CSWP - Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In the SolidWorks equation editor, the 'sgn()' function returns which values?

The square root of a value
−1, 0, or 1 depending on whether the argument is negative, zero, or positive (Correct answer)
The sine of an angle in degrees
The absolute value of a number

Correct answer: −1, 0, or 1 depending on whether the argument is negative, zero, or positive

sgn(x) returns −1 for negative inputs, 0 for zero, and 1 for positive inputs.

Question 2: When creating a linear sketch pattern in SolidWorks, which parameter controls the spacing between instances?

Pitch
Delta
Spacing (Correct answer)
Offset

Correct answer: Spacing

The Spacing parameter in the Linear Sketch Pattern dialog defines the center-to-center distance between each repeated instance.

Question 3: Which dialog box do you use to assign a configuration-specific custom property such as 'Part Number'?

Edit > Configuration Specific Properties
File > Properties > Custom tab with configuration dropdown (Correct answer)
File > Properties > Summary
Configuration Properties > Description tab

Correct answer: File > Properties > Custom tab with configuration dropdown

The Custom tab in File > Properties includes a configuration dropdown, allowing different custom property values per configuration.

Question 4: What constraint must guide curves in a Loft feature satisfy?

They must be parallel to the loft direction
They must pass through a point on each profile (Correct answer)
They must be sketched on the same plane as a profile
They must be straight lines only

Correct answer: They must pass through a point on each profile

Guide curves must pierce or be coincident with a vertex or point on each loft profile to properly constrain the loft shape.

Question 5: What is the purpose of the $PRP@ column header syntax in a SolidWorks design table?

It suppresses features with a property name
It links to a custom property value for each configuration (Correct answer)
It imports data from an external database
It references a global variable

Correct answer: It links to a custom property value for each configuration

The $PRP@<property name> syntax in a design table allows you to set custom property values per configuration row.

Question 6: What is the function of the 'Create Assembly' option in the Save Bodies PropertyManager?

Saves all bodies as a single assembly-formatted file
Generates a drawing with an assembly BOM
Automatically creates an assembly file and inserts each saved body part as a component (Correct answer)
Creates an exploded view assembly from the multi-body part

Correct answer: Automatically creates an assembly file and inserts each saved body part as a component

'Create Assembly' in Save Bodies builds a new assembly and places each derived part file into it, preserving the relative positions of the original bodies.

Question 7: An Auxiliary View in SolidWorks is projected perpendicular to which reference?

The top plane
The right plane
The front plane
A selected inclined edge or surface (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A selected inclined edge or surface

Auxiliary View projects perpendicular to a selected slanted edge or face, showing the true shape and size of inclined surfaces that appear distorted in standard orthographic views.

Question 8: Which workflow is most appropriate for a multi-body weldment where individual members need separate cut lists and BOM entries?

Assembly-driven weldment using configurations
Multi-body part with manually named bodies and drawing notes
Save Bodies to separate parts with manual BOM entry
Weldment feature with structural members auto-grouped by cut-list folder (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Weldment feature with structural members auto-grouped by cut-list folder

SolidWorks Weldments automatically generates a cut list by grouping identical structural members, which feeds directly into drawings and BOMs.

Question 9: In a SolidWorks assembly, what does a 'LimitAngle' mate do when applied between two components?

Converts a rotational joint into a fixed joint
Sets a fixed angle that cannot be changed without editing the mate
Restricts angular rotation between two components within defined minimum and maximum values (Correct answer)
Locks the angle permanently between two faces

Correct answer: Restricts angular rotation between two components within defined minimum and maximum values

A LimitAngle mate allows angular motion between two components but constrains it within a user-defined minimum and maximum angle range.

Question 10: What does a black sketch entity indicate in a SolidWorks sketch?

Over defined
Under defined
Fully defined (Correct answer)
Dangling

Correct answer: Fully defined

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

Question 11: When mirroring a body with 'Mirror Bodies,' what option controls whether the mirrored copy is a separate body or merged with the original?

