Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Study Guide for Success by Dawn Apgar PhD LSW ACSW 1 edition

The biggest benefit for this book was it gave me a starting point in the studying process.Prior to ordering this book, I was sitting in front of my laptop with my course notes open in several Microsoft Word documents amongst a sea over open textbooks frantically flipping through trying to locate information that was pertinent to the KSA's listed for the master's level exam.Once I got the book, I was still looking through my notes and my books, but it was much easier to see what each KSA was referring to and I was able to pencil-in additional information I had rather than trying to put everything together on my own to produce a study guide.Basically, I was overwhelmed and this book helped to give me reassurance and structure, which is why I give it 4 stars instead of 3.The book in itself is, in my opinion, worth three stars to me simply because it became very generic towards the middle/end when talking about communication techniques (i.e. '...empathetic communication is beneficial in many situations with a client...') and cultural integration (i.e. '...cultural values and traditons should be considered when working with a client...').These are NOT direct quotes from the books, but it's my impression of the messages that were being conveyed. While specifics may not be important to the exam itself, it would be nice to have that comprehensive information/specific techiques/specific cultural integration techniques (which may have actually been in there, thinking back on it...?) just for a practicing social worker.However, the book does provide ample margin space for social workers to add the information they are struggling with commiting to memory (photo attached).I cannot comment on the practice exam, as I only did fifteen questions of it prior to my exam; but I like that the book gives thourough exaplanantions of why an answer is what it is.Regardless, I passed the exam on the first attempt utilizing this as my primary study methods (with secondary study sources being the pocket prep app, and flash cards I had made for prior courses).

I bought this guide and read it from front to back on the weekend before my LMSW exam. I did not study anything else, and that particular Sat & Sun was the only time I spent preparing. I took the test and passed easily. While studying, I occasionally copied sections that I though were sure to be on the test. However, remember that the book is just an overview of general SW knowledge. It doesn't give you distinct, "it is on the test" answers to questions, so that tactic really did not amount to much, except for sections dedicated to pharmacology, mental health diagnosis, and the associated medications. On my particular exam, I will say there were exactly four questions related to meds. But of course, variations will occur. In any case, the book was quite useful in that it helped me focus on HOW to read the questions, and THEN answer them. I know, sounds self-evident and something a person with a Masters Degree should already know how to do. But after starting the test, and actually seeing how the questions were written, I was very glad that I took the time to internalize the suggested test-taking strategies provided by the author.While Im not the best or brightest, with one of my MSW instructors once describing me as being "a blunt instrument (AKA butter-knife) in a drawer full of scalpels," and following my questionable advice may prove to be problematic, if not disastrous, I suggest that when taking the test, just READ the question over and over. You have plenty of time. There will be four answers. Two of them are complete, obvious rubbish. One of the answers "seems legit," but is not, and the correct answer will become apparent if you just analyze the wording of the question. That is it. It's all in the wording. After describing a scenario, I got a whole lot of what do you do FIRST, or whats the BEST course of action, or what will cause the LEAST harm to the client. Follow the suggested strategies and you will pass, no problem. Good luck!

I took my LMSW exam on August 28 and passed it! I purchased this study guide June 2016 and graduated Feb. 2016 but did not start using it to study until around June of this year. The reason being that my permit was expiring in December 2017 and I KNEW I had no other choice but to take the exam. A little background about me: I attended Fordham's online Advanced Study school from 5/2014-12/2015 and as a single mother and full time employee, I feel that the education was great but I retained the information not so well (also have memory issues). I decided to study from the time I registered for the exam, about 3 months total. I did not study every day but the last week before the exam I really gave it my all and was pretty much studying diligently. I waited about three days before the exam and decided to purchase practice exams from the Social Work Prep Test, which I feel strongly added to my passing the exam. However, I did not finish either exam; I only got about 1/3 of the way each because I was studying as I went. Anyways, the content in this book is not organized as well as I wanted it to, but the content helped me pass tremendously. I would have not passed if not for this guide, and of course, lots of prayer ;-). I recommend this book for any busy person who is looking to brush up on the exam content, get helpful study tips and a FREE practice exam at the end of the book that helps you learn the strategies behind the test. Good luck to everyone!

This is a very good book. It's very precised and so it gives the result of reading a couple if books. Very useful even for references.

Good text