ASWB Complete Practice Exam
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1. 1. Which of the following is NOT true about motivation to change?
A. Motivation fluctuates from one time to another.
B. Motivation can be increased by working to remove barriers to change.
C. Motivation is driven by hope or the belief that life can be different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which
is intrinsic.: D
Motivation is a state of readiness or eagerness to change, which fluctuates from
one time to another. The role of the social worker is to create an atmosphere that is
conducive to change and to increase a client's intrinsic motivation, so that change
arises from within rather than being imposed from without. If a client is driven to
change internally, it is much more likely that the change effort will be sustained. A
technique to increase motivation is to work to remove barriers and instill hope or the
belief that life can be different.
2. 2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and experience in
delivering
B. Treatment that yields the most cost-effective outcomes according to a
cost-benefit analysis
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of
research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles: C
Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines well-researched interventions with clinical
experience and ethics, as well as client preferences and culture, to guide and inform
the delivery of treatments and services. Social workers, clients, and others must
work together in order to identify what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
This approach ensures that the treatments and services, when used as intended,
will have the most effective outcomes as demonstrated by the research.
3. 3. What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation, maintenance, and
relapse
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and
relapse: D
Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed by contempla-
tion in which there is ambivalence about making change. Then comes preparation or
experimenting with small changes. Action moves toward achieving a goal, whereas
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maintenance sustains a new behavior and avoids relapse, which can lead to feelings
of frustration and failure.
4. 4. Which of the following is NOT an essential step in ethical problem solv-
ing?
A. Identifying the ethical standards that may be compromised
B. Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma
C. Weighing ethical issues in light of social work values and principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or
dilemmas: D
A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice to identify whether
new issues or dilemmas arise.
5. 5. A young boy is stopped by a police officer and claims that he is a member
of the armed forces, though it is obvious that he is not. This assertion by the
boy is MOST likely a:
A. Comorbid thought
B. Dissociation
C. Folie à deux
D. Delusion: D
A delusion is a false, fixed belief despite evidence to the contrary (i.e., believing
something that is not true). Comorbid means existing at the same time. Dissociation
is a change in memory, perception, or consciousness. Folie à deux is a shared
delusion.
6. 6. A social work administrator is having trouble finding a group home
manager for a new program scheduled to open in 2 weeks. Further delays in
locating staff will delay clients from moving into the program. The administra-
tor temporarily hires her niece, who just graduated with a social work degree,
for this position. This action is:
A. Ethical because the niece is clearly qualified for the position
B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest
C. Ethical because the position is temporary and ensures clients get the
services needed
D. Unethical because clients will experience staff turnover when a new man-
ager is hired: B
Social workers should avoid situations interfering with impartial judgment. Hiring a
family member creates a dual relationship and should be avoided.
7. 7. A social worker is interested in seeing the extent to which current clients
are satisfied with a new relapse prevention program. The social worker dis-
tributes a client satisfaction survey to those in the program. The social worker
then collects the surveys and analyzes the results that are presented to a
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management team in the agency. The social worker is conducting which type
of evaluation?
A. Summative
B. Experimental
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Formative: D
Formative evaluations examine the process of delivering services, whereas summa-
tive evaluations examine the outcomes. Formative evaluations are ongoing process-
es that allow for feedback to be implemented during service delivery. These types
of evaluations allow social workers to make changes as needed to help achieve
program goals. Summative evaluations occur at the end of services and provide an
overall description of their effectiveness. Summative evaluation examines outcomes
to determine whether objectives were met.
The design described is not experimental—which requires a control group and
randomization of assignment—or quasi-experimental, which does not require ran-
domization, but has more support for causal inferences than does preexperimental
designs.
8. 8. Which of the following is an example of social stratification?
A. A child is not included in group activities in school because of his or her
poor social skills.
B. Children who are violent need to be segregated from their peers.
C. A child with social deficits is assumed to be delayed in cognition without
additional assessment.
D. Children from affluent households receive a better public education than
those from low-income households.: D
Stratification refers to structured inequality of entire categories of people in society
who have unequal access to social rewards. Stratification applies to individuals
based on ethnic and racial background, social status, and/or other factors.
