CSWA SOLIDWORKS CERTIFICATION EXAM REAL EXAM 2026 | ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW VERSION!
Question 1
When working in the SOLIDWORKS graphics area, what is the effect of clicking and dragging
the edge of a default plane?
A) It changes the geometric size of the plane for the model.
B) It scales the entire model to match the new plane size.
) It changes the visual representation size in the graphics area but does not affect the geometric
size.
D) It creates an offset plane automatically.
E) It renames the plane in the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Correct Answer: C) It changes the visual representation size in the graphics area but does
not affect the geometric size.
Rationale: In SOLIDWORKS, planes are infinite in nature. The rectangular representation
seen in the graphics area is merely a visual aid to help the user select and identify the plane.
Dragging the edges or corners of this representation allows you to resize the "window" of
the plane for better visibility among other features, but it has no impact on the coordinate
system or the actual mathematical size of the plane itself.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a valid method to initiate a new sketch in SOLIDWORKS?
A) Selecting a plane in the graphics area and clicking the "Sketch" button in the
CommandManager.
B) Clicking the "Sketch" button in the CommandManager and then selecting a valid plane or
face.
C) Right-clicking a plane in the FeatureManager Design Tree and selecting "Sketch" from the
context toolbar.
D) Selecting a face and pressing "S" on the keyboard to access the shortcut menu.
E) Selecting a curved cylindrical face and clicking the "Sketch" button.
Correct Answer: E) Selecting a curved cylindrical face and clicking the "Sketch" button.
Rationale: Standard sketches in SOLIDWORKS require a planar (flat) surface. You cannot
begin a 2D sketch on a curved or non-planar face. Valid methods involve selecting a default
, 2
plane (Front, Top, Right), a created reference plane, or a flat face on an existing 3D body.
Attempting to sketch on a cylinder would require the use of specialized tools like "Wrap"
or a 3D Sketch.
Question 3
Which axis of the reference triad located at the bottom-left of the graphics area should be clicked
to quickly change the view to be "Normal To" the Top Plane?
A) X-axis
B) Y-axis
C) Z-axis
D) Origin
E) Red Arrow
Correct Answer: B) Y-axis
Rationale: In the standard SOLIDWORKS coordinate system, the Top Plane is defined by
the X and Z axes (the floor). The Y-axis represents the vertical direction (the "up" vector).
By clicking the Y-axis on the reference triad, the software rotates the view so you are
looking directly down the vertical axis, making your view parallel to the XZ plane, which is
the Top Plane.
Question 4
To sketch on the face of a 3D body, which of the following conditions must be met?
A) The face must be parallel to the Front Plane.
B) The face must be planar (flat).
C) The face must be one of the three default planes.
D) The face must be part of the first feature created in the part.
E) The face must have a "Smooth" appearance applied.
Correct Answer: B) The face must be planar (flat).
Rationale: SOLIDWORKS allows you to use the flat surfaces of your 3D models as sketch
planes. This is a fundamental concept in "Bottom-Up" modeling. While the face can be at
any angle relative to the default planes, it must be perfectly flat. If the face is even slightly
curved (like the side of a sphere), the "Sketch" tool will remain inactive for that selection.
, 3
Question 5
What determines the specific type of dimension (linear, radial, angular) that the "Smart
Dimension" tool creates?
A) The settings chosen in the System Options before clicking the tool.
B) The specific entity or combination of entities selected by the user.
C) The last tool used in the Sketch tab.
D) Whether the Shift key is held down during selection.
E) The units (MMGS vs. IPS) currently active in the status bar.
Correct Answer: B) The specific entity or combination of entities selected by the user.
Rationale: The "Smart" in Smart Dimension refers to the tool's ability to interpret intent
based on geometry. If you select a single line, it provides a linear dimension. If you select a
circle, it provides a diameter. If you select two non-parallel lines, it provides an angle. This
consolidates many different dimensioning tools into one efficient workflow.
Question 6
Which of the following is a method to access the "Smart Dimension" tool quickly?
A) Pressing "D" on the keyboard.
B) Using mouse-gestures by right-clicking and dragging upward in the graphics area.
