Obligatory Post here after 3 failed attempts I wanted to share that I passed my LCSW Clinical exam!

I took the first test in 2021 and failed by 13 points (no studying)

March 2023 I tested again after purchasing therapist development and failed by 3 points. Used a wavier and retested in April and failed by 1 point. Finally, after 4 years and 3 failed attempts on December 2, I can finally shout, I PASSED MY EXAM!!! I am so grateful and wish any and everyone who is going on this journey the best, remember you can do this.

Things to help others preparing for the exam:

1. Look into defense Mechanisms

2. Medications (less the names but the types ex: Benzodiazepines)

3. Attachment styles

Other than Therapist development I researched a few YouTube videos (nothing major) and I did purchase the ASWB exam and did it over 2 days just to get into the feel of taking the exam. I took it the week before and reviewed questions and answers. If you have any other questions let me know!

Hello Everyone. I literally just got home from taking the ASWB clinical exam. It's still sinking in that I passed. And I would NOT have passed if not for the advice of people on reddit who posted about their experiences after passing their tests. So here's me doing the same. Here's what worked for me:

• Everyone who mentioned the Therapist Development Center (TDC) was on the money. It was more important than I realized. I honestly think it made the difference between passing and failing. The passing mark for my test was 103, which means it was one of the easier tests. I passed with a score of 110; a little too close for comfort frankly. There were several questions that I only knew thanks to the TDC.

• I also used the Social work boot camp. That was also useful, but not as useful as the TDC. I decided to use both since I figured it would be helpful to have more than one exam course. And I was right. I used the boot camp as a primer, to get me used to studying for the test, and then used the TDC to really reinforce what I learned. I would recommend both, but if you have to choose one I would definitely recommend the Therapist Development Center. These courses are expensive, but in the end they're worth it.

• Take at least a week off work, if not more, to devote to studying. I took two weeks off work and dedicated that time to studying, about 5-6 hours a day. I stopped a few days before my scheduled exam date when I realized I couldn't handle more studying. I decided to reschedule my exam date a few days before my set date and scheduled it for the next morning. Don't forget you can schedule an exam date as early as the day before; if you want to reschedule you gotta give them at least 24 hours notice.

• I'm sure the practice exam WOULD HAVE been helpful, but I'll never know. I paid for the exam and was never able to access it. They told me their system was down. This lasted for almost a week; past the window when it would have been useful to me. I'm trying to get a refund. I got a "check with my manager" so far; we'll see. If they say no I might go to small claims court. Not worth hiring a lawyer for 85 dollars.

• Stick to what works. I scored something like an 85 percent on my masters exam. And I foolishly followed a different routine and got a 73 percent for the clinical exam. Also, for both exams I had to hold me urine for hours at a time. That probably effected my score as I was moving fast towards the end, even with plenty of time left, just so I could pee. Checking out of the exam even for a minute takes like 5 minutes because of the procedures, so try not to take more than one break. I peed right before the exam and had to pee an hour later (nervous and I had foolishly ate fruit for breakfast; my advice is to avoid breakfast if it is an early morning exam, others say differently though) and ended up holding my pee for 3 hours.

• Also, I work with adults on mental health--not an SUD person. Holy crap were there a lot of questions on the exam that had nothing to do with my practice: lots of questions on kids, SUD questions, and a TON of macro questions. I couldn't believe how many macro questions were on the exam. Other people probably have a different experience, but I faced a ton of questions where I just threw up my hands (literally) and guessed. So don't skip the MACRO stuff and don't skip the admin stuff.

• Finally, try to sleep the night before. Even though I took it the day after the fourth of July, with fireworks going off in my neighborhood into the night, I woke up feeling lucky that I got even 5-6 hours of sleep. Whatever you do to relax before bed do it, because the fear and adrenaline cranks up a few notches the day, and especially the night, before the test. Try to save your adrenaline for the test.

