Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Certification Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In a SolidWorks 2D drawing, 'reference dimensions' (also called driven dimensions) are displayed how?

With a REF tag beneath them
In a dashed box
In parentheses (Correct answer)
In bold with an asterisk

Correct answer: In parentheses

Reference (driven) dimensions are shown in parentheses in SolidWorks drawings to distinguish them from driving dimensions that control the geometry.

Question 2: Which SolidWorks feature adds material by extruding a closed sketch profile along a straight path?

Extrude Boss/Base (Correct answer)
Revolve
Sweep
Loft

Correct answer: Extrude Boss/Base

Extrude Boss/Base creates a solid by extending a 2D sketch profile linearly to a specified depth.

Question 3: What does the 'Hole Table' annotation do in a SolidWorks drawing?

Annotates all holes with their diameter dimensions automatically
Creates a table listing hole locations by coordinate tags with X/Y positions relative to a datum (Correct answer)
Generates a BOM entry for holes used in the part
Lists all threaded holes with their tolerance stack

Correct answer: Creates a table listing hole locations by coordinate tags with X/Y positions relative to a datum

A Hole Table tabulates the X/Y coordinates of each hole from a reference datum, identified by letter tags on the drawing.

Question 4: Which sketch relation makes two arcs or circles share the same center point?

Coincident
Concentric (Correct answer)
Equal
Tangent

Correct answer: Concentric

The Concentric relation constrains two circular entities to have the same center.

Question 5: Which SolidWorks feature creates a uniform array of holes or features in a straight-line arrangement?

Circular Pattern
Linear Pattern (Correct answer)
Mirror
Curve Driven Pattern

Correct answer: Linear Pattern

Linear Pattern repeats selected features at equal spacing along one or two directions.

Question 6: Which SolidWorks Simulation element type is best suited for thin-walled sheet metal parts?

Beam Elements
Rigid Body Elements
Shell Elements (Correct answer)
Solid Tetrahedral Elements

Correct answer: Shell Elements

Shell Elements model thin-walled structures efficiently by representing the geometry through a mid-surface with a specified thickness.

Question 7: A sketch entity shown in YELLOW in SolidWorks indicates that it is:

Under-defined
Selected (Correct answer)
Over-defined
Fully defined

Correct answer: Selected

In SolidWorks, yellow entities are currently selected; blue means under-defined, black means fully defined, and red means over-defined.

Question 8: The 3MF file format, supported in SolidWorks Print3D, offers which key advantage over STL for 3D printing workflows?

It compresses the model to under 1 KB for fast network transfer
It is the only format compatible with metal powder-bed fusion printers
It stores the model as NURBS curves rather than facets, preserving exact curvature
It embeds color, material, texture, and print settings data alongside geometry (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It embeds color, material, texture, and print settings data alongside geometry

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) was designed to replace STL by including not just geometry (as triangular facets) but also color, material properties, texture maps, print settings, and support information in a single file — making it far richer for full-color and multi-material printing.

Question 9: Which SolidWorks Simulation load type applies a force distributed uniformly over a selected face?

Torque
Pressure (Correct answer)
Remote Load
Gravity

Correct answer: Pressure

Pressure applies a force per unit area uniformly across a selected face, simulating fluid or contact pressure.

Question 10: What is the purpose of the 'Intersection Curve' sketch tool in SolidWorks?

Creates a sketch curve where two surfaces or a surface and a plane intersect (Correct answer)
Finds the midpoint between two curves
Projects silhouette edges of the part onto the sketch plane
Trims sketch entities where they cross each other

Correct answer: Creates a sketch curve where two surfaces or a surface and a plane intersect

Intersection Curve generates a 3D sketch entity (or 2D if on a plane) that represents the exact intersection line between two selected surfaces or between a surface and the active sketch plane.

Question 11: What does the 'Convert Entities' tool do in a SolidWorks sketch?

Creates a 3D sketch from a 2D sketch
Projects model edges onto the active sketch plane (Correct answer)
Scales sketch geometry by a factor
Mirrors sketch geometry about an axis

Correct answer: Projects model edges onto the active sketch plane

Convert Entities projects selected model edges or curves onto the current sketch plane as sketch geometry.

Question 12: In SolidWorks drawings, which dimension type is used to show the diameter of a circular feature?

Linear Dimension
Angular Dimension
Ordinate Dimension
Diameter Dimension (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Diameter Dimension

A Diameter Dimension annotates the full width of a circle or cylindrical feature, preceded by the Ø symbol.

