My iPod is semi-crammed with social work exam prep audio. My commute is long. So I’ve just about made it through two sets of prep CDs–AATBS and Gerry Grossman.
In brief: The AATBS approach is to stuff an overwhelming amount of info into a small set of CDs. A sometimes maddeningly monotone voice reads off the essentials, 50 minutes at a time–DSM Diagnosis, Law & Ethics, etc. A hard listen. But…good for cramming in info that’s likely to come up on the test. Probably worth re-suffering through right before exam time.
The Gerry Grossman discs I have are a series of clear, calm, theory-focused half-hours. Each takes an approach (e.g., Gestalt, Strategic Family Therapy) and breaks it down by history, assessment, interventions, etc. There’s a pause between each section–a gentle hand-holding that has little in common with the AATBS stream of facts.
Which is better? Neither, both. Completely different approaches. If you can get hold of both, do.
Haven’t heard the BTA or other course audio…yet. Please feel free–companies or customers–to send them my way: socialworkprep [at] gmail.com. Thanks in advance.
UPDATE: I finally called to talk to an AATBS advisor (who advises calling the advisors earlier in the prep process than I did). Also advised: Listening to the AATBS CDs over and over–as much as 15 times each. The maddening monotone is intentional. They want you to be able to listen without really listening. Half-listen while you drive, half-listen while you exercise, half-listen while you cook…and just let it all soak in.
How to you feel about the cd’s so far, both AATBS and Gerry Grossman? I am considering ordering the flashcards since I’m still about 15 months away from taking the exam for LCSW.
I like both sets of CDs for the reasons described above. The AATBS flash cards are less useful. You’re probably better off making your own. Especially if the test is 15 months away–you’ve got a long, long, long (too long?) time to prepare. Best of luck.
Ok, so I just took the standard exam two days ago. I bought the AATBS material – bronze package. I took four days off of work – and studied Thursday through Monday. I took it Tuesday and passed. The material is super extensive and, in my opinion, complete overkill. I didn't need to know half of what I studied. I believe these companies make their living off of the anxiety produced by having to take these exams…it is in their interest to foster it. That said, the piece that was extremely helpful was going through the online exams, and reading through the rationale for each question – right or wrong. The key element is learning to read each question carefully to look at 1) the relevant information about the clients – what they present with or what they ask for; and 2) paying attention to what the questions ask EXACTLY. Most of the answers really come down to which right answer do you do first – in other words, how do you prioritize the right actions because most options include at least two "right" answers. Hope this helps for those that follow. Oh, and the highest overall percentage I got on the practice exams was 68% – the lowest I got was 52%.
I think that AATBS is great prep for the first exam, however, I am not so sure that using their online exam bank alone or their one day seminar is enough to get you through the second exam. Grossman seems to have the edge on prep classes for the Vignette exams. Let’s face it, our MSW programs didn’t prepare us as well as they should have to pass the clinical vignette exam. If you were lucky you have had good internships, mentors and current jobs. Even so, MFTs seem to have the edge on therapeutic intervention training. This is where Grossman’s methods might help fill-in the gaps.
I just took the exam today and passed. I used the AATBS Testmaster via computer — went through all 5 tests in study mode (did not retake any in exam mode). My highest overall percentage was 69% and lowest was 57%. I agree with comments made by Eva on 10/15/09. I’d recommend using the online exam and using AATBS flashcards or making your own to review the areas you’re not familiar with. A friend loaned me the AATBS Volumes for reviewing Exam Prep Material, but I think that can be overwhelming and not as valuable as focusing on the exams. If I had it to do over again, I’d only do the exams and flashcards (and spend less than 10% of time on flashcards) and I wouldn’t look at the volumes at all.
Thanks Lisa and Eva for the info re: Testmaster and what the scores could possibly mean. I took my first testmaster test today, and was pretty upset with 63%, and then I read your posts. What’s frustrating is that there’s no real sense of what these scores actually mean. If you see this Lisa, will you post an indication of what your actual exam score was (like just passed, did well, etc.) My guess is that I’m probably in a place already where I could pass it, though Testmaster is surely discouraging! lol