ASWB LMSW EXAM 2026-2027 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS
What theory of addiction is used by Alcoholics Anonymous as the PRIMARY
approach to explaining alcoholism?
A. Psychodynamic
B. Behavioral/social learning
C. Biopsychosocial
D. Disease
D. Disease
This question requires foundational knowledge of the theory underlying Alcoholics
Anonymous, which views addiction as a disease (key D). While options (A), (B),
and (C) may be
used for interventions, the disease model (key D) is the only option used by
Alcoholics Anonymous to explain addiction.
During a session, a social worker becomes increasingly frustrated with a client's
denial of issues. The social worker chooses to end the session early. What concept
BEST fits this action?
A. Boundary diffusion
B. Disengagement
C. Countertransference
,D. Role differentiation
C. Countertransference
This item requires an understanding of the definitions of basic concepts. The social
worker's reaction in this situation is a clear example of countertransference (key
C).
A client informs a social worker that despite a court mandate the client does not
intend to attend future sessions. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Inform the client of the consequences of that decision
B. Advise the judge of the client's decision
C. Assist the client in identifying and clarifying goals
A. Inform the client of the consequences of that decision
Clients have a right to make choices. Ensuring the client understands the
consequences of the choice (key A) is what should happen FIRST. Advising the
judge of the client's decision
(B) and assisting in identifying and clarifying goals (C) may occur but would not
be done FIRST.
A social worker meets with a couple who describe frequent arguments at home.
They are unable to answer specific questions about the conflicts and lack insight
into their arguments. What is the MOST effective method of assessing the couple's
communication skills?
,A. Observation of the couple discussing an issue of concern
B. Videotaping of the couple in their home
C. Review of client reflections in individual journals
D. Review of client responses on a communication skills test
A. Observation of the couple discussing an issue of concern
Directly observing the couple (key A) is the MOST effective way to assess the
couple's communication skills and provides an opportunity for the social worker to
immediately follow up with related questions. Options (C) and (D) do not assess
the dynamics within the couple, which is the presenting problem. Videotaping (B)
would be difficult to arrange and is not as effective as direct observation (key A).
A social worker meets with a new client who was recently reunited with the
spouse, who is an injured soldier. The client is struggling with assisting the spouse
to cope with the injury, but the spouse responds with irritation. What should the
social worker do FIRST?
A. Avoid the topic of the injury
B. Talk with the client about the situation
C. Ask to meet with the spouse to assist with reintegration
D. Refer the client and spouse for marital counseling
B. Talk with the client about the situation
Gaining a better understanding of the situation (key B) is the FIRST action the
social worker should take with a new client who is expressing stress. Asking to
meet with the spouse
(C) and making a referral for marital counseling (D) may both be reasonable
actions, but only after the situation has been discussed with the client. Avoiding the
, topic of injury (A) is dismissing the client's concerns and would harm rapport
building with the new client.
Parents bring their five-year-old child to a family center for treatment. During the
intake interview, the parents report that their child is defiant because the child does
not listen to commands to be quiet when the older sibling is studying. The social
worker explains that the child is not deliberately defiant but is unable to understand
things from the point of view of others. The social worker is explaining:
A. egocentrism
B. syllogistic reasoning
C. reversibility
D. conservation
A. egocentrism
This item requires knowledge that age-appropriate behaviors for a five-year-old
child include egocentrism (key A). Syllogistic reasoning (B) refers to the process
of deduction and is
outside the developmental range of a five-year-old child. Reversibility (C) and
conservation (D) are concepts unrelated to the behaviors described.
Both the general public and decision makers have very little awareness of a
community problem brought to the attention of a social worker. What strategy can
BEST facilitate the development of policies or programs to correct the problem?
A. Facilitating extensive client satisfaction surveys
B. Organizing empowerment training for key players
CORRECT ANSWERS GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS
What theory of addiction is used by Alcoholics Anonymous as the PRIMARY
approach to explaining alcoholism?
A. Psychodynamic
B. Behavioral/social learning
C. Biopsychosocial
D. Disease
D. Disease
This question requires foundational knowledge of the theory underlying Alcoholics
Anonymous, which views addiction as a disease (key D). While options (A), (B),
and (C) may be
used for interventions, the disease model (key D) is the only option used by
Alcoholics Anonymous to explain addiction.
During a session, a social worker becomes increasingly frustrated with a client's
denial of issues. The social worker chooses to end the session early. What concept
BEST fits this action?
A. Boundary diffusion
B. Disengagement
C. Countertransference
,D. Role differentiation
C. Countertransference
This item requires an understanding of the definitions of basic concepts. The social
worker's reaction in this situation is a clear example of countertransference (key
C).
A client informs a social worker that despite a court mandate the client does not
intend to attend future sessions. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Inform the client of the consequences of that decision
B. Advise the judge of the client's decision
C. Assist the client in identifying and clarifying goals
A. Inform the client of the consequences of that decision
Clients have a right to make choices. Ensuring the client understands the
consequences of the choice (key A) is what should happen FIRST. Advising the
judge of the client's decision
(B) and assisting in identifying and clarifying goals (C) may occur but would not
be done FIRST.
A social worker meets with a couple who describe frequent arguments at home.
They are unable to answer specific questions about the conflicts and lack insight
into their arguments. What is the MOST effective method of assessing the couple's
communication skills?
,A. Observation of the couple discussing an issue of concern
B. Videotaping of the couple in their home
C. Review of client reflections in individual journals
D. Review of client responses on a communication skills test
A. Observation of the couple discussing an issue of concern
Directly observing the couple (key A) is the MOST effective way to assess the
couple's communication skills and provides an opportunity for the social worker to
immediately follow up with related questions. Options (C) and (D) do not assess
the dynamics within the couple, which is the presenting problem. Videotaping (B)
would be difficult to arrange and is not as effective as direct observation (key A).
A social worker meets with a new client who was recently reunited with the
spouse, who is an injured soldier. The client is struggling with assisting the spouse
to cope with the injury, but the spouse responds with irritation. What should the
social worker do FIRST?
A. Avoid the topic of the injury
B. Talk with the client about the situation
C. Ask to meet with the spouse to assist with reintegration
D. Refer the client and spouse for marital counseling
B. Talk with the client about the situation
Gaining a better understanding of the situation (key B) is the FIRST action the
social worker should take with a new client who is expressing stress. Asking to
meet with the spouse
(C) and making a referral for marital counseling (D) may both be reasonable
actions, but only after the situation has been discussed with the client. Avoiding the
, topic of injury (A) is dismissing the client's concerns and would harm rapport
building with the new client.
Parents bring their five-year-old child to a family center for treatment. During the
intake interview, the parents report that their child is defiant because the child does
not listen to commands to be quiet when the older sibling is studying. The social
worker explains that the child is not deliberately defiant but is unable to understand
things from the point of view of others. The social worker is explaining:
A. egocentrism
B. syllogistic reasoning
C. reversibility
D. conservation
A. egocentrism
This item requires knowledge that age-appropriate behaviors for a five-year-old
child include egocentrism (key A). Syllogistic reasoning (B) refers to the process
of deduction and is
outside the developmental range of a five-year-old child. Reversibility (C) and
conservation (D) are concepts unrelated to the behaviors described.
Both the general public and decision makers have very little awareness of a
community problem brought to the attention of a social worker. What strategy can
BEST facilitate the development of policies or programs to correct the problem?
A. Facilitating extensive client satisfaction surveys
B. Organizing empowerment training for key players
