ASWB LMSW Practice Exam 2025 | Actual
Exam Questions & Verified Answers | Latest
(Latest Update) A+ Grade
Complete
Section I: Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment (Approx. 28%)
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1. A 16-year-
jh jh
old client reports feeling isolated from peers and states, "No one understands me." Accordi
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ng to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, this client is most likely struggling wit
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
h which developmental crisis?
jh jh jh
• A) Trust vs. Mistrust
jh jh jh
• B) Industry vs. Inferiority
jh jh jh
• C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
jh jh jh jh
• D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: C jh jh
Rationale: Erikson's fifth stage (Adolescence, 12–
jh jh jh jh jh
18 years) is Identity vs. Role Confusion, where teens explore independence and a sense of self.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
2. A social worker is assessing a family where the parents are recently divorced. The 10-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
year-old child is exhibiting regressive behaviors such as bedwetting and thumb-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
sucking. From a systems perspective, this behavior is BEST understood as:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) A sign of severe developmental delay.
jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) A symptom of the family system's disequilibrium.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) A conscious attempt to manipulate the parents.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) A result of genetic predisposition.
jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: Systems theory views the child's behavior as a response to the stress and change within th
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
e family system (homeostasis disruption).
jh jh jh jh
,3. A social worker is working with a client who immigrated to the U.S. two years ago. The cl
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ient reports feeling anxious, depressed, and confused about their identity. They express dif
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ficulty reconciling their culture of origin with American culture. This phenomenon is BEST
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
described as: jh
• A) Acculturationjh
• B) Cultural assimilation
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• C) Culture shockjh jh
• D) Cultural humilityjh jh
Correct Answer: A (Specifically, this describes the stress of acculturation, often referred to
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
as acculturative stress).
jh jh
Rationale: Acculturation refers to the process of adapting to a new culture, which can cause psycholo
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
gical distress when there is conflict between the old and new cultural identities.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
4. A client reports using alcohol daily to cope with the recent death of their spouse. The soc
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ial worker notes the client’s grief is prolonged and complicated. According to the DSM-5-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
TR, the social worker must rule out which of the following before diagnosing the client wit
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
h a Substance Use Disorder?
jh jh jh jh
• A) Bipolar Disorder
jh jh
• B) Major Depressive Disorder
jh jh jh
• C) Grief (Bereavement)
jh jh
• D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: C jh jh
Rationale: The DSM-5- jh jh
TR has a specific specifier for "Bereavement" and requires clinicians to differentiate between normal
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
grief and a clinical disorder like Major Depressive Disorder, though it removed the "Bereavement Excl
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
usion" for MDD. However, in the context of this question, ruling out normal grief reactions is the prim
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ary step. jh
5. According to Piaget's theory, a 7-year-
jh jh jh jh jh jh
old child who understands that pouring water from a short, wide glass into a tall, thin glass
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
does not change the amount of water has acquired the concept of:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Object permanence
jh jh
• B) Conservation jh
, • C) Assimilation
jh
• D) Egocentrism
jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in sha
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
pe or appearance, which develops during the Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years).
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
6. A social worker is advocating for a policy that addresses the high rate of infant mortality
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
in a low-
jh jh
income community. Which ethical principle is the social worker primarily upholding?