C) Double-clicking the Origin in the graphics area.
D) Clicking the "Tools" button on the Windows Taskbar.
E) Right-clicking the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Correct Answer: B) Using mouse-gestures by right-clicking and dragging upward in the
graphics area.
Rationale: SOLIDWORKS provides several productivity shortcuts. Mouse gestures
(customizable via Tools > Customize) allow a user to hold the right mouse button and drag
in a direction to invoke a command. By default, dragging "Up" in a sketch environment
activates the Smart Dimension tool. Other methods include the CommandManager or the
"S" key shortcut menu.
Question 7
When using the Smart Dimension tool to dimension an arc, what is the default dimension type
, 4
provided?
A) Diameter
B) Chord length
C) Arc Length
D) Radial
E) Angular
Correct Answer: D) Radial
Rationale: By default, SOLIDWORKS treats circles as having "Diameter" dimensions and
arcs (which are segments of a circle) as having "Radial" (Radius) dimensions. This follows
standard engineering drafting conventions. However, the user can change this in the
dimension's property manager under the "Leaders" tab after placement.
Question 8
How can a user modify the numerical value of a dimension using the "Modify" dialog box?
A) By dragging the dimension text across the screen.
B) By using the spinbox arrows to increase/decrease or typing a value directly into the input
window.
C) By right-clicking the dimension and selecting "Scale."
D) By pressing the "Enter" key and using the mouse scroll wheel.
E) By clicking "Rebuild" before clicking the dimension.
Correct Answer: B) By using the spinbox arrows to increase/decrease or typing a value
directly into the input window.
Rationale: When you double-click a dimension in a sketch, the Modify dialog box appears.
It offers three ways to edit: you can type a new value, use the up/down arrows in the
spinbox for incremental changes, or use the scroll wheel while hovering over the input area.
Once the value is changed, the sketch geometry updates immediately (or after clicking the
checkmark).
Question 9
When dimensioning between a centerline and a sketch entity, how does SOLIDWORKS allow
you to create a "Diameter" dimension instead of a standard linear distance?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ANSWERS | BRAND NEW VERSION!
Question 1
When working in the SOLIDWORKS graphics area, what is the effect of clicking and dragging
the edge of a default plane?
A) It changes the geometric size of the plane for the model.
B) It scales the entire model to match the new plane size.
) It changes the visual representation size in the graphics area but does not affect the geometric
size.
D) It creates an offset plane automatically.
E) It renames the plane in the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Correct Answer: C) It changes the visual representation size in the graphics area but does
not affect the geometric size.
Rationale: In SOLIDWORKS, planes are infinite in nature. The rectangular representation
seen in the graphics area is merely a visual aid to help the user select and identify the plane.
Dragging the edges or corners of this representation allows you to resize the "window" of
the plane for better visibility among other features, but it has no impact on the coordinate
system or the actual mathematical size of the plane itself.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT a valid method to initiate a new sketch in SOLIDWORKS?
A) Selecting a plane in the graphics area and clicking the "Sketch" button in the
CommandManager.
B) Clicking the "Sketch" button in the CommandManager and then selecting a valid plane or
face.
C) Right-clicking a plane in the FeatureManager Design Tree and selecting "Sketch" from the
context toolbar.
D) Selecting a face and pressing "S" on the keyboard to access the shortcut menu.
E) Selecting a curved cylindrical face and clicking the "Sketch" button.
Correct Answer: E) Selecting a curved cylindrical face and clicking the "Sketch" button.
Rationale: Standard sketches in SOLIDWORKS require a planar (flat) surface. You cannot
begin a 2D sketch on a curved or non-planar face. Valid methods involve selecting a default
, 2
plane (Front, Top, Right), a created reference plane, or a flat face on an existing 3D body.
Attempting to sketch on a cylinder would require the use of specialized tools like "Wrap"
or a 3D Sketch.
Question 3
Which axis of the reference triad located at the bottom-left of the graphics area should be clicked
to quickly change the view to be "Normal To" the Top Plane?
