ASWB Complete Practice Exam QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - 100% VERIFIED – GUARANTEED
2026/2027
1. 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 bein - ANSWER -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 are inherently
characterized by biased data within an adversarial process. Social workers should use data from
neutral parties, such as the school, because this information has higher integrity.
2. A social worker is facilitating a psychotherapy group for individuals who are in recovery
from substance abuse. After group, a client mentions that she has been having problems dealing
with job stress without the use of substances. In order to meet this client's needs, the social
worker should: A. Recommend that the client see the social worker individually in addition to
the group therapy because she appears to need some additional support
B. Suggest that the client bring this topic up in the group next week to see if others are having
similar problems
C. Evaluate whether group therapy is the best treatment modality for the client due to the issue
being mentioned to the social worker outside of the group context
D. Determine if there is an employee assistance program in the client's work setting to assist -
ANSWER -B
In group therapy, the group is the major helping agent. Issues should be brought back to the
group to address. There is no need for the client to see the social worker for individual therapy.
Contacting an employee assistance program would breach confidentiality.
3. An 11-year-old child would like to start helping around the house with chores. She
approaches her mother many times, but is told she cannot assist because "she won't do it right."
,During several attempts to do things on her own, she is scolded. According to psychosocial
development theory, she may experience doubts in her abilities due to a crisis in which of the
following stages?
A. Industry versus inferiority
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Autonomy versus shame/doubt
D. Generativity versus stagnation - ANSWER -A
Industry versus inferiority—From age 6 to puberty, children begin to develop a sense of pride in
their accomplishments. If children are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative, they begin
to feel industrious and feel confident in their ability to achieve goals. If this initiative is not
encouraged and is restricted, children begin to feel inferior, doubting their abilities.
4. A social worker employed in a hospital is asked to use a SOAP format in a client's record. In
this format, the "A" stands for:
A. Action plan
B. Assessment
C. Active treatment
D. Adjustments to services needed - ANSWER -B
SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. In the Assessment portion, a
social worker pulls together objective and subjective findings and consolidates them into a short
assessment.
5. Aphasia is BEST defined as difficulty with:
A. Walking or running
B. Common motor skills such as combing hair, despite normal strength
C. Understanding language or using language to speak or write
D. Recognizing familiar objects - ANSWER -C
Aphasia is a change in cognition (mental ability) that is characterized by difficulty understanding
language or using language to speak or write. Difficulty with common motor skills is known as
ataxia. Inability to recognize familiar objects is labeled agnosia.
6. Culture-bound syndromes in the DSM-5 are replaced by all of the following concepts
EXCEPT:
A. Cultural syndromes
B. Cultural stratification
C. Cultural idioms of distress
D. Cultural explanations - ANSWER -B
In the DSM-5, there is recognition that every disorder is inherently culture-bound. These new
guidelines help a social worker be more sensitive to cultural differences and understand that a
,client is manifesting symptoms in a way that his or her culture experiences them. Cultural
syndromes are clusters of invariant symptoms in a specific cultural group. Cultural idioms of
distress are a way of talking about suffering among people in a cultural group, and cultural
explanations or perceived causes for symptoms, illness, or distress have been added to assist with
diagnosing.
7. A social worker receives a court order to provide records of a former client. In this instance,
the social worker should submit the records:
A. And try to contact the client to inform her about the disclosure
B. With the contact information of the client so the court can contact her about the release
C. But not contact the client as court orders are not to be discussed by anyone other than judges
and attorneys
D. And write to the judge to see if he or she wants the client to know about the court order -
ANSWER -A
Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential
information and the potential consequences, when feasible, before any disclosure is made. This
applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal
requirement or client consent
18. A family comes into treatment because of their young daughter's behavior. They report,
upon intake, that she yells at her parents, doesn't listen, and complains about their behavior.
There is little progress during the course of treatment and the girl reports that she has no
intention of changing. After the sixth session, a social worker tells the girl that she cannot help
with her behavior and she should continue to "do as she wishes." According to strategic family
therapy, the social worker's directive is known as a:
A. Paradoxical intent
B. Pretend technique
C. Relabeling paradigm
D. Differentiation response - ANSWER -A
A paradoxical intent or directive prescribes the symptomatic behavior so the client realizes
control over it and uses the strength of resistance to change.
