LMSW Prep

• Look for quotation marks throughout the question or clues in the last sentence before the response choices, because both are often the keys to selecting the correct answers.
• Many of the response choices to questions on the examination often begin with verbs.
• Often, questions on the examinations require social workers to identify what they would do "first" or "next" or to pick out the issue or problem that is "most" important in a case scenario.
• Understanding the goal of each phase and the tasks to be completed therein in the problem-solving process is critical because many questions on the examination focus on making sure that things are happening in the correct order.
• If the age of a client or others is included in a case vignette, it is usually relevant to selecting the correct response choice.
• Questions on the examinations aim to assess whether a social worker is appropriately placing a client as the priority and respecting his or her right to self-determination.
• It is essential that the question is thoroughly understood before looking at the answers.
• It is critical not to be influenced to select a response choice simply because it has social work "buzz words".
• Social workers view all client behaviors through a psychotherapeutic lens and are inappropriately quick to attribute actions to symptomology of disorders or dysfunction.
• Most questions do not ask a social worker to "solve the problem" or even take action that will directly lead to resolving the issue or situation.
• Failing the examinations is almost always a result of gaps in knowledge of social work content.
• When preparing for examinations or even passing the examinations, it is useful to try to diagnose what is causing your problem
• You should re-examine the tips outlined in this guide to see what strategies may be helpful in preparing for the examinations and/or answering questions
• You also might want to relook at the self-assessment to determine which content areas require more studying
• Failing the examinations is almost always a result of gaps in knowledge of social work content
• The ASWB examinations are very reliable. Thus, if you study using the same strategy or methods, you are likely to get the same results
• A thorough assessment is critical to ensuring a strategy or intervention is created to address the targeted problem(s)
• A social worker should spend time analyzing what is causing the difficulties before taking an examination again
• Difficulties with anxiety will not be addressed by "hitting the books"
• Knowledge gaps cannot be filled by simply reviewing the test-taking strategies
• It is worth spending time critically reflecting on the strategies used to study and answer questions so that corrections can be made before trying again
• Anxiety


  One of the biggest issues that social workers have to address when preparing for and actually taking the examinations
• Anxiety can be useful during this process because it helps you prioritize studying and preparing above other demands placed upon you in everyday life
• There are no magic ways to instill the necessary knowledge in your brain besides good old-fashioned studying
• Everyone who is studying for the examinations is feeling the same way. This stress is typical, and you are not alone in feeling anxious
• Managing anxiety


  1. Make a study plan and work the plan

  2. Don't forget the basics (rest, relaxation, nutrition)

  3. Familiarise yourself with the test environment

  4. Use relaxation techniques

  5. Put the examination into perspective

  6. Expect setbacks

  7. Reward yourself

  8. Acknowledge and address the anxiety
• ASWB provides a listing of all content areas that are used as the basis for all question construction
• These areas are identified by social workers in the field via a practice analysis conducted by ASWB
• There is tremendous overlap across the ASWB examinations (Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical)
• Doing well on one ASWB examination often means that you will do well on another
• Readiness for the examinations

  You do not have to be an expert in each of the KSAs, but you will need to recall critical content, as well as key concepts and terms that may be related to the area
• Assessing readiness


  • Would you be able to summarise the most relevant points related to the content area in a 5-minute "lecture" on the topic?
  • Do you understand the relevancy to social work practice and how social workers use this information to make decisions when interacting with clients?
  • Do you know how this content area relates to the assessment and treatment of clients? Does it in any way impact problems or issues that they may be experiencing?
• In order to get the right answers, your exam questions may require you to broadly apply the overall key theme related to a theory or area or specific terms associated with the area, even if the construct is not mentioned
• Researchers have shown that individuals perform better on examinations if they use study techniques that are consistent with their styles of learning
• Learning styles


  • Visual learners
  • Auditory learners
  • Kinesthetic or hands-on learners
• Success on the examination does not require a lot of memorization of material, but rather the ability to recall terms when you see them and to draw upon your knowledge of multiple concepts to select the correct course of action in hypothetical vignettes or scenarios
• Self-assessment content areas


  • Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment
  • Assessment and Intervention Planning
  • Direct and Indirect Practice
  • Professional Relationships, Values, and Ethics
  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Social Policy
  • Research
  • Field Education
• Heritage on self-image


  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
• Impact of spirituality and/or religious beliefs on behaviors and attitudes

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
• Effects of discrimination


  • 1
  • 2
  • 3