What's the best way to prepare for the SolidWorks Certified Associate and Professional exams?

Yes. :)
In my opinion, using the software as much as you can is your best bet to get yourself prepared. The problem is knowing if you're really prepared or not. There are sample exams buried on the Solidworks website. If you can legitimately pass the sample exams, you have a good chance at passing the real thing. Solidworks has a series of videos on YouTube that give you an outline of what you need to pass the CSWA here.. http://www.youtube.com/solidworks#p/c/E5C6B3135D7D277F
David and Marie Planchard publish guides for CSWA and CSWP preperation..
http://www.amazon.com/Official-Certified-SolidWorks-Professional-Certification/dp/1585036587/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318467398&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Official-Certified-SolidWorks-Associate-Examination/dp/1585036560/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318467475&sr=8-1

CSWA is easy if you've been using SolidWorks for a while. You can practice for the CSWP with the SolidWorks sample question http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/engineering-software-partners.htm

The CSWP is all about speed in updating changes in parts and assemblies. So work on problems similar to the practice problem above and work on reducing the time it takes to finish.

The video I posted on your question about a parametric cube shows how to use global variables:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NMYghOWi0I

Using global variables is the quickest way to update a CSWP change

Hi Andrew,

One tip to learn SolidWorks from my site is to visit my website, www.LearnSolidWorks.com. Here you will find many (free) SolidWorks Tips, Tricks and Tutorials to prepare yourself for the SolidWorks Certified Associate and Professional exams.

Regards,

Jan-Willem Zuyderduyn

LearnSolidWorks.com

Answered with a tutorial: https://grabcad.com/tutorials/what-s-the-best-way-to-prepare-for-the-solidworks-certified-associate-and-professional-exams