PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION EXAM PRACTICE TEST 2026-
2027: 200 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS,
DETAILED RATIONALES, AND FULL COVERAGE OF SAMHSA'S 8
DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS, CULTURAL HUMILITY PRINCIPLES,
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING OARS TOOLS, TRAUMA-INFORMED
APPROACHES, STAGES OF RECOVERY, AND PERSON-CENTERED CARE
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
according to SAMHSA?
A) Emotional
B) Financial
C) Recreational
D) Environmental
Correct Answer: C) Recreational
Rationale: The 8 Dimensions of Wellness according to SAMHSA are
Emotional, Financial, Social, Spiritual, Occupational, Physical,
Intellectual, and Environmental. Recreational is not listed as one of the
eight dimensions.
2. What is the first principle of Cultural Humility?
A) Institutional accountability and mutually respectful partnership
based on trust
B) Lifelong commitment to learning and critical self-reflection
,C) Desire to fix power imbalances within provider-client dynamic
D) Recognizing cultural differences in all interactions
Correct Answer: B) Lifelong commitment to learning and critical self-
reflection
Rationale: The first principle of Cultural Humility is a lifelong
commitment to learning and critical self-reflection. This involves
continuously examining one's own biases and assumptions while
remaining open to learning from others.
3. In Motivational Interviewing, what does the "O" in OARS stand for?
A) Observations
B) Open-ended questions
C) Options
D) Outcomes
Correct Answer: B) Open-ended questions
Rationale: In the OARS tools of Motivational Interviewing, "O" stands
for Open-ended questions, which invite individuals to share their story
in their own words without leading them in a specific direction.
4. What are co-occurring disorders?
A) Two or more mental health conditions diagnosed simultaneously
B) Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same time, such as mental
health and substance use disorders
C) Physical and mental health conditions occurring together
D) Genetic disorders that appear together in families
,Correct Answer: B) Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same
time, such as mental health and substance use disorders
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, refer to
the presence of two or more disorders simultaneously. The most
common example is having both a mental health disorder and a
substance use disorder at the same time.
5. According to the recovery process stages, which stage is
characterized by "Making change"?
A) Preparation
B) Contemplation
C) Action
D) Maintenance
Correct Answer: C) Action
Rationale: In the five stages of the recovery process, the Action stage is
where individuals are actively "Making change." This follows the
Preparation stage (Ready) and precedes the Maintenance stage
(Keeping up change).
6. What is the "A" in the OARS tools of Motivational Interviewing?
A) Assessment
B) Approval
C) Affirmations
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: C) Affirmations
, Rationale: In Motivational Interviewing's OARS tools, "A" stands for
Affirmations, which are statements and gestures that recognize a
person's strengths and acknowledge behaviors that lead toward
positive change, regardless of how large or small those changes may be.
7. Which dimension of wellness involves finding purpose and meaning
in life?
A) Emotional
B) Social
C) Spiritual
D) Environmental
Correct Answer: C) Spiritual
Rationale: The Spiritual dimension of wellness involves finding purpose,
meaning, and value in life. It includes having a sense of connection to
something greater than oneself and living according to personal values.
8. How should Peer Support Specialists approach trauma according to
trauma-informed peer approaches?
A) Only address trauma if the person specifically mentions it
B) Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on some level and
use a trauma-informed approach with everyone
C) Focus only on current symptoms rather than past experiences
D) Refer all trauma-related discussions to licensed therapists
Correct Answer: B) Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on
some level and use a trauma-informed approach with everyone
2027: 200 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS,
DETAILED RATIONALES, AND FULL COVERAGE OF SAMHSA'S 8
DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS, CULTURAL HUMILITY PRINCIPLES,
MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING OARS TOOLS, TRAUMA-INFORMED
APPROACHES, STAGES OF RECOVERY, AND PERSON-CENTERED CARE
1. Which of the following is NOT one of the 8 Dimensions of Wellness
according to SAMHSA?
A) Emotional
B) Financial
C) Recreational
D) Environmental
Correct Answer: C) Recreational
Rationale: The 8 Dimensions of Wellness according to SAMHSA are
Emotional, Financial, Social, Spiritual, Occupational, Physical,
Intellectual, and Environmental. Recreational is not listed as one of the
eight dimensions.
2. What is the first principle of Cultural Humility?
A) Institutional accountability and mutually respectful partnership
based on trust
B) Lifelong commitment to learning and critical self-reflection
,C) Desire to fix power imbalances within provider-client dynamic
D) Recognizing cultural differences in all interactions
Correct Answer: B) Lifelong commitment to learning and critical self-
reflection
Rationale: The first principle of Cultural Humility is a lifelong
commitment to learning and critical self-reflection. This involves
continuously examining one's own biases and assumptions while
remaining open to learning from others.
3. In Motivational Interviewing, what does the "O" in OARS stand for?
A) Observations
B) Open-ended questions
C) Options
D) Outcomes
Correct Answer: B) Open-ended questions
Rationale: In the OARS tools of Motivational Interviewing, "O" stands
for Open-ended questions, which invite individuals to share their story
in their own words without leading them in a specific direction.
4. What are co-occurring disorders?
A) Two or more mental health conditions diagnosed simultaneously
B) Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same time, such as mental
health and substance use disorders
C) Physical and mental health conditions occurring together
D) Genetic disorders that appear together in families
,Correct Answer: B) Diagnosis of two or more disorders at the same
time, such as mental health and substance use disorders
Rationale: Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, refer to
the presence of two or more disorders simultaneously. The most
common example is having both a mental health disorder and a
substance use disorder at the same time.
5. According to the recovery process stages, which stage is
characterized by "Making change"?
A) Preparation
B) Contemplation
C) Action
D) Maintenance
Correct Answer: C) Action
Rationale: In the five stages of the recovery process, the Action stage is
where individuals are actively "Making change." This follows the
Preparation stage (Ready) and precedes the Maintenance stage
(Keeping up change).
6. What is the "A" in the OARS tools of Motivational Interviewing?
A) Assessment
B) Approval
C) Affirmations
D) Acceptance
Correct Answer: C) Affirmations
, Rationale: In Motivational Interviewing's OARS tools, "A" stands for
Affirmations, which are statements and gestures that recognize a
person's strengths and acknowledge behaviors that lead toward
positive change, regardless of how large or small those changes may be.
7. Which dimension of wellness involves finding purpose and meaning
in life?
A) Emotional
B) Social
C) Spiritual
D) Environmental
Correct Answer: C) Spiritual
Rationale: The Spiritual dimension of wellness involves finding purpose,
meaning, and value in life. It includes having a sense of connection to
something greater than oneself and living according to personal values.
8. How should Peer Support Specialists approach trauma according to
trauma-informed peer approaches?
A) Only address trauma if the person specifically mentions it
B) Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on some level and
use a trauma-informed approach with everyone
C) Focus only on current symptoms rather than past experiences
D) Refer all trauma-related discussions to licensed therapists
Correct Answer: B) Assume that everyone has experienced trauma on
some level and use a trauma-informed approach with everyone
