Social Work ASWB Clinical Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Study Guide for Success

by Dawn Apgar

Includes a free mobile & web app!

“Dawn gave us the tools we needed to take the exam, and let me tell you—she was on point! Not only did she cover the content areas we needed to focus in on, but she also showed us how to read and interpret the questions on the exam.”

—Ammu D. Kowolik, LMSW, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

Students and social workers preparing for the social work clinical licensure exam will find an invaluable study resource in the Social Work ASWB® Clinical Exam Guide. Written by a prominent social work leader and trainer for social work licensing exams in the United States, this guide is based on years of time-tested exam prep workshops conducted by the author. It mirrors the ASWB Clinical “Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities” upon which the exam is based and incorporates information from the DSM®-5.

The guide is comprehensive yet focuses on the material most likely to be included on the exam, so readers can prioritize information as they study. A self-assessment section helps identify strengths and weaknesses before tackling the material. The author shares her extensive knowledge of the exam by providing useful test-taking strategies and tips for overcoming test anxiety. The 170-question practice test at the end of the guide (with explanations of the correct answers) mirrors the actual exam in both length and structure. Content includes human development, human behavior in the environment, diversity, addictions, assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical interventions, case management, and professional values and ethics. This book will be a valuable asset for social workers throughout the United States and Canada.

Key

Developed by a highly respected educator of social work licensure candidatesCovers all the content areas on the clinical examination, including new content added in 2015Begins with a self-assessment section to help identify areas of strength and weaknessOffers a wealth of test-taking tips and strategies to foster exam confidenceIncludes a practice test (with explanations of the correct answers) that mirrors the examASWB is a registered service mark of the Association of Social Work Boards, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product.

Genres: Social Work

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2015

About the author

PhD LSW ACSW

Reviews

[Kate K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I pass the exam? Yes.

Do I think this is a good study guide? No.

Here are my main issues, bullet point style:

* absolutely horrible presentation of information. There is one section that is literally just a list of medications by type. No specific info on those meds other than a general blurb for the whole drug class. Several of these medications are globally discontinued, it’s really doubtful ASWB would ask a question about a drug that hasn’t been on the market since 2003.

* sample questions in the book were very different from the questions on my exam. The book has a lot of recall type questions, where you just need to identify the correct term or fact. My test was almost entirely critical thinking, situational questions. The official ASWB practice test is the best thing I’ve found to illustrate what the questions are actually like.

*most boring writing style known to human kind. I’m a social worker so inherently these topics interest me but when I say this study guide is DRY I mean it.

*for the price I would hope the publishers could spring for a few more charts, maybe some graphs, maybe even some color.

*doesnt seem to be updated to the latest NASW code of ethics but I definitely had technology questions that are part of the most recent update.

[Jenny Consalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might as well count the most important book I’ll read all year. My girl Dawn is going to help me pass my exam.

[Megan Ammer-Barefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purely including this because it was a hunk of a textbook. Very easy and accessible test tips and tricks, comprehensive and thorough test sections, and an incredibly helpful test breakdown, that included calculations to help determine knowledge gaps. The practice test was a bonus and appreciated! Recommending to all my social work friends taking their LCSW!

[Sarah Linfoot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annoyed I even have to take this exam, but yeeah. I read the study guide. It’s helpful. Id recommend 😭

With that being said, sections are dry and don’t really help with contextual questions. I’ve been taking practice questions and while some areas of the guide help with determining the correct answer, the study guide is largely weighted toward terms.

[Juliette Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a refresher of what I learned in grad school, how to prepare for studying for a clinical type of exam , and lastly the template of how the test is structured. All though this wasn’t the only tool I used to pass the first time , I definitely recommend it to prepare.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passed on the first try

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure I would have passed the ASWB Exam had I only read this book. For in order to pass the exam, two types of knowledge are necessary: (1) knowledge of the stuff you learned in grad school (e.g., theories of development, the different defense mechanisms, the DSM-5 criteria for mental disorders, etc.) and (2) knowledge of the test itself. Apgar's book does a good job reviewing the stuff you learned in grad school, but I don't think it sufficiently covers what to expect from the test itself.

Think back to the ACT or SAT. If you didn't take a test prep course, you probably didn't do that well, as it was essential to learn test-taking strategies specific to each test. The same is true with the ASWB Exam, and although Apgar's book has a fairly helpful section titled "20 Tips You Need to Use to Answer Questions Correctly," there are several basic tips that should have been included. For example, if a question mentions a client having physical symptoms, you should make a medical referral; if a question asks about a coworker thinking about doing something unethical, you should directly talk to the coworker and only talk to your supervisor if the coworker has already done something unethical; and so on.

