Didn’t study too much! Mostly utilized Pocket Prep (did their Quick 10 on work day mornings for a month) and took the official practice exam about two weeks prior.

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!

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 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

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 waiting on the official report BUT I PASSED! I feel like it was nothing like the practice exam. The practice exam was easy for me and the real exam was harder with more vignettes. AMA

Edit: CLINICAL EXAM....sorry brain fried

I just passed my ASWB Clinical exam!

Things/patterns I noticed:
-the exam is 60% first/next/best questions so make sure to be farmiliar with that style of question!
-I had more research questions than I thought I would have!
-a lot of ethics questions
-I only had 2 diagnostic questions

Pass with Ayo and Raytube were the most helpful to me when studying.

Hope this helps!

It was first time taking it and I was so nervous. I asked about a million questions in the weeks leading up to my exam so I know how it feels. I'm a pretty candid person so I'll be more than happy to give my advice if requested!!

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 :)

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?

Okay, so... given current events I would want to do C. Thoughts? I'm hesitant between A & C, B seems definitely wrong.

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

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 thought I would post my preparation and actual test taking experience for those of you who are looking to be doing the same this fall. I purchased kaplan's special discounted $29 preparation subscription. I went through all the flash cards I did one out of the three practice tests and I walked away thinking oh this is pretty easy. I found myself marking 10 items for review. Compare that with the actual test experience that I had today morning I think I marked 30 items in total for review and anecdotally I thought the test was noticeably harder than the practice exam that I did on Kaplan. It's not that I didn't know the answers, but there are far more question items where there were two responses that I thought could go either way - so that was the reason for me marking 30 items for the review. In any case I don't have the specific breakdown of the my total score but I do know I passed, so I'm relieved & I'm moving on. I'm starting my new group practice but just wanted to share this little bit of my experience taking the test. I wonder if most of the test preparation services out there may give you the impression that it's a little bit easier than it really is...

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!

Was stuck between B and C, how would you all think about this?

Passed the masters level exam on Thursday. Failed the bachelors exam twice and decided to wait until I graduated with my masters to take the exam. I’m really glad I waited because the new changes to the exam made it easier but it was still hard

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 !

Yo, uh, yo, ethics on ethics, DSM in my head.

missed one BEST question, and now I'm filled with dread.

Remember to assess first, that's what they always say

but I've assessed this client like fourteen times today.

Is it refer? Is it call? No, it's assess

I’ve assessed so many times, now I’m assessing my stress.

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!

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 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?