CSWP - Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What happens to an equation-driven dimension when you suppress the feature it belongs to?

The equation recalculates using default values
An error is thrown that requires manual equation removal
The equation is suspended but not deleted, and resumes when the feature is unsuppressed (Correct answer)
The equation is permanently deleted

Correct answer: The equation is suspended but not deleted, and resumes when the feature is unsuppressed

Suppressing a feature suspends its equations; the equations remain intact and re-evaluate when the feature is unsuppressed.

Question 2: In a SOLIDWORKS Design Table, what is the correct syntax for a column header to control the suppression state of a feature named 'Pocket-Cut'?

STATE@Pocket-Cut
SUPPRESS@Pocket-Cut
Pocket-Cut@SUPPRESSION
$STATE@Pocket-Cut (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $STATE@Pocket-Cut

The correct syntax to control the suppression state of a feature is `$STATE@feature_name`. Therefore, for a feature named 'Pocket-Cut', the header must be `$STATE@Pocket-Cut`. The cells under this column would then accept values like 'S' (Suppressed) or 'U' (Unsuppressed).

Question 3: What is a 'dangling' sketch relation in SolidWorks?

A relation whose referenced entity has been deleted or modified (Correct answer)
An over-defined relation
A relation that is not yet applied
A floating entity with no constraints

Correct answer: A relation whose referenced entity has been deleted or modified

A dangling relation occurs when the entity it was referencing no longer exists or has changed, leaving the relation without a valid reference.

Question 4: What is the maximum recommended number of configurations in a single SolidWorks Design Table before performance typically degrades noticeably?

There is no documented limit
100 (Correct answer)
10
50

Correct answer: 100

SolidWorks documentation and best-practice guides recommend keeping Design Tables under approximately 100 configurations to avoid significant rebuild slowdowns.

Question 5: Which of the following statements is true regarding the difference between using 'Linked Values' (also known as 'Shared Values') and 'Global Variables' to make dimensions equal?

A single Linked Value can be applied to multiple selected dimensions at once, while a Global Variable must be applied to each dimension individually. (Correct answer)
Global Variables can only be numerical values, while Linked Values can contain formulas.
Linked Values are created in the Equations Manager, while Global Variables are set in the Dimension PropertyManager.
Global Variables can be used in configurations, whereas Linked Values cannot.

Correct answer: A single Linked Value can be applied to multiple selected dimensions at once, while a Global Variable must be applied to each dimension individually.

The primary advantage of 'Linked Values' is the ability to select multiple dimensions in the graphics area, right-click, and link them all in one operation. While Global Variables are generally more powerful and manageable from the Equations dialog, they must be assigned to each dimension one by one.

Question 6: You want an extrusion depth to automatically equal the diameter of a circular sketch. Which equation approach is most direct?

Write an equation: "D1@Boss-Extrude1" = "D1@Sketch1" where D1@Sketch1 is the diameter (Correct answer)
Link the depth value to the sketch circle via a design table only
Export the model to Excel and manually set the relationship
Use a sensor to detect the diameter and trigger a rebuild

Correct answer: Write an equation: "D1@Boss-Extrude1" = "D1@Sketch1" where D1@Sketch1 is the diameter

A direct equation linking the extrusion depth dimension to the sketch diameter dimension automatically maintains the relationship on every rebuild.

Question 7: What does the 'Reverse' option do when configuring a Gear mate between two shafts?

Swaps which shaft is the driver
Switches between angular and linear motion
Reverses the gear ratio
Changes the rotation direction so the shafts rotate in the same direction instead of opposite directions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Changes the rotation direction so the shafts rotate in the same direction instead of opposite directions

By default, meshing gears rotate in opposite directions; the Reverse option makes them rotate in the same direction, simulating an internal gear arrangement.

Question 8: What is the purpose of the 'Indent' feature in SolidWorks?

Adds a raised embossed shape to a face
Mirrors a cut feature about a plane
Creates a circular pocket with a flat bottom
Creates a cavity in one body by using another body as a tool (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Creates a cavity in one body by using another body as a tool

The Indent feature uses one solid body as a tool to press a matching cavity or protrusion shape into a target body.

Question 9: Which of the following is a valid reason to use global variables instead of hard-coded numbers directly in equations?

Hard-coded numbers are not supported in SolidWorks equations
Global variables compile faster than numeric literals
Global variables automatically create design tables
Global variables allow a single change to propagate to all equations that reference them (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Global variables allow a single change to propagate to all equations that reference them

Changing a global variable in one place updates every equation that references it, making the model easier to maintain.

Question 10: Which property must be assigned to each body in a multi-body part for individual bodies to display different materials in a drawing BOM?

