ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
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 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
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.
2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and
experience in delivering
,ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
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
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.
3. 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
,ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, and relapse - - -
correct answer ✅D
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.
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 values and
principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas - - -
correct answer ✅D
A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice
to identify whether new issues or dilemmas arise.
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
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
D. Delusion - - -
correct answer ✅D
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.
6. 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
and Answers
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 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
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.
2. Evidence-based social work practice can BEST be defined as:
A. Interventions that a social worker has gained training and
experience in delivering
,ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
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
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.
3. 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
,ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
D. Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action,
maintenance, and relapse - - -
correct answer ✅D
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.
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 values and
principles
D. Asking a supervisor to monitor practice to identify new ethical
issues or dilemmas - - -
correct answer ✅D
A social worker, not his or her supervisor, should monitor practice
to identify whether new issues or dilemmas arise.
, ASWB Complete Practice Exam Questions
and Answers
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
D. Delusion - - -
correct answer ✅D
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.
6. 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
