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ASWB Testing With PSI – Early Feedback

ASWB Testing With PSI – Early Feedback

In 2023, we published two blog posts about changes to ASWB exam creation and administration starting in January 2024.

In these posts, we highlighted the major near-term and long-term changes to the ASWB exam shared by both organizations and how you can best prepare for the changes.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

1) What Were the Changes to the ASWB Exam and When Did They Happen?

  1. January 2024: PSI Replaced Pearson as the Exam Administrator
  2. Later 2024: PSI Taking on Responsibility for Exam Development
  3. Later 2024: Scholarship Fund To Be Created for Repeat Test Takers
  4. Late 2024: Remote Testing Option with Secure Online Proctoring

How to Register with PSI for ASWB Exam

ASWB Exam Prerequisites

Before you dive into the registration process, let’s go over the basics. You must meet certain requirements to be eligible to register for the ASWB exam:

  1. Degree: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
  2. Professional Experience: Depending on the level of the exam, some amount of professional Social Work experience might be required. Make sure to double-check!
  3. Age: You must be at least 18 years of age.
  4. Legality: No past criminal convictions.

Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to register for the ASWB Exam:

  1. Ensure your Eligibility: Before anything else, confirm you meet the eligibility criteria for the exam you’re preparing for. This information is available on the official ASWB website.
  2. Reach out to your Jurisdiction’s Social Work Board: The next step is to contact your jurisdiction’s Social Work regulatory board. You’ll need to apply for their approval to sit the exam. Find your state’s Social Work board here.
  3. Get your Authorization to Test (ATT): If your application is approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT).
  4. Pay your Exam Fee: With the ATT in hand, it’s time to pay the exam fee. You can pay online through the ASWB website.
  5. Schedule your Exam: Last but not least, choose a date and time slot for your exam via PSI’s (test administrator) scheduling service. You will have the best opportunity to schedule your preferred date if you schedule four to six weeks prior to your preferred date. This will help to ensure that you get the location, date, and time that you want and are able to take the exam within the time limits of your authorization. If you do not take your exam by the expiration date listed on your Authorization to Test email, you will forfeit your exam fee.

2) What Has the Feedback Been So Far on PSI?

Registration Challenges For Some

We’ve heard from our community that registering for their exam was difficult for some and easy for others:

  • “I had no bumps in the road. It was a great experience. There were only 4 other people testing that day.”
  • “Extremely hard to schedule with them. I have accommodations and I just got very frustrated with their process. It’s difficult to understand some of the people who answer the phones. Finally, I said get me a supervisor and I had to wait till one called me back.”
  • “On my confirmation that my application had been approved, it stated someone would contact me in 2-3 days. They did not. It was hard to reach them to ask for a test date. All the numbers on their website were wrong. After 5 different calls and with support, I was successful.”

Our Recommendation: Give yourself extra time to register for your exam and don’t be discouraged if you have a speed bump or two that requires a phone call.

Testing Center Experience

While PSI has only been the test administrator since January 2024, we’ve already received some positive feedback about the test center experience:

  • “Testing center was great. Staff was great and welcoming. I was so nervous. The woman working behind the counter was awesome!“
  • “The testing site was clean and warm. It was very cold outside and I was worried I would be cold because I always am. I called the day before because I heard I wasn’t able to wear a hoodie. I was only allowed to wear a sweatshirt with no hood.”

Other Notable Feedback

  • “PSI was the greatest test center experience out of all the experiences I had. I also really enjoyed the fact that your pass or fail score pops up on the screen and you don’t have to wait for the printout.”

Comparison to Pearson Vue

  • “I have tested with Pearson Vue. Pearson Vue was crowed and I didn’t like that I didn’t know right away if I passed or not.”

Learn more additional tips and tricks for the ASWB exam and get hundreds of practice questions with Agents of Change!

Get 100’s of practice questions, answers, and rationales with Agents of Change.

3) FAQs – ASWB Testing with PSI

Q: What are the major changes to the ASWB Exam in 2024, and how do they affect test-takers?

A: In 2024, significant changes to the ASWB exam include:

  • The transition of exam administration from Pearson to PSI
  • PSI taking on exam development responsibilities
  • The creation of a scholarship fund for repeat test-takers
  • The introduction of a remote testing option with secure online proctoring by late 2024

These changes will impact the test-taking experience, with a shift in the testing platform and potentially more accessible testing options. The exam questions and scoring, however, will remain the same for now.

Q: How can I register for the ASWB Exam with PSI, and what are the important dates and prerequisites to keep in mind?

A: To register for the ASWB exam with PSI, you must first confirm your eligibility, which includes:

  • Having a relevant degree with potential professional experience
  • Being at least 18 years of age,
  • Having no criminal convictions.

Contact your jurisdiction’s Social Work board for approval, then obtain an Authorization to Test (ATT). Pay the exam fee through the ASWB website and schedule your exam at a PSI test center.

Q: What has been the early feedback from test-takers regarding the ASWB exam’s transition to PSI?
A: Since PSI began administering the ASWB exam in January 2024, feedback has been mixed. Some test-takers have found the registration process challenging, particularly with scheduling and understanding customer service, while others have had a smooth experience.

The testing center experience under PSI has been generally positive, with test-takers appreciating the welcoming staff, clean and comfortable facilities, and immediate test results. It’s recommended to allow extra time for registration and to be prepared for potential challenges in early 2024.

4) Conclusion

The change to PSI as a test administrator brings innovations such as a remote testing option and a scholarship fund for repeat test takers in later 2024. These developments reflect a broader commitment to accessibility and support within the Social Work community, which we’re excited about at Agents of Change!

Feedback from early test-takers offers valuable insights into what can be expected from the new testing arrangement. While some have faced challenges with registration and scheduling, particularly those requiring special accommodations, the overall response to the testing environment and process under PSI has been positive. This mixed feedback highlights the importance of preparing well in advance, allowing ample time for registration and familiarization with the new system. Remember, adapting to change is a process, and being proactive in understanding and responding to these changes can significantly ease your journey to becoming a licensed Social Worker.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

► Learn more about the Agents of Change 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

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