ASWB EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
A swker employed by a retirement home is approached by a client for help in
establishing a recycling program in the facility. The swker decides to cohost a meeting
with the client to discuss the idea with other tenets. What is the MOST likely reason for
this approach?
A. Antagonizing administration could be dangerous
B. Legitimizing the residents' concerns may be helpful
C. Helping residents start new relationships is important
D. Sharing leadership is very effective with groups - Answers-D. Sharing leadership with
the residents. The swker is supporting the resident's skill development as well as
promoting positive group dynamics
A social worker is asked to analyze new social welfare policies that will affect the
community. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Examine the likely impact of the policies on the community
B. Research the historical problems that led to the policies
C. Organize a grassroots coalition to discuss the reaction to the policies
D. Look into legal precedents that could potentially mollify the policies - Answers-B.
Research the historical problems that led to the policies. The social worker much first
understand the historical background of the policy before moving to the analysis stage
A social worker is contacted by a client whose initial complaint is depression. The client
reports symptoms of insomnia, headaches, inability to eat, vomiting, and neck aches.
What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed social history on the client
B. Probe for a substance abuse problem
C. Engage the client in establishing goals
D. Ask the client to obtain medical consultation - Answers-D. Ask the client to obtain
medical consultation. There may be an underlying medical issue
During a therapy session, a client reveals to the social worker that she has difficulty
managing her 3 year old child. The client reports that her child ran into traffic and was
nearly hit by a car. What should the social do FIRST?
A. Report the possible neglect to CPS
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
C. Consult with the social work supervisor
D. Refer the client to a parenting class - Answers-B. Work with the client to develop a
safety plan. This is the FIRST action the social worker would take upon learning the
client's concerns
Parents of a 24 month old child report their only concern is that their clid plays alongside
of, but not with, other children. What should the social worker do?
A. Assess for symptoms of developmental delays
, B. Observe the child's play in a group setting
C. Suggest that the parents report their concern at a doctor visit
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age - Answers-D. Reassure
the parents that parallel play is typical at this age. The role of the social worker is to
educate the parents about typical developmental behavior
A social worker is providing marital therapy to a couple. What goal statement is MOST
likely to enhance a couple's motivation?
A. Increase by one-fourth the frequency of positive statements
B. Reduce by one-third the angry exchanges
C. Eliminate all physical altercations
D. Reduce by one-half the amount of shouting - Answers-A. Increase by one-fourth the
frequency of positive statements. Use of positive reinforcement
A social worker is providing therapy to family. The husband and wife have been arguing
constantly for several months and are considering separation. Recently, the oldest child
began acting out in school. With attention focused on the child's problems, the
arguments between the parents have subsided. What concept BEST describes this
family's situation form a systems perspective?
A. Reaction formation
B. Adaptation
C. Triangulation
D. Entropy - Answers-C. Triangulation. It is resulting in lessened parental conflict
A woman who is five months pregnant speaks with a social worker at an adoption
agency to request information. The woman explains that she lives with her sister and
that her sister's boyfriend is threatening to force her out of the home. She says that she
does not feel safe. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Call the police for the woman
B. Develop a safety plan
C. Try to locate housing for the woman
D. Determine the nature of the danger - Answers-D. Determine the nature of the danger.
The social worker needs to assess the situation FIRST
A social worker meets with a new client who is diagnosed with depression. The social
worker observes that the client is ambivalent, non-trusting, and passive. What should
the social worker do NEXT?
A. Focus on directly engaging the client
B. Suggest a talk to improve the client's mood
C. Encourage the client to recall better times
D. Provide information about depression - Answers-A. Focus on directly engaging the
client. This helps to build rapport
A social worker makes a home visit to a family to investigate alleged neglect of one of
the children. The social worker spends the first part of the interview discussing the
A swker employed by a retirement home is approached by a client for help in
establishing a recycling program in the facility. The swker decides to cohost a meeting
with the client to discuss the idea with other tenets. What is the MOST likely reason for
this approach?
A. Antagonizing administration could be dangerous
B. Legitimizing the residents' concerns may be helpful
C. Helping residents start new relationships is important
D. Sharing leadership is very effective with groups - Answers-D. Sharing leadership with
the residents. The swker is supporting the resident's skill development as well as
promoting positive group dynamics
A social worker is asked to analyze new social welfare policies that will affect the
community. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Examine the likely impact of the policies on the community
B. Research the historical problems that led to the policies
C. Organize a grassroots coalition to discuss the reaction to the policies
D. Look into legal precedents that could potentially mollify the policies - Answers-B.
Research the historical problems that led to the policies. The social worker much first
understand the historical background of the policy before moving to the analysis stage
A social worker is contacted by a client whose initial complaint is depression. The client
reports symptoms of insomnia, headaches, inability to eat, vomiting, and neck aches.
What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Obtain a detailed social history on the client
B. Probe for a substance abuse problem
C. Engage the client in establishing goals
D. Ask the client to obtain medical consultation - Answers-D. Ask the client to obtain
medical consultation. There may be an underlying medical issue
During a therapy session, a client reveals to the social worker that she has difficulty
managing her 3 year old child. The client reports that her child ran into traffic and was
nearly hit by a car. What should the social do FIRST?
A. Report the possible neglect to CPS
B. Work with the client to develop a safety plan
C. Consult with the social work supervisor
D. Refer the client to a parenting class - Answers-B. Work with the client to develop a
safety plan. This is the FIRST action the social worker would take upon learning the
client's concerns
Parents of a 24 month old child report their only concern is that their clid plays alongside
of, but not with, other children. What should the social worker do?
A. Assess for symptoms of developmental delays
, B. Observe the child's play in a group setting
C. Suggest that the parents report their concern at a doctor visit
D. Reassure the parents that parallel play is typical at this age - Answers-D. Reassure
the parents that parallel play is typical at this age. The role of the social worker is to
educate the parents about typical developmental behavior
A social worker is providing marital therapy to a couple. What goal statement is MOST
likely to enhance a couple's motivation?
A. Increase by one-fourth the frequency of positive statements
B. Reduce by one-third the angry exchanges
C. Eliminate all physical altercations
D. Reduce by one-half the amount of shouting - Answers-A. Increase by one-fourth the
frequency of positive statements. Use of positive reinforcement
A social worker is providing therapy to family. The husband and wife have been arguing
constantly for several months and are considering separation. Recently, the oldest child
began acting out in school. With attention focused on the child's problems, the
arguments between the parents have subsided. What concept BEST describes this
family's situation form a systems perspective?
A. Reaction formation
B. Adaptation
C. Triangulation
D. Entropy - Answers-C. Triangulation. It is resulting in lessened parental conflict
A woman who is five months pregnant speaks with a social worker at an adoption
agency to request information. The woman explains that she lives with her sister and
that her sister's boyfriend is threatening to force her out of the home. She says that she
does not feel safe. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A. Call the police for the woman
B. Develop a safety plan
C. Try to locate housing for the woman
D. Determine the nature of the danger - Answers-D. Determine the nature of the danger.
The social worker needs to assess the situation FIRST
A social worker meets with a new client who is diagnosed with depression. The social
worker observes that the client is ambivalent, non-trusting, and passive. What should
the social worker do NEXT?
A. Focus on directly engaging the client
B. Suggest a talk to improve the client's mood
C. Encourage the client to recall better times
D. Provide information about depression - Answers-A. Focus on directly engaging the
client. This helps to build rapport
A social worker makes a home visit to a family to investigate alleged neglect of one of
the children. The social worker spends the first part of the interview discussing the
