ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
ASWB PRACTICE TEST 2026 PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 171 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
An adolescent who has diabetes is admitted to the hospital for the second time in
three weeks after significant changes to the client's insulin levels. The physician
believes that the adolescent is intentionally noncompliant with diabetes care and
wants to be admitted. The physician refers the patient to a social worker. What
should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Contract with adolescent to prevent readmission
B. Review the medical management plan with the adolescent
C. Notify local child protective services
D. Obtain a social and family history
D. Obtain a social and family history
* the FIRST step for the social worker is to complete an assessment
What client factor MOST likely determines the scope and focus of an assessment?
A. Needs of the client
B. Motivation of the client
C. Family systems
D. Social Network
A. Needs of the client
*The needs of the client must be determine the focus of the assessment.
A social worker is contacted by a client whose initial complaint is depression. The
client reports symptoms of insomnia, headaches, inability to eat, vomiting, and
neck aches. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed social history on the client
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, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
B. Probe for substance abuse problem
C. Engage the client in establishing goals
D. Ask the client to obtain medical consultation
D. Aske the client to obtain medical consultation
*The described physical symptoms suggest a potential medical issue, which
indicates the FIRST action to obtain medical consultation.
A client who is depressed mentions plans for suicide to a social worker. Privacy
and confidentiality had been discussed early in the treatment process. The social
worker believes that the threat is serious. What should the social worker do
NEXT?
A. Respect the client's right to confidentiality
B. Consult with an agency supervisor
C. Develop a safety plan with the client
D. Discuss the need for hospitalization with the client
D. Discuss the need for hospitalization with the client
*Discussing the need for hospitalization is the NEXT step after the social worker
has determined the existence of a serious threat.
During a therapy session, a client reveals to the social worker that she has
difficulty managing her three-year-old child. The client reports that her child ran
into traffic and was nearly hit by a car. What should the social worker do first
FIRST?
A. Report the possible neglect to CPS
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
C. Consult with the social work supervisor
D. Refer the client to a parenting class
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
*Developing a safety plan is the FIRST action that a social worker would take upon
learning of the client's concerns
2|Page
, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
Parents of a 24-month-old child report their only concern is that their child plays
alongside of, but not with, other children. What should the social worker do?
A. Assess for symptoms of developmental delays
B. Observe the child's play in a group setting
C. Suggest that the parents report their concern at a doctor visit
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age
* The role of the social worker is to educate the child's parents about typical
developmental behavior
A social worker is providing marital therapy to a couple. What goal statement is
MOST likely to enhance a couple's motivation?
A. Increase by 1/4 the frequency of positive statements
B. Reduce by 1/3 the angry exchanges
C. Eliminate physical altercations
D. Reduce by 1/2 the amount of shouting
A. Increase by 1/4 the frequency of positive statements
* The use of positive reinforcement is MOST likely to enhance motivation levels.
Increasing the frequency of positive statement is the only option that is an
example of positive reinforcement.
A social worker at an adoption agency receives a subpoena for the records of an
adults client who recently met with a social worker about the client's adoption
many years ago. In the process of responding to the subpoena, what should the
social worker do FIRST?
A. Submit the client's record as requested by the subpoena
B. Discuss the subpoena with the agency's legal counsel
C. Discuss the subpoena with a first
D. Ask for approval from the client to respond to the subpoena
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, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
B. Discuss the subpoena with the agency's legal counsel
*Once a subpoena is received, the social worker should FIRST discuss it with legal
counsel before submitting it.
A new social worker receives a court order to disclose client records. The social
worker notes that there are grammatical problems and minor errors regarding
dates and events in the recordings. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Make corrections as needed
B. Claim record confidentiality
C. Send the records
D. Meet with a supervisor
D. Meet with a supervisor
*When a court order is received to disclose client records, supervision should be
obtained FIRST
A weekly meeting is held at a family services agency to determine if referred
families meet the criteria for services. Staff members are frustrated because the
meetings have become characterized by unrelated discussions and have begun to
last several hours. What should the social worker do to facilitate the meeting?
A. Limit the number of cases presented
B. Redirect staff members who do not stay on topic
C. Schedule individual meetings with problem staff
D. Set time limits for the meeting
B. Redirect staff members who do not stay on topic
* One of the key roles of a group facilitator is to keep participants focused on the
purpose of the meeting. Since staff members are discussing unrelated matters in
the meeting, providing redirection is critical.
A medical social worker in a home health setting believes a client is abusing
alcohol. The nurse reports that the client is not progressing medically. During a
home visit, the social worker notices multiple empty bottles in the trash. What
should the social worker do FIRST?
