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Okay, let’s face it: studying for the ASWB exam isn’t a walk in the park. There’s a lot of material to cover, there are anxious nights, and oh, those moments when you forget what you just read!
What if the right background sound could make your study sessions a little easier? Enter ASWB study music. Music won’t do the studying for you, but used thoughtfully, it can help some people relax, stay motivated, and settle into a focused routine. If you’re game to learn more, let’s groove!
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: does music help you study for the ASWB exam?
- It depends on you and the task. Music can improve mood and reduce stress for some people, but it can distract others.
- Go instrumental for hard material. Music with lyrics tends to interfere with reading and comprehension.
- Keep it low and steady. Calm, predictable tracks at a low volume are least distracting.
- Practice in silence too. You won’t have music on exam day, so take full-length practice exams in quiet conditions.
Jump to: Why Consider Study Music? · Study Music Options · Making the Most of It · Practice Questions · FAQs
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!
1) Why Even Consider ASWB Exam Study Music?
Pairing study time with music might raise a few eyebrows. You might be wondering, “Why would I drown out my precious study time with tunes?” But bear with us. Here’s what music can (and can’t) do.
The Mozart Effect: Separating Fact from Hype
You’ve probably heard of the “Mozart Effect,” the idea that listening to classical music makes you smarter. The original 1993 study found a small, short-lived boost on a spatial reasoning task after listening to Mozart. Later research has had trouble replicating it, and many researchers think any benefit comes from being in a better mood and more alert, not from Mozart specifically. The takeaway: music won’t make you a genius, but music you enjoy may help you start a study session feeling more energized.
Rhythm and Recall
Ever wondered why you can sing the lyrics of a song you haven’t heard in a decade, but blank on what you read last night? Rhythm and melody can make information easier to remember, which is why songs and jingles stick. You can borrow this trick by turning a list you need to memorize into a short rhyme or chant. That’s different from playing background music, though. Background music doesn’t help you remember the content itself.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Exam prep can be stressful. Calm, relaxing music can help many people feel less stressed and more at ease, which can make it easier to sit down and get started. For more ways to manage nerves, read 5 Strategies To Overcome Test Anxiety During ASWB Exam Preparation.
The Power of Background Sound
Not everyone thrives in pin-drop silence. For some people, steady background sound helps block out other noise and keeps the mind from wandering. Others find any sound distracting. Both are normal, so pay attention to what works for you.
| What Music Can Do | What Music Can’t Do |
|---|---|
| Improve your mood and motivation | Make you smarter or replace studying |
| Help some people feel calmer | Help everyone, since some people focus better in silence |
| Mask distracting background noise | Help with reading-heavy tasks if it has lyrics |
| Make a study routine more enjoyable | Be used during the actual exam |
2) ASWB Study Music: Playlists to Help You Hit Those High Notes
1. Classical: Timeless Sounds for Concentration
Classical music is a favorite for focus. Many pieces are steady and have no lyrics, which makes them easy to study to.
- Piano Sonatas: Soft piano can help keep you centered. Listen on Spotify
- String Quartets: The blend of violin, viola, and cello can be calming and rich. Listen on Spotify
- Symphonies: A full orchestra can create a steady wall of sound to study within. Listen on Spotify
2. Ambient: Modern Beats for Modern Minds
For something more contemporary, ambient music keeps things mellow and usually skips distracting vocals.
- Chillhop: Laid-back, modern background music for long study sessions. Listen on Spotify
- Lo-fi Beats: Repetitive, low-key rhythms that are popular with students. Listen on Spotify
- Gentle Rain Sounds: Soft rain paired with mellow beats. Listen on Spotify
3. Acoustic: Earthy Tunes for the Soulful Scholar
For some, nothing beats the warm sound of acoustic music.
- Guitar Instrumentals: Solo guitar melodies can feel grounding. Listen on Spotify
- Soft Vocals: Light vocals can be comforting, but save these for lighter tasks rather than reading-heavy study. Listen on Spotify
- Earthy Rhythms: Drums, chimes, and natural rhythms. Listen on Spotify
4. Nature Sounds: Let Nature Set the Tone
Many people find nature sounds calming, and they’re great for masking background noise.
- Ocean Waves: The steady rhythm of waves on the shore. Listen on Spotify
- Forest Sounds: Birds chirping and leaves rustling. Listen on Spotify
- Birds Chirping: Just birds, doing their thing. Simple and calming. Listen on Spotify
Prefer another app? Search for terms like “classical piano for studying,” “lo-fi study beats,” or “rain sounds for studying” on any music service. Choose tracks without sudden changes in volume, and download a playlist if you can so you aren’t tempted to keep picking new songs.
