100+ Free CSWE Practice Questions
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Key Facts: CSWE Exam
4 hr
Exam Duration
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
200
Total Points
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
160
Minimum Passing Score
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
CSWP + 4 of 5 CSWPA
Prerequisites
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
90 days
Retake Waiting Period
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
~20
Hands-On Tasks
SOLIDWORKS CSWE program page
The CSWE Mechanical Design exam is a 4-hour, hands-on SOLIDWORKS test of about 20 tasks worth 200 points, requiring a minimum of 160 to pass. It demands the CSWP plus four of five CSWPA certifications as prerequisites and tests breadth across advanced parts, assemblies, surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, and drawings. A failed attempt requires a 90-day wait to retake.
Sample CSWE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your CSWE exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1On the CSWE exam, the prerequisite to register is that a candidate must already hold the CSWP plus a specific number of the five CSWPA advanced-topic certifications. How many of the five CSWPA exams are required?
2A multibody part contains two solid bodies that overlap. To merge them into a single contiguous solid body so that mass properties report one combined body, which operation is most appropriate?
3You need to create a coil spring that compresses realistically and updates as the assembly moves. The most parametric SOLIDWORKS approach is to model the spring as a swept body and drive its compressed length so it can be configured. Which sweep input controls the number of coils along the helix?
4In a large assembly you want to suppress visual and computational load by loading components without their full feature detail, while still allowing mates to solve. Which mode loads only enough data to display and mate components, dramatically reducing memory use?
5A design table is used to generate multiple configurations of a part. In the design table header row, what must a cell contain to drive the diameter dimension named 'D1@Sketch1'?
6When building a weldment, the structural members are placed along a sketch. To create a custom structural profile not in the default library, you sketch the cross-section and save it. In which file format and library location must a custom weldment profile be saved to appear in the Structural Member dialog?
7A sheet metal flat pattern develops a bend. If the part uses a K-factor of 0.5, what does that value physically represent for the bend?
8While editing an advanced surface model you must join two adjacent, non-intersecting surface bodies into a single surface body with no gap. Which tool is correct?
9A feature in the tree shows a red error flag and the message 'The sketch plane/face has been deleted.' What is the most direct expert remedy to repair this rebuild error?
10On a drawing you apply a geometric tolerance with a feature control frame calling out position with a diameter symbol, a tolerance value, and a primary datum at maximum material condition. The circled-M modifier after the datum letter indicates what?
About the CSWE Exam
The Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE) - Mechanical Design is the highest-tier SOLIDWORKS mechanical-design certification. It is a hands-on exam that verifies broad expert command of advanced part and multibody modeling, complex assemblies, configurations, surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, drawings, GD&T, and model troubleshooting. Candidates must already hold the CSWP plus 4 of the 5 CSWPA advanced-topic certifications.
Assessment
Approximately 20 hands-on tasks performed live in SOLIDWORKS, worth 200 points total, covering advanced parts, assemblies, surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, drawings, and model repair
Time Limit
4 hours (240 minutes)
Passing Score
Minimum 160 of 200 points
Exam Fee
Set through the SOLIDWORKS certification program and resellers; the official program page does not list a single fixed fee, so confirm the current price when registering. (Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS)
CSWE Exam Content Outline
Advanced Part & Multibody Modeling
Advanced features, multibody combine/split, move/copy bodies, sketch blocks, belts and chains, springs, lofts and sweeps, wrap, indent, and patterns.
Complex Assemblies
Large-assembly techniques, lightweight and SpeedPak, in-context and top-down design, advanced mates, flexible subassemblies, and component patterns.
Configurations, Design Tables & Equations
Configurations, design tables and $-keywords, equations, global variables, conditional logic, and configuration-specific custom properties.
Sheet Metal & Weldments
Sheet metal bends, K-factor and flat patterns, forming tools, unfold/fold, weldment profiles, trim/extend, gussets, weld beads, and cut lists.
Advanced Surfacing
Knit, thicken, offset, boundary surfaces, continuity (G0/G1/G2), delete-and-patch repair, zebra analysis, and surface-to-solid conversion.
Drawings & GD&T
Drawing views, section conventions, model items, BOM and auto-balloon, DimXpert, revision tables, and GD&T per ASME Y14.5 with datum precedence.
Troubleshooting, Rebuild & Mass Properties
Repairing failed features, dangling dimensions, MateXpert, import diagnostics, freeze bar, performance evaluation, and mass-property analysis.
How to Pass the CSWE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Minimum 160 of 200 points
- Assessment: Approximately 20 hands-on tasks performed live in SOLIDWORKS, worth 200 points total, covering advanced parts, assemblies, surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, drawings, and model repair
- Time limit: 4 hours (240 minutes)
- Exam fee: Set through the SOLIDWORKS certification program and resellers; the official program page does not list a single fixed fee, so confirm the current price when registering.
Keys to Passing
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
CSWE Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prerequisites for the CSWE exam?
Candidates must already hold the CSWP-Mechanical Design plus 4 of the 5 CSWPA advanced-topic certifications (Sheet Metal, Weldments, Surfacing, Mold Tools, and Drawing Tools).
How long is the CSWE exam and how is it scored?
The CSWE Mechanical Design exam runs 4 hours (240 minutes), consists of roughly 20 hands-on tasks worth 200 points total, and requires a minimum of 160 points to pass.
Is the CSWE a multiple-choice exam?
No. The CSWE is a hands-on, performance-based exam where candidates build and modify models in SOLIDWORKS and enter computed answers; it is not a traditional fixed-count multiple-choice test.
How long must I wait to retake the CSWE if I fail?
SOLIDWORKS requires a 90-day waiting period before retaking the CSWE exam, reflecting its status as the most challenging mechanical-design certification.
Which SOLIDWORKS version is required?
The CSWE exam requires SOLIDWORKS 2015 or later. The exam is delivered through the SOLIDWORKS testing client on a candidate's licensed installation.
What topics does the CSWE cover?
It tests breadth across advanced part and multibody modeling, complex assemblies, configurations and equations, surfacing, sheet metal, weldments, drawings and GD&T, and model troubleshooting.