The configuration active at the time of mirroring
The 'Merge solid bodies' checkbox in the Mirror feature PropertyManager (Correct answer)
The sketch symmetry constraint applied before mirroring
The 'Create derived part' toggle

Correct answer: The 'Merge solid bodies' checkbox in the Mirror feature PropertyManager

Checking 'Merge solid bodies' in the Mirror feature joins the mirror result with the source body; unchecking keeps them as distinct bodies.

Question 12: Approximately how long (total) is allowed to complete all three CSWP segments if taken in one session?

360 minutes
180 minutes (Correct answer)
270 minutes
90 minutes

Correct answer: 180 minutes

The three segments total approximately 180 minutes (3 hours) of combined exam time.

Question 13: In which SolidWorks dialog can you select a custom coordinate system to report the center of mass relative to a user-defined reference frame?

Simulation Study Properties
Section Properties dialog
Mass Properties dialog using the 'Report coordinate values relative to' dropdown (Correct answer)
Mate Properties dialog

Correct answer: Mass Properties dialog using the 'Report coordinate values relative to' dropdown

The Mass Properties dialog includes a dropdown to choose any user-created coordinate system as the reporting reference.

Question 14: In SolidWorks equations, what is the effect of placing a comment using the single-quote (') character?

It triggers a design table lookup for that row
Everything after the single quote on that line is treated as a comment and ignored by the solver (Correct answer)
It converts the equation output to a string value
It marks the equation as inactive so it is skipped during rebuild

Correct answer: Everything after the single quote on that line is treated as a comment and ignored by the solver

In the SolidWorks equation editor, a single quote (') starts an inline comment; the solver ignores all text following it on the same line.

Question 15: Which tab in the Configuration Properties dialog allows you to control the display state linked to a configuration?

Custom Properties
Description
Advanced Options (Correct answer)
Design Table

Correct answer: Advanced Options

The Advanced Options tab in Configuration Properties lets you link a specific display state to that configuration.

Question 16: Which Excel function is commonly used inside a Design Table to conditionally assign a feature suppression state?

INDEX
SUMIF
VLOOKUP
IF (Correct answer)

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 17: When using the Sweep feature with a Pierce relation, where should the path pierce the profile sketch plane?

At the profile's center of mass
Through the profile sketch entity to link the path endpoint to the profile (Correct answer)
Outside the profile boundary
At the origin of the part

Correct answer: Through the profile sketch entity to link the path endpoint to the profile

A Pierce relation constrains the path curve to pass through (pierce) a specific point on the profile sketch, ensuring the profile follows the path correctly.

Question 18: A SolidWorks part must have a hole diameter that is always 10% of the bounding box width. The bounding box width is exposed as which type of SolidWorks property?

A custom property linked via a macro
An external Excel reference
A system-defined mass property (e.g., 'SW-Bounding box width') (Correct answer)
A global variable you must define manually

Correct answer: A system-defined mass property (e.g., 'SW-Bounding box width')

SolidWorks provides built-in system properties like 'SW-Bounding box width' that can be referenced in equations or custom properties.

Question 19: Which SolidWorks tool lets an administrator publish a part so end users can only configure pre-defined parameter options via a simplified dialog?

Design Table Publisher
Configurator
Smart Component Wizard
Configuration Publisher (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Configuration Publisher

Configuration Publisher creates a user-friendly dialog exposing only selected parameters with controlled input types, hiding the full design table from end users.

Question 20: A Rack and Pinion mate requires which two geometric references to be specified?

Two cylindrical faces
A linear edge for the rack and a cylindrical face for the pinion (Correct answer)
A planar face and a circular edge
Two circular edges

Correct answer: A linear edge for the rack and a cylindrical face for the pinion

The Rack and Pinion mate links the linear translation of the rack (specified by a linear edge) to the rotation of the pinion (specified by a cylindrical or circular face).

Question 21: Which CSWP exam segment focuses on creating and modifying assemblies with mates and evaluating mass properties?

