National Social Work Exam Workshop: Test Taking Strategies

1. AATBS Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences TEACHING TEST TAKING STRATEGIES NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK EXAM Questions and strategies created by Kaynor Heineck, MS AATBS Educational Consultant Workshop Presenter: Alice Scesny Palmer

2. To download this FULL PowerPoint: naswoh.org/reviewcourse NASW Licensure Resource Page

3. Objectives • To establish a plan/process to prepare for your licensing exam • To gain an understanding of key factors that lead to passing the licensure exam. • To provide you a tool kit • To gain an understanding of how to utilize the tools presented as well as those you will be taking with you. • To provide you a face to face forum to ask questions, gain clarification, practice strategies as part of a group.

4. Agenda 9:30 – 10:00 10:00 – 10:30 • Introductions and Expectations • Overview • Function of licensure • Acronyms (ASWB, CSWMFT, NASW) • Steps to Licensure (booklet) • The Exam • Preparation Strategy

5. Agenda 10:30 – 11:00 11:00 – 11:15 11:15 – 12:00 12:00 – 12:30 12:30 – 1:00 1:00 – 4:00 4:00 – 4:30 Positive Visualization and Anchoring Break Test taking Strategy; Small group – two questions…Review answers Introduce strategies Work through 2 questions - eat lunch Review answers, introduction of skills, more questions, review, etc…. Study Plan

6. Preparing for the Exam 6 Hour workshop • Daily study habits • Effective utilization of Study materials • Practice test taking • Practice relaxation techniques

7. Here’s what you bought… AATBS The Independent Study Program TestMASTER Content Review Study Volumes Audio CDs Expert Phone Consultation Additional Support Flashcards Theory Chart Test Success Workbook Online Workshops

8. Additional supports with… Online Workshops for the National Social Work Exams Content Review and Strategy Workshops (10 hours) Small Group Coaching Workshops (Series A and B – 5 hours each) Theories of Psychotherapy (5 hours) For more information about Online Workshops, visit www.aatbs.com

9. National Association of Social Work Boards www.aswb.org Counselor, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) www.cswmft.ohio.gov National Association of Social Workers www.socialworkers.org

10. Licensure is a process with a set of requirements.

11. When should I take my exam?

12. The Exam • 170 four-option multiple choice questions. • 150 of the 170 items are scored. • Four hours to complete the examination. • Able to change answers, flag questions, skip questions, and review unanswered questions. • Brief 20 minute tutorial. • White board and marker provided. • No scheduled breaks. • Personvue.com

13. Why Students Fail their Exams Failure to study Failure to study properly Anxiety Lack of test taking strategy Not understanding the question Changing answers Overgeneralization Over-analysis Detail blindness Leaving questions blank Time management issues Exhaustion

14. Anxiety

15. Overcoming Test Anxiety • Assess your study skills • Studying effectively • Establish a consistent pre-test routine • Mind Body Techniques • Exercise (in preparation and during test) • Breathing • Progressive Relaxation • Visualization and Anchoring • Face your Fears!

16. Let’s practice….

17. Reaching your goal takes a plan of Action! A plan you thoughtfully create, A plan you commit to through implementation. There are no short cuts!

18. Your Study Plan • Set dates and times around specific tasks • Study mode • Review and study sequentially • Use 3x5 cards for missed questions • Exam mode in TestMASTER • prepare for the “real” test taking experience

19. Content Volumes TestMASTER will guide what areas need to be studied in depth in the Content Volumes Content Volumes can be used as Reference material

23. Characteristics of the Successful Examinee Common Sense Content Knowledge Social Work Experience Test Taking Strategy LOTS of Practice with Test Type Questions

24. The Two Tasks of Test Taking Strategy Understand the question (every question has a point) Answer the questions • Eliminate bad answers • Figure out what’s different about the best answers • Pick the answer that BEST answers the question

25. Reading the Question Stem First tells you: HOW to read the case WHAT to look for in the case WHY you are reading the case