Material applied per-body via the Solid Bodies folder right-click menu (Correct answer)
Material assigned at the part document level
Material listed as a custom property in the part's Summary tab
Material configured in the drawing format

Correct answer: Material applied per-body via the Solid Bodies folder right-click menu

Right-clicking a body in the Solid Bodies folder lets you assign a unique material per body, which can then be referenced in cut lists or BOMs.

Question 11: In the Configuration Publisher, what is the purpose of marking a parameter as a 'Group'?

It creates a sub-table of configurations within the group
It organizes parameters visually without affecting configuration logic (Correct answer)
It restricts the parameter to integer values only
It links the group to an external database

Correct answer: It organizes parameters visually without affecting configuration logic

Groups in Configuration Publisher organize parameters visually into collapsible sections without changing how configurations are generated.

Question 12: What does the 'Reverse' checkbox do specifically within a Rack and Pinion mate?

Inverts the distance-per-revolution ratio
Reverses the direction of pinion rotation for a given rack translation direction (Correct answer)
Enables the rack to rotate instead of translate
Swaps the rack and pinion roles

Correct answer: Reverses the direction of pinion rotation for a given rack translation direction

The Reverse option in a Rack and Pinion mate flips the sign of the relationship so that rack motion in one direction causes pinion rotation in the opposite sense.

Question 13: Which sketch tool creates copies of selected entities at a uniform distance offset from the originals?

Move Entities
Convert Entities
Mirror Entities
Offset Entities (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Offset Entities

Offset Entities creates parallel copies of sketch lines, arcs, or curves at a specified perpendicular distance from the originals.

Question 14: An engineer is testing the range of motion of a robotic arm assembly and needs to find the exact position where two links first make contact. Which tool is specifically designed to dynamically check for contact between components as they are moved and stop the motion at the point of collision?

Assembly Visualization
Interference Detection
Clearance Verification
Collision Detection (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Collision Detection

Collision Detection, an option within the 'Move Component' tool, is used for dynamic analysis. It stops the component's movement at the exact point of collision with another component, which is ideal for finding the limits of motion. Interference Detection, in contrast, is a static check that identifies existing volumetric overlaps between components in their current position.

Question 15: In SolidWorks, what color indicates a fully defined sketch entity?

Blue
Yellow
Green
Black (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Black

A fully defined sketch entity turns black, meaning all its degrees of freedom are constrained by dimensions or geometric relations.

Question 16: When a linked external Design Table (xlsx file) is moved to a different folder, what must the user do to restore the link?

Open the model, right-click Design Table, and choose 'Browse' to relink (Correct answer)
Use Edit > References to update the file path
The link updates automatically via Windows file tracking
Re-insert the Design Table from scratch

Correct answer: Open the model, right-click Design Table, and choose 'Browse' to relink

Right-clicking the Design Table in ConfigurationManager and choosing Edit Table allows you to browse for and re-establish the broken external link.

Question 17: Which FeatureManager drag operation allows you to restructure a feature so it is absorbed into a different body in a multibody part?

Use Insert > Feature > Move to Body command
Right-click and choose 'Assign to Body'
Drag the feature above the Split feature that created the second body (Correct answer)
Drag the feature into the Solid Bodies folder of the target body

Correct answer: Drag the feature above the Split feature that created the second body

Dragging a feature above the Split or operation that created separate bodies changes which body the feature is applied to, as features act sequentially in the FeatureManager.

Question 18: Balloons in a SolidWorks assembly drawing are used for what purpose?

Indicating surface finish requirements on components
Displaying weld joint callout symbols
Marking datum reference frame symbols
Tagging each component by linking it to its BOM item number (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Tagging each component by linking it to its BOM item number

Balloons are annotation circles placed on components in the drawing view, each containing the item number that corresponds to the matching row in the BOM table.

Question 19: What is the primary advantage of using derived configurations over creating independent configurations?

Changes to the parent automatically propagate to children unless overridden (Correct answer)
Derived configurations can have more dimensions
They allow cross-document configuration linking
Derived configurations render faster in assemblies

Correct answer: Changes to the parent automatically propagate to children unless overridden

Derived configurations inherit parent settings automatically, so updating the parent cascades to children without manual edits.

Question 20: In an assembly, a component needs to be perfectly centered between two parallel faces of a bracket. The distance between the bracket faces may change. Which advanced mate is the most efficient and robust method to maintain this centered condition automatically?

Width Mate (Correct answer)
Profile Center Mate
Symmetric Mate
Two Distance Mates with an equation

Correct answer: Width Mate

The Width Mate is the most efficient tool for this scenario. It constrains a 'tab' (the component to be centered) between two planar faces of a 'groove' (the bracket). It automatically keeps the tab centered even if the groove width changes. A Symmetric mate requires a central plane, and using two distance mates with an equation is less direct and more complex to set up.

