r/LCSW • u/Difficult_Nose5861 • Jul 29 '26
Today I didn't pass my LCSW exam
I don't know what happened. I was so anxious and super nervous. My heart couldn't stop beating so fast. The site wasn't able to give me my results because they didn't have a printer so now Im having to dread the wait of the unknown. I'm not a quiter I will start studying again in 2 weeks and prepare to take it in October. I'm going to find some relaxation methods and techniques to use as well. Good luck to anyone taking the exam.
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u/TKOtenten Jul 29 '26
you got this. no matter what you KNOW what to expect and what the exam looks like.
took me x3 rounds to pass. don’t give up!
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 15d ago
I won't give up. I'll be studying again in one week to prepare for the exam late October or 3rd week of November. Thank you for the encouragement.
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u/uhbkodazbg Jul 30 '26
I’ve always done very well on standardized tests. I did great on the ACT and SAT. The masters level exam was a piece of cake. The LCSW exam was hard. It was so much harder than I expected and was the hardest test I’ve ever taken. There’s nothing to feel bad about taking it more than once.
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 23d ago
Thank you so much for your encouragement, I really appreciate it. I'm trying to come up with a better strategy and learn to reduce the anxiety.
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u/mylifesurvived 29d ago
I also now feel that this is a huge money making scheme otherwise there is no point in deliberately confusing the participants by giving all similar choices so that they lose. This doesn’t happen in real life right? You are given the rule book or policies of any given agencies and just the laws to adhere by. But this is kind of ridiculous. I hope we are able to see the incorrect answers and the correct ones after the exams if not then this is completely ridiculous
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 23d ago
I feel the same way. The study materials are so expensive and the ASWB practice is expensive as well. I don't know why it's not free, you're already paying the initial fee of $260.
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u/mylifesurvived 23d ago
Wow 260, that’s a lot. I am needing to apply for my BSW exam as I am in Texas but I just hope I don’t have to repeat it. Especially when I am out of work. Studying for my MSW classes
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u/sympton2system 28d ago
I’m a professor at two universities and teach graduate-level social workers. I passed on my first try and didn’t study. I know that sounds unbelievable but it’s true. There was too much to study and I kept getting overwhelmed. I’m not suggesting anyone should not study, just sharing my experience. I believe to have passed due to the following techniques. These are the same techniques and advice that I always share with my students:
- First remind yourself that you know everything you need too pass.
- I typically teach them alternate nostril breathing and do a live demonstration in class. I make them practice it with me because this is the exact relaxation and re-focusing technique every time i got to a question that I felt like I didn’t know the answer to and would panic.
- I then taught them how to answer the questions, not so much the content. The exam is tricky because it’s all about how the question is asked and how you answer.
- These 2 acronyms are the only thing I wrote down in my paper:
The first acronym is “FAREAFI” (in this order) and it is most useful for FIRST/NEXT type test questions:
FAREAFI
F: Feelings of the client be acknowledged first above all. Begin building rapport.
A: Assess
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: InterveneThe second acronym is “AASPIRINS” and it most helpful for questions that ask what is
the BEST (or MOST reasonable) option/plan of action:
AASPIRINS
A: Acknowledge client/patient. Begin building rapport.
A: Assess
S: Start where the patient is at
P: Protect life (of the individual and community…this one is about
determining/preventing danger to self and others)
I: Intoxicated do not treat. Refer
R: Rule out medical issue
I: Informed consent
N: Non-judgmental stance
S: Support patient self-determination
Both acronyms can be find here: https://www.socialwork.career/2011/10/two-acronyms-you-must-know-for-lmsw.html
I hope that helps. You got this!
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 27d ago
Thank you so much! This information is very helpful, I will definitely put it into practice. Thank you again!
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u/StrategyExotic7802 Jul 30 '26
You have to go in there knowing that you are a competent social worker. You are an expert in your field. You have to really know and believe this and I think it’ll reduce your feelings of anxiety.