9. A social worker is leaving one agency to work at another. In order to address this situation
ethically, the social worker should:
A. Not inform clients in order to avoid causing them undue stress and harm
B. Advise clients that it would be best for them to transfer services to the social worker's new
agency to avoid any interruptions in treatment
C. Inform clients of appropriate options for the continuation of services and the benefits and risks
of the options
D. Discontinue services to clients immediately - ANSWER -C
, Social workers who are leaving an employment setting should inform clients of appropriate
options for the continuation of services and of the benefits and risks of the options.
20. Federal law requires health care facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursements to do all of the following with regard to advance directives EXCEPT:
A. Inform clients of their rights to have advance directives that will allow them to make
decisions regarding their health care
B. Use a portion of their revenues to assist clients with the costs associated with creating advance
directives
C. Ask clients if they have advance directives and document their responses
D. Provide education about advance directives - ANSWER -B
The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991 specifies facilities that receive Medicare and
Medicaid inform clients of their rights to make decisions concerning their own health care, ask
and document whether clients have advance directives, and provide education for staff and the
community.
21. In which of the following circumstances is task-centered treatment NOT recommended?
A. When the client wants to see immediate results or changes in circumstances
B. When the client is anxious to be an active part of the change process
C. When there is a time limited period in which to work with the client
D. When the client is addressing long-standing problems that are complex in nature - ANSWER
-D
A task-centered approach aims to quickly engage clients in the problem-solving process because
it is usually delivered in a time-limited environment. The client is an active part of the change
process and the approach is highly structured to attempt to achieve immediate results as goals are
broken into defined tasks. Termination begins in the first session. This approach is too brief to
address long-standing problems that are complex.
22. A client is currently taking Clozaril for the treatment of Schizophrenia. The client is MOST
likely going to be required to undergo what medical monitoring due to this medication use?
A. Weight checks
B. Blood work
C. Dietary restrictions
D. Exercise regimen - ANSWER -B
Clozaril increases the risk of agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count). Monitoring of the
white blood cell count through regular blood work is required.
23. Which of the following inhibits the establishment of a therapeutic relationship?
A. A universalism approach or the acceptance of a standard set of norms or standards
B. A pluralistic approach that values cultural pluralism
ANSWERS - 100% VERIFIED – GUARANTEED
2026/2027
1. 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 bein - ANSWER -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 are inherently
characterized by biased data within an adversarial process. Social workers should use data from
neutral parties, such as the school, because this information has higher integrity.
2. A social worker is facilitating a psychotherapy group for individuals who are in recovery
from substance abuse. After group, a client mentions that she has been having problems dealing
with job stress without the use of substances. In order to meet this client's needs, the social
worker should: A. Recommend that the client see the social worker individually in addition to
the group therapy because she appears to need some additional support
B. Suggest that the client bring this topic up in the group next week to see if others are having
similar problems
C. Evaluate whether group therapy is the best treatment modality for the client due to the issue
being mentioned to the social worker outside of the group context
D. Determine if there is an employee assistance program in the client's work setting to assist -
ANSWER -B
In group therapy, the group is the major helping agent. Issues should be brought back to the
group to address. There is no need for the client to see the social worker for individual therapy.
Contacting an employee assistance program would breach confidentiality.
3. An 11-year-old child would like to start helping around the house with chores. She
approaches her mother many times, but is told she cannot assist because "she won't do it right."
,During several attempts to do things on her own, she is scolded. According to psychosocial
development theory, she may experience doubts in her abilities due to a crisis in which of the
following stages?
A. Industry versus inferiority
B. Initiative versus guilt
C. Autonomy versus shame/doubt
D. Generativity versus stagnation - ANSWER -A
Industry versus inferiority—From age 6 to puberty, children begin to develop a sense of pride in
their accomplishments. If children are encouraged and reinforced for their initiative, they begin
to feel industrious and feel confident in their ability to achieve goals. If this initiative is not
encouraged and is restricted, children begin to feel inferior, doubting their abilities.
4. A social worker employed in a hospital is asked to use a SOAP format in a client's record. In
this format, the "A" stands for:
A. Action plan
B. Assessment
C. Active treatment
D. Adjustments to services needed - ANSWER -B
SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. In the Assessment portion, a
social worker pulls together objective and subjective findings and consolidates them into a short
assessment.