4|Page
ASWB PRACTICE TEST 2026 PREP NEWEST 2026/2027 ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 171 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED
A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
An adolescent who has diabetes is admitted to the hospital for the second time in
three weeks after significant changes to the client's insulin levels. The physician
believes that the adolescent is intentionally noncompliant with diabetes care and
wants to be admitted. The physician refers the patient to a social worker. What
should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Contract with adolescent to prevent readmission
B. Review the medical management plan with the adolescent
C. Notify local child protective services
D. Obtain a social and family history
D. Obtain a social and family history
* the FIRST step for the social worker is to complete an assessment
What client factor MOST likely determines the scope and focus of an assessment?
A. Needs of the client
B. Motivation of the client
C. Family systems
D. Social Network
A. Needs of the client
*The needs of the client must be determine the focus of the assessment.
A social worker is contacted by a client whose initial complaint is depression. The
client reports symptoms of insomnia, headaches, inability to eat, vomiting, and
neck aches. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed social history on the client
1|Page
, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
B. Probe for substance abuse problem
C. Engage the client in establishing goals
D. Ask the client to obtain medical consultation
D. Aske the client to obtain medical consultation
*The described physical symptoms suggest a potential medical issue, which
indicates the FIRST action to obtain medical consultation.
A client who is depressed mentions plans for suicide to a social worker. Privacy
and confidentiality had been discussed early in the treatment process. The social
worker believes that the threat is serious. What should the social worker do
NEXT?
A. Respect the client's right to confidentiality
B. Consult with an agency supervisor
C. Develop a safety plan with the client
D. Discuss the need for hospitalization with the client
D. Discuss the need for hospitalization with the client
*Discussing the need for hospitalization is the NEXT step after the social worker
has determined the existence of a serious threat.
During a therapy session, a client reveals to the social worker that she has
difficulty managing her three-year-old child. The client reports that her child ran
into traffic and was nearly hit by a car. What should the social worker do first
FIRST?
A. Report the possible neglect to CPS
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
C. Consult with the social work supervisor
D. Refer the client to a parenting class
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
*Developing a safety plan is the FIRST action that a social worker would take upon
learning of the client's concerns
2|Page
, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
Parents of a 24-month-old child report their only concern is that their child plays
alongside of, but not with, other children. What should the social worker do?
A. Assess for symptoms of developmental delays
B. Observe the child's play in a group setting
C. Suggest that the parents report their concern at a doctor visit
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age
* The role of the social worker is to educate the child's parents about typical
developmental behavior
A social worker is providing marital therapy to a couple. What goal statement is
MOST likely to enhance a couple's motivation?
A. Increase by 1/4 the frequency of positive statements
B. Reduce by 1/3 the angry exchanges
C. Eliminate physical altercations
D. Reduce by 1/2 the amount of shouting
A. Increase by 1/4 the frequency of positive statements
* The use of positive reinforcement is MOST likely to enhance motivation levels.
Increasing the frequency of positive statement is the only option that is an
example of positive reinforcement.
A social worker at an adoption agency receives a subpoena for the records of an
adults client who recently met with a social worker about the client's adoption
many years ago. In the process of responding to the subpoena, what should the
social worker do FIRST?
A. Submit the client's record as requested by the subpoena
B. Discuss the subpoena with the agency's legal counsel
C. Discuss the subpoena with a first
D. Ask for approval from the client to respond to the subpoena
3|Page
, ASWB Practice Test 2026 PREP
B. Discuss the subpoena with the agency's legal counsel
*Once a subpoena is received, the social worker should FIRST discuss it with legal
counsel before submitting it.
A new social worker receives a court order to disclose client records. The social
worker notes that there are grammatical problems and minor errors regarding
dates and events in the recordings. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Make corrections as needed
B. Claim record confidentiality
C. Send the records
D. Meet with a supervisor
D. Meet with a supervisor
*When a court order is received to disclose client records, supervision should be
obtained FIRST
A weekly meeting is held at a family services agency to determine if referred
families meet the criteria for services. Staff members are frustrated because the
meetings have become characterized by unrelated discussions and have begun to
last several hours. What should the social worker do to facilitate the meeting?
A. Limit the number of cases presented
B. Redirect staff members who do not stay on topic
C. Schedule individual meetings with problem staff
D. Set time limits for the meeting
B. Redirect staff members who do not stay on topic
* One of the key roles of a group facilitator is to keep participants focused on the
purpose of the meeting. Since staff members are discussing unrelated matters in
the meeting, providing redirection is critical.
A medical social worker in a home health setting believes a client is abusing
alcohol. The nurse reports that the client is not progressing medically. During a
home visit, the social worker notices multiple empty bottles in the trash. What
should the social worker do FIRST?
4|Page
