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I finally get a chance to have Autodesk certification test. I tried my luck with AutoCAD.
There is a big difference with the last time I got my Revit certified professional title. Now there is no associate certification. You now can get professional certification without having to pass the associate exam first.
This is a simplified model, which require you to take less exam and spend less money for certification.
Professional certification is much easier to pass than associate exam. At least that was my experience for Revit and AutoCAD. Some friends said the same for Inventor.
Why associate exam is more difficult?
Associate exam doesn’t allow you to access the software. So you have to memorize and understand the tools and concepts.
Our problem is we don’t use all tools during our daily task. Especially if you have specific task at work. So this can be difficult for many people.
In professional exam, you have access to the software. So you can try and test each question to find the right answer.
The questions are not difficult. Mostly basic. You can check in Autodesk certification page for materials that are covered.
Below is for AutoCAD. As you can see, no advanced topic like Sheet Sets, Design Center, parametric design, dynamic block, etc.
Some tips and trick for the exam
In my last experience, the biggest problem about professional exam is not that we don’t know the answer. There are some technical problems, and some because we don’t have the right strategy. Let me share what I see during the test.
Make sure your software works properly
In the exam, some testing centers don’t provide computers for us. We must bring our own laptops. If you experience the same, make sure your software works properly.
There is someone who installed Inventor 2013 on Windows 8 machine, and many features don’t work. He was lucky the proctor allowed him to take test after his friend is finished. So he can borrow his friend’s laptop.
Higher resolution is better
There are many questions that need you to do several instructions. Change the object size, rotate it, scale it, change annotation scale, and so on.
If you try to go back and forth between the application and secure browser, you can waste a lot of time. And sometimes you get lost.
If you have high screen resolution, then don’t maximize AutoCAD (or whatever your software is). Resize the window to allow you see the instruction.
This will allow you to read the instruction and continue working with your software. Without going back and forth between those two windows.
*The image above is only for reference, not what you see in the real test.
Try to get comfortable with it, if you are not used to work like this.
Read the instruction and choices carefully
In my opinion, the real challenge is not the software itself. But to understand the question. Especially if you don’t live in English speaking country, this could be a real challenge.
Some sentences are quite long and choices look the same. Read them carefully. They are intended to confuse you.
Make sure you know the differences between choices and you know which one is correct.
And make sure you understand the question. If it was too confusing, you may want to mark it and come back later.
Do exactly as the instructions said
The test is pretty simple. They give you a set of instructions, and you follow it. They even mention the command to use. Should be easy, right?
Again, you need to be careful. If the instruction says to mirror using a line, then use that line. Don’t mirror along Y axis just because the line looks vertical.
Inquiry commands and properties palette are your friend
Most of the questions ask you to measure distance between points, object length, and area of objects. So get familiar with the inquiry tools and object snaps.
If you don’t know it, look at command line and ribbon
AutoCAD commands has many options. It’s impossible to know them all. The good thing about AutoCAD commands is, you can see all options on command line. There are some useful options on ribbon as well.
Honestly, I never knew there is a ‘Polyline’ option in Fillet command. I was saved by command line.
Another thing that I figured during the exam is that you can change the polar array direction from ribbon.
So if you are not sure, watch command line and ribbon. I know many people probably hate ribbon, but get used to it for the exam. It will help you.
Copy and paste whenever it’s possible
You must have read about it before. Yes, the easiest way is to copy the value from properties palette. Or command line if you use AutoCAD. This will prevent typos error.
Have you taken Autodesk certification before?
If you have, did you pass? What is your experience with the exam? Share your experience with the exam here!
You can also share your tips here.
Hi I did ASP structure two weeks ago I failed.. I got 675… but I remember about two question that I got a bit confused about them. The first one was about the floor. it asked me to add a point -125 in the middle of the floor and then place a sopt slope, but I didn~t know exactely where it suppose to be placed. The second question was about the stairs, the one I couldn’t understand what I had to do… If I had to those two questions correctly I would had got through. However, I’m planing to do it again soon, therefore if you know how to answer those question I would be pleased. Thank you.
I am proficient AutoCAD user and agree that for you to pass the test from the first time is not profitable for orginisers ( in my case EXCITECH) . Questions are basic. It’s all about distribution centre selling the course for 700 pounds where in 2-3 day you become a proffesional user and pass the test from the first time! It has nothing to do with the real knowledge of the application.
The most annoying thing is that to make sure you run out of time in the exam you get offered to switch between Windows using Tab key, so you can’t read the question at the same time as using the program.
It seems like a dirty play: oldest model of computers, mouse settings, crushing software – everything is orginised so that 180 pounds goes towards the orginisers profit, not bad, heh? In the time I took a test 4 out of 4 people had failed the test – 720 pounds.
I had exact same problem, same company. TAB to read question kept failing to work and as they do it against the clock you eventually run out of time. Class of 12 people only 2 passed and they were using Revit daily at work. For new user it was impossible
well i just took the exam, unfortunately i failed… some of the questions are really tricky and tend to confuse you (for example: the question asked you to give the distance between 2 chairs according to their respective insertion points, but as per the drawing both 2 chairs are a block with tables and the insertion points are in between the tables and chairs?… i did what the question asked me to do? i explode the blocks (tables and chair) and took the distance from the insertion points of the chair vice-versa… and be careful on ticking those (mark & unmark) as far as i know i answered 32 questions out of 35 and forgot to unmark the question which i already answered. so i guess i have to take the exam again… by the way i’ve been using autocad since release 13 and yet i failed on the exam…so don’t be too confident.
when the question asking distance between two pints which tools should we use to measure it? dimension tools or utility tools?
Recently I took the AutoCAD professional certification exam 2016. Unfortunately, I did not pass in the exam. I found that there was not enough time to attempt all questions. I used the material which showed that there are multiple choice questions but none of was multiple choice questions(but I only attempted 27 questions) so I did not know rest of the questions.
I don’t know where I am wrong so I could not attempt all questions.But I want to pass this exam. can anybody advice me how to prepare for the exam?
Does anybody has the similar experience for time shortage ?
What is the passing score? What about the passing score for Inventor?
Thanks for the helpful article?
The passing score is different for each software and version. The more difficult the test, the lower the passing score is.
You can ask the testing center for the answer.
For my AutoCAD certification test, the minimum to pass was 600 points out of 1000
Thanks for sharing this article I would share your article with my students who want to do autodesk certification course.
Thanks for the tips. I’ll be taking the exam soon. Wish me luck ;)
My daughter just passed her first one. She is a freshman at Brooklyn Tech. High School. Do I owe her a dinner or something?
I think you do :)
Many people think it’s not easy.