Autodesk offers various certification exams that allow you to demonstrate your skills, giving you the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential. In this blog, we’ll focus on the different types of AutoCAD certification exams Autodesk provides, including pricing, exam formatting, preparation resources, and how VDCI can help you prepare.
Autodesk offers various certification exams that allow you to demonstrate your skills, giving you the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential. In this blog, we’ll focus on the different types of AutoCAD certification exams Autodesk provides, including pricing, exam formatting, preparation resources, and how VDCI can help you prepare.
Autodesk AutoCAD Certification Exams
There are two levels of AutoCAD Certification Exams for AutoCAD users: the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) and the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP). Both certifications validate your expertise, but they cater to different levels of experience and skill sets. For AutoCAD, Autodesk offers one exam per level.
Autodesk Certificate User (ACU) Exam
The AutoCAD Certified User Exam is aimed towards those who are either new to AutoCAD or professionals that have a basic knowledge of AutoCAD. It is an entry level exam, focusing on assessing core competencies, including creating or plotting drawings, editing objects, working with layouts, and other key skills. This exam typically takes 50 minutes to complete, including a combination of multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
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Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) Exam
The AutoCAD Certified Professional Exam is designed for more seasoned users and focuses on advanced features of AutoCAD. Unlike the Revit Certified Professional Exams, there is only one ACP Exam for AutoCAD, with a focus on solving complex challenges in workflow and design. Required skill sets include a general understanding of the following topics:
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Understand and apply drafting concepts and standards
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Set up, manage, and organize drawings
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Link and reference external files and data
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Author and edit drawing content
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Apply annotations and detailing to drawings
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Use collaboration tools
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Configure and manage design output
This exam is also timed, providing 120 minutes to complete the exam. The ACP costs $200, with 45-60 questions consisting of performance-based questions that reflect real-world scenarios where AutoCAD is used in professional practice. These questions will include several different types such as: multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, active-screen, hot-area, and graphic interpretation questions.
How to Sign Up
To sign up for the Autodesk Certified User Exam, you will go through Certiport, an authorized testing partner.
To sign up for one of the Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional Exam, you will go through the official Autodesk Certification page. From here you can choose which exam you would like to participate in. You will need to use your Autodesk Account or create your account if you do not already have one. This account will allow you to schedule or reschedule exam appointments, pay for your exam, see your results, and connect to online proctors. You can choose to take your exam in person at a Pearson VUE Testing Center near you or take it online with Pearson OnVUE. To ensure that online testing is right for you, view the requirements for creating a proctored exam environment.
How VDCI Prepares You
VDCI’s online courses and training are tailored to align with these certifications, offering hands-on, project-based learning that closely simulates real-world scenarios. Check out our training below and their corresponding Autodesk Exam preparation!
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AutoCAD Fundamentals - prepares you for the Autodesk AutoCAD Certified User Exam
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AutoCAD Certification Course - prepares you for Autodesk Certified User exam and AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Certified Professional Exam
Additionally, VDCI offers Autodesk Certification Exam vouchers with one free exam retake to students who have completed the qualified VDCI training. Please see the list of qualified AutoCAD training below:
To receive your Autodesk certification exam voucher, you'll need to reach out to us at learn@vdci.edu. We will then confirm that you have completed all the necessary requirements. Once verified, our team will purchase the voucher from Certiport and coordinate a time for you to take your exam. After you receive your exam voucher, you will take the Autodesk Certification exam online with a live remote proctor via Zoom. We will coordinate and schedule your exam session to ensure a smooth testing process.
Resources & Recommendations
Additionally, Autodesk offers a wealth of tools, including official exam guides and practice tests available on the Autodesk Learning Center. These materials cover essential exam topics and provide more insight into the question formats you can expect.
While there are no mandatory prerequisites for taking these exams, Autodesk recommends hands-on experience to enhance your readiness. For the ACU Exam, it is
recommended that students have approximately 100-200 hours of practical experience with AutoCAD prior to the exam. Similarly, the ACP Exams suggest a minimum of 400 hours and recommends up to 1,200 hours- roughly equivalent to 2 years of working with AutoCAD. These recommendations are in place to ensure that students feel sufficiently prepared and confident when approaching their chosen exam, as well as to provide clarity on the testing process.
Conclusion
These industry-recognized credentials not only validate your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to professional growth. With VDCI’s targeted training programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience and develop the skills needed to perform confidently in both the ACU and ACP exams. Our project-based learning approach ensures that you’re not just exam-ready but also prepared for real-world challenges. Take the next step in your career journey with VDCI, and let us help you earn the credentials that set you apart!