A) X-axis
B) Y-axis
C) Z-axis
D) Origin
E) Red Arrow
Correct Answer: B) Y-axis
Rationale: In the standard SOLIDWORKS coordinate system, the Top Plane is defined by
the X and Z axes (the floor). The Y-axis represents the vertical direction (the "up" vector).
By clicking the Y-axis on the reference triad, the software rotates the view so you are
looking directly down the vertical axis, making your view parallel to the XZ plane, which is
the Top Plane.
Question 4
To sketch on the face of a 3D body, which of the following conditions must be met?
A) The face must be parallel to the Front Plane.
B) The face must be planar (flat).
C) The face must be one of the three default planes.
D) The face must be part of the first feature created in the part.
E) The face must have a "Smooth" appearance applied.
Correct Answer: B) The face must be planar (flat).
Rationale: SOLIDWORKS allows you to use the flat surfaces of your 3D models as sketch
planes. This is a fundamental concept in "Bottom-Up" modeling. While the face can be at
any angle relative to the default planes, it must be perfectly flat. If the face is even slightly
curved (like the side of a sphere), the "Sketch" tool will remain inactive for that selection.
, 3
Question 5
What determines the specific type of dimension (linear, radial, angular) that the "Smart
Dimension" tool creates?
A) The settings chosen in the System Options before clicking the tool.
B) The specific entity or combination of entities selected by the user.
C) The last tool used in the Sketch tab.
D) Whether the Shift key is held down during selection.
E) The units (MMGS vs. IPS) currently active in the status bar.
Correct Answer: B) The specific entity or combination of entities selected by the user.
Rationale: The "Smart" in Smart Dimension refers to the tool's ability to interpret intent
based on geometry. If you select a single line, it provides a linear dimension. If you select a
circle, it provides a diameter. If you select two non-parallel lines, it provides an angle. This
consolidates many different dimensioning tools into one efficient workflow.
Question 6
Which of the following is a method to access the "Smart Dimension" tool quickly?
A) Pressing "D" on the keyboard.
B) Using mouse-gestures by right-clicking and dragging upward in the graphics area.
C) Double-clicking the Origin in the graphics area.
D) Clicking the "Tools" button on the Windows Taskbar.
E) Right-clicking the FeatureManager Design Tree.
Correct Answer: B) Using mouse-gestures by right-clicking and dragging upward in the
graphics area.
Rationale: SOLIDWORKS provides several productivity shortcuts. Mouse gestures
(customizable via Tools > Customize) allow a user to hold the right mouse button and drag
in a direction to invoke a command. By default, dragging "Up" in a sketch environment
activates the Smart Dimension tool. Other methods include the CommandManager or the
"S" key shortcut menu.
Question 7
When using the Smart Dimension tool to dimension an arc, what is the default dimension type
, 4
provided?
A) Diameter
B) Chord length
C) Arc Length
D) Radial
E) Angular
Correct Answer: D) Radial
Rationale: By default, SOLIDWORKS treats circles as having "Diameter" dimensions and
arcs (which are segments of a circle) as having "Radial" (Radius) dimensions. This follows
standard engineering drafting conventions. However, the user can change this in the
dimension's property manager under the "Leaders" tab after placement.
Question 8
How can a user modify the numerical value of a dimension using the "Modify" dialog box?
A) By dragging the dimension text across the screen.
B) By using the spinbox arrows to increase/decrease or typing a value directly into the input
window.
C) By right-clicking the dimension and selecting "Scale."
D) By pressing the "Enter" key and using the mouse scroll wheel.
E) By clicking "Rebuild" before clicking the dimension.
Correct Answer: B) By using the spinbox arrows to increase/decrease or typing a value
directly into the input window.
Rationale: When you double-click a dimension in a sketch, the Modify dialog box appears.
It offers three ways to edit: you can type a new value, use the up/down arrows in the
spinbox for incremental changes, or use the scroll wheel while hovering over the input area.
Once the value is changed, the sketch geometry updates immediately (or after clicking the
checkmark).
Question 9
When dimensioning between a centerline and a sketch entity, how does SOLIDWORKS allow
you to create a "Diameter" dimension instead of a standard linear distance?
