MSW Comprehensive Exam Questions
with All Correct Answers
What type of family policy seeks to alter the behaviors of individuals, families and
entities in a manner deemed proper or preferred by society? (comp 5) - Answer-
Regulatory
Which of the following policies changed the structure of public assistance for poor
families by replacing guaranteed support with time-limited support? (comp 5) - Answer-
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PWRORA).
Jerry Fletcher believes that there are a handful of critical people that control the policies
that dictate the actions of society. Which of the following best describes Jerry's position?
(comp 5) - Answer-Elite Power Theory.
In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act was expanded to include specific protections
for Native American women. Which policy making approach would this change appear
to follow? (comp 5) - Answer-Incrementalism in policy making.
According to most textbooks on social work practice, social workers accomplish the
engagement component of the helping process by which of the following activities?
(comp 6) - Answer-Making warm introductions, using encouraging non-verbal
communication.
During the active listening phase of an initial assessment, a client presents her problem
as "too much stress and not enough time to get everything done." As the client
elaborates on the sources of stress, which is the best approach/response for you, the
therapist, to make in building therapeutic alliance? (comp 6) - Answer-Establish eye
contact, nod your head, and provide brief reiteration of what the client has stated.
Alma, a 74 year old active senior, is facing retirement and has concerns about how she
will adapt to this change because she has worked ever since she was a teenager. What
do you address in your first treatment plan? (comp 6) - Answer-Life cycle transition.
Eduardo is a 21 year old veteran who was involved in a training accident which nearly
claimed his life and left him in intensive care for two months followed by three months of
physical rehabilitation. What is your FIRST intervention strategy? (comp 6) - Answer-
Facilitate him telling his story and personal experience.
, A social worker employed with a public school system makes an initial home visit with a
16 year old female client at the request of the client's probation officer. Before the social
worker begins the assessment of the client and home situation, the client says "I don't
have to tell you anything, and I won't tell you anything." To facilitate the client's
participation, what should the social worker explain to the client FIRST? (comp 6) -
Answer-Clients have control of their own information.
A hospital social worker interviews a couple whose infant has recently been hospitalized
for cystic fibrosis. The social worker notices that the parents are reluctant to touch the
child. Based on this observation, what should be the social worker's FIRST
intervention? (comp 6) - Answer-Have the parents talk about their reactions to the
child's illness.
A social worker meets with a father who becomes angry when his two year old son soils
or wets his pants. The father's usual response to this behavior is to yell at the child,
telling him to "grow up". What should the social worker explore with the father FIRST?
(comp 6) - Answer-An unrealistic perception of child development.
Bernice H. is a family social worker. The divorced mother of the family with whom she is
working says, "I am going to make my daughter leave the house. She doesn't follow my
rules or listen to anything I say. I am over it! She can go live with her father!" Which of
the following responses would demonstrate the highest level of empathy from Bernice
H. ? (comp 6) - Answer-"It sounds like you feel angry and hurt that your daughter isn't
listening to you."
Kevin G. is a group therapist meeting a new group for their initial session. As part of the
introductions, some of the group members ask him to disclose more personal
information about himself. What would be the best approach for Kevin G. to take in
response to that request? (comp 6) - Answer-Disclose his reactions to what is going on
in the group but be careful to maintain professional boundaries.
A social worker is providing disaster relief services to families following extensive loss of
lives and property due to flooding in their area. What is the MOST important thing for
the social worker to help the families understand? (comp 6) - Answer-That persons
involved in a crisis will try to achieve a degree of equilibrium.
As part of the social work process, how is assessment BEST described? (comp 7) -
Answer-As a continuing process throughout the course of intervention.
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is verbalizing destructive
thoughts directed at herself. While she does admit to depression, she denies any
intention to act on the thoughts. What should the social worker do FIRST? (comp 7) -
Answer-Complete a suicide risk assessment.
