Masters ASWB Exam – Passing Score

Welcome to the world of Social Work licensure, where passing the Masters ASWB Exam is an important step towards a career in this field. If you’re on the verge of taking the ASWB exam or perhaps re-strategizing after an initial attempt, you’re in the right place.

This comprehensive guide is designed to demystify the Masters ASWB Exam: offering you insights, strategies, and crucial information to help you understand what it takes to pass and excel in this important examination. From breaking down the scoring system to offering targeted study tips and post-exam advice, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to tackle the exam successfully.

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) The Basics of Masters ASWB Exam Scoring

The Masters ASWB Exam includes 150 scored multiple-choice questions and 20 non-scored “pretest” questions. That’s a total of 170 questions you’ll encounter on exam day!

The scored questions contribute to your final score.
The pretest questions are tested by the ASWB for potential future questions. They are not marked or identifiable, so it’s best to treat all 170 questions the same!

The Scoring Basics: Decoding the ASWB Exam’s Scaled Scores

Understanding how the ASWB Exam scores are determined can be a bit confusing, but it’s important for your exam prep. The exam uses what’s known as a scaled scoring system, a common method in standardized tests, designed to maintain fairness and consistency across various versions of the exam.

Your raw score, which is simply the tally of questions you’ve answered correctly, doesn’t directly determine your final score. Instead, this raw score transforms into a scaled score. Why, you ask? Because not every exam form is created equal in terms of difficulty.

For example, one version of the exam might accidentally lean towards more complex questions, or dive into topics that some candidates find tougher than others. The scaled scoring system is the ASWB’s way of acknowledging and adjusting for these unintentional discrepancies.

This system aims to ensure that a particular scaled score reflects the same level of ability, irrespective of which exam form you tackled. To achieve this, the ASWB employs statistical methods that consider the difficulty level of each question. So, in essence, a test-taker who nails a bunch of harder questions could end up with a similar scaled score to someone who breezes through more of the easier questions.

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

2) Passing Score for Masters ASWB Exam

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) does not disclose the specific raw score (i.e., the actual number of correct questions) required to pass their exams. They employ a scaled scoring system, which means the raw score required to pass can vary depending on the test version and its difficulty level.

However, it is generally understood that you need to answer between 60% to 70% of the 150 scored questions correctly to pass, depending on the exam’s difficulty level.

For the Master’s Exam, the passing score is 98-107 questions correct.

Learn More About ASWB Scoring: The ASWB Exam: Scoring Explained

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

3) Understanding Your Score Sheet

Deciphering the Score Sheet Sections – Page 1

Exam Details: In this section, you’ll find essential details about your test. It includes the exam category you’ve attempted (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Advanced Generalist, or Clinical), the date you took the exam, and the specific version of the test you encountered.
Score: This crucial figure indicates your pass or fail status. You will see how many correct answers are required to pass and how many questions you answered correctly.

Reading the Content Area Breakdown – Page 2

In this part of the report, you’ll discover a detailed analysis of how you performed in each specific content area. This insight is particularly valuable if you didn’t achieve a passing score, as it can direct your study strategy by pinpointing the areas where you need to bolster your knowledge.

The ASWB examinations are structured into various content areas. These areas align with the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies required for a license in Social Work. Learn more about Masters Exam KSAs here: ASWB Masters Exam Content Outline And KSA Deep Dive

For every content area, a percentage is displayed, signifying the fraction of questions you answered correctly in that domain.

Looking for more ASWB content and exam strategies? Agents of Change includes 30+ topics, hundreds of practice questions, and 2 live study groups per month.

4) FAQs – Passing Score on Masters ASWB Exam

Q: What is the passing score for the Masters ASWB exam?

A: The passing score varies based on the version of the exam you receive, but is typically in the range of 98-107 questions correct.

Q: How do I interpret the detailed content area breakdown if I didn’t pass the exam?

A: If you didn’t pass the ASWB exam, the detailed content area breakdown is a valuable tool for you. This breakdown shows your performance in each area of the exam. For each content area, you’ll see a percentage score that reflects the number of questions you answered correctly in that area.

Use this information to identify which areas you are strong in and which areas require more focus and study. By targeting your studies towards these weaker areas, you can improve your overall performance and increase your chances of passing on your next attempt.

Q: What should be my strategy to retake the ASWB exam after an unsuccessful attempt?

A: If you need to retake the ASWB exam, your strategy should involve a thorough review and analysis of your previous attempt. First, examine the detailed content area breakdown to identify your weak areas. Focus your study plan on these areas while maintaining your strengths in other sections.

Consider different study materials or methods, such as joining a study group or hiring a tutor, if you think a new approach might help. Additionally, practicing with sample questions and timed practice exams can improve your test-taking skills and time management.

Lastly, ensure that you understand the format and the types of questions that appear on the exam to avoid any surprises during your next attempt. Learn more here: What Should You Do If You Fail Your LMSW Or LCSW ASWB Exam?

5) Conclusion

Understanding the Masters ASWB Exam scoring system, especially the scaled scoring and content area breakdown, is crucial for assessing your current level of preparedness and also for strategizing for a successful retake, if necessary. Remember, each step of this process, from interpreting your scores to refining your study strategies, is geared towards building your competence and confidence in the field of Social Work. The journey to passing the ASWB exam is as much about personal growth as it is about professional qualification, shaping you into a well-rounded, knowledgeable, and empathetic 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