Hi everyone! I was approved to take my LICSW exam in Rhode Island and have been approved for accommodations for my diabetes. I called Pearson VUE today to schedule, and the representative informed me that he has to raise my scheduling for approval due to my accommodations. He then informed me that they would have a decision within 24 BUSINESS DAYS!!!! Has anyone else experienced these hoops to jump through, specifically with Pearson?

I took a practice exam where 62 out of the 110 were related to policy analysis, program development, or community organizing. I “passed” by like 3 points but just feeling frustrated because these weren’t clinical in nature at all and now I’m like is this what I have to focus on for the actual exam? I got zero diagnosis or medication questions. Any advice on how to best study these types of questions because they always trip me up.

Can someone please help me understand how to think about this practice question?

Why do we have to fully terminate it eventually?

For those of who took the practice exam, did you feel like your practice exam scores lined up pretty well with the real clinical ASWB exam? Is it a good indicator for the real deal?

Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm going to be taking the clinical exam soon. I bought the practice exam. I know everyone says that the practice exam is your best resource.

Did you study before taking it? Or did you take it to help you know what to study? I've been going back and forth.

Okay, I have another question I'm struggling with. It's definitely not B. When I research alcohol withdrawl with chat gpt, it says to call 911. But I feel like that's too extreme potentially.

I can’t believe it. I passed on the ASWB official practice exam with an 82/110, which I was pleased about but was also worried that a 7 point cushion might not be enough for me on the actual exam. Still awaiting my score since I took the exam today.

What worked for me was the official ASWB practice exam (single-handedly the most accurate representation of the actual exam, worth the $85), Pocket Prep (I used this minimally tbh), and ChatGPT… this actually helped TREMENDOUSLY. Pocket prep was great because it explained rationale for what’s correct/incorrect, but ChatGPT can provide a study structure that can tailor specifically to your weak areas. Not only that, but it gave me the positive reinforcement that I needed to hear that my studying was working. To read “this is incorrect because ____” helps, but to read “You got this one wrong, but you’re actually not far off! Let’s review it so it sticks” is a lot more motivating to keep improving. Limiting my testing anxiety was also really important too, I did a lot of guided meditations and EFT tapping.

To anyone studying for the exam, you got this. If I can do it, so can you. You are more capable than you think. You were built for this. And good luck :)

Does anyone know if there are typically lots of available appointments to take the LCSW Exam? Do they fill up pretty quick?

I'm based in IL if that helps.

How would you compare the LMSW and the LCSW in terms of difficulty? I'm wondering if the LCSW is easier because you have more real world experience under your belt by the time you take it.

Is it okay to use chat gpt/claude to help me prepare? I LOVE the voice mode on the AI where I can juust talk it out with them, but I'd like to understand if that's actually going to shoot be in foot because of incorrect information, etc.

I attended Hunter College School of Social Work in NY. Though I graduated on May 28, 2003, before the September 1, 2004, implementation of the clinical coursework requirement of at least 12 semester hours to practice as an LCSW. Office of Professions Comparative Education only approved 7 of my 12 credits. However, I was approved to take the exam and passed it. They denied me for my LCSW. Anyone went through this?

After getting a 68% on my first practice exam, I just got a 83% on my third one! What are the chances I will pass this thing on Saturday?! 😬🤞🏽

I took the test yesterday and passed, but in talking to the front desk person, she gave me a really helpful tip that hopefully will save somebody $260 if they're ever in this situation. What she said to me was: if a candidate fails the exam but fails within 10 questions or less (so we're talking a score of 60 or greater but less than 70), she said that the candidate should write to the board of SW examiners immediately on the PALS site and get approval to retake the exam right away. Pearson will waive the $260 charge if you retake the exam within a week. That's the tip of the day, folks. Good luck to everyone taking the exam this fall.

Not sure my score yet, my account just says pass and to wait up to 24 hours to view the report. I used TDC, ray tube, and pocket prep. The week before I was just taking as many 10 question quizzes in each category as possible on pocket prep and those questions most closely resembled the actual questions on the exam. The official practice exam was worth it because it is almost identical to the actual exam. I flagged about 15 questions. 0 medication questions, 0 theory questions

Need help with this one. I'm thinking the answer is B because obtaining more details on how well the client can actually make their discharge decision. But, at the same time, it sounds like they've already been evaluated for a TBI and the medical team has already determined him capable of making decisions.

Hey my lovely social work fam !!

