So, with 12 years of SolidWorks experience, you would think I could pass any exam SolidWorks throws at me, right? Well, um… that’s not true. In addition to the exams testing your understanding of the SolidWorks toolset, they also test your attention to detail, and execution speed. I’ve always been a “big picture” kind of girl, which is why it benefits society in general that I focus on engineering workflow and data management rather than designing Airplane components. (Not that I WON’T design aviation components, but I think it’s probably best if someone else were to check them afterwards.)

After passing the CSWP last year, I was one of many who had had mixed feelings when the CSWE was announced last year. Where once we were the best, suddenly there is another elite echelon to strive for. Heck, I’m a bit out of practice, and there is certainly no telling if I could even pass it. For now, my interim goal is simply to qualify to take it before SWW 2011. 

In order to qualify, you need to pass the CSWP and 3 advanced CSWP specialty exams. I think I’ll take Weldments, sheetmetal, and surfacing rather than Simulation or MoldTools. I don’t have Simulation, and I’ve never designed a Mold. 

I’m a big fan of weldments, and I think I’ll do that one first. I’ve already realized I’m not quite as good with 3D sketch relations as I thought I was.  I’ll try to put my insights into another post.