Question 21: In SolidWorks, which assembly-level operation would cause the center of mass to shift without changing the total mass of the assembly?

Adding a new component to the assembly
Changing the document unit system
Moving a component to a different position using mates (Correct answer)
Assigning a denser material to a component

Correct answer: Moving a component to a different position using mates

Repositioning a component via mates changes where its mass is located spatially, shifting the assembly's center of mass without altering total mass.

Question 22: In Motion Analysis, what is a 'damper' element primarily used to simulate?

Friction between a rotating shaft and its housing
A spring that stores and releases energy
A rigid connection that prevents all motion
A force that resists relative velocity between two components, dissipating kinetic energy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A force that resists relative velocity between two components, dissipating kinetic energy

A damper element applies a force proportional to relative velocity, representing energy-dissipating behavior such as hydraulic or viscous damping.

Question 23: When using the 'Edit Feature' command on a Loft feature in SolidWorks, which aspect can you modify directly without rebuilding the entire feature from scratch?

The number of profiles by adding new sketches externally
Guide curve selections and their tangency options (Correct answer)
The material assigned to the lofted body
The sketch planes of existing profiles

Correct answer: Guide curve selections and their tangency options

Within Edit Feature for a Loft, you can modify guide curve selections and tangency conditions directly in the PropertyManager.

Question 24: What error occurs if a Design Table cell contains a dimension value outside the model's geometric constraints (e.g., a negative extrude depth)?

That configuration fails to rebuild and shows an error flag (Correct answer)
SolidWorks silently clamps the value to zero
The entire Design Table is discarded
SolidWorks prompts for a corrected value

Correct answer: That configuration fails to rebuild and shows an error flag

An invalid dimension causes only that configuration's rebuild to fail, marking it with a red flag while other configurations remain intact.

Question 25: When would you use the 'int()' function in a SolidWorks equation instead of 'round()'?

When you need to convert a dimension to integer units
When you want to round up to the next whole number
When you want to truncate toward zero regardless of sign, without rounding (Correct answer)
When you want to round to the nearest even number

Correct answer: When you want to truncate toward zero regardless of sign, without rounding

int(x) truncates the decimal portion toward zero (e.g., int(3.9)=3, int(−3.9)=−3), whereas round() rounds to the nearest integer.

Question 26: For the CSWP exam, if you need to find the center of mass of a selected subset of components in an assembly, what is the correct approach in SolidWorks?

Run Simulation > Mass Participation on selected bodies
Create a derived assembly with only those components
Pre-select the desired components before opening Mass Properties (Correct answer)
Use the Section Properties tool on the selected components

Correct answer: Pre-select the desired components before opening Mass Properties

Pre-selecting specific components before running Mass Properties causes SolidWorks to calculate properties for only the selected items.

Question 27: What happens when you insert a Design Table into a model that already has manually created configurations?

Existing configurations become read-only
The Design Table is rejected automatically
SolidWorks prompts to link, overwrite, or cancel (Correct answer)
All existing configurations are deleted

Correct answer: SolidWorks prompts to link, overwrite, or cancel

SolidWorks presents a dialog asking whether to auto-populate the table with existing configs or start fresh.

Question 28: Which tool in SolidWorks allows you to extend a sketch line to meet another sketch entity?

Offset Entities
Convert Entities
Extend Entities (Correct answer)
Trim Entities

Correct answer: Extend Entities

Extend Entities lengthens a selected sketch line, arc, or curve until it intersects with another sketch entity.

Question 29: Which Excel function is commonly used inside a Design Table to conditionally assign a feature suppression state?

INDEX
SUMIF
IF (Correct answer)
VLOOKUP

Correct answer: IF

The IF function lets you set suppression to 'S' or 'U' based on a logical condition derived from other cell values.

Question 30: A user wants a Design Table configuration named 'Left Hand' to show as 'LH' in the BOM. Which column header achieves this?

$USER_NOTES@model
BOM_NAME@LH
$BOM_PARTNO@model
$BOM_NAME@model (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $BOM_NAME@model

$BOM_NAME@ overrides the configuration name shown in a Bill of Materials without changing the actual configuration name.

CSWP - Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Exam

The CSWP exam validates advanced skills in SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD design, covering part modeling, configurations, and assemblies across three timed segments.

Questions

200 min

Time Limit

75%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

solidworks.com — Test delivery, eligibility, exam format, passing score, retake policy, time limit, score validity · verified Oct 2026