- SOLIDWORKS does not publish an official CSWA-Simulation pass rate, so preparation should target the 70/100 point threshold, not a rumored percentage.
- You need 70 of 100 points across 20 questions, including three hands-on problems, in a two-hour window.
- Retaking the exam requires a new $49 credit and a mandatory 14-day wait, making first-attempt readiness the smarter goal.
- Domain 5 (Applied Concepts in SOLIDWORKS Simulation) covers the widest range of software-specific topics and deserves the most study hours.
Does SOLIDWORKS Publish an Official Pass Rate?
If you've searched for a specific CSWA-Simulation pass rate percentage, you've likely noticed something: SOLIDWORKS, the Dassault Systèmes brand that owns this certification, does not publish official pass/fail statistics for this exam. Results and certificates are managed privately through the 3DEXPERIENCE Certification Center, and the exam itself is delivered through the TesterPRO Client on Windows PCs. There's no public dashboard breaking down pass rates by domain, region, or attempt number.
That absence of a published number is actually useful information. It means any specific pass-rate percentage you see floating around forums or third-party sites is either outdated, anecdotal, or borrowed from an entirely different credential that happens to share a similar acronym. The honest answer for anyone comparing options is to focus on what SOLIDWORKS does disclose: the point structure, the question format, and the domains being tested. That's the real predictor of whether you'll pass, and it's covered in detail in the CSWA-Simulation Exam Domains 2026 guide.
What "Passing" Actually Requires
The CSWA-Simulation exam is two hours long, contains 20 questions worth a combined 100 points, and requires 70 points to pass. That structure alone tells you a lot about difficulty. Unlike exams where every question is worth the same amount, this one mixes formats:
- Three hands-on problems where you build or modify a simulation study inside SOLIDWORKS
- Single-answer multiple-choice items
- Yes/no questions
- Multiple-selection items where more than one answer may be correct
Because the hands-on problems likely carry more weight than a single multiple-choice item, losing points there has an outsized effect on your total. Anyone can register to take the exam - there's no formal prerequisite gate - but SOLIDWORKS recommends 6-9 months of hands-on experience with SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Simulation before attempting it. That recommendation exists precisely because the hands-on portion assumes fluency, not familiarity. For a full breakdown of exactly how the 70-point threshold is calculated, see the CSWA-Simulation Passing Score guide.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize practicing the three hands-on problems over memorizing terminology - they represent the highest point concentration and the highest risk of losing an entire block of score at once.
Where the Five Domains Create Risk
The exam draws from five domains, and each one carries a different type of risk for candidates. Understanding what's tested in each is more predictive of your outcome than any rumored statistic.
Domain 1: Basic View Creation
Tests your ability to set up and interpret model views correctly before simulation work begins.
- Recognizing correct orientation and view setup for a simulation study
Domain 2: Engineering Mechanics - Statics
Covers the foundational statics principles that underpin every simulation result you'll validate later.
- Equilibrium concepts, reactions, and load-path reasoning
Domain 3: Strength of Materials
Focuses on how materials respond to stress, strain, and load - the theory behind the numbers SOLIDWORKS Simulation generates.
- Stress-strain relationships and material behavior under load
Domain 4: Finite Element Method / Finite Element Analysis Theory
The conceptual backbone of the entire exam - understanding how FEA discretizes a model into solvable elements.
- Mesh theory, element behavior, and solver logic at a conceptual level
Domain 5: Applied Concepts in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
The largest practical domain, spanning static study setup, materials, fixtures, loads, contacts, solid/shell/beam elements, meshing, solvers, plots, and result validation.
- Setting up a static study end-to-end inside the software
- Choosing appropriate fixtures, loads, and contact conditions
- Reading and validating plots and results correctly
Domain 5 is where the hands-on problems live, and it overlaps heavily with everything tested conceptually in Domains 2 through 4. A candidate who understands FEA theory but has never actually run a static study with real fixtures and contacts in SOLIDWORKS will struggle here - and vice versa. For a deeper dive into each domain's specific sub-topics, the complete domains guide is worth reading before you start practicing.
Factors That Move Your Odds Up or Down
Since there's no published pass rate to benchmark against, it's more productive to look at the concrete factors SOLIDWORKS itself lists as relevant to readiness:
- Software version: You need at least SOLIDWORKS Premium 2012, SOLIDWORKS Simulation 2012, or SOLIDWORKS Student Edition 2012 to practice the workflows tested. Practicing on an outdated or mismatched interface increases the risk of confusion during the hands-on problems.
- Experience level: The recommended 6-9 months of combined SOLIDWORKS and Simulation experience isn't arbitrary - it's roughly the time needed to become fluent with meshing, contacts, and solver settings without hesitation.
