Preparing for industry certifications like AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, Fusion 360, Onshape, and the CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate) can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! By incorporating interactive and engaging techniques, you can make the learning process enjoyable while ensuring students build the skills they need to succeed. Here are some fun and effective ways to engage students in certification prep.
1. Take SolidProfessor Courses
One of the best ways to help students prepare for certification exams is through SolidProfessor’s self-paced online courses, which cover key Autodesk software and SolidWorks fundamentals. These courses provide structured lessons that align with exam objectives, helping students gain a deep understanding of:
- SolidWorks CSWA – SolidWorks modeling, assemblies, and drawing standards.
- AutoCAD – Commands, drawing and editing tools, layouts, and plotting.
- Inventor – 3D modeling, assembly animation, and parts creation.
- Fusion 360 – 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE tools for product development.
- Revit – Building information modeling (BIM) for architecture and construction.
- Onshape – Cloud-based 3D CAD design tools and collaborative workflows.
Since SolidProfessor offers courses tailored to certification objectives, students can learn at their own pace and reinforce key concepts effectively.
2. Create Study Guides & Organize Study Groups
Encourage students to make study guides as they progress through the material. Helpful strategies include:
- Breaking down the exam objectives into key topics and summarizing them in easy-to-read notes.
- Flash Cards to reinforce commands, tools, and shortcut keys.
- Quizlet, an online free flash card maker, is a great study tool you can use with SolidProfessor material. You can also create tests and games with your flash cards
- Forming study groups where students quiz each other and discuss challenging concepts.
Collaborative learning makes exam prep more social and helps students reinforce their understanding through discussion and peer teaching.
3. Make a Game of It: Certification Jeopardy!
Gamification is a powerful way to make studying fun! Host a Certification Jeopardy (https://www.playfactile.com/) game where students compete in categories like:
- AutoCAD Essentials
- SolidWorks Sketching & Features
- Fusion 360 Design Tools
- Revit Building Components
- Onshape Collaborative Features
Using a quiz-style format with points and prizes can keep students engaged while reinforcing key concepts in an enjoyable way.
Additionally, use Kahoot! (https://kahoot.com/) or Gimkit (https://www.gimkit.com/) to create online trivia games powered by SolidProfessor review questions. This interactive approach makes studying feel like a fun competition rather than a chore.
4. Hold Practice Test Sessions
Practice exams help students become comfortable with the certification format and improve their test-taking skills. Simulating real test conditions will:
- Familiarize students with time constraints and question styles.
- Identify areas of weakness that need extra focus.
- Build confidence and reduce test anxiety.
Encourage students to take multiple practice tests and review incorrect answers to ensure they understand the material.
5. Hands-On Design Challenges
Encourage students to apply their knowledge with design challenges related to the software they are learning. Example projects include:
- AutoCAD – Designing a floor plan or mechanical part.
- Revit – Creating a 3D model of a small building.
- Inventor – Modeling a functional mechanical component.
- Fusion 360 – Developing a 3D-printed product.
- Onshape – Collaborating on a group CAD design project.
- CSWA – Completing real-world SolidWorks design tasks.
Adding a competitive element with peer voting or instructor feedback can boost engagement and motivation.
6. Minecraft Education for CAD Concepts
Minecraft Education is an excellent tool to introduce design and engineering concepts in a fun, interactive way. With Minecraft’s block-based building system, students can:
- Learn spatial reasoning and planning skills relevant to CAD.
- Recreate basic architectural structures before modeling them in Revit.
- Experiment with mechanical movements before simulating them in Inventor or Fusion 360.
- Work collaboratively in a digital environment, reinforcing teamwork and problem-solving.
Using Minecraft as a learning tool can help younger students grasp fundamental design principles before transitioning to professional CAD software. Learn more about Minecraft Education.
7. Virtual Escape Room Challenges
Create a virtual escape room where students solve software-related puzzles to “escape” within a time limit. Challenges can involve:
- Decoding AutoCAD commands to unlock a virtual door.
- Fixing a broken assembly in Inventor to advance to the next stage.
- Adjusting Onshape constraints to “solve” a design mystery.
Escape rooms encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and application of software skills in an exciting way.
8. Customizing the Learning Experience
Every student learns differently, so offering a mix of learning methods can help them stay engaged. Consider using:
- Video tutorials for visual learners.
- Hands-on projects for experiential learners.
- Discussions and debates for social learners.
- Written guides and quizzes for reading/writing learners.
Customizing study plans based on students’ learning styles ensures they absorb and retain knowledge effectively.
Get Started Today!
Certification prep doesn’t have to be dry and tedious! By using interactive courses, study groups, gamification, practice tests, design challenges, and guest speakers, you can make the learning process exciting and engaging. Help your students build confidence, master Autodesk, OnShape and SolidWorks software, and achieve their certification goals in a way that’s both effective and enjoyable!
