Preparing for the social work licensing exam
doesn't have to a grueling, draining, angst-filled misadventure. It
can actually be somewhat pleasant--a learning experience, even. Key
to this is figuring out what is actually worth studying so that you
don't waste time with unnecessary cramming. Studying smart can
actually mean studying less. Toward that end, here are some
essentials steps to take as you prepare.
Focus on the Basics. The licensing exam is
meant for beginning social workers. You aren't expected to have
in-depth knowledge about theory and practice. You just have to know
a little bit about a variety of topics. What topics? The very ones
that routinely come up in social work practice. Some human
development, some psychopathology (aka the DSM's greatest hits),
some basic interventions (CBT for sure), and ethics, ethics,
ethics. If you review just one thing before you go into the exam,
make it the NASW Code of Ethics. Most exam questions are vignettes,
not simple quiz-type questions. They present the kind of close
calls that social workers face all the time. How do you decide
between answers? Let the Code of Ethics be your guide. Know the
Code? You've got your answer!
Learn the Test. The licensing exam is probably
unlike most tests you've faced before. It's got a lot of questions
(170 for the ASWB exam) and takes a long time to complete (four
hours). In other ways, it's exactly like lots of tests you've taken
before. It's multiple choice. It's about what it says it'll be
about. And there aren't trick questions on it--not even "which of
these is NOT" questions. You're asked to choose the BEST answer,
the FIRST intervention, etc. You take your textbook social work
knowledge and apply it. The best way to get to know the test--and
how you respond to a four-hour, 170-question sit--is to take
practice exams. Then take some more. Do them in real time. Do them
in study mode. Learn your weaknesses and study to strengthen them.
Then take more practice exams. You'll soon have the hang of the
entire process. (Get started with SWTP
practice exams by signing up.)
Keep Your Cool. Yes, it's a big test. Yes, you
really want to pass it. That doesn't mean you have to make yourself
miserable as you're preparing. Test preparation is an additional
stressor piled atop whatever you already had going on (work,
relationships, family, etc.). What do you do when you've got
more stress? Best bet is to increase your self-care. Think of
what's worked in the past for you and fold that coping back into
your week. Exercise, meditation, eating better, whatever it
is--don't just consider it, actually do it. You'll feel better and
you'll study better because of it. If you find test anxiety
interfering with your focus and studying progress, do what you can
to address that as well. Same routine: What's worked in the past?
Talking, writing, thought-logging. You're a social worker, you know
this stuff.
Focus on the basics, learn the test, keep your cool...pass the
exam. Good luck and congratulations in advance!
***
For more help with preparing for the licensing exam, see
SWTP's study tips page.
