Since the Certified Onshape Associate Exam was released in early 2021, the number of Certified Associates has quickly grown. Demand continues to rise as more companies look for this credential on resumés and U.S. states approve the exam for Career Technical Education (CTE) requirements.

Updates to the Associate Certification Exam

To support this growing set of test-takers, we spent the last several months evaluating and updating the exam to provide a more positive user experience that puts to the test the modeling skills that an associate-level user should have. To this end, we have implemented the following changes:

Simpler Testing Interface

The new testing platform allows for the integration of the test drawings directly into the questions. This means users will not need to switch tabs/windows while working through questions, drawings, and the modeling environment.

Simplified Question Language

The modeling question language was improved to be more concise and highlight the most relevant information to each question. This makes determining the task for each question simpler and allows for better translations into multiple Onshape-supported languages. Questions in the knowledge-based section were also analyzed for clarity and removed, rewritten, or added as needed. 

Reduced Opportunities for Compounding Errors

This was a significant focus when updating the modeling sections of the exam. Each section of the previous exam featured 4-6 questions focused on one model; errors made while modeling the first question of each section would lead to compounding errors. In the updated exam, no user-created models are used in more than three questions, greatly reducing the impact of errors early in a section.

Reduced Repetition in Modeling Questions

In the previous exam, questions near the end of each section repeatedly tested similar skills. In the updated exam, each question is intended to target a different, specific skill an associate-level user will have.

Changes to the Single-Part Modeling Section

The first five modeling questions of the Onshape Associate Certification Exam focus on a user’s ability to create and edit sketches and features for one part.

Previously, users were given the drawings to create one part in Question 1 from an empty part studio. Questions 2 through 5 provided drawings to edit previously created features and add new ones to the part created in Question 1. 

Now, Question 1 provides both a drawing and an existing part in a part studio. Users will use sketches and features to remove material from the part so it matches the provided drawing. This tests users' ability to work on parts they have not created and allows them to ease into the exam.

Question 2 provides a drawing and a new existing part in a part studio. Users will use sketches and features to add material to the part to match the provided drawing. This question is intended to be more difficult than Question 1, but not as difficult as creating a new part from an empty part studio.

Questions 3 through 5 require users to model a part from an empty part studio. Question 3 provides the drawing of the part to create, Question 4 provides dimensions that need to be adjusted, and Question 5 provides a drawing of new features that need to be added to the part. This set of questions tests a user’s ability to create a part, modify their work, and add to it.

Overall, the single-part modeling section of the updated exam reduces the number of repetitive questions, removes opportunities for compounding errors, and provides an easier start to the exam.

Using Extrude on a CAD model

Changes to the Multi-Part Modeling Exam Section

Questions 6 through 9 of the Onshape Associate Certification Exam focus on a user’s ability to create parts using multi-part part studio strategies. Users will need to reference provided and created parts to drive geometric features.

Previously, users were given the drawings to create three parts in Question 6 that referenced one given part. Question 7 required users to create an assembly combining these parts with items from the standard content library. Questions 8 and 9 modified the parts and then the assembly, respectively.

With the updates, Questions 6 through 8 each provide a drawing of a new part modeled with references to the provided part, which is a flanged bearing. This new approach of modeling one new part per question spreads the modeling workload across multiple questions. It allows for more granular testing of a user’s ability to use multi-part modeling techniques.

Question 9 provides an assembly drawing set that requires users to combine the provided part, modeled parts, and items from the standard content library into an assembly. The next section heavily tests a user’s ability to manipulate assemblies, so this was reduced to one question largely focused on a user’s ability to create assemblies with their own parts and use standard content.

This section of the exam received the most attention during the update process, as Question 6 of the previous exam required a significant amount of modeling work compared to the other questions in this section. Now, the exam is significantly more balanced and drastically reduces the chances of an early mistake causing significant issues.

CAD model used in the exam

Changes to the Assembly Exam Section

Questions 10 through 14 of the Onshape Associate Certification Exam focus on a user’s ability to work with provided assemblies and create their own from provided parts. 

Previously, users were given an assembly drawing package and a series of parts in Question 10 and would create the assembly. Questions 11 through 15 provided users with new positions of the assembly and asked for the corresponding center of mass or point-to-point measurements.

After the updates, Question 10 now provides users with a completed subassembly and a drawing package showing how the assembly needs to be positioned. This question tests a user’s ability to understand common assembly mates, position assemblies, and take measurements. Question 11 is similar to Question 10 but asks for a more complex position that requires further manipulation and a different type of measurement.

Question 12 provides a drawing that shows how the provided subassembly needs to be inserted into another assembly and positioned. The ability to work with subassemblies is an important CAD skill, and this is a novel way to test a user’s understanding of how subassemblies work.

Question 13 provides the user with a large assembly drawing package and a variety of parts, and requires users to build the depicted assembly. The possible assemblies that users will need to assemble are common mechanical components, so it should be easy to tell if the assembly has been created correctly or if parts are misplaced. Once created, users will need to measure the location of the center of gravity.

Question 14 is the final question of the modeling section of the exam, and requires users to move their created assembly to a specific position and take another measurement. This question tests a user’s ability to manipulate an assembly and is used to prove that the correct mate types were chosen in Question 13 – if not, the assembly won’t move as needed.

The updates to this section of the exam were focused largely on reducing repetitive questions, cleaning up models to be easier to understand, and adding questions around subassembly manipulation.

A CAD model of a wrench

Changes to the Knowledge-Based Section

The knowledge-based section of the Onshape Associate Certification Exam asks the user 34 multiple-choice questions from a set pool of questions. These questions primarily focus on a user’s knowledge of drawings and Onshape document management, but also feature questions about part creation and assemblies.

To update this section, we analyzed the performance of each question in the available pool. Poorly performing questions were either removed from the exam or had their language changed to be easier to understand. 

New questions were also added to refresh the question pool. Some of these new questions have picture-based answers; an example would be choosing the drawing view identified in the question from a list of pictures of different views. 

Hotspot questions were also added – users will need to select the correct area of a given picture. An example for this question would be selecting the hole callout that contains the symbol and dimensions for a counterbore on a given drawing sheet.

Preparing for the Onshape Associate Exam

CAD model next to description of exams

After you’ve honed your Onshape skills by spending time making a variety of parts and assemblies, the next step in your preparation is to take the Onshape Associate Practice Exam. 

This practice exam was also updated to reflect changes to the real Associate Exam. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for once you start the real exam. The parts and assemblies you’ll be working with are of a similar difficulty to that of the real exam.

To look at the Associate Practice Exam, find it in the Onshape Learning Center.

We hope every user has a smoother and more enjoyable testing experience with the updated Onshape Associate Exam!

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