Looking for Part 1 or Part 2? You can find them here:
- The Hardest ASWB Practice Questions On Our Practice Exam (Exam 1)
- The Hardest ASWB Practice Questions On Our Practice Exam (Exam 2)
At Agents of Change, we’ve had tens of 1000’s of students take our practice exams over the past few years.
To help our students achieve their best possible results, we have analyzed data from all of these practice exam results. Through this analysis, we have identified the 3 questions from our 3rd practice exam that have consistently been the most difficult for students to answer correctly.
Interested in taking a full practice exam? Learn more about our practice exams at Agents of Change.
But fear not! In this blog post, we will guide you through these challenging questions, providing you with the necessary strategies and insights to tackle them with confidence. Whether you’re a first-time test-taker or have attempted the ASWB exam before, we believe that our breakdown of these difficult questions will be valuable in your preparation.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get ready to tackle the 3 hardest ASWB practice questions from our 3rd practice exam together!
The Hardest Questions on Exam 3
1) A social worker is conducting a session with a client who discusses a recent personal challenge. The social worker aims to ensure effective and empathetic communication. How can the social worker demonstrate congruence to effectively support the client during the session?
a. Adopt a professionally empathetic demeanor, using facial expressions and tone of voice that reflect understanding and respect for the client’s experiences while maintaining professional boundaries.
b. Respond with positive affirmations and assurances, even if these do not match the social worker’s genuine reactions to show alliance with the client.
c. Align facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language with empathetic and supportive words when responding to the client’s situation.
d. Listen attentively to the client’s words while observing non-verbal cues to fully understand the emotional context and respond in a manner that genuinely reflects the social worker’s understanding and empathy.
2) A social worker is working with a couple considering divorce, with two young children involved. The couple reports frequent arguments and concerns about the impact on their children. The social worker’s initial approach should include:
a. Exploring the couple’s goals and values, considering the entire family’s well-being.
b. Addressing communication issues and exploring how their conflicts affect their children.
c. Discussing options, including counseling or separation, focusing on the family’s needs.
d. Facilitating a safe space for open dialogue about their relationship and its impact on the children.
3) A social worker in a child welfare agency, during a home visit, observes unsafe and unsanitary conditions that put children at risk. What is the social worker’s immediate action in this situation?
a. Document the observations and report to the supervisor.
b. Leave the home and report the situation to CPS.
c. Confront the parents about the unsafe conditions.
d. Offer to clean the home for the family.
Answers and Rationales
1) A social worker is conducting a session with a client who discusses a recent personal challenge. The social worker aims to ensure effective and empathetic communication. How can the social worker demonstrate congruence to effectively support the client during the session?
a. Adopt a professionally empathetic demeanor, using facial expressions and tone of voice that reflect understanding and respect for the client’s experiences while maintaining professional boundaries.
b. Respond with positive affirmations and assurances, even if these do not match the social worker’s genuine reactions to show alliance with the client.
c. Align facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language with empathetic and supportive words when responding to the client’s situation.
d. Listen attentively to the client’s words while observing non-verbal cues to fully understand the emotional context and respond in a manner that genuinely reflects the social worker’s understanding and empathy.
Correct Answer: C (77% answered this question incorrectly)
Rationale: Congruence in communication involves aligning facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language with empathetic and supportive words. This fosters trust and effective client support.
This approach emphasizes the importance of the social worker’s authenticity, ensuring that their external expressions and communications genuinely match their internal feelings and intentions.
By harmonizing non-verbal cues with verbal expressions of empathy and support, the social worker fosters an environment of trust and safety, enabling the client to feel understood and validated. This congruence is critical in building a strong therapeutic alliance, which is foundational for effective support and positive outcomes in social work practice.
2) A social worker is working with a couple considering divorce, with two young children involved. The couple reports frequent arguments and concerns about the impact on their children. The social worker’s initial approach should include:
a. Exploring the couple’s goals and values, considering the entire family’s well-being.
b. Addressing communication issues and exploring how their conflicts affect their children.
c. Discussing options, including counseling or separation, focusing on the family’s needs.
d. Facilitating a safe space for open dialogue about their relationship and its impact on the children.
Correct Answer: B (72% answered this question incorrectly)
Rationale: By focusing on improving communication skills and understanding the emotional effects of their disputes on the children, the social worker can help the couple work towards a more harmonious relationship, whether they choose to stay together or separate.
This approach acknowledges the direct impact that the couple’s interactions and conflicts have on their children, an essential factor given the reported frequent arguments and concerns about the children’s welfare. By prioritizing communication issues, the social worker aims to improve how the couple interacts and resolves conflicts, which is fundamental in reducing the negative impact on the children and potentially improving the overall family dynamic.
This targeted strategy not only addresses the immediate concerns but also lays a foundation for healthier family relationships, regardless of the couple’s ultimate decision regarding their marriage.
3) A social worker in a child welfare agency, during a home visit, observes unsafe and unsanitary conditions that put children at risk. What is the social worker’s immediate action in this situation?
a. Document the observations and report to the supervisor.
b. Leave the home and report the situation to CPS.
c. Confront the parents about the unsafe conditions.
d. Offer to clean the home for the family.
Correct Answer: A (73% answered this question incorrectly)
Rationale: The immediate action should be to document the observations and report them to the supervisor. It’s crucial to follow agency protocols and ensure that the safety of the children is addressed through the appropriate channels.
Documenting the observations provides a clear and detailed account of the conditions, which is crucial for any further investigation or intervention. Reporting to the supervisor allows for a coordinated response that can involve multiple levels of the agency and, if necessary, the involvement of Child Protective Services (CPS) with the guidance and approval of the social worker’s superior.
You’ve Got This!
Navigating the ASWB exam’s complexities can be daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s an achievable milestone. Diving deep into the most challenging practice questions equips you with the tactical skills needed to tackle the exam with poise and precision.
Ensure you closely read each question, eliminate the incorrect options, and leverage your knowledge alongside analytical thinking to determine the most accurate response. Furthermore, finding the right preparation programs for your learning style, including practice tests, comprehensive study guides, and tutoring, can significantly improve your exam readiness.
Embrace the journey with resilience and determination, and the path will lead you to triumph in your quest to secure your social work licensure. Your hard work and commitment are the keys to unlocking success on the ASWB exam and stepping confidently into your future as a licensed social worker!
Video Summary of Hardest Questions (Exam #3)
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► 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 eight 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
