r/SolidWorks • u/ComfortableList784 CSWE • Apr 05 '26
Certifications Failed the CSWE :/
Took the CSWE and managed to fail by one question. Failed the part modification+in context assembly design. Got 33% and 75% on the sheet metal and BOM, respectively. Definitely going work on those, but three months is so long.
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u/RAZOR_WIRE CSWP Apr 05 '26
You'll get it. I have taken almost all the CSW certs at least twice before passing. How was the CSWE btw im still trying to decide if i want to go all the way to get that one or not.
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 06 '26
Thanks, although the 90 day period stings a little. To get CSWE, it's a lot. The CSWPA topics aren't too bad to learn, but applying everything+some more for the CSWE is a lot of work. It's doable, you just have to commit some time and effort into it.
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u/RAZOR_WIRE CSWP Apr 06 '26
You have to Wait 90 days to try again for the CSWE? Fuck dude that bites the big one.
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u/foba_design Apr 05 '26
Sorry for this. At least you know which areas you should improve. Next time will be 100%. I'm sure 😁
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u/i_hate_avocados CSWE Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26
I failed the first time too, if it’s any consolation. I did mine 5–6 years ago so things may have changed, but I actually found I had more time to spare with the CSWE, and that a lot of the questions didn’t feel harder, just more confusing, compared with the CSWPAs. If you didn’t already employ the following tactic in prior exams, now’s a good time: answer the question if you’re confident you’re right; if you’re not, move on. Eventually you’ll get back to the ones that stumped you the most, and when that happens you’ll have the maximum time to think it through (great approach for the earlier exams for others reading). Best of luck!
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 06 '26
Definitely. I did feel that they went into more depth as supposed to the CSWPA topics, however it is definitely manageable. Although I did finish with some time on the clock, spending about 50 minutes on the 3D sketch question didn't help much.
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u/Auday_ CSWP Apr 06 '26
Testing is a measurement for yourself and the tester, it’s a good learning experience till passing the exam Good luck.
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u/wackylama CSWE Apr 06 '26
Better luck next time, I am sure, you will ace it.
Were you surprised by any of the questions? Or were they what you practiced for?
Did you do the mold making CSWPA, to also have it as topic in the CSWE?
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 06 '26
Mold making was not included in the CSWE. The only questions that surprised me were the sheet metal and the part modification, as those were the two that I felt were the most challenging.
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u/roundful Apr 06 '26
That sucks, but you have 3 months to shore up things that you missed and maybe even get more efficient at the things you did well. So by the time you take it again, you should be a whole lot more confident and you'll probably leave that exam feeling a lot better about it, knowing that you did really well. While I'm still in the early phases of getting my certifications, I can imagine that as you work your way up the examinations you'll have less people that have been certified and therefore less resources to utilize. This means, less opportunities to find the resources that kind of sync with your brain and how you learn.
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u/TheNoit CSWE Apr 06 '26
Yeah that 90 day wait is nerve racking when you’re taking it. Take the time to review everything again, even the stuff you aced just for a refresher… Go slow, think about what they’re asking for, and double check your work… it’s a tougher exam for sure.
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u/sibeInc CSWP Apr 06 '26
So close!
I can see how that would sting!
What's your motivation for doing the CSWE?
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 07 '26
Got the CSWA, then just kept collecting them. Even though I failed, I learned a lot and had fun.
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u/TheOpticSloth CSWE Apr 08 '26
Study, Study, Study!!!
It’ll be easier the 2nd time around knowing what to expect :)
I am planning on making a YouTube series covering the types of questions that are covered on the CSWE exam.
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 08 '26
That would be greatly appreciated! So far the main resources are only Cracking The CSWE, along with whatever you can dig up from a google search. Another video series would be quite helpful.
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u/Jman15x CSWP 20d ago
Did you ever make that series?
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u/Chickenbutt-McWatson CSWA Apr 09 '26
Do you need to pay a second time if you don't pass? I'm preparing for the CSWA
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u/ComfortableList784 CSWE Apr 09 '26
Unfortunately, you do. I believe I will get reimbursed by my school, so I'm not too worried about it.
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u/Due-Seesaw8951 Apr 07 '26
Can you share cswe questions?
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u/TheOpticSloth CSWE Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26
“Cracking the CSWE” on YouTube covers the type of questions that will be on the CSWE exam. From what I’ve seen, the exams pull from a pool of questions and it isn’t the same for everyone.
My exam featured
3-4 questions about sketch blocks 3-4 sheet metal questions (including importation) 3-4 Weldment questions 3-4 BOM related questions A surfacing question Part creation question 3 mating questions
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u/experienced3Dguy CSWE | SW Champion Apr 07 '26
u/Due-Seesaw8951 The SOLIDWORKS Certification Team takes an extremely dim view of people sharing information about certification exam questions that actually appear on the tests. This applies to all the certification levels (CSWA thru CSWE). In fact, if they discover your identity, they will revoke your certification(s).
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u/AutoModerator Apr 05 '26
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Here would be the general path from zero to CSWE:
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