How to Master The ASWB Exam

Happy Test Week to some, and Preparation Study Time to others. I want to encourage any one who is preparing for the ASWB exam to stay focused on roboustly studying all the content materials and getting yourself connected with an reputable Study Prep Course, as this can really help you along the way.

Please keep in mind that you literally have to study everything that the ASWB has enclosed in the KSAs (which stands for Knowledge, Skills, and Ability). When it comes to the actual test day, you want to be absolutely prepared as you don't know what version of the exam you will get. The ASWB noted that there are four variations of this exam for the Bachelors, Generalist, Advanced, and Clinical. These exams are shuffled regularly, and you could get any one of the mixed bags. So please study all the KSAs. You want to be fully prepared.

When I took My ASWB Practice Exam, I did not know what to expect. However, to my surprise, what I found out was that the majority of the exam WAS BASED ON REASONING SKILLS!! At first I was disappointed because it appeared to be nothing that I studied. But that was far from the truth. What really helped me get through this exam, was taking the ASWB practice exam and reviewing all the test questions and rationales to get an understanding of what I did right and wrong, and to gain an understanding of what the ASWB was looking for in terms of processing and reasoning.

What I learned through that process was that the exam required that I be able to conceptualize, synthesize, and draw inferences when reading the questions. That required a healthy understanding and internalization of the KSAs, and not memorization of the KSAs. I took time to understand and internalize medications, ethics and law, theories, clinical and treatment interventions, problem solving, crisis intervention, developmental stages and life cycle, therapeutic relationships, parenting etc.

Yes the ASWB Practice Test was massive. But, I studied and prepared before taking it. I devised my learning plan around my learning style. I stayed committed to my learning plan because the goal was to be successful on the exam. I spoke positive affirmations, assisted other people along the way, shared any knowledge and information I gained, and stayed focused on why we do what we do as social worker. My confidence increased, and I gained the ability to work through the reasoning questions, for the most part with ease (very little anxiety).

When it came to understanding what frustrated me the most about answering reasoning questions, I realized that I did not understand how to RANK THE ANSWERS CHOICES IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. Seeing the answers, I go frustrated because I knew I could answer them, but I got tied up on the proper way to rank them, in order of importance. In all honesty, I don't think I would have passed the exam if I did not know my KSAs. So, my advice to you:

1. Find a good study system. It could be gathering content related material or participating in a prep program. What ever you do, make sure your information includes the ASWB KSAs.

2. Learn how to read and answer the questions. This skill is learned through active participation with a study group or study partner. Remember there are so many ways you can approach this exam and prepare for it. What’s important is that you find a way that works for you.

3. Stay positive along the way, and remember the exam is not meant to hurt you but to build and establish competent social works that love what they do.

This is just my bit of Advice and my Opinion on how to master the ASWB exam. It's not fact!!!

Now #GoGetWhatsYours there's #ProgressInTheProcess so #DontGiveUp!