ASWB SOCIAL WORK STUDY GUIDE |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027
UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
The research design most often used by social workers to improve their practice is:
A. Experimental design
B. Single-subject design
C. Longitudinal design
D. Quasi-experimental design
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Single subject design
Question 2
A 26 yr/old female client shares with her male social worker that she is becoming attached
to him and often has sexual fantasies about him. She also shares that she would like to see
him socially. What should be the social worker's first responsibility?
A. Discuss the client's feelings about her sexual fantasies
B. Immediatly refer the client to a female social worker
C. Clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship
D. Discuss the client's pas relationships.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship.
Question 3
The primary purpose of a service plan is to
1
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,A. Establish goals
B. Assess the home situation
C. Monitor behavioral changes
D. Evaluate client progress
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Establish goals
Question 4
In treating a client in crisis, the caseworker should focus on...
A. The immediate presenting problem
B. A few specific problems in day-to-day functioning
C. A wide range of problems in day to day functioning
D. Underlying personality problems
CORRECT ANSWER
A. The immediate presenting problem
Question 5
When faced by a hostile client in an agency setting, it is best for the social worker to
A. Suggest that the client's attitude is making the situation worse
B. Accept the client's hostility and talk about non-threatening topics
C. Set limits and structure on the interview session
D. Acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them
2
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,Question 6
You are a social worker in an outpatient setting. A new client arrives for her first session
with you. The client has noticeable hair loss and tells you that she is very tense and is
having problems in her relationship with her boyfriend. Your first diagnosis would likely be
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Trichotillomania
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Trichotillomania
Question 7
A social worker who attempts to impose their judgement on clients is most likely to elicit
the client's
A. Acquiescence
B. Cooperation
C. Resistance
D. Appreciation
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Resistance
Question 8
Establishing rapport with a client is essential in the initial stages of counseling. All of the
following techniques are effective except
A. Moderate levels of self-disclosure
3
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, B. Admitting your mistakes
C. Sharing personal experience
D. Responding to a client's nonverbal messages
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Sharing personal experience
Question 9
A social worker meets with a refugee couple in the hospital soon after the birth of their
baby. The infant has Down syndrome and cardiac problems. The couple asks that the child
be allowed to die. The social worker should first:
A. Report the case ot child protection services becuause of the at-risk nature of the situation
B. Offer the parents the option of relinquishing the child for adoption
C. Encourage the parents to meet with other parents of Down syndrome children
D. Perform a biopsychosocial assessment including cultural, religious and familial factors.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Perform a biopsychosocial assessment including cultural, religious and familial factors
Question 10
The youngest child of a single parent is hospitalized for the second time in four months
because of lead poisoning. The child is now ready for discharge, but the doctor refuses to
go ahead with the release, citing an unsafe home environment. When interviewed by the
hospital social worker, the parent says that the landlord will no have their apartment
repainted or make other necessary repairs. The parent wants to move, but is unable to
afford living arrangements that will also allow four children. After reporting the situation
to child welfare authorities, the social worker should
A. Advise the parent to withhold rent until repair work is done.
B. Advocate for the child to return home with the parent
C. Refer the parent to a resource that can help locate suitable housing
4
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QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026-2027
UPDATED EDITION|GRADED A+
Question 1
The research design most often used by social workers to improve their practice is:
A. Experimental design
B. Single-subject design
C. Longitudinal design
D. Quasi-experimental design
CORRECT ANSWER
B. Single subject design
Question 2
A 26 yr/old female client shares with her male social worker that she is becoming attached
to him and often has sexual fantasies about him. She also shares that she would like to see
him socially. What should be the social worker's first responsibility?
A. Discuss the client's feelings about her sexual fantasies
B. Immediatly refer the client to a female social worker
C. Clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship
D. Discuss the client's pas relationships.
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Clarify the professional nature of the social worker-client relationship.
Question 3
The primary purpose of a service plan is to
1
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,A. Establish goals
B. Assess the home situation
C. Monitor behavioral changes
D. Evaluate client progress
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Establish goals
Question 4
In treating a client in crisis, the caseworker should focus on...
A. The immediate presenting problem
B. A few specific problems in day-to-day functioning
C. A wide range of problems in day to day functioning
D. Underlying personality problems
CORRECT ANSWER
A. The immediate presenting problem
Question 5
When faced by a hostile client in an agency setting, it is best for the social worker to
A. Suggest that the client's attitude is making the situation worse
B. Accept the client's hostility and talk about non-threatening topics
C. Set limits and structure on the interview session
D. Acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Acknowledge the client's feelings and encourage discussion of them
2
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,Question 6
You are a social worker in an outpatient setting. A new client arrives for her first session
with you. The client has noticeable hair loss and tells you that she is very tense and is
having problems in her relationship with her boyfriend. Your first diagnosis would likely be
A. Borderline personality disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Trichotillomania
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Trichotillomania
Question 7
A social worker who attempts to impose their judgement on clients is most likely to elicit
the client's
A. Acquiescence
B. Cooperation
C. Resistance
D. Appreciation
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Resistance
Question 8
Establishing rapport with a client is essential in the initial stages of counseling. All of the
following techniques are effective except
A. Moderate levels of self-disclosure
3
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
, B. Admitting your mistakes
C. Sharing personal experience
D. Responding to a client's nonverbal messages
CORRECT ANSWER
C. Sharing personal experience
Question 9
A social worker meets with a refugee couple in the hospital soon after the birth of their
baby. The infant has Down syndrome and cardiac problems. The couple asks that the child
be allowed to die. The social worker should first:
A. Report the case ot child protection services becuause of the at-risk nature of the situation
B. Offer the parents the option of relinquishing the child for adoption
C. Encourage the parents to meet with other parents of Down syndrome children
D. Perform a biopsychosocial assessment including cultural, religious and familial factors.
CORRECT ANSWER
D. Perform a biopsychosocial assessment including cultural, religious and familial factors
Question 10
The youngest child of a single parent is hospitalized for the second time in four months
because of lead poisoning. The child is now ready for discharge, but the doctor refuses to
go ahead with the release, citing an unsafe home environment. When interviewed by the
hospital social worker, the parent says that the landlord will no have their apartment
repainted or make other necessary repairs. The parent wants to move, but is unable to
afford living arrangements that will also allow four children. After reporting the situation
to child welfare authorities, the social worker should
A. Advise the parent to withhold rent until repair work is done.
B. Advocate for the child to return home with the parent
C. Refer the parent to a resource that can help locate suitable housing
4
@https://www.stuvia.com/user/thestudyvault