9. 9. During an intake interview, a client reports that she is extremely de-
pressed and has self-destructive thoughts. She has had prior suicide at-
tempts, but tells the social worker not to worry as she won't "do it again." The
social worker should FIRST:
A. Tell the client that her decision not to harm herself is a good one
B. Explore with the client what is causing her depression
C. Conduct a safety assessment
D. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation: C
Despite the client's report that she will not act on her thoughts, she is at risk because
she has had these feelings and has acted on them in the past. The case vignette
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam
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does not describe the social worker taking any action yet. A safety assessment will
determine the severity of the depression and whether the client is at risk for a suicide
attempt. It must be done FIRST before any other action is taken.
10. 10. A client with a Social Anxiety Disorder will MOST likely be prescribed
which of the following medications to take on an ongoing basis?
A. Zoloft (sertraline)
B. Mellaril (thioridazine)
C. Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
D. Valium (diazepam): A The primary medications used to treat social anxiety dis-
order are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which were first developed
to treat depression. They have been found to be effective in the treatment of a wider
range of disorders. Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI.
Benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam), reduce levels of anxiety. Howev-
er, they are habit-forming and sedating, so they are typically prescribed for only
short-term use.
Mellaril (thioridazine) and Thorazine (chlorpromazine) are antipsychotic medications
for the treatment of psychosis.
11. 11. A social worker is appointed by the court to conduct a child custody
evaluation for a couple that is divorcing. The mother reports that her husband
is verbally abusive, controlling, and neglects the children when they are in
his care. She reports that the children have missed a lot of school when
staying with their father because he does not assist with getting them ready
for school or doing their homework. The father states that his wife is lazy,
irresponsible, and cannot meet the children's basic needs. He reports that the
school frequently has to provide lunch for the children because the mother
does not supply it when they are in her care. In order to BEST evaluate the
legitimacy of the information, the social worker should:
A. Ask the husband and wife to put their allegations in writing and sign them,
attesting to their accuracy
B. Determine whether the husband or wife have had any past instances with
being untruthful
C. Always speak to the husband and wife together so that they are more likely
to be honest
D. Obtain information from school personnel and records after obtaining
parental consent: D
Collateral information is often used when the credibility and validity of information
obtained from a client or others is questionable. For example, child custody cases
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8ji9ke
1. 1. Which of the following is NOT true about motivation to change?
A. Motivation fluctuates from one time to another.
B. Motivation can be increased by working to remove barriers to change.
C. Motivation is driven by hope or the belief that life can be different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which
is intrinsic.: D
Motivation is a state of readiness or eagerness to change, which fluctuates from
one time to another. The role of the social worker is to create an atmosphere that is
conducive to change and to increase a client's intrinsic motivation, so that change
arises from within rather than being imposed from without. If a client is driven to
change internally, it is much more likely that the change effort will be sustained. A
technique to increase motivation is to work to remove barriers and instill hope or the
belief that life can be different.
2. 2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and experience in
delivering
B. Treatment that yields the most cost-effective outcomes according to a
cost-benefit analysis
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of
research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles: C
Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines well-researched interventions with clinical
experience and ethics, as well as client preferences and culture, to guide and inform
the delivery of treatments and services. Social workers, clients, and others must
work together in order to identify what works, for whom, and under what conditions.
This approach ensures that the treatments and services, when used as intended,
will have the most effective outcomes as demonstrated by the research.
3. 3. What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation, maintenance, and
relapse
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and
relapse: D
Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed by contempla-
tion in which there is ambivalence about making change. Then comes preparation or
experimenting with small changes. Action moves toward achieving a goal, whereas
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8ji9ke
maintenance sustains a new behavior and avoids relapse, which can lead to feelings
of frustration and failure.
4. 4. Which of the following is NOT an essential step in ethical problem solv-
ing?
A. Identifying the ethical standards that may be compromised
B. Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma
C. Weighing ethical issues in light of social work values and principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or
dilemmas: D
A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice to identify whether
new issues or dilemmas arise.
5. 5. A young boy is stopped by a police officer and claims that he is a member
of the armed forces, though it is obvious that he is not. This assertion by the
boy is MOST likely a:
A. Comorbid thought
B. Dissociation
C. Folie à deux
D. Delusion: D
A delusion is a false, fixed belief despite evidence to the contrary (i.e., believing
something that is not true). Comorbid means existing at the same time. Dissociation
is a change in memory, perception, or consciousness. Folie à deux is a shared
delusion.
