MSW Test Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
Define Integrity and Self-Efficacy. How do each of these apply to social service? -
✔✔Integrity is being honest and truthful. Social workers must adhere to a moral code
and must uphold morality. Self-Efficacy is believing in yourself and your abilities to
handle task or challenges. This is important for Social workers to be able to encourage
clients of their abilities.
What are the steps to ethical decision-making according to Sandler (1986)? What
questions do you ask in "Evaluate your own course of action"? - ✔✔The steps to ethical
decision-making according to Sandler are to identify the problem, apply the code of
ethics, determine the nature and dimension of the dilemma, generate the potential plan
of action, consider all consequences and choose a plan, assess the plan, and implement
the plan and course of action. The questions you ask in "evaluate your own course of
action" are: Would you treat others the same way in the same situation? Would you
want it in the press? Would you recommend this to someone in the same situation?
What is a group leader supposed to leave time for when leading a therapeutic group? -
✔✔Leave enough time for clients to express any kind of emotions or feelings that might
come up during the group.
What three things should you include in informed consent in a group setting? How
should it be presented? - ✔✔Purpose and nature of the group, confidentiality and
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,privacy and rights and responsibilities. Handouts given to participants and read
allowed after doing so signature that it has been done. Possible risks and benefits
What essential knowledge and information should a social worker have BEFORE
conducting a screening/assessment for clients with co-occurring disorders? - ✔✔is
important for the social worker to know about the common mental health disorders and
their symptoms. It is also important for the social worker to know about the most
common substance abuse disorders and their symptoms. It is important to know about
both of these so you can examine the overlap of symptoms.
How would you let a client know they were not chosen to be part of a group you are
going to lead? - ✔✔I would be clear, direct, honest, and let them know the reasoning if
applicable. I would be sure to remain professional and kind. Then I would be sure to
give them resources and alternatives to encourage them to stay engaged.
Should you ever diagnose a client you've not met with? - ✔✔No, You can not ethically
make that diagnosis without an assessment.
Are social workers called to political activism? Why or why not? - ✔✔Yes social
workers are called to political activism. Because they have an additional professional
responsibility to engage in political activism. This stems from the NASW code of ethics,
it calls for social workers to advocate and challenge social injustice. Political activism is
one way of doing those things.
Define authenticity in the therapeutic relationship - ✔✔Showing the client that you are
genuine and sincere and openly expressing your feelings.
Under what circumstances is it okay to email a client - ✔✔Email between a client and
social worker should only be used to speak about treatment related purposes only. The
client should be made aware of the risks that come alone with electronic
communication as well.
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What are the 4 emerging stages of practicum? Which stage addresses view of emerging
self/ethics? - ✔✔The 4 stages areAnticipation, Exploration, competence and
culmination. Competence is the stage that addresses emerging self/ethics
What is the paramount value in Dolgoff et al's (2012) seven-level hierarchical Ethical
Principles Screen? - ✔✔Protection of human life
What three things are included in "duty to respect privacy"? - ✔✔symbolic privacy,
bodily privacy, and physical space
What does harm reduction in substance use treatment aim to balance? - ✔✔Harm
reduction in substance use treatment aims to balance the reduction of negative
consequences associated with drug use
How do you work with other professionals to collaborate while intervening with
someone experiencing addiction? - ✔✔Interdisciplinary teams (meeting regularly)
should be used to include all professionals working with the client to share information
and help decide what the best course of action would be that would benefit the client.
Role clarity: making sure all members know their responsibilities. Using a client-
centered approach to make sure they are actively involved in their treatment plans and
that the plan is holistic
How would you handle a group member sharing information discussed in the group by
another member? - ✔✔I would let them know that this is breaking confidentiality and
this is a very serious offense. Would need to talk to the client who broke confidentiality.
Depending on the policy if there was one and it was discussed I would take action per
policy for breaking confidentiality.