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Confidentiality
jh
• B) Self-determination
jh
• C) Dignity and Worth of the Person
jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Social Justice
jh jh
Correct Answer: D jh jh
Rationale: Social Justice is the principle that social workers should pursue social change, particularly
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals/groups.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
7. A client tells a social worker, "I am a failure. I can't do anything right." The social worker
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
responds, "You feel like you've failed at everything, even though your records show you su
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ccessfully managed your business for ten years." This is an example of:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Reframing
jh
• B) Confrontation
jh
• C) Cognitive restructuring
jh jh
• D) Reflection of content/meaning
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: D jh jh
Rationale: Reflecting meaning/content involves identifying the client's underlying feelings and pairin
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
g them with the facts of the situation to provide a new perspective.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
8. A social worker is conducting an initial assessment. The client is a 14-year-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
old girl who is accompanied by her mother. The mother answers most of the questions for t
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
he child. The social worker should FIRST:
jh jh jh jh jh jh
, • A) Ask the mother to leave the room to speak to the child alone.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) Validate the mother's concerns but gently redirect questions to the adolescent.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) Document the mother's controlling behavior as a family dynamic issue.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Schedule a separate appointment with the adolescent without the mother.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: The social worker should validate the mother's role while preserving the adolescent's right
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh j
to self-
h jh
determination and voice. Gently redirecting is the least intrusive and most respectful initial step.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
9. Which of the following is considered a microaggression?
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) A client telling their social worker they don't like the color of their shirt.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) A social worker assuming a client is poor because of their ethnicity.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) A supervisor giving constructive feedback to a supervisee.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) A client asking for a referral to a specialist.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: A microaggression is a subtle, often unintentional, expression of prejudice or discriminatio
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
n based on a person's marginalized identity.
jh jh jh jh jh jh
10. A social worker is preparing a discharge plan for a client with schizophrenia. The client
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
has poor insight into their illness. To ensure the client's safety post-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
discharge, the social worker should FIRST: jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Arrange for involuntary hospitalization.
jh jh jh jh
• B) Consult with the treatment team and involve the client in identifying a trusted support p
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
erson to monitor medication. jh jh jh
• C) Contact Adult Protective Services to place the client in a group home.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Schedule daily phone calls to remind the client to take their medication.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: While maintaining self- jh jh jh
determination, the social worker must balance safety. Involving the client in decisions (collaborative
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
approach) and consulting the team is the most appropriate first step to create a safety net.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Exam Questions & Verified Answers | Latest
(Latest Update) A+ Grade
Complete
Section I: Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment (Approx. 28%)
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
1. A 16-year-
jh jh
old client reports feeling isolated from peers and states, "No one understands me." Accordi
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ng to Erikson's stages of psychosocial development, this client is most likely struggling wit
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
h which developmental crisis?
jh jh jh
• A) Trust vs. Mistrust
jh jh jh
• B) Industry vs. Inferiority
jh jh jh
• C) Identity vs. Role Confusion
jh jh jh jh
• D) Intimacy vs. Isolation
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: C jh jh
Rationale: Erikson's fifth stage (Adolescence, 12–
jh jh jh jh jh
18 years) is Identity vs. Role Confusion, where teens explore independence and a sense of self.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
2. A social worker is assessing a family where the parents are recently divorced. The 10-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
year-old child is exhibiting regressive behaviors such as bedwetting and thumb-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
sucking. From a systems perspective, this behavior is BEST understood as:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) A sign of severe developmental delay.
jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) A symptom of the family system's disequilibrium.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) A conscious attempt to manipulate the parents.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) A result of genetic predisposition.
jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: Systems theory views the child's behavior as a response to the stress and change within th
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
e family system (homeostasis disruption).
jh jh jh jh
,3. A social worker is working with a client who immigrated to the U.S. two years ago. The cl
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ient reports feeling anxious, depressed, and confused about their identity. They express dif
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ficulty reconciling their culture of origin with American culture. This phenomenon is BEST
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
described as: jh
• A) Acculturationjh
• B) Cultural assimilation
jh jh
• C) Culture shockjh jh
• D) Cultural humilityjh jh
Correct Answer: A (Specifically, this describes the stress of acculturation, often referred to
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
as acculturative stress).
jh jh
Rationale: Acculturation refers to the process of adapting to a new culture, which can cause psycholo
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
gical distress when there is conflict between the old and new cultural identities.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
4. A client reports using alcohol daily to cope with the recent death of their spouse. The soc
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ial worker notes the client’s grief is prolonged and complicated. According to the DSM-5-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
TR, the social worker must rule out which of the following before diagnosing the client wit
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
h a Substance Use Disorder?