3) Making the Most of ASWB Exam Study Music
Before you pop in those earbuds and press play, let’s talk strategy.
| Tip | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| It’s personal | Try a few sessions with music and a few in silence. Notice which ones lead to better focus and better practice question scores. |
| Keep the volume low | Music should be a soft background, not something that demands your attention. |
| Skip lyrics for hard material | Instrumental music is best for reading, rationales, and practice questions. Save music with lyrics for lighter tasks like organizing notes or making flashcards. |
| Avoid dramatic changes | Steady, predictable tracks are less distracting than songs with sudden shifts. |
| Limit other distractions | Put your phone out of reach and set up a comfortable, well-lit study space. |
| Take breaks | Try studying for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break to stretch, breathe, and rest your mind. |
| Track what works | Keep a simple log of what you listened to and how productive your session felt. |
Prepare for a Quiet Exam Day
Here’s the catch: you won’t have music during the ASWB exam. Personal items like phones and earbuds are stored outside the testing room. If you always study with music, the silence of the testing center can feel unfamiliar. Take your full-length, timed practice exams in quiet conditions so exam day feels familiar. Agents of Change offers four full-length, 122-question practice exams that match the new exam format. Learn more about pacing in How to Pace Yourself Through 122 ASWB Exam Questions.
Want help building music and breaks into a realistic routine? Read How to Create an Effective Study Schedule for the ASWB Exam and Creating a Realistic Study Plan When You’re Incredibly Busy.
4) Practice Questions
Try these three questions, which connect music and coping to Social Work practice.
Question 1: A Social Worker in a nursing facility is asked to help with a resident with dementia who becomes agitated most afternoons. What should the Social Worker do FIRST?
A) Assess when the agitation occurs and what may be triggering it
B) Recommend that the resident’s physician prescribe medication
C) Arrange for the resident to listen to calming music each afternoon
Correct Answer: A) Assess when the agitation occurs and what may be triggering it
Rationale: Assessment comes before intervention. Understanding the pattern and triggers of the agitation, such as pain, fatigue, or environmental factors, helps the Social Worker choose an appropriate response. Non-drug approaches like familiar music may help, but only after assessment. Medication isn’t the first step.
Question 2: A teenage client tells a Social Worker that listening to music is what helps them calm down when they’re upset. The Social Worker includes music in the client’s coping plan. This approach BEST reflects:
A) The strengths perspective
B) The medical model
C) Psychodynamic theory
Correct Answer: A) The strengths perspective
Rationale: The strengths perspective builds on the client’s existing skills, interests, and resources. Using a coping strategy the client already finds helpful is a strengths-based approach.
Question 3: A Social Worker measures residents’ anxiety before and after a group music program, with no comparison group. This research design is BEST described as:
A) Pre-experimental
B) True experimental
C) Qualitative
Correct Answer: A) Pre-experimental
Rationale: A one-group pretest-posttest design is pre-experimental. Without a comparison group or random assignment, the Social Worker can’t rule out other explanations for any change. A true experiment requires random assignment to groups, and this study collects numerical data, so it isn’t qualitative.
Want more practice? Start with our free ASWB practice questions. Agents of Change packages include hundreds of practice questions with rationales, four full-length practice exams, and 2 live study groups each month.
5) FAQs: ASWB Exam Study Music
I’ve tried studying with music before and it didn’t work. Should I try again?
Maybe, with a few changes. If you used music with lyrics or played it loudly, try low-volume instrumental music or nature sounds instead. But if you consistently focus better in silence, that’s perfectly fine. Study music is optional, not required.
How long should I listen to music while studying?
Match it to your study sessions. Play your chosen music while you study, and take breaks in silence or with something uplifting. If the music starts to feel more distracting than helpful, turn it off.
I prefer silence when studying. Can music still help?
Yes! Try using calming music during your breaks instead of scrolling on your phone. It can help you relax and recharge before your next session.
Can I listen to music during the ASWB exam?
No. Personal items like phones and earbuds aren’t allowed in the testing room. That’s why it’s important to take some practice exams in quiet conditions.
6) Conclusion
ASWB study music isn’t magic, but it can be a helpful tool. The right music can lift your mood, ease stress, and make study sessions more enjoyable. The key is to choose wisely, keep it low and instrumental for challenging material, notice what actually helps you focus, and practice in quiet conditions before exam day. Find your rhythm, and you’ll be ready to hit all the right notes!
► 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.
