Licensure Exam Tips: How to Break Down Questions for Success
Passing the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) licensure exam is a crucial step for any aspiring social worker. It’s not just about knowing the content but also about thinking critically and breaking down questions effectively. Here are some tips to help you succeed.
Understand the Exam
The ASWB exam is designed to measure minimal competency in key areas, including:
- Your ability to keep clients and the public safe.
- Your capacity to empower and support clients in meeting their needs.
- Your respect for clients’ right to self-determination.
To get a feel for the exam, I suggest purchasing the official ASWB practice exam. This resource will help you understand how the questions are worded and what they are looking for. Review the questions and rationales multiple times. Additionally, make sure you have a solid grasp of the content before taking the test.
Strategies for Answering Questions
- Treat Each Question as Unique: Do not base your answer on a previous question. Each question is different and should be approached independently.
- Read Slowly and Carefully: Take your time with each question to ensure you understand it fully.
- Read the Last Sentence First: Pay attention to directive words such as “First,” “Next,” and “Best.” This helps you understand what the question is specifically asking.
- Identify the Client and Presenting Problem: Determine who the client is and what problem the social worker needs to address.
- Look for Keywords: Identify key terms and phrases that point to the central issue or person you need to focus on.
- Pay Attention to Quotations: Statements in quotation marks often contain crucial information.
- Recognize the Type of Question: Is it ethical, diagnostic, case management, or safety-related? Knowing the category can guide your response.
- Make an Educated Guess Before Looking at Answers: After reading the stem, guess what the answer might be before looking at the options. Often, your guess will be one of the choices.
- Think Lawfully, Ethically, and Sensibly: Choose answers that are in the best interest of the client and the public. Avoid personal biases and select answers that are general and applicable nationwide.
- Focus on the Here and Now: Select the answer that addresses the stem immediately.
- Consider Frequency, Intensity, and Duration (FID): When diagnosing, think about how the symptoms impair function and their duration. Ask yourself, “Do I know this information?”
- Eliminate Wrong Answers: Narrow down your choices by eliminating options that:
- Suggest doing nothing or saying nothing.
- Ignore the client or their request.
- Involve advice-giving or judging.
- Contains extreme words like “all,” “always,” “only,” or “impossible.”
- Have a negative tone or attitude towards the client.
By following these strategies, you’ll be better prepared to break down each question and select the best answer. Remember, the goal is to demonstrate minimal competency and make decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of clients and the public. Good luck with your exam preparation! TheLicensureDoc
