → Spline
5. Which SolidWorks interface element displays context-sensitive tabbed command groups at the top of the window? → CommandManager
6. What is the minimum number of profiles required to create a Loft feature in SolidWorks? → 2
7. In SolidWorks, a Swept Boss/Base feature is accessed through which menu path? → Insert > Features
8. What is a 'global variable' in SolidWorks Equations used for? → Defining a named value that drives multiple dimensions or equations
9. Which of the following best describes a 'driven' or 'reference' dimension in a SOLIDWORKS sketch? → A read-only dimension that reports a measurement but does not control the sketch geometry.
10. The 'Thin Feature' option in the Sweep command is used to: → Add uniform wall thickness to an open profile to create a solid
11. How can custom file properties (like part number or description) be driven by a SolidWorks Design Table? → By adding the property name with a '$' prefix as a column header, e.g., "$Description"
12. What is a 'Configuration' in SolidWorks? → A variation of a part or assembly with different dimensions or suppressed features
13. A straight line that passes from side to side through the center of a circle or sphere. → Diameter
14. When inserting a component into a SolidWorks assembly, how do you specify which configuration to use? → In the Insert Component PropertyManager, select the configuration from the dropdown
15. Where is the SolidWorks 'Design Library' feature, which stores reusable parts and features, located? → Task Pane
16. Which of the following statements about Loft profiles in SolidWorks is TRUE? → Profiles can be on non-parallel planes and even defined as 3D sketches
17. The perimeter of a circle: → Circumference
18. In a Loft feature, what are guide curves used for? → To control the shape transition between loft profiles
19. When using the Chamfer feature, which set of inputs is required to create an 'Angle Distance' chamfer? → An edge, a face, a distance, and an angle.
20. What does the 'Keep Normal Constant' option do in a Sweep feature? → The profile maintains its original orientation relative to the world coordinate system
21. What does a gray (dimmed) icon next to a feature in the FeatureManager Design Tree indicate? → The feature is suppressed
22. For a sweep profile to correctly follow a path, the path must: → Pierce the profile sketch plane at exactly one point
23. What happens when you 'unsuppress' a feature in SolidWorks? → Restores the previously suppressed feature to active status in the current configuration
24. Which SolidWorks setting controls the number of decimal places shown in model dimensions? → Tools > Options > Document Properties > Units
25. What does 'suppressing' a feature within a configuration do? → Removes the feature from model geometry in that configuration only
26. A feature that linearly projects a sketch to either add material to a part (in a base or boss) or remove material from a part (in a cut or hole). → Extrusion
27. Which action rotates the 3D model view in SolidWorks? → Middle mouse button click and drag
28. What is the purpose of the PropertyManager in SolidWorks? → Displays input fields and options for the active command
29. In a Loft feature, what does a 'centerline' parameter do? → It guides the loft profiles along a specified path, similar to a sweep path
30. A Helix/Spiral curve in SolidWorks is most commonly used as: → A path for sweep features to create springs or threads