- Testing environment: TesterPRO requires a Windows PC with internet access, and a dual-monitor setup is preferred so you can reference the problem statement on one screen while working in SOLIDWORKS on the other. A single-monitor setup adds friction under a two-hour time limit.
- Attempt planning: Because unused exam credits never expire, there's no need to rush a purchase-and-test cycle before you're ready. Buying the credit early and scheduling once you're genuinely prepared removes unnecessary pressure.
How difficult these factors make the exam in practice - and how they compare to other engineering certifications - is explored further in How Hard Is the CSWA-Simulation Exam?.
Retakes, Vouchers, and the Cost of a Second Try
Registration in North America costs $49 per attempt. If you don't reach 70 points, retaking requires purchasing a new exam credit and waiting 14 days before your next attempt. That wait period is a built-in signal from SOLIDWORKS: it's designed to force additional study time rather than allow immediate re-attempts based on memory of the exact questions (which will differ anyway).
Some qualifying subscription customers and students at participating academic providers may receive vouchers, which can offset the cost of a first attempt or a retake. It's worth checking with your institution or software reseller before paying out of pocket. A full breakdown of pricing, voucher eligibility, and what happens to unused credits is available in the CSWA-Simulation Certification Cost breakdown.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam fee (North America) | $49 per attempt |
| Passing score | 70 out of 100 points |
| Question count | 20 questions (multiple formats) |
| Hands-on problems | 3 required |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Retake wait | 14 days, new credit required |
| Credit expiration | Unused credits do not expire |
Key Takeaway
Treat the $49 fee and 14-day retake wait as reasons to over-prepare on Domain 5's hands-on skills before your first attempt, rather than budgeting for a second try.
Mapping Prep Time to the Domains That Matter
Generic study techniques like spaced repetition or timed practice blocks only help if they're pointed at the right domains. Given the recommended 6-9 months of underlying experience, a focused final study sprint can still be structured around the exam's actual weight distribution rather than a generic checklist.
Statics and Strength of Materials foundations
- Review equilibrium, stress-strain behavior, and load-path reasoning (Domains 2-3)
- Work practice problems by hand before touching the software
FEA theory and mesh logic
- Study how elements, meshes, and solvers behave conceptually (Domain 4)
- Connect theory to what you'll see in SOLIDWORKS plots
Applied Concepts hands-on repetition
- Set up full static studies: materials, fixtures, loads, contacts (Domain 5)
- Run solid, shell, and beam element studies and compare results
Full practice runs and view setup review
- Time yourself completing three hands-on problems inside two hours
- Revisit basic view creation (Domain 1) so it's not a last-minute surprise
This structure mirrors the sequencing recommended in the full CSWA-Simulation Study Guide 2026, which goes deeper into daily practice routines and specific SOLIDWORKS workflows to rehearse. If you haven't confirmed your eligibility or software version yet, check the CSWA-Simulation Requirements guide before locking in a study calendar.
Exam Format at a Glance
Because there's no published pass-rate curve to study, the format itself is your best readiness map. Here's how the 100 points break down structurally:
| Question Type | What It Tests |
|---|---|
| Hands-on problems (3) | Building and validating a static study directly in SOLIDWORKS Simulation |
| Single-answer multiple-choice | Definitions, theory, and single-correct-answer scenarios |
| Yes/no | Quick conceptual checks on statics, materials, or FEA logic |
| Multiple-selection | Scenarios where more than one option is correct, testing precision |
Practicing with a free-to-explore ../">practice test environment before exam day lets you experience this mixed format under time pressure, which matters more than reviewing static flashcards. You can also use ../">a full-length simulated exam to see how the three hands-on problems feel back-to-back within the two-hour limit.
FAQs
No. SOLIDWORKS does not publish an official pass rate for this exam. Any specific percentage you find online is either unofficial, outdated, or mistakenly borrowed from a different credential that shares a similar name.
You need 70 out of 100 total points across 20 questions, including three hands-on problems, within the two-hour time limit.
You'll need to purchase a new exam credit and wait 14 days before retaking the exam. Unused credits don't expire, so there's no rush to schedule a retake before you're actually prepared.
Anyone may register and test, but SOLIDWORKS recommends 6-9 months of combined SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS Simulation experience before attempting the exam, given the depth of the hands-on problems.
No. SOLIDWORKS certificates, including CSWA-Simulation, have no official expiration date once earned.
For a broader look at what earning this credential can do for your career trajectory, see Is the CSWA-Simulation Certification Worth It? and the CSWA-Simulation Jobs overview.