Question 13: Which sketch tool allows you to create an arc by specifying its center point, start point, and end point?

Spline Arc
Tangent Arc
Centerpoint Arc (Correct answer)
3 Point Arc

Correct answer: Centerpoint Arc

The Centerpoint Arc tool in SolidWorks creates an arc by first defining the center, then the radius/start point, then the sweep angle/end point.

Question 14: Which relation would you apply to force the endpoint of a line to lie exactly on a circle's circumference?

Concentric
Tangent
Collinear
Coincident (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Coincident

A Coincident relation between a point and a circle forces that point to lie on the circle entity (its circumference), not at its center.

Question 15: In SolidWorks Weldments, what is a 'Gusset' used for?

Creating a weld bead annotation on a joint
Adding a triangular reinforcing plate at the junction of two structural members (Correct answer)
Trimming a structural member at an angle
Inserting an end cap on a hollow tube

Correct answer: Adding a triangular reinforcing plate at the junction of two structural members

A Gusset inserts a triangular or custom-profile reinforcing plate where two weldment members meet to increase stiffness.

Question 16: What is the purpose of a 'Detail View' in a SolidWorks drawing?

Shows all hidden lines in the model
Displays the model from a custom angle
Provides an enlarged view of a small area for clarity (Correct answer)
Shows a cross-section of the model

Correct answer: Provides an enlarged view of a small area for clarity

A Detail View zooms in on a selected circular or polygonal region to show small features at a larger scale.

Question 17: What does the 'Flat Pattern' feature do in SolidWorks Sheet Metal?

Creates a pattern of cuts across the sheet metal face
Bends a flat sheet into a 3D form
Flattens a 3D solid into a sheet metal conversion
Unfolds all bends in the sheet metal part to show the flat blank shape (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Unfolds all bends in the sheet metal part to show the flat blank shape

Flat Pattern unfolds the sheet metal part into its flat blank state, including bend allowances for accurate manufacturing.

Question 18: In SolidWorks, which feature allows you to create new part geometry within the context of an assembly?

Smart Fasteners
Assembly Feature
Insert Component
In-Context Editing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In-Context Editing

In-Context Editing lets you open and sketch on a part file while the surrounding assembly is visible for reference.

Question 19: In SolidWorks Print3D, which factor most directly determines how much support material a printed part will require?

The number of bodies in a multibody part
The build orientation and the overhang angle threshold (Correct answer)
The number of configurations in the part file
The material appearance assigned in the Appearance Manager

Correct answer: The build orientation and the overhang angle threshold

Build orientation determines which faces are overhanging relative to the print bed. Combined with the printer's overhang angle threshold (typically 45–50°), this defines which areas require support structures. Rotating the part can dramatically reduce support material and print time.

Question 20: What does 'Mesh Refinement' in SolidWorks Simulation do?

Reduces computation time by coarsening the mesh globally
Applies a higher-order material model to the mesh
Smooths the visual surface of the mesh display
Increases the number of elements in specific areas to improve solution accuracy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Increases the number of elements in specific areas to improve solution accuracy

Mesh Refinement adds smaller, more numerous elements to high-stress or curved areas to improve result accuracy.

Question 21: In SolidWorks Simulation, what is a 'Fixed Geometry' fixture used for?

Prevents selected faces, edges, or vertices from moving in any direction (Correct answer)
Sets a specific displacement on a face
Applies a load in a fixed direction to selected faces
Locks the mesh so it cannot be refined

Correct answer: Prevents selected faces, edges, or vertices from moving in any direction

Fixed Geometry constrains all translational and rotational degrees of freedom on selected geometric entities.

Question 22: What does 'Flexible' mode do for a sub-assembly in SolidWorks?

Removes all mates from the sub-assembly
Makes the sub-assembly transparent for visualization
Allows the sub-assembly to be scaled differently in the parent assembly
Enables the individual components of the sub-assembly to move according to their mates in the parent assembly (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Enables the individual components of the sub-assembly to move according to their mates in the parent assembly

Setting a sub-assembly to Flexible allows its internal components to move relative to each other within the parent assembly.

Question 23: Which SolidWorks Simulation contact condition allows two surfaces to push against each other but not pull apart?

Allow Penetration
No Penetration (Correct answer)
Bonded
Shrink Fit

Correct answer: No Penetration

No Penetration contact allows components to press together and transmit compressive forces, but they can separate freely.