26. Joe and Sally come in for counseling because their relationship has “been in trouble” for quite some time. Joe admits that he had an affair two years ago but that he ended it when Sally found out. He states that Sally is “difficult to get along with” because of her drinking. Sally hotly denies that she has a problem with drinking, and says that, “It’s all because Joe is a lousy husband.” What are the Social Worker’s initial goals for Sally? Initial = Early Stage Early Stage of Therapy = RIMS R Rapport build a Rapport with the client IInformation gather Information and assess M Management attend to the Management issues (setting the fee, frequency/time of sessions, getting releases, etc.) S Safety/StabalizeStabilize the client and/or attend to any Safety issues (crisis, medical, etc.) Middle Stage = Creating Lasting Change Late Phase = Consolidation and Transitioning Out

27. Joe and Sally come in for counseling because their relationship has “been in trouble” for quite some time. Joe admits that he had an affair two years ago but that he ended it when Sally found out. He states that Sally is “difficult to get along with” because of her drinking. Sally hotly denies that she has a problem with drinking, and says that, “It’s all because Joe is a lousy husband.” What are the Social Worker’s initialgoalsfor Sally? Initial = Early Stage, RIMS Goals = Things we want to accomplish Goals versus Interventions Goal: Something we want to accomplish (for example, “Improve the client’s relationships”). Intervention: Something we DO (for example, “Teach communication skills”).

28. QUESTION 1Jimmy is referred to the Social Worker by the school counselor because he has been having problems dealing with other students. He gets into fights with other boys his age, and picks on the girls “relentlessly.” The counselor tells you in the referral that Jimmy comes from an alcoholic home, and was once removed to foster care, but now lives with his mother and two sisters. What developmental stage would the Social Worker assume Jimmy to be in? Read question stem first. In respect to the information, what information in the question has little relevancy? How old do you think he is?

29. Joe and Sally come in for counseling because their relationship has “been in trouble” for quite some time. Joe admits that he had an affair two years ago but that he ended it when Sally found out. He states that Sally is “difficult to get along with” because of her drinking. Sally hotly denies that she has a problem with drinking, and says that, “It’s all because Joe is a lousy husband.” What are the Social Worker’s initial goals for Sally? Initial = Early Stage, RIMS Goals = Things we want to accomplish For Sally = For Sally (not for Joe) Therefore, the Question Stem tells you that the best answer is looking for: Things we want to accomplish in the first couple of sessions with Sally, (probably about forming a rapport and gathering information, especially about her drinking).

30. QUESTION 1 Jimmy is referred to the Social Worker by the school counselor because he has been having problems dealing with other students. He gets into fights with other boys his age, and picks on the girls “relentlessly.” The counselor tells you in the referral that Jimmy comes from an alcoholic home, and was once removed to foster care, but now lives with his mother and two sisters. What developmental stage would the Social Worker assume Jimmy to be in? A. Intimacy B. Launching C. Post-latency • Inferiority STRATEGY: Eliminate Bad Answers, Theory

31. Human Development Theories

32. QUESTION 1 What developmental stage would the Social Worker assume Jimmy to be in? • Inferiority

33. QUESTION 2 Luanne comes to see the Social Worker after being recommended by a former client, who attends the same church group. She lost her husband two years ago, and tells you, “I’ve never been the same since.” Her two children are grown and had moved out of the home before her husband died, and “aren’t much help at all.” She complains of somatic symptoms including chronic pain and sleep disturbances, which in the absence of cognitive-affective symptoms are MOST suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of: A. Masked Depression B. Alcohol Dependence C. Dyspareunia Body DysmorphicDisorder STRATEGY: Translation, Eliminate Bad Answers, Know your DSM-IV

34. She complains of somatic symptoms including chronic pain and sleep disturbances, which in the absence of cognitive-affective symptoms are MOST suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of: This question stem tells us… SHE HAS: Chronic Pain Sleep Problems

35. She complains of somatic symptoms including chronic pain and sleep disturbances, which in the absence of cognitive-affective symptoms are MOST suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of: This question stem tells us… SHE HAS: Chronic Pain Sleep Problems SHE DOES NOT HAVE: Thought Disorder Symptoms Mood Problems

