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.
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I agree with Dominique, the MSW programs do not prepare us to pass the exam. I took it in ’08 and did not pass. Sooo I am preparing to retake, have purchased so much material that I am over whelmed. The Flash Cards had too much information, the volumes didn’t help, now I’m ging to try the CD’s. I don’t know what material will be the most helpful, they all say ‘they are the one.’ I think practice tests and rationals will be the most benificial. I am confussed – H E L P !!!!
I’m trying to decide whether to purchase the Grossman test banks or the AATBS test banks. (AATBS = $200 LESS EXPENSIVE)
Advice, please!
Nico — May not be legal, but try ebay and craigslist.
Is there anywhere to get used materials for the MSW exam?
Frank – How did you do on the vignette exam? I’m taking mine next week. Is the actual test easier, harder, or about the same as your study material?
I had purchase the Gerry Grossman materials with the 24hours of in-classroom orientation. Now, of course companies like GG and AATBS are trying to make profit first and help the consumer second, but that doesn’t take away from the effectiveness of their materials. I likely over-studies for the LCSW written exam, but I felt incredibly comfortable and ready when it came time to test. I was very surprised how much I must have “over did it” b/c the GG practice tests are extremely difficult. I scored between 60% and 80% on most practice tests for both written and vignette exams. I passed the written and take the vignette in about 12 hours, so I guess I can’t say yet how alike the GG practice vignette is to the “real thing”.
Most importantly to pass these tests you must be focused, careful and scutinous. Pay attention to details e.g. questions asking for intervention or goals” I got several questions wrong in practice because due to fatigue or lack of focus or whatever, I would pick carelessly. Testing centers don’t really allow you any room to eliminate human error, so be careful and good luck!!!
I must take the written exam before May 8,2011. Seeking a study group in the Los Angeles city area. I have Gerry Grossman materials and AATBS. Please contact me as soon ASAP.
I went back to school at 45ish and got my BSW & MSW. I am working in residential treatment with adolescents at the State Hospital in New Mexico. I have been doing this for 3 years. Prior to that I ran my family’s restaurant in PA for 35+ years. I am now getting ready to study for the LCSW exam. I have been procrastinating for about 6 months. I am looking for advice regarding which test prep materials/programs/services I should buy/use. Help, please!
I’m 65 y.o. and will be taking my first LCSW exam in April. Does anyone know anyone who can mentor me in Siskiyou County, or possibly Redding, CA? We’re moving to Lake Shastina next month from Marin County.
Gerry Grossman seems to be the favored learning venue. I’ve been trying to decide between him, BTA, and AATBS. I’ll be studying mostly on my own since I won’t be able to attend classes.
Thanks so much!
Gerry Grossman Seminars website:
http://gerrygrossman.com/
Where can I purchase Grossman’s Cd?
I used Gerry Grossman and liked it a lot – had purchased the AATBS for another state and then went with GG for CA. I took the test yesterday and passed. I thought the classes were very helpful (though expensive) because it limited the info you need to know and gives you great little visual ideas on how to remember a lot of the info with timeframes, ages, etc. I was scoring between 68% and 79% on a full 200 questions practice test and in the high 80′s in individual areas after studying them. I thought the actual test was more abstract, theoretical and integrated knowlege of theory, stage of tx, and DX in one question – the practice test quetsions were a bit more straight forward. I felt I had studied a lot of info I never had to recall and really had to focus hard to make sure I read the questions correctly and then read the answer sets carefully too. It wasnt as hard a I expected in terms of content – I felt ready having used my GG materials but the test requires a lot of critical and intense thinking. I recommend the GG materials and the CD’s were good while driving around – never used the flash card,wound up making my own since I am a doer/visual learner. The exam focussed on CBT, Systems, Bowen, Structural, and a lot of psychodymanic – also know the ‘schiz’ DX’s and their diferentials. Good luck!
Thanks everyone for your notes and input! I just got approved a week ago to take the Written exam and have been studying the guide from Berkeley the past couple months. I’ve been reviewing the AATBS exams and did pretty good on the first practice (77%), then tried a Berkeley one and did AWFUL (50%). I went back to another AATBS practice one and have been getting about 65%. So, yes, it’s pretty confusing and worrisome to wonder how I’ll do on the actual test! I booked it in April so I’ll have a few weeks. I think based on your suggestions I’ll keep reviewing the AATBS exam questions and rationales; the Berkeley ones are confusing. I went to a free study workshop through Gerry Grossman and I agree the vignette tools (the grid system) sounds like it’ll be super helpful. Thanks again for your comments and suggestions! :) Best wishes to everyone else :)
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.