MSW Practice Exam – Master of Social Work (Comprehensive Exam Preparation and Review
Material)
A social worker employed by a retirement home is approached by a client for help in
establishing a recycling program in the facility. The social worker decides to cohost a meeting
with the client to discuss the idea with other residents. What is the MOST likely reason for this
approach?
A. Antagonizing administration could be dangerous.
B. Legitimizing the residents' concerns may be helpful.
C. Helping residents start new relationships is important.
D. Sharing leadership is very effective with groups. - correct answer ✔✔D. Sharing leadership is
very effective with groups. without substantiated information. While the potential for beginning
new relationships (C) exists, it is not the MOST likely reason for the co-facilitation.
Rationale: By sharing leadership with the resident (key D), the social worker is supporting the
resident's skill development as well as promoting positive group dynamics. Options (A) and (B)
draw conclusions without substantiated information
At what age does normal separation anxiety typically begin?
A. 24 months
B. 18 months
C. 12 months
D. 3 months - correct answer ✔✔C. 12 months
Rationale: This item requires recall that separation anxiety normally occurs at the age months
(key C).
A nine-month-old child is neglected and lacks a secure attachment to a caretaker. What long-
term effect should the social worker be MOST concerned about as the child gets older?
, A. Posttraumatic stress disorder
B. Social anxiety in middle age
C. High blood pressure
D. Negative social interactions with peers - correct answer ✔✔D. Negative social interactions
with peers Rationale: This is an unscored item. The MOST strongly linked long-term effect of
insecure attachment is future negative social interactions with peers (key D). Posttraumatic
stress disorder (B) is a short-term effect, while high blood pressure (C) and later social anxiety
(D) are not directly linked to attachment difficulties.
A 13-vear-old adolescent meets with a social worker because of poor hygiene, sleeping in class,
and stealing food from the cafeteria. What should the social worker assess for FIRST?
A. A conduct disorder
B. Child neglect
C. Substance abuse
D. Adolescent rebellion - correct answer ✔✔B. Child neglect
Rationale: The social worker should understand that the behaviors are indicators of neglect. The
social worker should assess if the adolescent's basic needs are being met FIRST.
A school social worker meets with parents of a child who has recently completed treatment for
cancer. The child's physician is recommending that the child return to school as soon as
possible, but the parents believe that more time at home would be beneficial, What should the
social worker do NEXT?
A. Advocate for the parents to keep the child at home
B. Explore the reasons for the parents' beliefs
C. Obtain the child's perspective on the situation
Material)
A social worker employed by a retirement home is approached by a client for help in
establishing a recycling program in the facility. The social worker decides to cohost a meeting
with the client to discuss the idea with other residents. What is the MOST likely reason for this
approach?
A. Antagonizing administration could be dangerous.
B. Legitimizing the residents' concerns may be helpful.
C. Helping residents start new relationships is important.
D. Sharing leadership is very effective with groups. - correct answer ✔✔D. Sharing leadership is
very effective with groups. without substantiated information. While the potential for beginning
new relationships (C) exists, it is not the MOST likely reason for the co-facilitation.
Rationale: By sharing leadership with the resident (key D), the social worker is supporting the
resident's skill development as well as promoting positive group dynamics. Options (A) and (B)
draw conclusions without substantiated information
At what age does normal separation anxiety typically begin?
A. 24 months
B. 18 months
C. 12 months
D. 3 months - correct answer ✔✔C. 12 months
Rationale: This item requires recall that separation anxiety normally occurs at the age months
(key C).
A nine-month-old child is neglected and lacks a secure attachment to a caretaker. What long-
term effect should the social worker be MOST concerned about as the child gets older?
, A. Posttraumatic stress disorder
B. Social anxiety in middle age
C. High blood pressure
D. Negative social interactions with peers - correct answer ✔✔D. Negative social interactions
with peers Rationale: This is an unscored item. The MOST strongly linked long-term effect of
insecure attachment is future negative social interactions with peers (key D). Posttraumatic
stress disorder (B) is a short-term effect, while high blood pressure (C) and later social anxiety
(D) are not directly linked to attachment difficulties.
A 13-vear-old adolescent meets with a social worker because of poor hygiene, sleeping in class,
and stealing food from the cafeteria. What should the social worker assess for FIRST?
A. A conduct disorder
B. Child neglect
C. Substance abuse
D. Adolescent rebellion - correct answer ✔✔B. Child neglect
Rationale: The social worker should understand that the behaviors are indicators of neglect. The
social worker should assess if the adolescent's basic needs are being met FIRST.
A school social worker meets with parents of a child who has recently completed treatment for
cancer. The child's physician is recommending that the child return to school as soon as
possible, but the parents believe that more time at home would be beneficial, What should the
social worker do NEXT?
A. Advocate for the parents to keep the child at home
B. Explore the reasons for the parents' beliefs
C. Obtain the child's perspective on the situation
