EPPP CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY EXAM | 2025/2026
Actual ASPPB Licensing Exam with Complete Questions & Verified Answers | Clinical
Psychology Focus
Overview
This 2025/2026 updated resource contains the actual Examination for Professional Practice
in Psychology (EPPP) Clinical Psychology exam with complete questions and verified
answers, following current Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
standards for clinical practice licensure.
Key Features
✓ Actual ASPPB EPPP clinical psychology exam format and content
✓ Complete coverage of DSM-5-TR and emerging diagnostic systems
✓ Evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies
✓ Updated 2025/2026 clinical practice guidelines
✓ Integrated healthcare and interdisciplinary collaboration scenarios
Core Content Areas
• Psychopathology & Differential Diagnosis (25 Qs)
• Psychological Assessment & Testing (20 Qs)
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (20 Qs)
• Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology (15 Qs)
• Human Development Across the Lifespan (10 Qs)
• Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine (10 Qs)
Answer Format
Correct answers are marked in bold green and include:
• Specific DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria citations
• Evidence-based treatment guidelines (APA, NICE, etc.)
• Statistical and psychometric principles for assessment interpretation
• Cultural and contextual factors in clinical practice
Updates for 2025/2026
Reflects 2025 DSM-5-TR text revisions and updates
Incorporates ICD-11 integration for diagnosis
Updated guidelines for telehealth assessment and therapy
New evidence on trauma-informed care and PTSD treatments
Revised standards for psychological testing in digital formats
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY & DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS (Questions 1–25)
1. A 28-year-old presents with 6 weeks of depressed mood, anhedonia, hypersomnia,
and 8-lb weight gain. Symptoms began after seasonal daylight reduction. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
a) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate
, b) Bipolar II Disorder, current episode depressed
c) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
d) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood
a) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate
Rationale: Meets 5 criteria >2 weeks; specifier “with seasonal pattern” applies only
after 2 consecutive years.
2. Under DSM-5-TR, the minimum duration of persistent depressed mood for
Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia) in adults is:
a) 6 months
b) 1 year
c) 2 years
d) 5 years
c) 2 years
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Section 300.4; no more than 2 months symptom-free.
3. A patient reports weekly cocaine use despite worsening asthma. This presentation
best illustrates:
a) Substance Use Disorder, moderate
b) Substance Use Disorder, severe
c) Substance-Induced Disorder
d) Mild SUD
b) Substance Use Disorder, severe
Rationale: 4–11 criteria; continued use despite physical hazard = severe.
4. First-line differential for acute onset auditory hallucinations in a 19-year-old male
with dilated pupils, tachycardia, and agitation is:
a) Brief Psychotic Disorder
b) Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder
c) Stimulant-Induced Psychotic Disorder
d) Schizophreniform Disorder
c) Stimulant-Induced Psychotic Disorder
Rationale: Sympathomimetic toxidrome; symptoms resolve within 1 month of
cessation.
5. DSM-5-TR added which specifier for PTSD in 2025 text revision?
a) With prominent dissociative (depersonalization) symptoms
b) With dissociative symptoms (D-PTSD)
c) With delayed expression
d) With prolonged grief
b) With dissociative symptoms (D-PTSD)
Rationale: Replaces former depersonalization/derealization sub-type.
6. Illness Anxiety Disorder requires preoccupation with having a serious illness for at
least:
a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
d) 12 months
c) 6 months
Rationale: DSM-5-TR; no or mild somatic symptoms.
7. A child shows repetitive hair-pulling resulting in patches; denies tension relief. Most
likely diagnosis:
, a) Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
b) Stereotypic Movement Disorder
c) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
d) Adjustment Disorder
a) Trichotillomania
Rationale: Criterion B (tension) optional in updated text; patches satisfy damage.
8. Panic Disorder minimum number of panic attacks required for diagnosis is:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 6
a) 1
Rationale: At least 1 attack followed by ≥1 month of persistent worry or behavioral
change.
9. Which symptom is NOT counted toward Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-5-TR
criteria?
a) Transient stress-related paranoid ideation
b) Chronic feelings of emptiness
c) Recurrent suicidal behavior
d) Hypomanic episodes
d) Hypomanic episodes
Rationale: Hypomania excludes rule for BPD; belongs to bipolar spectrum.
10. Adult ADHD requires evidence of symptoms before age:
a) 7
b) 12
c) 16
d) 18
b) 12
Rationale: DSM-5-TR lowered from 7 to 12 for adult diagnosis.
11. The core feature of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is:
a) Disturbed body image
b) Fear of weight gain
c) Significant nutritional deficiency without body-image disturbance
d) Binge-eating episodes
c) Significant nutritional deficiency without body-image disturbance
Rationale: Distinguishes from anorexia nervosa.
12. Dissociative Identity Disorder requires at least:
a) 1 alter
b) 2 alters
c) 3 alters
d) No minimum number
b) 2 alters
Rationale: Disruption of identity characterized by ≥2 distinct personality states.
13. Which specifier was added to Generalized Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5-TR?
a) With panic attacks
b) With suicidal ideation
c) With depressive features
d) None new
Actual ASPPB Licensing Exam with Complete Questions & Verified Answers | Clinical
Psychology Focus
Overview
This 2025/2026 updated resource contains the actual Examination for Professional Practice
in Psychology (EPPP) Clinical Psychology exam with complete questions and verified
answers, following current Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
standards for clinical practice licensure.
