Social Work Exam Study Guides

Once upon a time, a set of big, bulky social work study guides was essential in preparing for the social work licensing exam.  Nowadays, not so much.  All the material filling up those volumes is now available for free around the web.  You just have to do a little bit of searching. 

And remember, you probably already know most of what you need to know for the exam. The stuff you don't know yet is easily learned. Reread the NASW Code of Ethics. Brush up on key DSM categories (the ones you'd find in front-line social work--the ones that you've been charting).  Do practice questions. Keep it simple.

Here are some places to get started:

• Pass the ASWB Exam (you're there!; see the sidebar for some essential links--to the ASWB, to the NASW Code of Ethics, to online DSMs... Plenty more in posts.)
• SWTP's Free Exam Study Guide (includes a sections on exam-taking rules of thumb, anxiety management, and essential review, plus free practice questions)
• Wikipedia (of course!)
• The Encyclopedia of Social Work (it's like the Social Work Dictionary exploded; free access slated to end after Sept. 9, '13)

If you must have something printed, there's always the short study guide published by the ASWB, available at their site (aswb.org).  It's a simple walk-through of what to expect on the exam--costs thirty bucks, last we checked.

Have fun and good luck!