Segment 2 – Advanced Assembly and Mass Properties (Correct answer)
Segment 2 – Configurations and Design Tables
Segment 1 – Part Modeling
Segment 3 – Drawings and Detailing

Correct answer: Segment 2 – Advanced Assembly and Mass Properties

CSWP Segment 2 specifically tests assembly creation, applying standard and advanced mates, modifying components, and calculating mass properties of assemblies.

Question 22: A dimension in a SolidWorks sketch is 'over-defined' after you add an equation to it. What is the most likely cause?

The sketch has too many entities for SolidWorks to solve
The dimension is already fully defined by other sketch relations or dimensions, creating a conflict with the equation (Correct answer)
The equation contains a trigonometric function
The equation value is zero

Correct answer: The dimension is already fully defined by other sketch relations or dimensions, creating a conflict with the equation

Over-definition occurs when a dimension is constrained by both an equation and existing geometric relations or other dimensions simultaneously.

Question 23: Which SolidWorks Loft option controls whether the loft is closed (looped back to the first profile)?

Close Loft (Correct answer)
Loop Profiles
Merge Tangent Faces
Periodic

Correct answer: Close Loft

The 'Close Loft' checkbox in the Loft PropertyManager connects the last profile back to the first profile, creating a closed loop solid.

Question 24: In which career scenario would a CSWP certification provide the LEAST direct competitive advantage over an uncertified candidate?

Bidding on a SolidWorks freelance modeling project
Competing for a CAD technician contract at a manufacturing firm
Applying for a pure software development role unrelated to CAD (Correct answer)
Applying for a mechanical design engineer role at an OEM

Correct answer: Applying for a pure software development role unrelated to CAD

A pure software development role unrelated to CAD does not benefit from SolidWorks certification since the skills tested by CSWP are irrelevant to that domain.

Question 25: When you access Mass Properties on a sub-assembly within a top-level assembly, which mass is reported?

The total mass of the subassembly and all of its child components (Correct answer)
The mass of the subassembly's external faces only
The mass contribution as a fraction of the top-level assembly
Only the mass of the subassembly's own components excluding its children

Correct answer: The total mass of the subassembly and all of its child components

Mass Properties on a subassembly reports the total accumulated mass of the subassembly including all of its child components.

Question 26: What tools are required to take the CSWP exam?

A high-performance laptop with SOLIDWORKS software.
SOLIDWORKS software and online proctoring setup. (Correct answer)
Access to a 3D printer.
A webcam and external hardware controller.

Correct answer: SOLIDWORKS software and online proctoring setup.

To take the CSWP exam, candidates must have access to a fully functional version of SOLIDWORKS software on their computer, as the exam is hands-on and requires direct interaction with the program. Additionally, an online proctoring setup, including a webcam and a stable internet connection, is necessary for exam administration and to ensure integrity.

Question 27: Which SolidWorks commands allow you to selectively open specific bends to add features on flat faces, then re-close them?

Flatten / Reform
Unsuppress / Suppress Bends
Unfold / Fold (Correct answer)
Edit Flat Pattern / Exit Flat Pattern

Correct answer: Unfold / Fold

The Unfold and Fold commands let you selectively unbend specific bend zones, add features to the now-flat face, and then fold the part back to its formed state.

Question 28: In a design table, which symbol is used to suppress a feature in a specific configuration?

$
R
U
S (Correct answer)

Correct answer: S

The letter 'S' entered in a design table cell suppresses the corresponding feature for that configuration row.

Question 29: In SolidWorks, when a multi-body part is inserted into an assembly, how many components does it count as?

One component per solid body
Two components: one for the part and one for each body
One component per feature
One component regardless of how many solid bodies it contains (Correct answer)

Correct answer: One component regardless of how many solid bodies it contains

A multi-body part file is treated as a single component in the assembly, even if it contains multiple solid bodies.

Question 30: What is the purpose of the 'Fix' sketch relation?

Prevents the entity from being deleted
Attaches the entity to the origin
Locks the entity to its current position in space (Correct answer)
Makes the entity fully defined by dimensions only

Correct answer: Locks the entity to its current position in space

The Fix relation pins a sketch entity to its current position, removing all its translational degrees of freedom.

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

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