ASWB Actual Comprehensive Practice Exam
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
(Already Graded A+) | Latest Update 2026/27
Analysis of the Uploaded Document - Social Work Practice Exam
This document is a comprehensive practice exam for a social work licensing or certification
examination, containing 170 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics including
ethics, clinical practice, human development, psychopathology, and professional standards.
Question 1 - 2 marks
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 or the belief that life can be different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which is
intrinsic.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 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 conducive to change and to increase a
client's intrinsic motivation, so that change arises from within rather than being
imposed from without. If a client is driven to change internally, it is much more
likely that the change effort will be sustained. A technique to increase motivation
is to work to remove barriers and instill hope or the belief that life can be
different.
Question 2 - 2 marks
,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 according to a cost-
benefit analysis
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of
research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines 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. Social workers, clients,
and others must work together in order to identify what works, for whom, and
under what conditions. This approach ensures that the treatments and services,
when used as intended, will have the most effective outcomes as demonstrated
by the research.
Question 3 - 2 marks
What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation, maintenance, and
relapse
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed
by contemplation in which there is 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.
Question 4 - 2 marks
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 values and principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or
dilemmas
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice to
identify whether new issues or dilemmas arise. The other options are essential
steps in ethical problem-solving.
Question 5 - 2 marks
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
D. Delusion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a false, fixed belief despite evidence to the contrary (i.e.,
believing something that is not true). Comorbid means existing at the same time.
Dissociation is a change in memory, perception, or consciousness. Folie à deux is a
shared delusion.
, Question 6 - 2 marks
A social work administrator is having trouble finding a group home manager for
a new program scheduled to open in 2 weeks. Further delays in locating staff will
delay clients from moving into the program. The administrator temporarily hires
her niece, who just graduated with a social work degree, for this position. This
action is:
A. Ethical because the niece is clearly qualified for the position
B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest
C. Ethical because the position is temporary and ensures clients get the services
needed
D. Unethical because clients will experience staff turnover when a new manager is
hired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social workers should avoid situations interfering with impartial
judgment. Hiring a family member creates a dual relationship and should be
avoided.
Question 7 - 2 marks
A social worker is interested in seeing the extent to which current clients are
satisfied with a new relapse prevention program. The social worker distributes a
client satisfaction survey to those in the program. The social worker then
collects the surveys and analyzes the results that are presented to a
management team in the agency. The social worker is conducting which type of
evaluation?
A. Summative
B. Experimental
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Formative
Correct Answer: D
Questions and Correct Answers with Rationale |
(Already Graded A+) | Latest Update 2026/27
Analysis of the Uploaded Document - Social Work Practice Exam
This document is a comprehensive practice exam for a social work licensing or certification
examination, containing 170 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics including
ethics, clinical practice, human development, psychopathology, and professional standards.
Question 1 - 2 marks
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 or the belief that life can be different.
D. Motivation that is imposed by external forces is more salient than that which is
intrinsic.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 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 conducive to change and to increase a
client's intrinsic motivation, so that change arises from within rather than being
imposed from without. If a client is driven to change internally, it is much more
likely that the change effort will be sustained. A technique to increase motivation
is to work to remove barriers and instill hope or the belief that life can be
different.
Question 2 - 2 marks
,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 according to a cost-
benefit analysis
C. Decision making based on the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of
research knowledge, clinical expertise, social work values, and client wishes
D. Practice evaluations that adhere to scientific principles
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice (EBP) combines 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. Social workers, clients,
and others must work together in order to identify what works, for whom, and
under what conditions. This approach ensures that the treatments and services,
when used as intended, will have the most effective outcomes as demonstrated
by the research.
Question 3 - 2 marks
What are the stages of change in sequential order?
A. Precontemplation, preparation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
B. Preparation, action, precontemplation, contemplation, maintenance, and
relapse
C. Preparation, precontemplation, contemplation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and
relapse
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Precontemplation is denial or ignorance of the problem. It is followed
by contemplation in which there is 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.
Question 4 - 2 marks
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 values and principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical issues or
dilemmas
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice to
identify whether new issues or dilemmas arise. The other options are essential
steps in ethical problem-solving.
Question 5 - 2 marks
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
D. Delusion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A delusion is a false, fixed belief despite evidence to the contrary (i.e.,
believing something that is not true). Comorbid means existing at the same time.
Dissociation is a change in memory, perception, or consciousness. Folie à deux is a
shared delusion.
, Question 6 - 2 marks
A social work administrator is having trouble finding a group home manager for
a new program scheduled to open in 2 weeks. Further delays in locating staff will
delay clients from moving into the program. The administrator temporarily hires
her niece, who just graduated with a social work degree, for this position. This
action is:
A. Ethical because the niece is clearly qualified for the position
B. Unethical because this is a conflict of interest
C. Ethical because the position is temporary and ensures clients get the services
needed
D. Unethical because clients will experience staff turnover when a new manager is
hired
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Social workers should avoid situations interfering with impartial
judgment. Hiring a family member creates a dual relationship and should be
avoided.
Question 7 - 2 marks
A social worker is interested in seeing the extent to which current clients are
satisfied with a new relapse prevention program. The social worker distributes a
client satisfaction survey to those in the program. The social worker then
collects the surveys and analyzes the results that are presented to a
management team in the agency. The social worker is conducting which type of
evaluation?
A. Summative
B. Experimental
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Formative
Correct Answer: D
