We’re writing today to share an important update coming to the ASWB exams. This change impacts both the masters level LMSW exam and the clinical level LCSW exams. The ASWB announced: "In January 2023, test-takers will begin seeing a mix of three- and four-option questions. Before that time, all exams include only four-option questions.” Additionally, test takers now have access to food! Test-takers will be allowed to get a snack from their lockers and consume it in the waiting room during the exam. Do keep in mind the timer for the exam does not stop during this time.
Why the change to 3 answer options?
The ASWB is making this change to 'offer test-takers a better experience by reducing time pressure and ensuring a focus on a test-taker’s social work knowledge.' We believe it could have an overall positive impact on test takers. In all likelihood, the answer option that will be removed will probably be the easy and obvious non-answer. So in that sense, it might not make the question all that much easier. On the other hand, having one less answer option means there is less to read and consider, giving the test-taker a bit more time and brain space!
What does this ASWB exam change mean for TDC?
As always, we want our program to accurately reflect the exam. We updated all of our mocks to include a mix of three and four option questions. Approximately 20% of TDC’s mock questions were changed to reflect 3 answer option questions. On that note, let’s take a look at how a traditional 4 answer option question could change to a 3 answer option question!
ASWB exam change practice question:
A school social worker meets with a high school freshmen for an initial session after their teacher referred them due to concerns about their emotional state. What is the FIRST thing the social worker should do to build rapport with the student?
A. Connect with the student around topics they are interested in.
B. Complete a biopsychosocial assessment.
C. Discuss the limits of confidentiality.
D. Assure the client that everything that stays between them will be kept confidential.
Now we could take that same question and change it to a 3 answer option question.
A school social worker meets with a high school freshmen for an initial session after their teacher referred them due to concerns about their emotional state. What is the FIRST thing the social worker should do to build rapport with the student?
A. Connect with the student around topics they are interested in.
B. Complete a biopsychosocial assessment.
C. Discuss the limits of confidentiality.
(Scroll for answer and rationale).
The correct answer for both questions is to discuss the limits of confidentiality. Part of building rapport is ensuring the client knows what can and what cannot be kept confidential. Having an open and honest discussion about this is the first step in building rapport-especially with minor clients. We can connect with the student around topics they are interested in after this. After that we can complete a biopsychosocial assessment. Assuring the client that everything that stays between them will be kept confidential is of course incorrect. We cannot assure them that everything they share will be kept confidential since there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality.
What was it like to go from 4 answer options to 3? Did you find it meaningfully easier? Or was it a similar experience for you? We’re eager to see how this change goes and are hopeful it will benefit our test-takers as they prepare to PASS their exams with confidence.
ASWB masters (LMSW) and clinical (LCSW) exam preparation
More than anything, we want to encourage you not to stress too much about this change. If anything, we interpret this as a potential benefit to test takers. We hope that having one less answer option to read and consider (for some of the questions) will make the exams easier to work through.
If you’re preparing for your test and haven’t already signed up for a TDC program, now’s the time! All of our programs are ready to prepare you to PASS your exam in 2023. One of my favorite parts of TDC (first as a customer and now as a coach) is that all of our programs come with access to coaching. Meaning, you are never alone in the study process! You can email your coach anytime with questions as you go through the program. We’ll always email you back within two business days, but often get back to you even sooner. It really is a game changer to have a real live person you can reach out to when things aren’t making sense.