ASWB LMSW PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027
COMPLETE TEST BANK | REAL QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | A+ GRADED LATEST
SOCIAL WORK EXAM PREP
• This material is a comprehensive 200-question ASWB LMSW Practice Test Bank for
2026/2027, featuring real exam-style questions with verified answers, full EXPERT
RATIONALE, and A+ graded content across all tested domains — ideal for serious
exam preparation.
• Study tip: Simulate real exam conditions by timing yourself (150 minutes for 150
questions), then review each EXPERT RATIONALE thoroughly — focus extra time
on any domain where you score below 70%.
ASWB LMSW PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027
COMPLETE TEST BANK | REAL QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | A+ GRADED
1. A social worker is meeting with a client for the first time. The client
discloses that she has been feeling hopeless and has thought about ending
her life. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A) Immediately call 911 and have the client hospitalized
B) Refer the client to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation
C) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
D) Notify the client's family members of the disclosure
E) Document the disclosure and schedule a follow-up appointment
Correct Answer: C) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any intervention can be planned, the social worker
must assess the level of risk. A thorough suicide risk assessment determines the
lethality, intent, plan, and means available, which guides all subsequent decisions
including whether hospitalization is warranted.
,2. A child comes to school with bruises on his arms and back. The teacher
reports this to the school social worker. According to mandated reporting
laws, what is the social worker's PRIMARY obligation?
A) Consult with a supervisor before making any report
B) Contact the child's parents to hear their explanation first
C) Document the bruises and monitor the child for further signs
D) Report the suspected abuse to child protective services
E) Speak with the child privately to gather more information
Correct Answer: D) Report the suspected abuse to child protective services
EXPERT RATIONALE: Social workers are mandated reporters. The legal
obligation is to report suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective agency.
The standard is reasonable suspicion, not certainty. Consulting supervisors or
investigating further does not replace or delay the legal duty to report.
3. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, a 2-year-old
child who is encouraged to explore independently is most likely developing
which virtue?
A) Hope
B) Purpose
C) Fidelity
D) Love
E) Will
Correct Answer: E) Will
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erikson's second stage, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
(ages 1–3), results in the virtue of Will when successfully resolved. Children who are
encouraged to explore and make choices develop a sense of autonomy and self-
control.
,4. A social worker is seeing a client diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.
The client reports sleeping 12 hours a day, gaining weight, and feeling
worthless. Which DSM-5 symptom cluster does this BEST represent?
A) Manic episode
B) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
E) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct Answer: D) Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hypersomnia, weight gain, and feelings of worthlessness
are neurovegetative symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. These are somatic
manifestations of depression affecting basic bodily functions and self-perception,
consistent with a MDD diagnosis per DSM-5.
5. A social worker in a hospital setting learns that a terminally ill patient has
refused further treatment. The patient's family wants the social worker to
convince the patient to continue treatment. What ethical principle should
guide the social worker's response?
A) Beneficence — acting in the best interest of the patient
B) Nonmaleficence — avoiding harm to the patient
C) Justice — ensuring fair treatment for all patients
D) Paternalism — overriding the patient's choice for their benefit
E) Autonomy — respecting the patient's right to self-determination
Correct Answer: E) Autonomy — respecting the patient's right to self-
determination
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A competent adult patient has the right to refuse medical
treatment. The social worker's role is to support and uphold the patient's self-
determination, not to advocate for the family's wishes. Autonomy is a foundational
ethical principle in social work practice.
6. During a session, a client reveals that he plans to seriously harm his
neighbor next week. The social worker should FIRST:
A) Increase the frequency of therapy sessions
B) Consult the NASW Code of Ethics
C) Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
D) Explore the client's feelings of anger toward the neighbor
E) Document the threat and review at next session
Correct Answer: C) Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
EXPERT RATIONALE: This situation invokes the Tarasoff duty to warn/protect.
When a client makes a specific, credible threat against an identifiable third party,
the social worker has a legal and ethical obligation to warn the intended victim and
notify law enforcement to prevent harm.
7. A social worker is using a strengths-based approach with a client. This
approach is BEST characterized by:
A) Identifying the client's pathology and treating the disorder
B) Focusing on the client's childhood trauma as the root of problems
C) Using standardized assessments to diagnose the client's deficits
D) Applying a medical model to identify and treat symptoms
E) Recognizing and building on the client's existing resources and capabilities
Correct Answer: E) Recognizing and building on the client's existing
resources and capabilities
COMPLETE TEST BANK | REAL QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS | A+ GRADED LATEST
SOCIAL WORK EXAM PREP
• This material is a comprehensive 200-question ASWB LMSW Practice Test Bank for
2026/2027, featuring real exam-style questions with verified answers, full EXPERT
RATIONALE, and A+ graded content across all tested domains — ideal for serious
exam preparation.