Key Features
✓ Actual ASPPB EPPP clinical psychology exam format and content
✓ Complete coverage of DSM-5-TR and emerging diagnostic systems
✓ Evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies
✓ Updated 2025/2026 clinical practice guidelines
✓ Integrated healthcare and interdisciplinary collaboration scenarios
Core Content Areas
• Psychopathology & Differential Diagnosis (25 Qs)
• Psychological Assessment & Testing (20 Qs)
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (20 Qs)
• Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology (15 Qs)
• Human Development Across the Lifespan (10 Qs)
• Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine (10 Qs)
Answer Format
Correct answers are marked in bold green and include:
• Specific DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria citations
• Evidence-based treatment guidelines (APA, NICE, etc.)
• Statistical and psychometric principles for assessment interpretation
• Cultural and contextual factors in clinical practice
Updates for 2025/2026
Reflects 2025 DSM-5-TR text revisions and updates
Incorporates ICD-11 integration for diagnosis
Updated guidelines for telehealth assessment and therapy
New evidence on trauma-informed care and PTSD treatments
Revised standards for psychological testing in digital formats
PSYCHOPATHOLOGY & DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS (Questions 1–25)
1. A 28-year-old presents with 6 weeks of depressed mood, anhedonia, hypersomnia,
and 8-lb weight gain. Symptoms began after seasonal daylight reduction. Which
diagnosis is most appropriate?
a) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate
, b) Bipolar II Disorder, current episode depressed
c) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
d) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood
a) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate
Rationale: Meets 5 criteria >2 weeks; specifier “with seasonal pattern” applies only
after 2 consecutive years.
2. Under DSM-5-TR, the minimum duration of persistent depressed mood for
Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia) in adults is:
a) 6 months
b) 1 year
c) 2 years
d) 5 years
c) 2 years
Rationale: DSM-5-TR Section 300.4; no more than 2 months symptom-free.
3. A patient reports weekly cocaine use despite worsening asthma. This presentation
best illustrates:
a) Substance Use Disorder, moderate
b) Substance Use Disorder, severe
c) Substance-Induced Disorder
d) Mild SUD
b) Substance Use Disorder, severe
Rationale: 4–11 criteria; continued use despite physical hazard = severe.
4. First-line differential for acute onset auditory hallucinations in a 19-year-old male
with dilated pupils, tachycardia, and agitation is:
a) Brief Psychotic Disorder
b) Cannabis-Induced Psychotic Disorder
c) Stimulant-Induced Psychotic Disorder
d) Schizophreniform Disorder
c) Stimulant-Induced Psychotic Disorder
Rationale: Sympathomimetic toxidrome; symptoms resolve within 1 month of
cessation.
5. DSM-5-TR added which specifier for PTSD in 2025 text revision?
a) With prominent dissociative (depersonalization) symptoms
b) With dissociative symptoms (D-PTSD)
c) With delayed expression
d) With prolonged grief
b) With dissociative symptoms (D-PTSD)
Rationale: Replaces former depersonalization/derealization sub-type.
6. Illness Anxiety Disorder requires preoccupation with having a serious illness for at
least:
a) 1 month
b) 3 months
c) 6 months
d) 12 months
c) 6 months
Rationale: DSM-5-TR; no or mild somatic symptoms.
7. A child shows repetitive hair-pulling resulting in patches; denies tension relief. Most
likely diagnosis:
, a) Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
b) Stereotypic Movement Disorder
c) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
d) Adjustment Disorder
a) Trichotillomania
Rationale: Criterion B (tension) optional in updated text; patches satisfy damage.
8. Panic Disorder minimum number of panic attacks required for diagnosis is:
a) 1
b) 2
c) 4
d) 6
a) 1
Rationale: At least 1 attack followed by ≥1 month of persistent worry or behavioral
change.
9. Which symptom is NOT counted toward Borderline Personality Disorder DSM-5-TR
criteria?
a) Transient stress-related paranoid ideation
b) Chronic feelings of emptiness
c) Recurrent suicidal behavior
d) Hypomanic episodes
d) Hypomanic episodes
Rationale: Hypomania excludes rule for BPD; belongs to bipolar spectrum.
10. Adult ADHD requires evidence of symptoms before age:
a) 7
b) 12
c) 16
d) 18
b) 12
Rationale: DSM-5-TR lowered from 7 to 12 for adult diagnosis.
11. The core feature of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is:
a) Disturbed body image
b) Fear of weight gain
c) Significant nutritional deficiency without body-image disturbance
d) Binge-eating episodes
c) Significant nutritional deficiency without body-image disturbance
Rationale: Distinguishes from anorexia nervosa.
12. Dissociative Identity Disorder requires at least:
a) 1 alter
b) 2 alters
c) 3 alters
d) No minimum number
b) 2 alters
Rationale: Disruption of identity characterized by ≥2 distinct personality states.
13. Which specifier was added to Generalized Anxiety Disorder in DSM-5-TR?
a) With panic attacks
b) With suicidal ideation
c) With depressive features
d) None new