"I feel so incompetent when preparing for the exam," is an example of which of the
typical distortions in thinking listed below? (comp 7) - Answer-Emotional reasoning.
with All Correct Answers
What type of family policy seeks to alter the behaviors of individuals, families and
entities in a manner deemed proper or preferred by society? (comp 5) - Answer-
Regulatory
Which of the following policies changed the structure of public assistance for poor
families by replacing guaranteed support with time-limited support? (comp 5) - Answer-
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PWRORA).
Jerry Fletcher believes that there are a handful of critical people that control the policies
that dictate the actions of society. Which of the following best describes Jerry's position?
(comp 5) - Answer-Elite Power Theory.
In 2013, the Violence Against Women Act was expanded to include specific protections
for Native American women. Which policy making approach would this change appear
to follow? (comp 5) - Answer-Incrementalism in policy making.
According to most textbooks on social work practice, social workers accomplish the
engagement component of the helping process by which of the following activities?
(comp 6) - Answer-Making warm introductions, using encouraging non-verbal
communication.
During the active listening phase of an initial assessment, a client presents her problem
as "too much stress and not enough time to get everything done." As the client
elaborates on the sources of stress, which is the best approach/response for you, the
therapist, to make in building therapeutic alliance? (comp 6) - Answer-Establish eye
contact, nod your head, and provide brief reiteration of what the client has stated.
Alma, a 74 year old active senior, is facing retirement and has concerns about how she
will adapt to this change because she has worked ever since she was a teenager. What
do you address in your first treatment plan? (comp 6) - Answer-Life cycle transition.
Eduardo is a 21 year old veteran who was involved in a training accident which nearly
claimed his life and left him in intensive care for two months followed by three months of
physical rehabilitation. What is your FIRST intervention strategy? (comp 6) - Answer-
Facilitate him telling his story and personal experience.
, A social worker employed with a public school system makes an initial home visit with a
16 year old female client at the request of the client's probation officer. Before the social
worker begins the assessment of the client and home situation, the client says "I don't
have to tell you anything, and I won't tell you anything." To facilitate the client's
participation, what should the social worker explain to the client FIRST? (comp 6) -
Answer-Clients have control of their own information.
A hospital social worker interviews a couple whose infant has recently been hospitalized
for cystic fibrosis. The social worker notices that the parents are reluctant to touch the
child. Based on this observation, what should be the social worker's FIRST
intervention? (comp 6) - Answer-Have the parents talk about their reactions to the
child's illness.
A social worker meets with a father who becomes angry when his two year old son soils
or wets his pants. The father's usual response to this behavior is to yell at the child,
telling him to "grow up". What should the social worker explore with the father FIRST?
(comp 6) - Answer-An unrealistic perception of child development.
Bernice H. is a family social worker. The divorced mother of the family with whom she is
working says, "I am going to make my daughter leave the house. She doesn't follow my
rules or listen to anything I say. I am over it! She can go live with her father!" Which of
the following responses would demonstrate the highest level of empathy from Bernice
H. ? (comp 6) - Answer-"It sounds like you feel angry and hurt that your daughter isn't
listening to you."
Kevin G. is a group therapist meeting a new group for their initial session. As part of the
introductions, some of the group members ask him to disclose more personal
information about himself. What would be the best approach for Kevin G. to take in
response to that request? (comp 6) - Answer-Disclose his reactions to what is going on
in the group but be careful to maintain professional boundaries.
A social worker is providing disaster relief services to families following extensive loss of
lives and property due to flooding in their area. What is the MOST important thing for
the social worker to help the families understand? (comp 6) - Answer-That persons
involved in a crisis will try to achieve a degree of equilibrium.
As part of the social work process, how is assessment BEST described? (comp 7) -
Answer-As a continuing process throughout the course of intervention.
A client with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is verbalizing destructive
thoughts directed at herself. While she does admit to depression, she denies any
intention to act on the thoughts. What should the social worker do FIRST? (comp 7) -
Answer-Complete a suicide risk assessment.
"I feel so incompetent when preparing for the exam," is an example of which of the
typical distortions in thinking listed below? (comp 7) - Answer-Emotional reasoning.