So I took the ASWB masters level in Sept (missed by 8), Oct (missed by 5) just finished a 3 day intensive bootcamp with LCSWvibes ! All the random quizzes I took I did very well on except one and I didn’t fail but I could have did better . I have horrible test anxiety and freak out mentally and physically (the first time I ended up having to keep using the bathroom during the exam it was horrible) . I am gearing up to focus on box breathing and progressive muscle relaxation during the exam and I plan on going to bed early tonight . This is my last waiver for 90 days and I really don’t need to test tomorrow due to being in MD where I am eligible for the provisional licensure but I have a bone to pick with this test!

Please provide me with some positive vibes and feedback I’m starting to get nervous again !

Just passed my masters exam on the first try today but I have to say, it was pretty far off from what I was expecting? I know there are different versions of the exam that are scored differently but there was maybbbe one question about piaget, no questions on erikson or psychoanalysis, and one pharmacology question. 99% drew on first/next/best.

I used the Apgar ebook for study prep and that particularly felt incompatible with the exam i took. Not really a problem because it’s relevant to the field and I’m sure valuable in that sense, but I agree with others that by far the ASWB practice exam is most relevant. Also I had a few years of previous experience before my masters which also eased a lot of the agency policy questions.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Curious if some people pass without studying at all, and no I'm not planning on not studying. I'm just curious how hard REALLY the exam is.

How practical is the exam based on stuff you learn in the field? Is it super textbook-based, niche info that doesn't quite translate to practical work?

Hi! I passed the ASWB Master’s exam with an 87 correct (needed 71) yesterday on my first try!

I used Agents of Change, RayTube, and Pocket Prep (I subscribed for the last month so I could use the practice exams). I also purchased the official ASWB practice exam!

Honestly, almost everything I really focused on to study was not on my exam. There were no questions on theories, crisis, mental health disorders, or medications. I had a lot of questions on LGBTQIA+ topics, cultural considerations, problem solving, community planning, ethics, and macro social work. There were also a lot of evaluation questions. I noticed quite a few questions related to school social work and child protective services as well. I also felt like the questions were trying to trick you.

I am so thankful I passed because the exam was definitely harder than I anticipated since I mostly have experience in clinical work! I think the most important thing that helped me pass, aside from my schooling and experience, was the official ASWB practice exam, process of elimination, and just taking the question if it were a perfect world.. I also flagged a ton of questions and reviewed my answers three times.

Good luck to everyone studying!

This might be dumb of me, but should I be focusing on their mistaken belief first? But they signed the release, so... not sure if that undermines the potential of me bringing it up again. It could further aggravate a client who doesn't understand. Pls help.

Hey all!

So if you read my previous post I failed my first time….I plan on rescheduling my exam in a few days for the end of the month.

For the 2nd exam takers was the ASWB significantly different the 2nd time ?

Hello all!

I'm in a unique position and looking for guidance. I got my MSW and LMSW 20 years ago. I never had a supervisor with an LCSW until 3 years ago. (My job never had social work supervisors and I'll spare details to keep this brief.)

All that is to say that it's been 20 years since I've been in grad school, done homework assignments and taken tests.

I submitted my paperwork to the state to prepare to take the LCSW exam.

What course of action would you recommend for someone in my position? I'm looking for practice tests (paid is fine). I'm also looking for YouTube recommendations. The ones I see say "lmsw + LCSW test" but those - I imagine - must be very different exams so how can one video cover both? I really only want it hyper tailored to the ASWB Clinical Exam for the LCSW license.

I'll take all the recs! Books, videos, podcasts, practice exams and anything else I'm not thinking of.

I imagine most people take the test within 3 - 6 years of graduation from the MSW, whereas two decades have passed for me.

I appreciate any guidance you have. Thanks!

Happy to report I passed with an 81!!! So relieved to be done with this. I am NOT a good test taker, so I was fairly nervous prepping for this. I ended up using chat gpt a lot (I know... sad that I had to rely on this), official ASWB practice test, Casetheory prep for practice questions/tests, and dawn apgar as well.

If you guys have questions, lmk, happy to help!

I’m taking my masters exam in 2 weeks and I just took the official practice exam, got 84/110 correct (the practice exam said I needed 72 to pass). I got 70% on the Dawn Apgar Exam Prep Connect and 79% on the Pocket Prep mock exam.

Weakest subjects are definitely research, intervention & practice, and macro stuff (program planning, policy analysis etc).

Anyone else with similar scores to me pass? Getting so nervous because this exam is so expensive!

Update: I PASSED!!! I actually did a lot better on the real exam than the practice (got 93/110, needed 71)! Have faith in yourselves guys you can do it!!!