Comments on: Social Work Exam Success Story: Lisa

By: SWTP

SWTP — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:34:59 +0000

Arlene,

Suggest looking at the various online test banks and choosing one.

http://www.socialworktestprep.com/free-practice-tests/

I used AATBS–seemed solid.

By: Arlene Winkle

Arlene Winkle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:21:57 +0000

I am struggling with what to buy to study. I have taken the exam and failed it. It took the wind out of my sails. This is the first time that I have ever failed a big test. I need to know more direct/indirect care questions and could use some more work in the “what to do first” questions. Anyone have a number one recommendation as to what study material to buy?

By: SWTP

SWTP — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 04:17:29 +0000

EO,

Try limiting yourself to reviewing content in the areas you’re having trouble in during the practice exams (AATBS shows you areas & %s). It’s also worth getting the basics of diagnosis/differentials down–at least for the major dx’s. Law & ethics also deserves some time. That is, the stuff you can be sure will come up on the exam and is learnable–facts, facts, facts.

The CA exam is in two parts–written (which is like the national) plus an additional two hour vignette exam–so people freak out a little extra. Not freaking out is probably better for getting good studying done.

Good luck!

By: EO

EO — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 04:02:31 +0000

Hi,
I have appreciated reading the posts and feeling a general sense of commiseration.. Not sure that I am feeling all that prepared, though. I have a month to go and just took the third test master test scoring a 63%, and now feel deflated and little anxious about the test. It seems like going over the content in those massive books from AATBS is not the best strategy?? is that sound advice? Also, since I do not live in CA right now most of my colleagues are taking the Nat’l exam and seem to be stressing and studying much less than CA SWs. Is the CA exam that much more challenging than other states??

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:55:21 +0000

Eads, Remember that the exam is FAR less about content and more about learning how to choose the question the exam wants you to choose in those horrid “what would you do first?” questions. If you’ve been a practicing social worker for several years, you know enough – it’s learning to answer their questions, and the ability to turn off whatever intuitive part of you that wants to know more, as you need to focus only – only – on what’s in the question. The basics to answering these questions can be mastered imho thru Teastmaster, even tho their questions are tricky too and frustrating.

Kel

By: SWTP

SWTP — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:49:52 +0000

AATBS has a set of CDs that do a good job summing up key concepts. Worth a listen (or several).

That said, my recommendation: Don’t get overly caught up in content. You’ve got a four-hour exam ahead of you. Sitting down to real-time practice exams, with planned breaks, snacks, etc. can also help a lot. Like a runner training for a marathon.

http://www.socialworktestprep.com/tutoring-services/

By: EAD

EAD — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:22:49 +0000

I am in the process of studying and will take at the end of April. I am using the TestMaster but also really focusing on just learning CONTENT. I get discouraged because the questions are so tricky on TestMaster.
I took a one day class also and they said to know “key concepts” for the exam, for example, systems theory know homreostasis, equifinality, etc. They suggested if you can talk about each concept for 1-2 minutes, you understand the concept well enough to take the exam.

Any thoughts??

By: Kel

Kel — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:20:24 +0000

So for those using AATBS TESTmaster and accompanying materials, I certainly struggled to make sense of what my testmaster scores meant in terms of the actual Clinical licensing test. Here’s what I have to pass on: I studied for probably about 4 full days, took 5 of the TESTmaster tests, with scores that ranged from 57%-68% (first attempt only). So needless to say, despite what others had said, I was extremely nervous about taking the actual exam. However, I am pleased to report that I did FAR better on the actual exam in terms of percentage – I passed easily with a significant margin, with a score in the 80′s on the actual exam. So for those struggling with TESTmaster, it’s great preparation, but the questions rely FAR less on actual information and facts (and randomness), and are generally easier. That said, given the trickiness of this exam, I wasn’t very confident while taking it, and was shocked with my result.

Best luck to all – and don’t be like me and stress out too much!