6. 6. A social work administrator is having trouble finding a group home
manager for a new program scheduled to open in 2 weeks. Further delays in
locating staff will delay clients from moving into the program. The administra-
tor temporarily hires her niece, who just graduated with a social work degree,
for this position. This action is:
A. Ethical because the niece is clearly qualified for the position
B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest
C. Ethical because the position is temporary and ensures clients get the
services needed
D. Unethical because clients will experience staff turnover when a new man-
ager is hired: B
Social workers should avoid situations interfering with impartial judgment. Hiring a
family member creates a dual relationship and should be avoided.
7. 7. A social worker is interested in seeing the extent to which current clients
are satisfied with a new relapse prevention program. The social worker dis-
tributes a client satisfaction survey to those in the program. The social worker
then collects the surveys and analyzes the results that are presented to a
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8ji9ke
management team in the agency. The social worker is conducting which type
of evaluation?
A. Summative
B. Experimental
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Formative: D
Formative evaluations examine the process of delivering services, whereas summa-
tive evaluations examine the outcomes. Formative evaluations are ongoing process-
es that allow for feedback to be implemented during service delivery. These types
of evaluations allow social workers to make changes as needed to help achieve
program goals. Summative evaluations occur at the end of services and provide an
overall description of their effectiveness. Summative evaluation examines outcomes
to determine whether objectives were met.
The design described is not experimental—which requires a control group and
randomization of assignment—or quasi-experimental, which does not require ran-
domization, but has more support for causal inferences than does preexperimental
designs.
8. 8. Which of the following is an example of social stratification?
A. A child is not included in group activities in school because of his or her
poor social skills.
B. Children who are violent need to be segregated from their peers.
C. A child with social deficits is assumed to be delayed in cognition without
additional assessment.
D. Children from affluent households receive a better public education than
those from low-income households.: D
Stratification refers to structured inequality of entire categories of people in society
who have unequal access to social rewards. Stratification applies to individuals
based on ethnic and racial background, social status, and/or other factors.
9. 9. During an intake interview, a client reports that she is extremely de-
pressed and has self-destructive thoughts. She has had prior suicide at-
tempts, but tells the social worker not to worry as she won't "do it again." The
social worker should FIRST:
A. Tell the client that her decision not to harm herself is a good one
B. Explore with the client what is causing her depression
C. Conduct a safety assessment
D. Refer the client to a psychiatrist for a medication evaluation: C
Despite the client's report that she will not act on her thoughts, she is at risk because
she has had these feelings and has acted on them in the past. The case vignette
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_8ji9ke
does not describe the social worker taking any action yet. A safety assessment will
determine the severity of the depression and whether the client is at risk for a suicide
attempt. It must be done FIRST before any other action is taken.
10. 10. A client with a Social Anxiety Disorder will MOST likely be prescribed
which of the following medications to take on an ongoing basis?
A. Zoloft (sertraline)
B. Mellaril (thioridazine)
C. Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
D. Valium (diazepam): A The primary medications used to treat social anxiety dis-
order are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which were first developed
to treat depression. They have been found to be effective in the treatment of a wider
range of disorders. Zoloft (sertraline) is an SSRI.
Benzodiazepines, such as Valium (diazepam), reduce levels of anxiety. Howev-
er, they are habit-forming and sedating, so they are typically prescribed for only
short-term use.
Mellaril (thioridazine) and Thorazine (chlorpromazine) are antipsychotic medications
for the treatment of psychosis.
11. 11. A social worker is appointed by the court to conduct a child custody
evaluation for a couple that is divorcing. The mother reports that her husband
is verbally abusive, controlling, and neglects the children when they are in
his care. She reports that the children have missed a lot of school when
staying with their father because he does not assist with getting them ready
for school or doing their homework. The father states that his wife is lazy,
irresponsible, and cannot meet the children's basic needs. He reports that the
school frequently has to provide lunch for the children because the mother
does not supply it when they are in her care. In order to BEST evaluate the
legitimacy of the information, the social worker should:
A. Ask the husband and wife to put their allegations in writing and sign them,
attesting to their accuracy
B. Determine whether the husband or wife have had any past instances with
being untruthful
C. Always speak to the husband and wife together so that they are more likely
to be honest
D. Obtain information from school personnel and records after obtaining
parental consent: D
Collateral information is often used when the credibility and validity of information
obtained from a client or others is questionable. For example, child custody cases