36. QUESTION 2 Luanne comes to see the Social Worker after being recommended by a former client, who attends the same church group. She lost her husband two years ago, and tells you, “I’ve never been the same since.” Her two children are grown and had moved out of the home before her husband died, and “aren’t much help at all.” She complains of somatic symptoms including chronic pain and sleep disturbances, which in the absence of cognitive-affective symptoms are MOST suggestive of a clinical diagnosis of: A. Masked Depression B. Alcohol Dependence C. Dyspareunia • Body Dysmorphic Disorder • STRATEGY: Translation, Eliminate Bad Answers, Know your DSM-IV

37. Clinical Exam – know your DSM!!!

38. Rephrase the Question in Your Own Words/Translation

39. QUESTION 3 The Social Worker has two families in her practice that at first, he thought had very similar world views. One family immigrated from Asia five years ago and the other family is 3rd generation Asian-American. The difference that the Social Worker sees is that the former: A. Tend to prefer a less directive approach B. Are grounded more in the here-and-now than in the past or the future C. Respond better when goal setting is delayed until after the client has had a chance to become familiar with the therapist and the therapy process D. Are more likely to view emotional problems as influenced by somatic factors STRATEGY: Rephrase the Question, Diversity

40. QUESTION 3 The Social Worker has two families in her practice that at first, he thought had very similar world views. One family immigrated from Asia five years ago and the other family is 3rd generation Asian-American. The difference that the Social Worker sees is that the former: This Question can be Rephrased as: What is true of the 5 year immigrants?or Would the more recent immigrants… or What is not likely to be true of the 3rd generation immigrants?

41. Would the more recent immigrants: A. Tend to prefer a less directive approach B. Are grounded more in the here-and-now than in the past or the future  C. Respond better when goal setting is delayed until after the client has had a chance to become familiar with the therapist and the therapy process D. Are more likely to view emotional problems as influenced by somatic factors N N N Y

42. QUESTION 3 The difference that the Social Worker sees is that the former: Are more likely to view emotional problems as influenced by somatic factors

43. QUESTION 4 A 67-year-old accountant exhibits impairments in memory and other cognitive functions and a depressed mood. Which of the following would be MOST suggestive that his symptoms are due to "pseudodementia" rather than to Dementia? • The onset of symptoms was insidious • The man exaggerates his cognitive deficits • The man's memory symptoms worsen over the course of the day • The man exhibits a greater impairment in declarative memories than in procedural memories • STRATEGY: Translation, Eliminate Bad Answers

44. Which of the following would be MOST suggestive that his symptoms are due to "pseudodementia" rather than to Dementia? Can be Translated as: Would you find this symptom in a real Dementia patient or a pretend Dementia patient? (We’re looking for the pretend one.)

45. Would you find this symptom in a real Dementia patient or a pretend Dementia patient (we’re looking for the pretend one)? • The onset of symptoms was insidious • REAL • The man exaggerates his cognitive deficits • PRETEND • The man's memory symptoms worsen over the course of the day • REAL • The man exhibits a greater impairment in declarative memories than in procedural memories • REAL/BOTH?

46. Note: Dementia and pseudodemential (depression) are often difficult to distinguish when the depression involves prominent cognitive symptoms.

47. QUESTION 5 As far as frequency and intensity of relapse symptoms, tapering off treatment tends to: • increase the frequency and decrease the intensity • diminish the frequency but increase the intensity • decrease the frequency and diminish the intensity • increase the frequency and increase the intensity • STRATEGY: Translation, Quick Rating

48. QUESTION 5 • As far as frequency and intensity of relapse symptoms, tapering off treatment tends to: • Relapse symptoms means: • Having the symptom again • Frequency means: • How often • Intensity means: • How bad • Taper off treatment means: • Gradually reducing sessions (as contrasted with ending sessions abruptly)

49. Rephrased Question: If you taper treatment off gradually (rather than end abruptly), do relapse symptoms tend to: • Increase in frequency (occur more often) • NO • and decrease in intensity (be not so bad) • YES • Diminish in frequency (occur less often) • YES • but increase in intensity (get worse) • NO • decrease in frequency (occur less often) • YES • and diminish in intensity (be not so bad) • YES • Increase in frequency (occur more often) • NO • and increase in intensity (get worse) • NO

50. QUESTION 5 • As far as frequency and intensity of relapse symptoms, tapering off treatment tends to: • decrease the frequency and diminish the intensity