What three things do ethical leaders make choices based on? - ✔✔based on the study of
those beliefs, assumptions, principles, and values
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
Answers 100% Pass
Define Integrity and Self-Efficacy. How do each of these apply to social service? -
✔✔Integrity is being honest and truthful. Social workers must adhere to a moral code
and must uphold morality. Self-Efficacy is believing in yourself and your abilities to
handle task or challenges. This is important for Social workers to be able to encourage
clients of their abilities.
What are the steps to ethical decision-making according to Sandler (1986)? What
questions do you ask in "Evaluate your own course of action"? - ✔✔The steps to ethical
decision-making according to Sandler are to identify the problem, apply the code of
ethics, determine the nature and dimension of the dilemma, generate the potential plan
of action, consider all consequences and choose a plan, assess the plan, and implement
the plan and course of action. The questions you ask in "evaluate your own course of
action" are: Would you treat others the same way in the same situation? Would you
want it in the press? Would you recommend this to someone in the same situation?
What is a group leader supposed to leave time for when leading a therapeutic group? -
✔✔Leave enough time for clients to express any kind of emotions or feelings that might
come up during the group.
What three things should you include in informed consent in a group setting? How
should it be presented? - ✔✔Purpose and nature of the group, confidentiality and
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,privacy and rights and responsibilities. Handouts given to participants and read
allowed after doing so signature that it has been done. Possible risks and benefits
What essential knowledge and information should a social worker have BEFORE
conducting a screening/assessment for clients with co-occurring disorders? - ✔✔is
important for the social worker to know about the common mental health disorders and
their symptoms. It is also important for the social worker to know about the most
common substance abuse disorders and their symptoms. It is important to know about
both of these so you can examine the overlap of symptoms.
How would you let a client know they were not chosen to be part of a group you are
going to lead? - ✔✔I would be clear, direct, honest, and let them know the reasoning if
applicable. I would be sure to remain professional and kind. Then I would be sure to
give them resources and alternatives to encourage them to stay engaged.
Should you ever diagnose a client you've not met with? - ✔✔No, You can not ethically
make that diagnosis without an assessment.
Are social workers called to political activism? Why or why not? - ✔✔Yes social
workers are called to political activism. Because they have an additional professional
responsibility to engage in political activism. This stems from the NASW code of ethics,
it calls for social workers to advocate and challenge social injustice. Political activism is
one way of doing those things.
Define authenticity in the therapeutic relationship - ✔✔Showing the client that you are
genuine and sincere and openly expressing your feelings.
Under what circumstances is it okay to email a client - ✔✔Email between a client and
social worker should only be used to speak about treatment related purposes only. The
client should be made aware of the risks that come alone with electronic
communication as well.
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, What are the 4 emerging stages of practicum? Which stage addresses view of emerging
self/ethics? - ✔✔The 4 stages areAnticipation, Exploration, competence and
culmination. Competence is the stage that addresses emerging self/ethics
What is the paramount value in Dolgoff et al's (2012) seven-level hierarchical Ethical
Principles Screen? - ✔✔Protection of human life
What three things are included in "duty to respect privacy"? - ✔✔symbolic privacy,
bodily privacy, and physical space
What does harm reduction in substance use treatment aim to balance? - ✔✔Harm
reduction in substance use treatment aims to balance the reduction of negative
consequences associated with drug use
How do you work with other professionals to collaborate while intervening with
someone experiencing addiction? - ✔✔Interdisciplinary teams (meeting regularly)
should be used to include all professionals working with the client to share information
and help decide what the best course of action would be that would benefit the client.
Role clarity: making sure all members know their responsibilities. Using a client-
centered approach to make sure they are actively involved in their treatment plans and
that the plan is holistic
How would you handle a group member sharing information discussed in the group by
another member? - ✔✔I would let them know that this is breaking confidentiality and
this is a very serious offense. Would need to talk to the client who broke confidentiality.
Depending on the policy if there was one and it was discussed I would take action per
policy for breaking confidentiality.
What three things do ethical leaders make choices based on? - ✔✔based on the study of
those beliefs, assumptions, principles, and values
© EMILY CHARLENE YEAR 2025-2026, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
