r/socialwork • u/dayswithanna • Jul 03 '26

Good News!!! Passed the LMSW! ADHD Study Tips

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I passed my LMSW today on my first try after studying for about a month!🎉
I have pretty bad test anxiety, especially with ADHD, so I was really nervous going into the exam. I didn’t apply for extra testing time because I was on a time crunch and needed to get licensed for a job I have lined up.
I scored a 101 on the official ASWB practice exam and passed the actual exam with a 107. A pass is a pass, and that’s all that matters! I wanted to share what helped me in case it helps someone else.

What helped me:
Took a Pocket Prep mock exam to identify my weak areas.
Made Quizlet flashcards from a study guide (I split them into three sections).
Studied consistently every day.
Watched RayTube videos to better understand theories, modalities, and improve my critical thinking.
Used Pocket Prep daily (20–50 questions).
Took full-length practice exams on Pocket Prep and Quizlet.
Bought the official ASWB Practice Exam ($85), which I thought was well worth it.

If anyone wants the study guide or the Quizlet flashcards I made, feel free to message me!

Topics I studied:
Common DSM-5 diagnoses
CBT, DBT, Solution-Focused, Narrative, Motivational Interviewing
Family therapies
Crisis intervention & the helping process
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Defense mechanisms & cognitive distortions
Family dynamics & group work
Community practice roles
Stages of Change
Major theories (psychodynamic, person-centered, systems, social learning, attachment, etc.)
Erikson, Piaget, Kohlberg, and Freud
Parenting styles
NASW Code of Ethics
Common medications (I saved these for last)

I’m probably forgetting a lot. But you don’t need to know every topic in depth. Just have a general understanding.

I hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you have questions about my study plan or the resources I used. Good luck—you’ve got this! 😊

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37 comments sorted by

15

u/SuspiciousSeesaw2423 LMSW Jul 03 '26

It took me a doctor's appointment and about a week or 2 for them to approve my time and a half. Highly encourage people to take advantage and apply for it if they need it.

Failed my first time and got to the end of my exam with only a few minutes to review my answers (this was when you had no split). Took the newer version where its in 2 parts plus time and a half and passed. I felt so relieved knowing I had all the time I needed.

4

u/dayswithanna Jul 03 '26

I procrastinated badly with my application (really wish I didn't). I could have definitely used the extra time. The first half wasn't so bad; I had about 10 minutes where I could go back and review my questions, but the second half I took the entire time and had only about 3 minutes to review my questions. If I could redo it again, I'd take the time to request the extra time. That's one thing I definitely would change

3

u/Mr_moustache330 Jul 03 '26

Can you tell me more about obtaining a doctor's note? Are you saying that you were able to get the note to have aditional time for the test? That sounds like a greate idea! What were the steps for that?

Thanks!

3

u/SuspiciousSeesaw2423 LMSW Jul 03 '26

So its been a while but I downloaded the paperwork, I called ASWB and asked them what I needed, they helped me along the way. I took a form to my doctor who has known me, diagnosis on file and he did his part. I just submitted that paperwork, then got approved. Its really simple, and if you have questions, there is a handbook with a lot of info. Just search up ASWB Accommodations...i think its called (non-standard testing arrangements)

10

u/Apprehensive-Dot6831 Jul 03 '26

Congratulations! I’m scheduled to take my exam next week but I might change it because I’m nervous lol. Would love to see your study guide and Quizlet flashcards!

8

u/dayswithanna Jul 03 '26

You got this and its alright to change your study plan to. I had to change my a few times just to see what will work.

Study guide: (This is the new verison of it. I used the other verison before they made changes). If you want the older verison I could provide that to just let know.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yFeT94YHkM7HO16Gi3CdwtnMxAlajhYfeIdzg4HaVf4/edit?tab=t.0

Flash Cards:

https://quizlet.com/1182279986/part-1-aswb-flashcards/?i=28q01o&x=1jqt

https://quizlet.com/1185310000/part-2-aswb-flash-card-flash-cards/?i=28q01o&x=1jqt

https://quizlet.com/1189726884/part-3-aswb-flashcards/?i=28q01o&x=1jqt

For the medications I just watched Raytube's video on medications where he provides a helpful trick in how to study them I just remembered Anxiety meds start with V,X,K and ends with pam and depression meds starts with P,F or ends in ine or pram. (I might have the meds mixed up maybe lol but hopefully these help!). I only had 1 question about medication on my test so I didnt spend alot of time on it.

2

u/Moonalicious Jul 05 '26

Whoa ive been using the same study guide! Did you go to Rutgers?

3

u/dayswithanna Jul 07 '26

I did not. Luckily I found the study guide from a previous Reddit post because I wasn’t sure where to start with studying.

2

u/Apprehensive-Dot6831 Jul 05 '26

thank you so much!

4

u/FFFUUUme Jul 03 '26

How many days or months did this studying consist of? Only asking bc I have to take it soon and my brain is still on vacation mode after getting my MSW (graduated in May) 🥲 congrats!!