5. Aphasia is BEST defined as difficulty with:
A. Walking or running
B. Common motor skills such as combing hair, despite normal strength
C. Understanding language or using language to speak or write
D. Recognizing familiar objects - ANSWER -C
Aphasia is a change in cognition (mental ability) that is characterized by difficulty understanding
language or using language to speak or write. Difficulty with common motor skills is known as
ataxia. Inability to recognize familiar objects is labeled agnosia.
6. Culture-bound syndromes in the DSM-5 are replaced by all of the following concepts
EXCEPT:
A. Cultural syndromes
B. Cultural stratification
C. Cultural idioms of distress
D. Cultural explanations - ANSWER -B
In the DSM-5, there is recognition that every disorder is inherently culture-bound. These new
guidelines help a social worker be more sensitive to cultural differences and understand that a
,client is manifesting symptoms in a way that his or her culture experiences them. Cultural
syndromes are clusters of invariant symptoms in a specific cultural group. Cultural idioms of
distress are a way of talking about suffering among people in a cultural group, and cultural
explanations or perceived causes for symptoms, illness, or distress have been added to assist with
diagnosing.
7. A social worker receives a court order to provide records of a former client. In this instance,
the social worker should submit the records:
A. And try to contact the client to inform her about the disclosure
B. With the contact information of the client so the court can contact her about the release
C. But not contact the client as court orders are not to be discussed by anyone other than judges
and attorneys
D. And write to the judge to see if he or she wants the client to know about the court order -
ANSWER -A
Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the disclosure of confidential
information and the potential consequences, when feasible, before any disclosure is made. This
applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal
requirement or client consent
18. A family comes into treatment because of their young daughter's behavior. They report,
upon intake, that she yells at her parents, doesn't listen, and complains about their behavior.
There is little progress during the course of treatment and the girl reports that she has no
intention of changing. After the sixth session, a social worker tells the girl that she cannot help
with her behavior and she should continue to "do as she wishes." According to strategic family
therapy, the social worker's directive is known as a:
A. Paradoxical intent
B. Pretend technique
C. Relabeling paradigm
D. Differentiation response - ANSWER -A
A paradoxical intent or directive prescribes the symptomatic behavior so the client realizes
control over it and uses the strength of resistance to change.
9. A social worker is leaving one agency to work at another. In order to address this situation
ethically, the social worker should:
A. Not inform clients in order to avoid causing them undue stress and harm
B. Advise clients that it would be best for them to transfer services to the social worker's new
agency to avoid any interruptions in treatment
C. Inform clients of appropriate options for the continuation of services and the benefits and risks
of the options
D. Discontinue services to clients immediately - ANSWER -C
, Social workers who are leaving an employment setting should inform clients of appropriate
options for the continuation of services and of the benefits and risks of the options.
20. Federal law requires health care facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursements to do all of the following with regard to advance directives EXCEPT:
A. Inform clients of their rights to have advance directives that will allow them to make
decisions regarding their health care
B. Use a portion of their revenues to assist clients with the costs associated with creating advance
directives
C. Ask clients if they have advance directives and document their responses
D. Provide education about advance directives - ANSWER -B
The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991 specifies facilities that receive Medicare and
Medicaid inform clients of their rights to make decisions concerning their own health care, ask
and document whether clients have advance directives, and provide education for staff and the
community.
21. In which of the following circumstances is task-centered treatment NOT recommended?
A. When the client wants to see immediate results or changes in circumstances
B. When the client is anxious to be an active part of the change process
C. When there is a time limited period in which to work with the client
D. When the client is addressing long-standing problems that are complex in nature - ANSWER
-D
A task-centered approach aims to quickly engage clients in the problem-solving process because
it is usually delivered in a time-limited environment. The client is an active part of the change
process and the approach is highly structured to attempt to achieve immediate results as goals are
broken into defined tasks. Termination begins in the first session. This approach is too brief to
address long-standing problems that are complex.
22. A client is currently taking Clozaril for the treatment of Schizophrenia. The client is MOST
likely going to be required to undergo what medical monitoring due to this medication use?
A. Weight checks
B. Blood work
C. Dietary restrictions
D. Exercise regimen - ANSWER -B
Clozaril increases the risk of agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count). Monitoring of the
white blood cell count through regular blood work is required.
23. Which of the following inhibits the establishment of a therapeutic relationship?
A. A universalism approach or the acceptance of a standard set of norms or standards
B. A pluralistic approach that values cultural pluralism
