ASWB Practice Exam Questions and
Answers
1. 1. Which of the following is NOT true about motivation to change?
A. Motivation fluctuates from one time to another.
B. Motivation can be increased by working to remove barriers to
change
C. Motivation is driven by hope of the belief that life can be
different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient
than that which is intrinsic: D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more
salient than that which is intrinsic
Motivation is a state of readiness or eagerness to change, which fluctuates from one time to another.
The role of the social worker is to create an atmosphere that is conductive to change and to increase a
client's intrinsic motivation, so that change arises from within rather than being imposed from without.
2. 2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and
experience in delivering
B. Treatment that yields the most cost-effective outcomes
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,according to a cost-benefit analysis.
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and
judicious use of research knowledge, clinical experience, social
work values, and client wishes.
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles.: C. Decision
making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of research knowledge, clinical
experience, social work values, and client wishes.
Evidence based practices combined well-researched interventions with clinical experience and ethics as
well as client preferences and culture, to guide and inform the delivery of treatments and services.
3. 3. What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action,
maintenance, re-lapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation,
maintenance, ac-tion, relapse.
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action,
maintenance, re-
lapse.
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, re-lapse.: D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, relapse.
Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed by contemplation in which there is
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, ambivalence about making change. Then comes preparation or experimenting with small changes.
Action moves toward achieving a goal, whereas maintenance sustains a new behavior and avoids
relapse, which can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
4. 4. Which of the following is NOT an essential step in ethical
problem solving?
A. Identifying the ethical standards that may be compromised
B. Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma.
C. Weighing ethical issues in light of social work vales and principles.
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas.: D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas.
A social worker, not his/her supervisor, should monitor practice to identify whether new issues or
dilemmas arise.
5. 5. A young boy is stopped by a police officer and claims that he
is a member of the armed forces, though it is obvious that he is
not. This assertion by the boy is MOST likely a:
A. Comorbid thought
B. Dissociation
C. Folie à deux
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Answers
1. 1. Which of the following is NOT true about motivation to change?
A. Motivation fluctuates from one time to another.
B. Motivation can be increased by working to remove barriers to
change
C. Motivation is driven by hope of the belief that life can be
different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient
than that which is intrinsic: D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more
salient than that which is intrinsic
Motivation is a state of readiness or eagerness to change, which fluctuates from one time to another.
The role of the social worker is to create an atmosphere that is conductive to change and to increase a
client's intrinsic motivation, so that change arises from within rather than being imposed from without.
2. 2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and
experience in delivering
B. Treatment that yields the most cost-effective outcomes
1/
16
,according to a cost-benefit analysis.
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and
judicious use of research knowledge, clinical experience, social
work values, and client wishes.
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles.: C. Decision
making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of research knowledge, clinical
experience, social work values, and client wishes.
Evidence based practices combined well-researched interventions with clinical experience and ethics as
well as client preferences and culture, to guide and inform the delivery of treatments and services.
3. 3. What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action,
maintenance, re-lapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation,
maintenance, ac-tion, relapse.
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action,
maintenance, re-
lapse.
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, re-lapse.: D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, relapse.
Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed by contemplation in which there is
2/
16
, ambivalence about making change. Then comes preparation or experimenting with small changes.
Action moves toward achieving a goal, whereas maintenance sustains a new behavior and avoids
relapse, which can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
4. 4. Which of the following is NOT an essential step in ethical
problem solving?
A. Identifying the ethical standards that may be compromised
B. Determining whether there is an ethical dilemma.
C. Weighing ethical issues in light of social work vales and principles.
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas.: D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas.
A social worker, not his/her supervisor, should monitor practice to identify whether new issues or
dilemmas arise.
5. 5. A young boy is stopped by a police officer and claims that he
is a member of the armed forces, though it is obvious that he is
not. This assertion by the boy is MOST likely a:
A. Comorbid thought
B. Dissociation
C. Folie à deux
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16
