Requirements to take the CSWP exam?

I want to take the CSWP exam. I was told by the nearest VAR that I have
to take several training classes before I can take the test. When I
asked if this was suggested or required, he told me it was required. Is
this correct? Thanks, Pedro

 

Technically it isn't required. The courses will likely prepare you for
the test. I took it with 3yrs experience and no formal training Help
files and watching this NG very closely and did well on it.

 

Like in any test you took in school, a big part of the CSWP is psyching
out the perspective of the test-giver.
Search this newsgroup for info on the test - it has been hashed out
here multiple times over the last half-decade.
The most ruthless part of the test is the multiple choice segment,
though it is only 20% of the test (as I recall). A tip is to keep in
mind that those questions are very much influenced by the test giver .
For instance, though the questions are supposed to be random, you will
likely be asked what is a 'time-sensitive feature' (I saw this one on
practice tasts and on my actual test). Since we work on a history based
modeller, time-sensitive features in the 'real world' apply to all
model features, but technically 'time-sensitive features' are only
assembly features (assembly cuts). ]
There are a number of questions I was asked that conflict with the
'real-world' experience of SWx because they ask specific terms that we
users don't actually use.
One thing that cracked me up was questions about what SWx couldn't do:
if asked whether SWx can't do something, remember that it was written
by a SWx employee - of course they aren't going to ask about a
limitation (answer Yes, SWx can do that, at least when I took it - I
only missed two out of a hundred)

When it comes to the modeling portion ( the other 80%) the test is easy
if you have been using SWx for a while.

Back to your question:
Is a training course required? No, at least not in my experience. I
only missed two in the multiple choice and 5pts in the modelling
session (which still pisses me off because I checked everything - look
at the NG for how to check your test, which is HIGHLY recommended)

But, when I took it, humans graded the tests. Now it is automated.
If you fail, raise a ruckus, because I cannot fathom how a program can
possibly grade the test correctly. Jeremy is good (and a bitchin nice
guy), but I have no idea how his program can check every drawing
tolerance, modeling technique, etc
Ed

 

I plan on taking the exam @ SWxW next month. I just started to study
for the test, but ive been using SWx for 5 years. My weak point is I
mainly do sheetmetal at my job. Hopefully the focus will be on the
basics.

Ed, you are correct, there are a ton of discussion about the CSWP exam.
If anyone finds the discussion you are referring to about checking
your exam, please post it here. I plan on going through the Help file,
and also doing my training manuals over which are from SW 2001 (yes
they are old, but someone from SW said that is ok). I am also thinking
about doing the i.get.it online training. They have a prep course for
the exam. Anyone tried this out?

 

How much does the igeti training costs?

Visit www.slstech.com, we provide the full training at a good price.

Ian Falu, CSWP