jh jh jh jh
• A) Bipolar Disorder
jh jh
• B) Major Depressive Disorder
jh jh jh
• C) Grief (Bereavement)
jh jh
• D) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: C jh jh
Rationale: The DSM-5- jh jh
TR has a specific specifier for "Bereavement" and requires clinicians to differentiate between normal
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
grief and a clinical disorder like Major Depressive Disorder, though it removed the "Bereavement Excl
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
usion" for MDD. However, in the context of this question, ruling out normal grief reactions is the prim
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ary step. jh
5. According to Piaget's theory, a 7-year-
jh jh jh jh jh jh
old child who understands that pouring water from a short, wide glass into a tall, thin glass
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
does not change the amount of water has acquired the concept of:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Object permanence
jh jh
• B) Conservation jh
, • C) Assimilation
jh
• D) Egocentrism
jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: Conservation is the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in sha
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
pe or appearance, which develops during the Concrete Operational Stage (7–11 years).
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
6. A social worker is advocating for a policy that addresses the high rate of infant mortality
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
in a low-
jh jh
income community. Which ethical principle is the social worker primarily upholding?
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Confidentiality
jh
• B) Self-determination
jh
• C) Dignity and Worth of the Person
jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Social Justice
jh jh
Correct Answer: D jh jh
Rationale: Social Justice is the principle that social workers should pursue social change, particularly
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals/groups.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
7. A client tells a social worker, "I am a failure. I can't do anything right." The social worker
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
responds, "You feel like you've failed at everything, even though your records show you su
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
ccessfully managed your business for ten years." This is an example of:
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Reframing
jh
• B) Confrontation
jh
• C) Cognitive restructuring
jh jh
• D) Reflection of content/meaning
jh jh jh
Correct Answer: D jh jh
Rationale: Reflecting meaning/content involves identifying the client's underlying feelings and pairin
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
g them with the facts of the situation to provide a new perspective.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
8. A social worker is conducting an initial assessment. The client is a 14-year-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
old girl who is accompanied by her mother. The mother answers most of the questions for t
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
he child. The social worker should FIRST:
jh jh jh jh jh jh
, • A) Ask the mother to leave the room to speak to the child alone.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) Validate the mother's concerns but gently redirect questions to the adolescent.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) Document the mother's controlling behavior as a family dynamic issue.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Schedule a separate appointment with the adolescent without the mother.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: The social worker should validate the mother's role while preserving the adolescent's right
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh j
to self-
h jh
determination and voice. Gently redirecting is the least intrusive and most respectful initial step.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
9. Which of the following is considered a microaggression?
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• A) A client telling their social worker they don't like the color of their shirt.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• B) A social worker assuming a client is poor because of their ethnicity.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• C) A supervisor giving constructive feedback to a supervisee.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) A client asking for a referral to a specialist.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: A microaggression is a subtle, often unintentional, expression of prejudice or discriminatio
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
n based on a person's marginalized identity.
jh jh jh jh jh jh
10. A social worker is preparing a discharge plan for a client with schizophrenia. The client
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
has poor insight into their illness. To ensure the client's safety post-
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
discharge, the social worker should FIRST: jh jh jh jh jh
• A) Arrange for involuntary hospitalization.
jh jh jh jh
• B) Consult with the treatment team and involve the client in identifying a trusted support p
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
erson to monitor medication. jh jh jh
• C) Contact Adult Protective Services to place the client in a group home.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
• D) Schedule daily phone calls to remind the client to take their medication.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
Correct Answer: B jh jh
Rationale: While maintaining self- jh jh jh
determination, the social worker must balance safety. Involving the client in decisions (collaborative
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
approach) and consulting the team is the most appropriate first step to create a safety net.
jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh jh
