DSM-5 and the Social Work Exam

It's 2015, the year that exam preppers bid adieu to DSM-IV-TR. Which version of the DSM should you be studying? Depends upon when you're taking the exam. The BBS in California has already switched to DSM-5. Everyone else, taking the ASWB exam, waits till July for the big switch. After July, it's all DSM-5 all the time for social work licensing test takers.

So, if you're going to be ready soon to take the big test, how to proceed? Should you get the exam over with using DSM-IV-TR, which you may already have a decent handle on from putting it to use in practice? Or should you delay your exam till July, learn DSM-5, and move forward, licensed and versed in the latest manual.

Hmmm...?

It's a question you'll have to answer for yourself. Seems it would depend upon your particular time pressure, planned study duration, and other personal details. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. It may help you to browse DSM-5 changes--what really is are the differences?

Here are some good places to begin to get a sense of what's what:

• DSM-5 Fact Sheets (APA)
• DSM-5 Changes (Psych Central)
• DSM-5 (Wikipedia)

Whatever you choose, good luck studying, and good luck with the exam!