The AWSB Exam
There are several important things candidates need to know about the AWSB exam before actually taking the exam. After a student’s hard work and dedication towards this career, it would be a shame if he or she couldn’t take it or failed it due to lack of preparation. Here are a few things to know about the AWSB exam.
What is the AWSB Exam?
The Association of Social Work Boards or ASWB exam is generally the last step towards a candidate’s goals of becoming a licensed social worker. Every state has its own licensing exams, which are based on different categories. The SWB has the following four categories for social work licensing examinations.
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Advanced Generalist
• Clinical
The exam that a candidate must register to take is based on the level of education the individual completed as well at the state or jurisdiction in which he or she lives. It’s very important that the candidate checks with his or her state board to determine which exam is appropriate.
Preregistration
When the individual is ready to take the exam, he or she must first register with the ASWB and pay the appropriate examination fee. Once this is done, the candidate must schedule an appointment to take the exam at a Pearson Professional Center. This can be done by going directly to a Pearson VUE website. Registration is easy and fast. Failure to preregister will result in the individual not being eligible to take the exam. While scheduling the exam, the candidate should also find out what other requirements the testing center might have.
Exam Content
The ASWB exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions aimed at measuring the candidate’s level of competency in four areas of practice. Although there are 170 questions, only 150 of them are scored. The remaining 20 are pretest questions designed to determine effectiveness for future testing. The electronic test must be completed in four hours.
State Requirements
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that all states require their clinical social workers be licensed and non-clinical social workers be either certified or licensed. However, states may vary in their requirements for licensure or certification. The states also have specific requirements regarding which exam the candidate is eligible to take. Candidates can check their state’s requirements on the AWSB site.
Related Resource: Top 10 Affordable Masters in Social Work: 2018
As with most things in life, taking the AWSB exam involves following certain steps, which all can lead towards the individual becoming a social worker. It’s also about more than just studying. You must follow the regulations set by your state. With that being said, good luck on the AWSB exam.
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