Here's a free social work exam practice question
ripped from
recent headlines. Most of the ASWB exam will be involve more
timeless social work topics. But exam writers are people too. Don't
be surprised to see current events folded into exam questions. One
way to add some additional prep to your day: when you encounter a
provocative news item, consider how it might be transformed a
social work licensing exam item. Like this:
A social worker has a regular client who has been
underemployed and struggling during the pandemic. He says he has
now found a way to get and sell special sign-up codes that allow
people to skip the line and get early access to the COVID-19
vaccine. How should the social worker respond?
A. Contact the local health department regarding the
breach in vaccine protocol.
B. Explore the client's feelings about his new
enterprise.
C. Contact the CDC regarding the breach in vaccine
protocol
D. Explore the client's feelings about his role in the
breach in vaccine protocol.
How would you answer?
First, notice there are two types of answers, "Contact" and
"Explore." So initially, you can approach this as an ethics
question. Does the client's behavior warrant a breach of
confidentiality. (And look, there's that word in the question
itself.) What do you think? Should the social worker contact
someone about the client's enterprise? The code-selling isn't
victimless, to be sure. But it does not meet the criteria for
breaching confidentiality. Take a look back a the confidentiality
section of the
Code of Ethics if that doesn't seem right to you.
That leaves two "Explore" responses. Which one of those is the
better choice? Explore the client's feelings…about his new
enterprise (vague, non-judgmental) or …about his role in the breach
of vaccine protocol (more specific, more judgmental).
Here's the thing: while you have intense judgment about a
client's behavior, it generally does little good for the
therapeutic relationship to voice that judgment. The ethics of
selling line-skipping privileges certainly warrants discussion
here, but the vague first "Explore" answer doesn't rule that out.
Instead, it allows the client room to voice his own misgivings (or
not).
Of the four offered responses, that's the best one: B, explore
(gently).
Helpful? This is just a taste of how practice questions with
thorough rationales can help you prep for the ASWB exam. Get
started with SWTP's full-length, 170-question practice tests by
signing up (we'll send you our free study guide when you create an
account). There's nothing like realistic, real-time practice to get
your ready for the big test. It worked for these people and countless others. You're
next. Happy studying and good luck!