• Study tip: Simulate real exam conditions by timing yourself (150 minutes for 150
questions), then review each EXPERT RATIONALE thoroughly — focus extra time
on any domain where you score below 70%.
ASWB LMSW PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027
COMPLETE TEST BANK | REAL QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS | A+ GRADED
1. A social worker is meeting with a client for the first time. The client
discloses that she has been feeling hopeless and has thought about ending
her life. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A) Immediately call 911 and have the client hospitalized
B) Refer the client to a psychiatrist for medication evaluation
C) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
D) Notify the client's family members of the disclosure
E) Document the disclosure and schedule a follow-up appointment
Correct Answer: C) Conduct a thorough suicide risk assessment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any intervention can be planned, the social worker
must assess the level of risk. A thorough suicide risk assessment determines the
lethality, intent, plan, and means available, which guides all subsequent decisions
including whether hospitalization is warranted.
,2. A child comes to school with bruises on his arms and back. The teacher
reports this to the school social worker. According to mandated reporting
laws, what is the social worker's PRIMARY obligation?
A) Consult with a supervisor before making any report
B) Contact the child's parents to hear their explanation first
C) Document the bruises and monitor the child for further signs
D) Report the suspected abuse to child protective services
E) Speak with the child privately to gather more information
Correct Answer: D) Report the suspected abuse to child protective services
EXPERT RATIONALE: Social workers are mandated reporters. The legal
obligation is to report suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective agency.
The standard is reasonable suspicion, not certainty. Consulting supervisors or
investigating further does not replace or delay the legal duty to report.
3. According to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, a 2-year-old
child who is encouraged to explore independently is most likely developing
which virtue?
A) Hope
B) Purpose
C) Fidelity
D) Love
E) Will
Correct Answer: E) Will
EXPERT RATIONALE: Erikson's second stage, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
(ages 1–3), results in the virtue of Will when successfully resolved. Children who are
encouraged to explore and make choices develop a sense of autonomy and self-
control.
,4. A social worker is seeing a client diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.
The client reports sleeping 12 hours a day, gaining weight, and feeling
worthless. Which DSM-5 symptom cluster does this BEST represent?
A) Manic episode
B) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
E) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Correct Answer: D) Neurovegetative symptoms of depression
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hypersomnia, weight gain, and feelings of worthlessness
are neurovegetative symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. These are somatic
manifestations of depression affecting basic bodily functions and self-perception,
consistent with a MDD diagnosis per DSM-5.
5. A social worker in a hospital setting learns that a terminally ill patient has
refused further treatment. The patient's family wants the social worker to
convince the patient to continue treatment. What ethical principle should
guide the social worker's response?
A) Beneficence — acting in the best interest of the patient
B) Nonmaleficence — avoiding harm to the patient
C) Justice — ensuring fair treatment for all patients
D) Paternalism — overriding the patient's choice for their benefit
E) Autonomy — respecting the patient's right to self-determination
Correct Answer: E) Autonomy — respecting the patient's right to self-
determination
, EXPERT RATIONALE: A competent adult patient has the right to refuse medical
treatment. The social worker's role is to support and uphold the patient's self-
determination, not to advocate for the family's wishes. Autonomy is a foundational
ethical principle in social work practice.
6. During a session, a client reveals that he plans to seriously harm his
neighbor next week. The social worker should FIRST:
A) Increase the frequency of therapy sessions
B) Consult the NASW Code of Ethics
C) Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
D) Explore the client's feelings of anger toward the neighbor
E) Document the threat and review at next session
Correct Answer: C) Warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement
EXPERT RATIONALE: This situation invokes the Tarasoff duty to warn/protect.
When a client makes a specific, credible threat against an identifiable third party,
the social worker has a legal and ethical obligation to warn the intended victim and
notify law enforcement to prevent harm.
7. A social worker is using a strengths-based approach with a client. This
approach is BEST characterized by:
A) Identifying the client's pathology and treating the disorder
B) Focusing on the client's childhood trauma as the root of problems
C) Using standardized assessments to diagnose the client's deficits
D) Applying a medical model to identify and treat symptoms
E) Recognizing and building on the client's existing resources and capabilities
Correct Answer: E) Recognizing and building on the client's existing
resources and capabilities