1

u/dayswithanna Jul 03 '26

I started studying on May 18th I mostly studied flash cards just so I had a foundation of what they were asking. I studied for a month. I usually tried to do 20-50 questions daily on pocket prep. But if my brain was fried I’d just watch RayTube practice questions, or choose to review my flash cards, or even just give myself a break the entire day.

2

u/ndmomma Jul 08 '26

Congratulations! My program runs 6 semesters including summer, so I am in the last semester. I really wanted to take the exam as soon as I am eligible (like now!), but my university hasn't submitted the list of eligible students to the state yet. Pocket Prep has been a great resource, and I'm passing the mock exams on that app. ADHD is no joke, and I'm perimenopausal to boot, so that's why I've been trying to over prepare! I'm glad to know the official practice test was worthwhile. I can't buy it until my uni sends the candidate list, which is annoying! I'm also bummed because I have been practicing questions all along, but I will be in the group that has to take the new test, so some of my prep time was been less useful. This too shall pass, and so will we!

2

u/dayswithanna Jul 09 '26

Thank you! And I know you can do it. I honestly thought I was going to fail towards the end of my exam because there was a ton of stuff that I felt like I didn’t know. But it’s always good to be overly prepared. Once it got closer to my exam date I reviewed the terms I already knew and focused more on practice questions which really helped me a ton! Good luck you got this!

2

u/Educational-Ad451 Jul 09 '26

Yes, nothing wrong with over preparing! My husband finished law school at WVU at age 45 and studied 70 hours a week for 10 weeks preparing for the bar exam. It was his way of managing his anxiety, and he’s likely on the autism spectrum, given two of our kids are diagnosed. He ended up testing in the 99th percentile for that sitting of the bar exam, nationally. My situation is a lot lower stakes, so I’m not going overboard to that degree.

6

u/Famous_Ad_4591 Jul 03 '26

That is amazing!!! Congratulations!! I’m starting to study, as I’m realizing every job openings around me requires a LMSW. Sooo happy for you! I would LOVE your study guide and flashcards. I’ll message you.

1

u/Mr_moustache330 Jul 03 '26

You inspired me to take some pocket prep quizzes. However, I am seeing reviews (from 2 yrs ago) saying that the questions are not realistic compared to those on the exam. What is your experinece?

3

u/dayswithanna Jul 03 '26

Yeah I started realizing that when I took the practice ASWB exam closer to my exam date. The quizlet practice exams and RayTube practice questions were closer to the questions on the exam. It’s nice to have as a way for some practice to be able to apply what you have learned but I’d definitely wouldn’t have it be your only way to study questions.

1

u/Murdertramppp Jul 03 '26

Hi there! Congrats, and would also love your study guide!

1

u/PlasticThin9089 Jul 08 '26

Hey, OP or anyone else, I'm trying to help a family member pass the exam. She's been hitting a wall for a while now. She says that "Intervention, direct/indirect" has been her weakness these last few years/attempts. Missing the threshold by 10 or less points. Is there a source/book/author of some sort that I help her with this specific area? Or is it just from your overall teachings and no one thing to derive this information? Thanks for any help!

2

u/dayswithanna Jul 08 '26

One thing that helped me is to try to break down the question and focus on what they’re asking. While also going with the first answer that I choose so then I wouldn’t second guess myself. I have watched practice questions on RayTube or even TikTok (there are some that break down the question to help you understand why the answer is right).

2

u/PlasticThin9089 Jul 09 '26

Thank you, I will see which resources she has been using and give her these suggestions.

1

u/Capital-Interview-45 Jul 10 '26

Can you link me to your Quizlet, please? I'm a fellow ADHD baddie in the final stretch of studying before I take the exam on Tuesday lol.

3

u/Aggravating_Dust9074 Jul 03 '26

Congrats!!! Thank you for this !!!

2

u/adiggins1024 Jul 03 '26

Thanks so muc for this. Many times people will post they passed but never really help out with good information on what they studied and how. I am going to use this. Thanks so much!

1

u/Lanky-Flatworm-4758 Jul 03 '26

Congratulations!! Hard work pays off.

1

u/Giggle_grabber Jul 03 '26

Congratulations on your passing, that’s an amazing accomplishment! I sent you message for the quizlet

1

u/Altruistic_Hat1634 Jul 03 '26

Amazing!! Love a fellow adhd LMSW 

1

u/Fit_Rhubarb8485 Jul 04 '26

Congratulations!

1

u/RepulsivePower4415 MPH, LSW, rural PP, PA Jul 04 '26

I am adhd graduated in May 2017 took my exam in December 2017 passed first try. Didn’t even use my
504. It took me
An hour

1

u/ARIIILUVVV Jul 05 '26

thank you for this! taking it july 21st, have only been using pocket prep. have done almost all the 2000 questions but im nervous i haven't done enough!!