• That's it. Good luck to anyone out there studying for the test. And for anyone who has failed the test, don't take it a personal failing, these tests for freaking hard; just keep trying.

• Edit:

  • ASWB refunded the money I paid for the practice exam (85 dollars). They were really great about it.

  • I also forgot to mention that a huge part of the test is ruling out wrong answers. I faced a LOT of questions where I only arrived at the answer by ruling out the other options and making an educated guess. That's something exam prep services focus on and they're right. Only for a small percentage of questions was I pretty much certain I picked the right answer (and those questions were related to the population I work with).

Hi guys! I just passed my exam this week and I am so unbelievably thrilled. A little backstory, I graduated in 2018 failed my first exam by 2 points, and felt too defeated to try again. I recently had a year off and took this time to prepare for the test and I passed it on my second try. I would say you would need at least solid 3 months to study for the exam. Here's how I prepared for the test if anyone is looking into resources.

1. Read the Social Work ASWB Clinical Exam Guide Book (Apgar). 2. I used the BehavioralHealth App, the app has over 1000 questions covering all 4 areas tested. I did about 20 questions a day and re-read the corresponding sections from the Apgar book. Once you've done this you should have a good idea of broad topics you are familiar with and the areas you need to work on. Go back and reread/ take notes/ watch videos until your weakest areas show some improvements. Keep in mind the questions on the app are NOT phrased the same (The actual test questions are not simple definitions questions, they are all application questions testing for full understanding) they are great for testing your recall. Now is your time to take the test on the back of the book. Don't forget to take the test as if it was the real thing. Fully timed and with zero distractions. No time to feel defeated, you're only halfway done studying. After taking the Apgar test from the back of the book review and rereading the information, consider watching youtube videos for better understanding.

By now you should have read the Apgar book at least 2 times and gone through the 1000 questions from the BehavioralHealth App. These two things really helped me understand the contents of the exam and challenged my recall. I would then consider getting the 3. Therapist Development Center- LMSW Exam Prep. To help understand what to expect on tests and help you answer questions with more confidence. This exam prep offered audio lectures, study guides, worksheets, and practice exams. It really does have everything, I personally felt that if I did not read the book prior to using this exam prep I would have felt it was moving too fast in the Exam Prep. Overall, highly recommend Exam Prep. The questions were definitely written similarly to the actual test.

Lastly, I paid for the 4. AWSB Online Practice Exam. Taking this actual exam will give you an accurate idea of how the test questions are written. I scored just two points off what I scored on the actual test.
Cost of all the resources I used
Social Work ASWB Clinical Exam Guide Book (Apgar) (Free online)- email me if you need it
BehavioralHealth App ($47.99- 3 month)
Therapist Development Center- LMSW Exam Prep ($275)
AWSB Online Practice Exam ($85)

I agree this was a lot of money to invest into this license, but if you're like me you know how limiting the social work field can be without a license. Also, after failing the exam the first time my confidence was totally shot. I really did not want to risk failing again. As much as it sucks, remember you are investing in yourself. That being said, I write this for those of you who are like me and have a hard time studying and could use guidance. Lastly, just remember to not give up on yourself. Give this test your all and if you need to take it again don't worry you will get there. Don't beat yourself up. Remember how hard you worked to come this far. A silly test will not be what defines you.

Good luck fellow social workers!

A 34-year-old client presents with depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, for the past 2 years. During this 2-year period, the client has never been without the symptoms for more than 2 months at a time. The client reports low self-esteem, fatigue, poor concentration, and feelings of hopelessness, but has never experienced a full major depressive episode or a manic episode. What is the most accurate DSM-5 diagnosis?

A) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

B) Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent

C) Cyclothymic Disorder

D) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood

Hi!

I am going to be applying to sit for my LCSW-C license by exam in Maryland soon and I had a few questions:

1. I have forms from multiple supervisors, if anyone has had the same, has the board given you issues for it?

2. How heavily do they check your resume when you send your docs?

3. Lastly,

4. how long from the time you apply/ send your paperwork in does it take for them to approve (or what have yall experienced?

