(October 1998)
I have a friend who threw up every night for a week before she took the CSW exam. She had just graduated with flying colors from one of the City's MSW programs, but the test loomed so large, that she was convinced she was going to fail. She did more than pass: she scored 98%.
Which is a roundabout way of saying if you've mastered the work in your Masters' studies, the observation has been made that you should do fine on the exam.
The CSW exam is developed and administrated by the American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB), which is the association of licensing boards that oversee social work across the country. The information in this article was excerpted from the 1998 AASSWB Candidate Handbook (which is available by calling the New York State Board for Social Work, 518 474-4974).
What is the CSW Exam?
The CSW exam is one of the elements used by state boards in making licensing decisions (in New York State, the "license" is not yet a license per se, but is a protection of the title "Certified Social Worker").
Graduates of MSW programs (or students in their last semester of graduate school) will take the Intermediate Level AASSWB exam. The exam contains 170 multiple choice questions, 20 of which are non-scored items being pre-tested for possible inclusion in future exams. Test takers are given four hours to take the test, which is administered through a networked personal computer (don't worry, no computer experience is needed to take the exam, and you will receive a brief computer tutorial so that you will be comfortable with the testing equipment).
In arranging to take the exam, the first thing to do is call for the Candidate Handbook (see number, above), which contains the examination registration form and instructions on how to register by phone.
To register, call the AASSWB Registration Center toll free at 1-888-5SWEXAM between 8:30 am and 9 pm, Monday through Friday, or 10 am to 3 pm Saturday. Registrations are also accepted by mail or fax, using the form in the Candidate Handbook.
When you call, you will be asked a series of questions to verify your eligibility and will be required to pay the $110 fee for the exam using your Visa, Mastercard or Discover Card. Mailed in registration is through credit card, certified check, or money order. No cash or personal checks will be accepted. All questions to be answered are on the registration form in the handbook, and include, in addition to the usual name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, etc., the level of exam requested (Intermediate), the school from which your MSW was earned, present position, and special accommodations requests, if applicable.
Once the appropriate information has been supplied to AASSWB, you will be mailed an authorization letter, which will contain your Authorization Number and information on how to make a reservation to take the examination. You will also need to bring the letter with you on the day you sit for the exam. After you receive your authorization number, follow the instructions to make a reservation to take the test. The letter will include a list of test centers and the times they are open. You must wait 14 days after your payment is received by AASSWB before you can make a reservation to take the exam.
What to expect on test day
On the day of your scheduled exam, you should arrive at the test site 30 minutes early. You must present your AASSWB Authorization Letter, as well as one government issued photo i.d. (e.g., driver's license, passport, military i.d., etc). After you check in, you will be provided with a computer tutorial and then given four hours to take the exam. Your examination is scored immediately, with results available to you before you leave the testing center. Scores will be forwarded to the New York State Board for Social Work.
What's on the exam?
The CSW exam is a multiple choice test designed to measure the minimum competency acceptable to practice social work within a given scope. They are developed from a regularly updated survey of the actual practice of social workers across the country, in a variety of settings and demographic variables. Test questions are written by item writers who have been selected to reflect practice, racial, ethnic, gender and geographic diversity. Because the exam is designed to measure minimum practice competencies, the content reflects what you are expected to know, and what professional social workers within a given scope of practice are already doing. Most candidates find that preparation for the AASSWB examinations involves reviewing areas of practice that they might not use frequently, rather than learning something completely unfamiliar.
Preparation
The AASSWB offers study guides for each level of their examinations. The guide contains a sample test, references arranged by examination content area, and information on how the exams are constructed and the kinds of questions you can expect to be asked. You may order a study guide at the time you register for the test or by calling 1-800-225-6880. Guides are $25 plus $3 shipping.
Also, many if not all schools offer CSW review days. Take advantage of them.
Social Work Examination Services, a company that offers review courses and home study workbooks to prepare for the exam is presenting a two day review lecture on January 17 and 24, 1999; March 20 and 21, 1999 and June 5 and 6, 1999 in New York City. They also offer the course in Westchester and Long Island on other dates. For more information, call 800 933-8802 or 212 473-3239. NASW members receive a $25 discount on the lecture program .
Special accommodations, etc.
People with disabilities may be eligible to receive testing accommodations. To arrange for special accommodations, you must first receive approval of the accommodation request from the State Social Work Board. The form for the request is included in the Candidate Handbook. For more information, contact the State Board at 518 474-4974.
To change an exam reservation, you must contact the testing center before noon at least two business days in advance of your scheduled appointment. You may cancel a reservation, but examination fees are not refundable. They are, however, applicable to a new date for the exam, provided arrangements are made within the guidelines spelled out in the Candidate Handbook.
If you fail the examination (Note: Most people pass the first time around) you will be supplied with diagnostic information outlining your performance and instructions on how to re-register.
Re-registration will require payment of the examination fee. You must wait at least 90 days before re-taking the exam.
Anything else?
No, just that tried and true advice your parents and teachers always gave you before you took any exam: Study, get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, and don't worry. You don't even have to remember to bring your sharpened Number 2 pencils.