Question 24: In SolidWorks drawings, which setting controls whether dimensions from the model are displayed in first-angle or third-angle projection?

Image Quality Settings
Options – System Options – Drawings
Document Properties – Detailing (Correct answer)
Sheet Properties – Scale

Correct answer: Document Properties – Detailing

Document Properties under the Detailing section contains the projection type setting (first-angle or third-angle) for the drawing.

Question 25: Why is the Scale feature typically applied to a part body before creating mold tooling in SolidWorks?

To ensure the Tooling Split feature has enough geometry to work with
To match the units of the mold base supplier
To increase visual display size in the graphics area
To compensate for material shrinkage during the molding process (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To compensate for material shrinkage during the molding process

Molded materials shrink when they cool. The Scale feature enlarges the part geometry by the material's shrinkage factor so that after the molded part shrinks, it reaches the intended final dimensions.

Question 26: Which SolidWorks drawing annotation displays a circular callout with a letter referencing a part in the BOM?

Balloon (Correct answer)
Welding Symbol
Datum Feature Symbol
Surface Finish Symbol

Correct answer: Balloon

Balloons are circular annotation bubbles that link assembly components to their corresponding BOM item numbers.

Question 27: What does 'Replace Component' do in a SolidWorks assembly?

Deletes a component and inserts a new one from scratch
Swaps a selected component with a different part or version while attempting to preserve mates (Correct answer)
Exchanges the component's material with a new material definition
Creates a copy of the selected component in the same location

Correct answer: Swaps a selected component with a different part or version while attempting to preserve mates

Replace Component substitutes a chosen part with another file and tries to re-attach existing mate references.

Question 28: Which SolidWorks drawing annotation describes the weld type and size between two parts?

Surface Finish Symbol
Weld Symbol (Correct answer)
Geometric Tolerance
Datum Target

Correct answer: Weld Symbol

The Weld Symbol specifies weld type, size, length, and other parameters needed by a welder to join two parts.

Question 29: In SolidWorks Weldments, which tool adds a solid cap to the open end of a hollow structural member?

End Cap (Correct answer)
Trim/Extend
Gusset
Weld Bead

Correct answer: End Cap

The End Cap feature inserts a plate to close the open end of a hollow tube or box section structural member.

Question 30: Which SolidWorks drawing feature tracks changes to a drawing with revision letters and dates?

Revision Table (Correct answer)
General Table
Bill of Materials
Design Table

Correct answer: Revision Table

The Revision Table logs drawing changes with revision symbols, descriptions, dates, and approval initials.

Question 31: In SolidWorks Simulation, what is a 'Thermal Study' used for?

Calculating temperature distribution and heat flow through a part (Correct answer)
Simulating fluid flow around a component
Analyzing stresses caused by vibration
Determining the natural frequencies of a part

Correct answer: Calculating temperature distribution and heat flow through a part

A Thermal Study computes steady-state or transient temperature distributions and heat flux through the model.

Question 32: In SolidWorks, which display mode shows assembly components as wireframe outlines for better visibility of hidden geometry?

Section View
Shaded with Edges
Wireframe (Correct answer)
Hidden Lines Visible

Correct answer: Wireframe

Wireframe display mode renders all edges of components without solid shading, making hidden geometry visible.

Question 33: In SolidWorks sketching, what does the 'Midpoint' relation do?

Constrains a point to the midpoint of a line or arc (Correct answer)
Creates a construction line at the midpoint
Bisects a line into two equal segments
Mirrors geometry about a midpoint

Correct answer: Constrains a point to the midpoint of a line or arc

The Midpoint relation places a selected point exactly at the center of a line or arc.

Question 34: What feature do you utilize to round off an object's straight or flat edges?

Round
Fillet (Correct answer)
Bevel
Shell

Correct answer: Fillet

In CAD software like SolidWorks, a fillet is a feature used to round off sharp internal or external edges of an object. This operation creates a smooth, curved transition between two surfaces, often for aesthetic purposes, to reduce stress concentrations, or to remove sharp corners for safety.

Question 35: Which panel in SolidWorks is used to switch between, add, and manage configurations of a part or assembly?

FeatureManager Design Tree
Task Pane
PropertyManager
ConfigurationManager (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ConfigurationManager

The ConfigurationManager is the dedicated panel (accessible via its tab next to the FeatureManager) for creating, viewing, and managing all configurations in a part or assembly document.

Question 36: What is the purpose of 'Relief' cuts in SolidWorks Sheet Metal bends?