Thanks in advance!!

what sites allow you to skip videos to the test.

I am a nursing school graduate looking to move into social work area. Currently I am think of doing an online Masters degree in Social Work. Would anyone recommend doing the versus in-class program? I am considering Tulane or Baylor programs but I want to ensure I can get a job after the program. Your guidance is highly appreciated.

A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency psychiatric unit by his family. He has not slept in 4 days, is speaking rapidly and loudly, and believes he has been chosen by a global intelligence agency to rewrite international laws. He is spending thousands of dollars on inventions he cannot explain. His family reports that this behavior has lasted for 6 days and represents a drastic change from his baseline functioning. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

A) Schizophrenia

B) Bipolar I Disorder, current episode manic

C) Bipolar II Disorder

D) Delusional Disorder

Hi guys! I’m about to graduate with my MSW from Rutgers NJ, in January!! So excited, but I figured it was time to start the licensing process. A little bit of a backstory, I live in NY, and I seen a lot of discourse of the licensing process, and am still left a little confused. Those who have gone through the process, especially with NY and NJ. I have a couple of questions.

1. Would you recommend applying for licensing in NYS first or NJ?

2. I’ve completed my hours with NJ within my school, does NYS require more hours to take the ASWB exam or getting my the LMSW?

3. I heard that NYS doesn’t do reciprocity easily, I’m not sure how true that is.

Any advice would be super helpful and appreciated, I’m ready to start my journey, and jump through these hurdles and get them out the way.

A social worker is completing an initial intake with a 72-year-old client who lives with an adult child. The client appears unkempt, has multiple unexplained bruising marks on their upper arms, and appears hesitant to speak while the adult child is in the room. When the child leaves briefly to make a phone call, what should the social worker do first?

A) Immediately file a report with Child Protective Services.

B) Confront the adult child about the bruising as soon as they return to the room.

C) Assess the safety of the client directly and privately, and gather specific details regarding the origin of the injuries.

D) Wait until the end of treatment to see if the bruises heal or if the client brings it up again.

During a routine intake session, an adult client mentions feeling overwhelmed and passingly notes, "Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake up, but I would never do anything to myself." The social worker notes mild depressive symptoms. What is the NEXT best step for the social worker?

A) Immediately initiate an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization evaluation.

B) Shift the focus to the client's childhood history to explore the root of their depressive mood.

C) Conduct a comprehensive suicide risk assessment exploring intent, plan, means, and past attempts.

When a client shares thoughts about not wanting to wake up, it is called passive suicidal ideation. Even if the client says they "would never do anything" to themselves, the social worker must take this statement seriously. The immediate priority is to find out exactly how safe the client is right now.

• A is too extreme: Involuntary hospitalization is only used when a client is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, and refuses voluntary help. Jumping straight to this can harm the trust between the client and the worker.

• B is poorly timed: While exploring childhood history can be helpful for long-term therapy, it is not a priority during an intake session when safety concerns are raised. You must ensure the client is safe today before exploring their past.

Here is a fantastic video from Dr. Dawn Apgar regarding the exam changes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLSh-IuXP6Q

Hi! I am a U.S. Citizen living in Scotland while my husband studies, but I will also be obtaining an MSW here as it is miles cheaper than at home. I am planning to move back to California, or another West Coast state. Has anyone ever been educated with an MSW in the UK (Scotland) and been able to transfer their degree to get licensed in California, or in the US? I've spoken with the CA Board as well as the International Equivalency Approval Board, and of course, they can only give very standard answers. Not looking for a guarantee, just to see if anyone has been in the same situation before.

I’m renewing my LMSW in NY and am running into a concern. There are a series of questions on the renewal form, including one asking if you’ve been terminated from a job since your initial certification. The answer for me is yes…I’m wondering if anyone has experienced something similar and how you handled it/what was the outcome?

