Tips for Acing the LESW Social Work Licensing Exam - Pass on Your First Try

Tips for Acing the LESW Board Exam

Passing the Licensed Examination of Social Work (LESW) board exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed social worker. While the exam can seem daunting, coming in prepared with the right study strategies can set you up for success. Here are some tips to help you ace the LESW board exam:

Understand the Exam Format

Knowing what to expect on exam day will help you feel less anxious. The LESW exam consists of 170 multiple choice questions, of which only 150 will be scored. You'll have 4 hours to complete the exam. Questions cover topics like human development, diversity, assessment, direct and indirect practice, and professional values and ethics. Brush up on all these areas in your study prep.

Make a Study Plan

Don't leave studying to the last minute. Give yourself several weeks to prepare and create a study schedule. Outline which topics you'll cover each day and stick to it. Studying a little bit each day over a longer period is more effective than cramming everything in a few days before the exam.

Use Diverse Study Materials

Don't rely on just one study guide. Use a variety of materials like textbooks, study guides, flashcards, and practice exams. This will allow you to review content and practice questions from different sources for a more thorough preparation.

Focus on Your Weak Areas

Identify any topics or concepts you struggle with and spend more time reviewing them. You may want to get extra materials or resources to help strengthen your weak areas. Don't waste too much time reviewing what you already know well.

Practice with Real Exam Questions

Many study guides provide sample tests with questions similar to the actual exam. Taking practice tests helps you become familiar with the exam format, pacing, and types of questions you'll face. Review your mistakes and research concepts you're unsure of.

Make Flashcards

Flashcards are a portable, convenient way to review key terms, concepts, theories, and more. Use flashcard apps or write them by hand. Repetition will help reinforce your knowledge. Test yourself or study with a friend for more interactive review.

Take Notes While Studying

Actively taking notes keeps you engaged as you study and helps consolidate information. Write down key takeaways, important terminology, formulas, or anything else relevant. Review your notes periodically to refresh your memory.

Explain Concepts Out Loud

Verbalizing essential concepts and theories to yourself or others will help you retain the material. Pretend you are teaching it to someone unfamiliar with the topic. Explaining out loud provides another way for your brain to absorb the information.

Study in a Group

Get together with other students to review materials, quiz each other, discuss concepts, and trade study tips. A study group provides support, motivation, and opportunities to learn from your peers. Just make sure to stay focused and on-task.

Take Breaks

Marathon study sessions will burn you out quick. Take regular breaks for snacks, stretching, or short walks to recharge. Breaking up your studying into manageable chunks with rest periods will keep you focused and productive.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Don't sacrifice sleep in the final weeks before the exam. Being well rested will help you be alert and retain information better. Establish a consistent sleep schedule leading up to the test to avoid sleep deprivation.

Eat Brain-Boosting Foods

Fuel your body and mind with nutritious foods like nuts, seeds, eggs, leafy greens, berries, yogurt, and fish. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid junk food that can cause crashes in energy.

Arrive Early on Exam Day

Give yourself extra time to get settled at the testing site before the exam begins. You don't want to feel rushed or stressed ahead of time. Arriving early accounts for traffic, parking, finding the room, and more.

Use Relaxation Techniques

If you feel anxious before the exam, use deep breathing, visualization, or positive affirmations to calm your nerves. Picture yourself acing the test with confidence. Staying relaxed will help you think clearly and access what you've studied.

Conclusion

Preparing thoroughly for the LESW board exam is the best way to ensure you pass and get licensed. Use these tips to study smarter, not harder. Develop effective study habits, comprehensively review all content areas, and enter the exam room with confidence in your readiness. With focus and commitment to preparation, you'll be ready to excel when exam day arrives.

FAQs

How many questions are on the LESW exam?

The LESW exam contains 170 multiple choice questions. Out of those 170, only 150 will be scored. The remaining 20 are pretest questions that will not count toward your score.

What score do I need to pass the LESW exam?

You need a scaled score of at least 75 to pass the LESW exam. The raw score required to pass varies from exam to exam based on the difficulty of the questions.

How long do I have to complete the LESW exam?

You will have 4 hours to complete the entire 170 question LESW exam. This provides an average of just over 2 minutes per question.

Can I bring anything into the testing room?

You cannot bring any outside materials, notes, food, drinks, etc. into the testing room. You will be provided with an erasable noteboard to use during the exam.

When will I get my LESW exam results?

Exam results are usually available within 1-2 weeks after you take the test. If you passed, you can then begin the licensing process in your state.