Stress-relief holes drilled near the bend line
Openings that allow the flat pattern to fold correctly in the press brake
Small cuts at the ends of bends to prevent material tearing during forming (Correct answer)
Decorative slots added to the bend area

Correct answer: Small cuts at the ends of bends to prevent material tearing during forming

Relief cuts prevent the material from tearing at the end of a bend by providing a stress-relieving slot.

Question 37: In SolidWorks, what is the 'Width' mate used for?

Aligns two edges of different components to the same plane
Centers a tab component symmetrically between two parallel faces (Correct answer)
Constrains the width dimension of a component globally
Sets the gap between two parallel faces to a specific distance

Correct answer: Centers a tab component symmetrically between two parallel faces

The Width mate centers a tab between two groove faces, keeping the tab equidistant from both sides.

Question 38: Three conventional viewpoints of a drawing

Front, Top, Left
Top, Rear, Right
Front, Bottom, Top
Front, Top, Right (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Front, Top, Right

In conventional engineering drawing practices, the three standard orthogonal views used to represent an object are the Front, Top, and Right-side views. These views provide a comprehensive and unambiguous representation of the object's geometry, allowing for complete understanding of its shape and features.

Question 39: Which SolidWorks assembly analysis tool measures the minimum distance between two selected components?

Sensor
Interference Detection
Measure (Correct answer)
Mass Properties

Correct answer: Measure

The Measure tool calculates distances, angles, and other geometric properties between selected entities in an assembly.

Question 40: Which SolidWorks mate constrains a peg component to remain in contact with a flat or cam surface during motion?

Path mate
Tangent mate
Coincident mate
Cam mate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cam mate

The Cam mate keeps a follower component in contact with a cam profile as the mechanism moves.

Question 41: What is 'h-Adaptive Meshing' in SolidWorks Simulation?

An iterative process that refines mesh size in high-error regions until results converge (Correct answer)
A method that increases element order to improve accuracy
A feature that automatically generates hexa-hedral elements
A technique that applies a uniform fine mesh to the entire model

Correct answer: An iterative process that refines mesh size in high-error regions until results converge

h-Adaptive meshing automatically refines the mesh in regions with high error estimates and re-solves until convergence criteria are met.

Question 42: What does a 'Section View' show in a SolidWorks drawing?

A perspective rendering of the model
A magnified detail of a small feature
A view from an angled auxiliary direction
An interior cross-section of a part cut by a defined cutting plane (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An interior cross-section of a part cut by a defined cutting plane

Section View cuts through a model with a defined plane and displays the internal cross-section with hatch patterns.

Question 43: Which SolidWorks Sheet Metal feature rolls an edge over on itself to create a safe, smooth edge?

Hem (Correct answer)
Louver
Jog
Vent

Correct answer: Hem

The Hem feature rolls or folds the edge of a sheet metal part back on itself to eliminate sharp edges.

Question 44: In SolidWorks Routing, what is a 'Route Point' (Rp) used for?

A cosmetic point marking where a route label will appear in drawings
A sketch point that defines where a pipe segment begins, ends, or changes direction (Correct answer)
A point on a fitting where simulation forces are applied
A reference point used only during the Toolbox configuration of fittings

Correct answer: A sketch point that defines where a pipe segment begins, ends, or changes direction

A Route Point (Rp) is a 3D sketch point that drives the path of a pipe or tube route. SolidWorks uses Rp points to define start/end locations and direction changes, and fittings are snapped to these points when the route is built.

Question 45: Which SolidWorks tool detects when two or more components physically overlap in an assembly?

Interference Detection (Correct answer)
Collision Detection
Clearance Verification
Physical Simulation

Correct answer: Interference Detection

Interference Detection identifies all volume overlaps between components to reveal design conflicts.

Question 46: In SolidWorks Sheet Metal, which property defines the minimum safe inside bend radius relative to the material thickness?

Minimum Bend Radius (Correct answer)
K-Factor
Bend Allowance
Gauge Thickness

Correct answer: Minimum Bend Radius

Minimum Bend Radius specifies the smallest inside radius that can be formed without cracking the material, typically a multiple of material thickness.

Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Certification Exam

The SOLIDWORKS Certification Exam validates proficiency in SOLIDWORKS CAD software including sketching and 2D drawing, part modeling and features, assembly design, drawing and documentation, simulation and analysis, sheet metal, and weldments design.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

75%

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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 — Eligibility, passing score, retake policy, time limit, test delivery, exam format, exam information · verified Oct 2026
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