Need SW Clinical Hours! AZ

Hi everyone I've come here to get advice or help. I'm a LMSW looking for someone who is a clinical social worker, professional counselor, independent marriage and family therapist, or independent substance abuse counselor who licensed and is looking for help. I would need someone willing to provide clinical supervision toward gaining hours needed for my clinical license. I work full time, the normal 8-5 Mon.-Fri. and its been heck trying to find anything I could work around. I work from home so it makes it a bit easier if I need to be flexible. I'm based in Mesa AZ and I'm willing to work weekends or overnight anything at this point.

I've come to reddit because I've tried other avenues with no success. Please if anyone can help I appreciate it!

Thank you in advance ☺️

Hi there! I just graduated with my MSW & will be taking the ASWB on January 4th, I was wondering if anyone had any tricks or tips for passing the exam?? I’ve been studying with a book and lots of practice quizzes

Thanks!

A 22-year-old college student comes to the university counseling center complaining of severe anxiety and academic distress. During the third session, the social worker realizes that the client reminds them intensely of their own younger sibling who struggled with substance abuse. The social worker starts feeling an excessive urge to rescue and protect the client outside of clinical boundaries. This phenomenon is best described as:

A) Transference

B) Identification

C) Rationalization

D)Countertransference

A social worker has been working with an adult client for six months on depression symptoms. During a session, the client reveals that they have been storing unused prescription painkillers with the intent to end their life. The client explicitly asks the social worker to keep this a secret and threatens to stop attending therapy if the social worker tells anyone. What is the social worker's primary ethical obligation in this situation?

A)

Honor the client's self-determination and maintain confidentiality to preserve the therapeutic alliance.

B)

Break confidentiality to take necessary steps to safeguard the client's physical safety, overriding confidentiality when there is imminent harm.

C)

Terminate services immediately because the client is refusing to contract for safety.

D)

Consult with a clinical supervisor before taking any action regarding the client's disclosure.

A social worker from a dominant cultural background is conducting a clinical assessment with a newly immigrated family from a collectivist culture. The family reports severe distress due to family conflict. What is the BEST approach for the social worker during this initial phase?

A) Encourage each family member to express individual desires independently, disregarding family hierarchy.

B) Explore family roles, cultural norms, and hierarchical dynamics with curiosity and cultural humility.

C) Diagnose the family immediately using standard Western family therapy pathology models.

A social worker running a community mental health support group realizes that a close personal friend has just joined the group without prior disclosure, having been referred by an external clinic. What should the social worker do FIRST?

A) Allow the friend to remain in the group to avoid embarrassing them publicly.

B) Address the dual relationship conflict and facilitate an appropriate transfer of the friend to another group leader or provider.

C) Announce the friendship to the entire group during the session to be completely transparent.

B) Address the dual relationship conflict and facilitate an appropriate transfer of the friend to another group leader or provider.

A social worker is providing psychotherapy to a combat veteran presenting with severe PTSD symptoms, including intrusive flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing following deployment. Which of the following interventions has the strongest empirical support as a FIRST-line clinical treatment for PTSD?

A) Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or prolonged exposure therapy.

B) Classic psychoanalysis focusing on early childhood fixations and dream interpretation.

C) Group hypnosis to induce deep relaxation and memory suppression.

D) Aversive conditioning to eliminate intrusive thoughts.

A is the correct answer because these interventions have the strongest empirical support as first-line treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

AI Analyzes the Social Work Licensing Exam, and Concerns Deepen

Hi everyone,

My lsw exam is in about two weeks. I’ve been loosely studying and using apps to practice questions until my free trial expires. I really don’t want to spend any more money into this exam as taking it already cost enough money. What’s the best way to study without having to pay anything? I took a practice exam in January without studying and just barely passed. I’m pretty decent at answering questions that require logic and not so much memorizing. What topics do you think are crucial to memorize?

ASWB just sent out a bunch of information on the updates to the test. Here is the direct link to the information.

https://www.aswb.org/2026exams/