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All reading is not created equal! There’s a big difference between active and passive reading, and taking an active approach in your ASWB exam studies can improve how much you remember and how well you apply it on test day.
This guide explains the difference between active and passive reading, how to apply active reading before, during, and after you study, and how the same skills help you read ASWB question stems more carefully.
Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped more than 100,000 Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you next!
Quick answer: active reading for ASWB exam prep
- Active reading means reading with a purpose and questions in mind, taking notes, and checking your understanding.
- Passive reading means reading the words without engaging, such as rereading or highlighting without thinking.
- Before: set a purpose, preview, and write questions.
- During: pause to check understanding and take notes in your own words.
- After: summarize from memory and answer practice questions.
- On the exam: read each stem actively to find what’s really being asked.
Jump to: Active vs. Passive · Applying It · Tips · On the Exam · Practice Questions · FAQs
1) Active vs. Passive Reading
| Active Reading | Passive Reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Reading with a goal and questions in mind | Reading without a clear purpose |
| Engagement | Annotating, taking notes, and checking understanding | Skimming the words, rereading, or highlighting without reflecting |
| Result | Better comprehension and retention | Little retained, and more rereading needed |
Agents of Change packages include video and audio lessons, hundreds of practice questions, a personalized study plan, and 2 live study groups each month so you’ll be ready for test day!
2) Applying Active Reading Strategies to Exam Prep
| Stage | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Before you read | Set a purpose. Preview headings, key terms, and summaries. Write down questions you want to answer, such as “When would a Social Worker use this model?” |
| While you read | Adjust your pace to the material. Pause after each section to check your understanding. Take brief notes in your own words. |
| After you read | Close the book and summarize what you learned from memory. Answer your questions, then test yourself with practice questions or flashcards. |
A classic method that puts this into practice is SQ3R: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.
Benefits of Active Reading
- Stronger retention, especially when you recall information from memory
- Fewer rereads
- Better comprehension of why concepts matter, not just what they are
- Less overwhelm, since studying feels more purposeful
3) Active Reading Tips
| Tip | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Don’t rush | If something is unclear, write a question and reread that section before moving on. |
| Keep notes concise | Aim for brief notes that capture key ideas, rather than copying the text. One page for every 20 pages of reading is a rough guideline. |
| Visualize | Picture what the text describes, or sketch a diagram or timeline. Pairing words with images helps memory for most people. |
| Connect the dots | Link new material to what you already know, such as connecting a theory to a client situation you’ve seen. |
| Summarize | Explain what you just read in a few sentences, without looking. |
| Evaluate | What’s clear and what’s confusing? Write down questions to bring to a study group. |
A personalized study plan can help you build active reading and review into each study session.
4) Active Reading on the ASWB Exam
Active reading isn’t just a study skill. It’s also how you should read each question on test day:
- Read the last sentence first to see what’s being asked.
- Underline mentally the qualifiers, like FIRST, NEXT, BEST, or MOST.
- Notice key details, such as the setting, the stage of work, and the client’s own words.
- Stick to the information given rather than adding assumptions.
Learn more about how to analyze an ASWB question stem and use our six-step answer strategy.
5) Practice Questions
Question 1: A hospital Social Worker meets with a client who recently lost their job. The client says, “I can’t believe this happened. I gave everything to that company, and now I feel worthless. My partner has been supportive, but I just keep thinking I failed.” Which should the Social Worker recognize as the client’s PRIMARY concern?
A) Conflict with their partner
B) Struggling with feelings of self-worth after the job loss
C) Finding immediate employment
D) Denial about losing the job
Correct Answer: B) Struggling with feelings of self-worth after the job loss
Rationale: Active reading means attending to the client’s exact words and the emotions behind them. The client says they feel “worthless” and describes the loss as personal failure, pointing to self-worth. The partner is described as supportive, the client doesn’t mention a job search, and acknowledging the loss shows the client isn’t in denial. Statements like “worthless” also signal the need to assess for depression and safety.
Question 2: A client says, “Things at home are fine, I guess. My kids keep me busy, and my husband works late most nights.” What should the Social Worker do NEXT?
A) Accept that things at home are fine and move on
B) Gently explore what the client means by “fine, I guess”
C) Recommend couples counseling
Correct Answer: B) Gently explore what the client means by “fine, I guess”
Rationale: Careful listening, like active reading, picks up on hesitation. Exploring the client’s words before assuming or recommending services is the best next step.
Question 3: A Social Worker is reviewing a referral that says a teenager has “behavioral problems at school.” What should the Social Worker do FIRST?
A) Develop a behavior plan based on the referral
B) Assess the student to understand the specific behaviors and their context
C) Recommend the student be evaluated for ADHD
Correct Answer: B) Assess the student to understand the specific behaviors and their context
Rationale: A referral summary is a starting point, not a full picture. Assessing the specific behaviors and context comes before planning or recommending evaluations.
Want more practice? Start with our free ASWB practice questions.
6) FAQs: Active Reading for the ASWB Exam
Is highlighting a good study strategy?
Highlighting on its own is mostly passive. It’s more effective when paired with active steps, like writing a summary in your own words or turning highlighted points into practice questions.
How much time should I spend reading vs. doing practice questions?
Use reading to build your understanding, then spend plenty of time on practice questions and reviewing rationales. Testing yourself is one of the most effective ways to strengthen memory and prepare for exam-style questions.
Does active reading help on the actual exam?
Yes. The same habits of reading with purpose, noticing key details, and checking your understanding help you identify what each question is asking and avoid misreading qualifiers.
7) Conclusion
Active reading turns study time into real learning. Read with a purpose, take notes in your own words, test yourself afterward, and bring the same careful reading to every ASWB question stem. You’ll retain more and feel more confident on test day.
► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com
About the Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 11 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!
Find more from Agents of Change here:
► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep
► Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agents-of-change-sw
Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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► Learn more about the course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com/
About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over five years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!
Find more from Agents of Change here:
► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep
► Podcast: https://anchor.fm/agents-of-change-sw
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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
