LCSW EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026 TEST
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EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
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RECENT!!)
Question 1
A 28-year-old female reports recurrent, unexpected surges of
intense fear lasting 10 minutes, with palpitations, sweating, and
fear of dying. Between episodes, she constantly worries about
having another attack. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B) Panic Disorder
C) Specific Phobia
D) Social Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Panic Disorder requires recurrent unexpected panic
attacks plus ≥1 month of persistent concern about additional
attacks or maladaptive behavior change. Generalized Anxiety
Disorder involves excessive worry about multiple events, not just
panic attacks.
1
,Question 2
A 45-year-old veteran reports nightmares, hypervigilance, and
avoidance of crowded places for 9 months after an IED
explosion. He drinks heavily to sleep. Best initial diagnosis?
A) Alcohol Use Disorder, severe
B) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, chronic
C) Adjustment Disorder with mixed disturbance
D) Panic Disorder with agoraphobia
Answer: B
Rationale: PTSD requires exposure to actual/threatened death,
re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in
cognition/mood, and hyperarousal for >1 month. Alcohol use is
likely secondary.
Question 3
A 60-year-old widow, 3 months post-loss, continues to
experience intense yearning, sorrow, and identity disruption. She
cannot accept the death and avoids reminders. Diagnosis?
A) Major Depressive Disorder
B) Prolonged Grief Disorder
C) Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (DSM-5-TR now
2
,Prolonged Grief)
D) Adjustment Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Prolonged Grief Disorder (DSM-5-TR) = grief lasting
>12 months (adults) with intense yearning, identity disruption,
and emotional numbness. Bereavement exclusion removed from
MDD but prolonged grief is distinct.
Question 4
A 22-year-old presents with fluctuating mood, unstable
relationships, impulsive spending, and recurrent suicidal gestures.
Which personality disorder?
A) Histrionic
B) Narcissistic
C) Borderline
D) Bipolar II
Answer: C
Rationale: Borderline = instability of interpersonal relationships,
self-image, affects, and marked impulsivity. Bipolar II requires
distinct hypomanic episodes.
3
, Question 5
A child cannot sit still, interrupts, loses homework, but no conduct
problems. Symptoms present in multiple settings since age 6.
Most likely?
A) Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B) ADHD, combined presentation
C) Specific Learning Disorder
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD combined = inattention (loses homework) +
hyperactivity/impulsivity (interrupts, cannot sit) before age 12,
across settings.
Question 6
A 35-year-old reports depressed mood, low energy, poor
appetite for 2 years, never symptom-free for >2 months. No
mania. Diagnosis?
A) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent
B) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Depression unspecified
4
BANK| LCSW EXAM PREP WITH COMPLETE 450 REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
Question 1
A 28-year-old female reports recurrent, unexpected surges of
intense fear lasting 10 minutes, with palpitations, sweating, and
fear of dying. Between episodes, she constantly worries about
having another attack. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B) Panic Disorder
C) Specific Phobia
D) Social Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Panic Disorder requires recurrent unexpected panic
attacks plus ≥1 month of persistent concern about additional
attacks or maladaptive behavior change. Generalized Anxiety
Disorder involves excessive worry about multiple events, not just
panic attacks.
1
,Question 2
A 45-year-old veteran reports nightmares, hypervigilance, and
avoidance of crowded places for 9 months after an IED
explosion. He drinks heavily to sleep. Best initial diagnosis?
A) Alcohol Use Disorder, severe
B) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, chronic
C) Adjustment Disorder with mixed disturbance
D) Panic Disorder with agoraphobia
Answer: B
Rationale: PTSD requires exposure to actual/threatened death,
re-experiencing, avoidance, negative alterations in
cognition/mood, and hyperarousal for >1 month. Alcohol use is
likely secondary.
Question 3
A 60-year-old widow, 3 months post-loss, continues to
experience intense yearning, sorrow, and identity disruption. She
cannot accept the death and avoids reminders. Diagnosis?
A) Major Depressive Disorder
B) Prolonged Grief Disorder
C) Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (DSM-5-TR now
2
,Prolonged Grief)
D) Adjustment Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: Prolonged Grief Disorder (DSM-5-TR) = grief lasting
>12 months (adults) with intense yearning, identity disruption,
and emotional numbness. Bereavement exclusion removed from
MDD but prolonged grief is distinct.
Question 4
A 22-year-old presents with fluctuating mood, unstable
relationships, impulsive spending, and recurrent suicidal gestures.
Which personality disorder?
A) Histrionic
B) Narcissistic
C) Borderline
D) Bipolar II
Answer: C
Rationale: Borderline = instability of interpersonal relationships,
self-image, affects, and marked impulsivity. Bipolar II requires
distinct hypomanic episodes.
3
, Question 5
A child cannot sit still, interrupts, loses homework, but no conduct
problems. Symptoms present in multiple settings since age 6.
Most likely?
A) Oppositional Defiant Disorder
B) ADHD, combined presentation
C) Specific Learning Disorder
D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Answer: B
Rationale: ADHD combined = inattention (loses homework) +
hyperactivity/impulsivity (interrupts, cannot sit) before age 12,
across settings.
Question 6
A 35-year-old reports depressed mood, low energy, poor
appetite for 2 years, never symptom-free for >2 months. No
mania. Diagnosis?
A) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent
B) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
C) Cyclothymic Disorder
D) Depression unspecified
4