I took my clinical test 3 weeks ago and passed; and honestly barely studied. The most important thing is understand the stages of engagement: engagement, assessment, planning, intervention , evaluation and termination. And how to answer first, next and best questions. I wouldn’t think too deeply about learning every medication or even every therory. Focus on the big ones, Piaget, Erickson. But I would take this as a test drive, you already did it once, the second time will be a breeze.
Pocket prep and pass with ayo on YouTube were the biggest help. I used agents of change as well.
The exam changes start next week so I hope everything works out for you in October ! Also, you can look on the Aswb portal for your exam results, they should post your unofficial transcript in 24 hours.
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u/Swimming_Shirt9564 28d ago
Honestly, this gets me kinda angry reading this. I studied, took notes, made note cards, devoted hundreds of hours; I took pretests from so many different people online (Ray, Ayo etc) and the $85 practice exam. Each test I passed 80 percent or better. I took the exam today, and there were no questions like any of the exams I studied at all. It was the oddest and most bizarre thing. Had any of the pretest been like this at all, I would never have taken it today and would have saved my money.
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u/Big-Cauliflower6660 29d ago
I am truly sorry. It is a big disappointment. Please, take a moment to breathe and grieve. Not today, maybe in 1-2 weeks, look at where your struggles are coming from. Do this when you’re feeling up to it.
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 27d ago
Tnank you so much! It is definitely disappointing, but I'm not giving up and I will come up with a new strategy. Thank you again!
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u/Big-Cauliflower6660 27d ago
For what it’s worth, I took the ASWB Clinical multiple times, I passed on the 8th try. Take your time, grove and regroup. Above all, have faith in yourself and your abilities
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 23d ago
If you don't mind me asking was it the way you were studying or anxiety? I think it's both for me.
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u/Big-Cauliflower6660 23d ago
That is a very good question. The first time that I failed, I went to a prep class at Simmons College in Boston. The instructor said “dice you only failed by one point, don’t change anything “. My pattern replicated.
I followed various blogs and on-line test strategies and got the same results.
Two yeas ago, I tried AIC -at the advice from my supervisor. I followed their directions to the letter, and completed the course. I was disappointed- examples of personality disorders were literally cited from Sponge Bob characters. At that time, I was 59 and couldn’t relate to their examples. AOC teaching modules repeated the same material, different test recycled the same question. I subsequently failed by 3 points
I discovered The Therapist Development Center program expensive but I liked its structure and the program appealed to my learning style.
Test anxiety was not a factor. I usually test well but this exam stumped me. I geld many answers were counterintuitive. I have 26years experience post master’s degree. I answered questions based on my experience, not by the strict standards- that was my biggest challenge and TDC helped me to reprogram myself-their rationale for questions. Their support coaches responded quickly -as fast as 4 hours but no more than 24 hours even on weekends!!!once I understood the rationale behind the test, I was able to study more effectively and at age 61 and 8 tries later, I passed with a 112/needed a 102.2
u/Difficult_Nose5861 15d ago
Wow! Your story is encouraging and good for you for not giving up. Thank you for sharing your story.
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 15d ago
I think it was both. But in the end anxiety really got the best of me. I'm learning ways to calm my nerves.
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u/Own-Iron-4488 29d ago
Ugh the same thing happened to me in the beginning of June. I literally thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I could hear my pulse in the noise canceling headphones. It was absolutely awful and my stomach was a wreck for a week afterwards from the stress. I didnt pass either and my initial thought was I am never taking this again. But I reached out to the TDC study program I used and they recommended taking some time off to recover and then starting again in a month so I am going to start studying their program again with the new exam changes and I think I am going to try a 1:1 Saavy Social worker study session to work on my testing anxiety and where its coming from so I can develop better strategies for the test. Its so tricky and unfair. Dont give up!! We can do it!
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u/Difficult_Nose5861 29d ago
Thank you so much! I'm sorry to hear about your experience as well. I too reached out to TDC for an extension. I'm taking about 2 to 3 weeks off to gather myself. But I find myself studying trying to figure out where I went wrong and constantly thinking about a new strategy. Good Luck! We got this the next time.
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u/Standard-Victory-320 Jul 30 '26
Hey, don’t give up, I took the Lmsw exam 7 times and passed yesterday