Practice with one hand on the mouse.
Self-grading quizzes, mass-properties calculators, feature-recognition drills, and glossary flashcards for every chapter of Engineering CAD with SOLIDWORKS — Book 1: SolidWorks Basics. Nothing here is graded or recorded — practice as many times as you like.
Aim This book and site point you at the CSWA (Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate) exam. Score 80 %+ on a chapter quiz and you're in shape for that chapter.
Chapters
Chapter 1 — Getting Started
Document-type sorter, view/shortcut drill, 10-question quiz on the interface and file rules.
Week 1 · Exam 1 material
Practice Ch 1Chapter 2 — Sketching
Sketch-state identifier, relations matcher, "fully define it" drill, 10-question quiz.
Weeks 2–3 · Exam 1 material
Practice Ch 2Chapter 3 — Basic Part Modeling
Mass-properties calculator (the CSWA workhorse), end-condition matcher, quiz.
Weeks 4–5 · Exam 1 material
Practice Ch 3Chapter 4 — Design-Intent Features
Feature-recognition drill, bolt-circle pattern calculator, revolve/sweep quiz.
Weeks 7–9 · Exam 2 material
Practice Ch 4Chapter 5 — Editing & Configurations
Flag-diagnosis matcher, equation evaluator, configurations quiz.
Week 10 · Exam 2 material
Practice Ch 5Chapter 6 — Assemblies
Assembly center-of-mass calculator, mate/DOF matcher, interference quiz.
Week 12 · Final material
Practice Ch 6Chapter 7 — Drawings
View-type identifier (the CSWA drafting section), third-angle drill, quiz.
Week 13 · Final material
Practice Ch 7Chapter 8 — The Road to CSWA
Mixed mock exam, general mass-properties calculator, category strategy.
Week 14 · Exam prep
Practice CSWAGlossary Flashcards
Flip-card drill on the key terms from the back of the book — filter by chapter, shuffle.
Great 10-minute warm-up before any exam
Open flashcardsCSWA vs. CSWP: Which and When
Book 1 CSWA — Associate
The entry credential, and the one that most moves a two-year graduate's résumé. Sit it at the end of first semester, once the modeling ritual is automatic. For many students, CSWA is the finish line — a genuine, employer-recognized win.
Book 2 CSWP — Professional
The next rung, for students who are ready. Taken as its three segments (part modeling · configurations & modifications · assemblies) across second semester, with CSWA as the prerequisite. Book 2: Advanced SolidWorks prepares you for it.
Rule of thumb: CSWA says "I can drive SOLIDWORKS." CSWP says "I can be handed a real design problem." Earn the first before you leave first year; earn the second when modeling feels effortless. And whichever you target next — book the date.
The 15-Week Plan
| Week | Coverage | Practice here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapter 1 — interface, documents, first part | Ch 1 page |
| 2–3 | Chapter 2 — sketching, relations, dimensions | Ch 2 page |
| 4–5 | Chapter 3 — extrudes, fillets, holes, mass properties | Ch 3 page |
| 6 | Exam 1 (Ch 1–3) | Ch 1–3 quizzes + flashcards |
| 7, 9 | Chapter 4 — revolves, sweeps, patterns, shell, ribs | Ch 4 page |
| 8 | Semester break | — |
| 10 | Chapter 5 — editing, configurations, equations | Ch 5 page |
| 11 | Exam 2 (Ch 4–5) | Ch 4–5 quizzes + flashcards |
| 12 | Chapter 6 — assemblies, mates, interference | Ch 6 page |
| 13 | Chapter 7 — drawings, views, BOM | Ch 7 page |
| 14 | Chapter 8 — CSWA roadmap and review | CSWA page |
| 15 | Exam 3 (comprehensive, CSWA format) | All quizzes + mock |
About
This companion website supports Engineering CAD with SOLIDWORKS® — Book 1: SolidWorks Basics by Dr. Kay Rand Morgan, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Monroe Community College, State University of New York.
The textbook includes complete chapters, eight hands-on laboratory activities aligned with the official training files, three practice examinations with answer keys, worked solutions, a glossary, and appendices covering SOLIDWORKS commands, CSWA objectives, file management, and related employers.
SOLIDWORKS® and CSWA™ are trademarks of Dassault Systèmes. This is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dassault Systèmes.