I passed the ASWB Exam (woot woot!), and I give partial credit to reading this book; I actually read it twice and made flashcards of concepts I wasn't overly familiar with. But I also give credit to the ASWB for making an online practice test available. The practice tests cost a hefty $85, but it was well worth it. Additionally, I have to give credit to an online prep course I took; that course cost a totally outrageous $195, but it provided a lot of the test-taking strategies that Apgar's book leaves out, and so for me the price was worth it.

(By the way, please don't think I'm pushing the online prep course. I have absolutely no affiliation with that course. I just wanted to share what worked for me.)

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passed the exam so I’ll give it 4 stars but the editing and organization of this book could have been a lot better.

[BMR, LCSW · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most effective way of using this book is to take the exam first, to see what you need to study, then use the study materials to shore up what you're lacking knowledge of. Finally take the test again.

There are proofreading errors throughout, but it shouldn't take away the usefulness of the guide.

If you still have your notes from grad school around, it will be even more helpful.

A favor if you end up selling your copy: please make sure you erase any marks you make in the exam section. I had to spend half an hour erasing checks and x-es before taking the test, so I would not be influenced by anything on the page. I made up my own answer sheet on an Excel spreadsheet.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR REAL LCSW EXAM!!

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of good information. For the price I would have thought it would be better quality. It just looks like someone copied all the pages on a copy machine and slapped a cover on it. Some pages were centered odd...but that’s just me being picky. The book is well organized. The practice test is nice and each question provides good rationale for why a specific answer is the best one. I feel this will be very helpful for the LCSW. I scored an 80% on the practice test after reading this book and studying. Good luck on your exam everyone!

[Danica San Juan, LMSW-C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I passed the exam on my first try, but I think only three questions on my exam were answered with the help of this book. This book and the included practice exam certainly teach you content, but the actual exam is mostly comprised of those FIRST, NEXT, BEST, etc. questions. I would not use this book alone to study for the exam. In fact, I think you would be fine without using this book at all during your studies. I'd recommend borrowing or getting this book for free from a friend, colleague, or your social work program. And it's okay if you don't read it entirely cover to cover.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope to god this helps me pass, because it was terrible to read. Among the litany of issues I have with it, here are two I came across in the last half hour: 1.) went to look up a topic by the index. That said topic was not on the page listed and I have no idea how to find it again. 2.) was asked a question about something on the practice test that the book did not even go into the amount of detail needed to answer the question. Only got it because I guessed right.
I would list more issues I have with it, but it would take up too much time that could be spent studying. 😑

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I debated about whether or not to include this book in my reading challenge. I decided that since I read it cover to cover at least twice in the past two weeks that it counted, especially since studying took away from my leisure reading time significantly. I passed the exam, so it works. It's organization is a bit odd and I wish that more detail had been given around diagnostic formulations and medications. Definitely worth it, though, to pass the test!

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a great resources. I found it most helpful to study from this guide, create flashcards/outlines of each chapter, and then take the practice exams (both in the back of this guide and the ones from ASWB) and identify the areas I needed to focus on reviewing. Studying for the clinical licensure exam can be stressful and overwhelming and this broke it down in a manageable and helpful way.

[Anna Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not the most exciting book I've read this year, the ASWB Clinical Exam Guide is a solid, comprehensive review of everything you need to know to take and pass the ASWB Clinical Exam. I went through this book in the months before my exam, and I passed with flying colors. I also took advantage of the digital access, which allows you to create a personalized study plan based on your exam date. I would definitely recommend this book to any social worker going into their Clinical Exam.

[Leif Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passes with a good score using this book. I have a close friend who did as well. Can be found for cheap on amazon as well.

[Jane Rhea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I feel like I studied... but I read the thing.

[Ryan Roulston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good study guide when used in addition to the pocket prep app. I also used a YouTube video that helped tremendously in breaking down the actual test. I passed on my first try

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this, so I might as well count it towards my reading goal.

Very helpful in preparing for the clinical exam.

[Jessica Asia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful with studying for the lcsw exam

[Nikkie Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

this updated version is a must-have! it taught me how to dissect the question on my path to a "pass."

[Nicole Angeleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invaluable resource when it comes to studying for the clinical social work exam. The online study guide included in the price is worth its weight in gold.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I studied a lot for the LCSW exam and passed with a very respectable score the first try. However, I highly doubt I would’ve been able to do that with this book alone. Apgar does a great job of overviewing the KSAs that are targeted in the clinical exam, but the organization of this resource lacks significantly. I would use this more as a guide to what is expected to be known, but I do not recommend relying only on this to pass the current clinical examination.

[Annika Seitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book, the paper practice exam (also Apgar), and the Pocket Prep app to study and prepare for my exam and I passed. I’m glad I used some different methods of studying because you just never know what you’re going to get on the actual test. This book does a good job of going through the outline of the KSAs and reviewing all that stuff you learned at some point but may have since forgotten. There is a full length practice test included. Recommended!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only resource that’s worth the time and money. Weeeee