CSWP errors
CSWP errors
(OP)
Howdy guys,
I'd like to get your $.02 on this.
I took my CSWA and all 3 CSWP tests yesterday. I noticed there are some serious problems with all 4 tests.
First, I've got about 8000hrs of solidworks seat time. I placed in the top 3 in the international design competition several years ago. I'm more than competent. I didn't realize the certifications were so cheap or I would have done those years ago.
There were several multiple choice questions where my answer kept coming up off by several decimal places, which would freak me out. On the CSWA I finished the test over 2 hours early, but spent nearly 20 minutes going over several questions EXTREMELY carefully and I would finally throw my hands up and click on the closest one. I got all the CSWA questions right. Even though my answers were slightly different than the options presented.
During the CSWP there were questions that weren't multiple choice e.g. "put your answer in the box", and these really freaked me out, because if I was getting answers off by a little bit in the multiple choice, how could my answer be correct???
I have to imagine this is an issue w/ x64 having a higher mathematical accuracy.
I run windows xp x64 and I just got the stimulus student version x64.
Also, I think it was question 1 of the CSWA "which unit system is available in the welcome screen options" or something like that. My solidworks kept my settings (thank god) from a previous version and I don't have a normal welcome screen. So I had to guess.
Also on the CSWP#2 the design table caused solidworks to crash several times and give an error, something about excel 2003 too old? This put me seriously behind on time and this was the only question I missed. Not cool.
I've reported the problem to sw, waiting to hear back.
JM
I'd like to get your $.02 on this.
I took my CSWA and all 3 CSWP tests yesterday. I noticed there are some serious problems with all 4 tests.
First, I've got about 8000hrs of solidworks seat time. I placed in the top 3 in the international design competition several years ago. I'm more than competent. I didn't realize the certifications were so cheap or I would have done those years ago.
There were several multiple choice questions where my answer kept coming up off by several decimal places, which would freak me out. On the CSWA I finished the test over 2 hours early, but spent nearly 20 minutes going over several questions EXTREMELY carefully and I would finally throw my hands up and click on the closest one. I got all the CSWA questions right. Even though my answers were slightly different than the options presented.
During the CSWP there were questions that weren't multiple choice e.g. "put your answer in the box", and these really freaked me out, because if I was getting answers off by a little bit in the multiple choice, how could my answer be correct???
I have to imagine this is an issue w/ x64 having a higher mathematical accuracy.
I run windows xp x64 and I just got the stimulus student version x64.
Also, I think it was question 1 of the CSWA "which unit system is available in the welcome screen options" or something like that. My solidworks kept my settings (thank god) from a previous version and I don't have a normal welcome screen. So I had to guess.
Also on the CSWP#2 the design table caused solidworks to crash several times and give an error, something about excel 2003 too old? This put me seriously behind on time and this was the only question I missed. Not cool.
I've reported the problem to sw, waiting to hear back.
JM






RE: CSWP errors
The 8 hour test I took in 2001 at the time I had 6 years of experience and I only finished 45 minutes early and was the 2nd one to leave. Even though the test is only 2 hours now... I think its still easier than the 8 hour one, still hard for some users.
Usually if you crashed or something during your test contacting your Var is the first action then they will get with SW to help you take care of the issue.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: CSWP errors
I sent a similar message to the one posted to the solidworks certification guy, and he repsonded within 20 minutes w/ a phone call and was gracious to go over everything with me. He's the guy that designed and maintains the test.
Good to know there are some people out there that take pride in their work.
I'll let you know what we come up w/.
JM
RE: CSWP errors
I do REALLY like the idea of online CSWP tests. And cheap!
SCREW going to SW World to take a test!
RE: CSWP errors
I tried the test a few years ago, same problem. I have not tried since.
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: CSWP errors
That being said, units are a system setting, controlled by your templates, so that CSWA question makes no sense to me. As far as the decimal place issue, there is a known issue with dimension accuracy and an SPR is being worked on.
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE
CAD Administrator, Ultimate Survival Technologies
My Blog
RE: CSWP errors
But I did my test a year ago & to be honest, it is not about SolidWorks Proficiency or anything. They had some isometric pictures which were terriblly confusing. In the nutshell, it didnot test my SolidWorks skills but it only tested the determination to solve the isometric puzzle & ambigous questions within specified time.
It is one big money making excercise, i have heard in long term, SolidWorks want to make CSWP certification obselete with every new release. Now that is silly.
RE: CSWP errors
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policieswww.scottjbaugh.com
RE: CSWP errors
T.C.Thornberry
Mechanical Designer/Drafter
RE: CSWP errors
I'm not sure of the value of the CSWP (older hard one or the current test). My assessment of the test pretty much matches the OP. They are supposedly fixing some of that in the newer versions of the test. But even the old 8 hour test did not go into all the skills necessary to use SW, and often focused way too much on minutia, from what I've heard.
Matt Lorono
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion
RE: CSWP errors
The tolerence range is .5 grams plus or minus.
T.C.Thornberry
Mechanical Designer/Drafter