The following was originally posted to the SolidWorks blog by CEO Bertrand Sicot.

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Back In March I wrote about how I was challenged by Matt Lorono to pass the Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) test, and in April I talked about taking (and passing) the first segment of the test. It has been nearly eight weeks weeks since my last post, so I thought I would write an update. After passing the first segment, I started studying for the second. In this part, you only have 40 minutes to get the points you need to pass, and you are tested on your knowledge of

• Creating configurations from other configurations
• Changing configurations
• Mass properties
• Changing features of an existing SolidWorks part

I have to admit that I was a little shocked at how quickly I had to work through this segment. In the end, I made some mistakes when I tried to change the configurations, and I failed. But the experience taught me a few things. Going into this part of the test, I thought that I would have enough time to really think through my choices and analyze them. That assumption got me into trouble. After failing my first attempt, I went back and brushed up on my knowledge of configurations, and worked on the areas where I felt I was not as strong the first time through. When I took the segment again, I felt much more confident in my decisions, and I am happy to say that I passed on the second attempt. To anyone going into this segment of the CSWP test, I would offer these bits of advice:

• Have confidence in what you are doing
• Really understand how configurations work
• Find a balance between speed and accuracy—if you stop to second guess yourself, you will quickly run out of time.

Now, I have to start working on the exercises my teacher, Marie Planchard, has given me to prepare for the third segment. That one focuses heavily on assemblies, coordinates, and mass properties. It looks like I have my work cut out for me.

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