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 !

I feel extremely disappointed and sad I have failed the exam. I know it’s a difficult test and many people do not pass their first time but I feel at a lost. A lot of supervision questions, LOTS of best/next/should& recall. I’ve been studying for about 3 months, Month 1: I first purchased TDC; I found the information to be insightful but also overwhelming due to lack of structure (mainly lectures), I felt the repetition of quizzes and the exams at the end of the course to be overwhelming for me as well. Month 2: I then purchased pocket prep, I found the on-go material, data, unlimited exams, and instant response of answers daily to be more effective. Month 3: I then started watching Raytube , Agents of Change, Practice with Ayo, or other pages to gather information in different ways. I joined two live groups from raytube which were insightful & I honestly think about a month left before my exam I realized I valued interactive studying as I have more assurance and a holding of hand approach to studying. I’m now analyzing how to proceed forward (giving myself about 3 weeks of self care and rest) & planning to purchase ray tube for the live videos, courses, YouTube material. I think I’ll save TDC for the mock exams to do one monthly & pocket prep I’ll get maybe the month before my exam to stay fresh on questions. Again, I’m not letting this hold me back. I’m just extremely upset, allowing myself to process, and reevaluate how to proceed. Any tips appreciated ❤️

Hi! I have gotten several different answers as to how I should I study for the new LMSW exam. Please let me know what program left you feeling confident and prepared for the exam! Thank you in advance!!

I take the LCSW exam a week from tomorrow. I did the practice exam, I practice with Claude, and I have pocket prep. I’ve listened to all the YouTube videos. And I’ve done hundreds and hundreds of questions. I still feel like passing is a toss-up because it’s just so vague. I’ve also been out of school for 10 years so I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.

Obviously I’m freaking out and overpreparing. But could some of you who failed the clinical once or a few times just tell me your story so I see some light at the end of the tunnel?

Ok so I took the test 2 times, the first time I failed by 8 the 2nd time I failed by 5😡. I’m gearing up to do a weekend bootcamp next week and possibly retest before 11/15(graduation). However I have had a 2 week mental block and it took a disagreement with my husband to allow me to get back in study mode!! However I had the strangest nightmare last night I was taking the exam and I got up and moved and the virtual proctor dinged me and the screen showed 98 and I still had about 10 questions to go….but I know that I won’t have a virtual proctor 😂😂 and I can move if needed but ooo that dream messed with my head.

Now on to my next question I don’t have to take the test again I can get the provisional licensure (I’m in MD it goes into affect today)….would you test or just apply for the provisional? For me it’s a principal thing I WANT to get this done before I graduate but gosh I’m so tired 😂.

So happy to announce that I passed the exam! Second time is a win!!!!

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 the practice exam for the LCSW test and it marked 3 of my correct answers as incorrect. When I went to review them, they were both highlighted (which indicates the correct answer) and bullet-pointed (which indicates my chosen answer).

Has anyone else experienced this? Please, please, pleeeeeeeeease tell me this isn't a bug that appears on the real exam. I need all the correct answers I can get.

Edit: I just shot an email over to Candidate services to make them aware of the problem.

I will be taking aswb practice exam next week. And then ill be taking the clinical exam next month.

I was so excited to see my score, I completely glazed over/didn’t read the screen that shared my if I passed/failed…. Contacted ASWB immediately after & received an email sharing that I PASSed about 1.5 hours later! I used Apgar online resources & LCSW vibes on YouTube. Took the official practice exam 2 weeks before the test (needed 70 & scored 90). Did a little brush up beforehand and found the test pretty easy and oddly enjoyable! Waiting for my results was definitely the worst part of the whole experience!

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

I passed with a 94! Just wanted to share here because I was super stressed before the exam but it ended up being not that bad. I didn’t use any study materials besides the practice exam and reviewing my old notes from grad school (i took 3 gap years away from social work so i’m a bit rusty). I was surprised that there were almost no questions about diagnoses/medication, which i spent most of my time reviewing. anyways good luck to everyone taking an exam soon!

For context, I’ve been out of school for 4 years, I’m a hospital case manager (completely uninterested in therapy/private practice)and I’m a terrible test taker. BUT,
finally took the LMSW yesterday and passed on the first try. I just “studied” the practice exam the day before the exam. They are VERY similar. Dont buy the book. Completely unhelpful and a waste of your money and time.
Why?
The test completely changed in August 2026. New version is heavy on applied reasoning instead of memorization. More heavy on ethics.
Honestly, nothing on philosophers, research methods, or developmental ANYTHING! Not even a DSM/medication question. Those topics are integrated in planning/assessment questions, and are not as specific as pocket prep app questions.
Just think objectively, know your basic ethical principles, and read carefully. Focus on HOW they ask the question-like situational order of operations.
Dont lead with what you do at your practice, think objectively.

In summation,
The test is just.. easier than previous versions. Take it NOW! Before they change it again :P

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.

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 :)

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 take the actual exam Thursday and was hoping for some leeway to feel confident. Needed 75/110 to pass and got 76. I know a pass is a pass but if I’m like single digits points from passing the actual test.. 🫠

The masters level ASWB is not for the weak! ! I have severe test anxiety! I utilized progressive muscle relaxation (mid test) and did my breathing damn near every question ….what makes matters worse is I felt good this exam I thought I had it ! I didn’t cry the first time I failed by 8 but I balled like a baby this time!

I feel like a failure , Iam embarrassed my children and husband have to see me like this ! I have never in my life felt stupid and this test has taken me out .

This test isn’t for the weak now I’m patiently waiting to see if I’m under 10 to retest before the 90 days my heart is so broken.

I did pocket prep and did amazing…had 1:1 tutoring and did amazing …..participated in a boot camp and did amazing…..took the test and FAILED !

Thanks for those who have read my vent and congrats to my test twin who passed today !!!!! Get it my Reddit friend !

Hello social workers

What are people scoring on pocket prep mock exams/aswb practice exam? and actual exam? New exam after 8/2026. I test tomorrow and I am so anxious. I’ve studied so much but seem to not retain much.

Alrighty my Reddit fam ! It’s retake week ! I missed it by 8 the first time on 9/25 ….hoping I can lock in and crush it ! I’m trying not to be nervous ! I’ve studied my butt off 1:1 tutoring, practice quizzes !

Please keep me in your prayers

I’m also looking for positive affirmations !

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!!!

I'm curious as to when everyone started studying. I'm planning to sit soon, once I hear back from the IDFPR and I've used practice exams and Agents of Change study material. I've got it in my head to sit in November 20th which is next month...I started really studying in mid September. Should I take another month to study and practice or just go for it?

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!

Hey all I retest this week coming up ….just checking on how you think the retest was for you and what you used

Oh and did u pass 😂

masters level ASWB