BSW Social Work Exam Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11All of the following are true regarding major depressive disorder, EXCEPT:
✓ Correct answer: B. It is usually short-lived and resolves without treatment
Answer: It is usually short-lived and resolves without treatment Social workers should understand that major depressive disorder is typically a chronic condition that can have significant impacts on a person's life. It often requires a comprehensive treatment approach, including medication, therapy, and sometimes lifestyle changes. Depression is rarely short-lived and resolving it without treatment is uncommon. Effective management and intervention are crucial for long-term improvement.
Q12Which of the following therapeutic approaches emphasizes understanding and resolving unconscious conflicts?
✓ Correct answer: A. Psychoanalytic
Answer: Psychoanalytic The Psychoanalytic approach in therapy focuses on uncovering and addressing unconscious conflicts that influence behavior. The other answer choices are incorrect. Cognitive approaches focus on thought processes, Humanistic techniques emphasize self-actualization, and Behavioral techniques aim to modify behavior directly.
Q13Sarah is a social worker who has been working with her client John for several months. John recently confided in Sarah that he has been having serious thoughts about harming his coworker due to a disagreement at work. He mentions that he has access to a weapon and knows where the coworker lives. What is the FIRST action Sarah should take?
✓ Correct answer: C. Assess the seriousness of the threat
Answer: Assess the seriousness of the threat Clients may express violent fantasies as a way to process their emotions; however, it is crucial to differentiate such expressions from actual intentions to harm others. The social worker's primary responsibility is to evaluate the seriousness of the threat by determining John's motivation, intention, and means to carry out the harm. Premature actions like notifying the coworker or informing the employer without assessing the threat can lead to serious consequences for the client and may also have legal implications for the social worker.
Q14What is the primary purpose of an ethics committee in a social work organization?
✓ Correct answer: B. To ensure that the organization adheres to ethical standards and practices
The primary purpose of an ethics committee in a social work organization is to ensure that the organization adheres to ethical standards and practices. While the committee may also be involved in training, financial oversight, or providing support, its main role is to maintain ethical integrity in all operations and decisions.
Q15Which of the following practices during supervision MOST aligns with the ethical standards of social work?
✓ Correct answer: C. Providing regular, constructive feedback and addressing any of the supervisee's concerns collaboratively
Answer: Providing regular, constructive feedback and addressing any of the supervisee's concerns collaboratively Ethical supervision requires open communication and supportive interactions between the supervisor and supervisee. Regular, constructive feedback helps supervisees grow professionally and address any concerns they may have. The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of supporting supervisees while ensuring that ethical standards are upheld. Solely focusing on weaknesses or maintaining an overly distant relationship can hinder the supervisee's development. Allowing the supervisee to handle all problems independently without guidance is not conducive to a supportive and educational supervisory relationship.
Q16In which type of setting are social workers MOST likely to encounter ethical dilemmas related to maintaining boundaries with clients?
✓ Correct answer: A. Small town
Answer: Small town Social workers in small towns are likely to face ethical dilemmas related to boundaries with clients because they often have multiple roles in their community. This can lead to complex relationships since there are fewer providers available, increasing chances of dual relationships and conflicts of interest. In contrast, social workers in large cities are less likely to face such dilemmas due to the higher number of service providers. The size of the organization they work in generally does not influence the likelihood of encountering these ethical issues; instead, it is more about the social environment and the overlap of personal and professional lives.
Q17A social worker has been seeing a 12-year-old girl for counseling due to issues related to parental divorce. The child lives primarily with her mother, but both parents share joint legal custody. The girl’s father contacts the social worker for the first time and requests access to his daughter's counseling records. What is the most appropriate action for the social worker to take?
✓ Correct answer: D. Provide the father's request since he has joint legal custody
Answer: Provide the father's request since he has joint legal custody In cases where both parents have joint legal custody, each parent typically has the right to access their child's records unless a court order specifies otherwise. Social workers must be aware of the legal rights of both parents and handle such requests accordingly. The social worker does not need to seek additional consent from the mother, nor can they require the father to attend a meeting or deny the request due to lack of involvement.
Q18A social worker has been working with a teenager who has recently been placed in foster care. The social worker receives a subpoena to provide a report detailing the teenager's treatment progress and foster parents' involvement. In order to appropriately release this information, the social worker should:
✓ Correct answer: B. Allow the teenager and foster parents to read the report before the social worker submits it to the court
Answer: Allow the teenager and foster parents to read the report before the social worker submits it to the court Social workers should inform clients, to the extent possible, about the nature of disclosed information and the potential consequences, before the disclosure is made. The most appropriate and ethical action would be to show the teenager and foster parents the report prior to submitting it so they are aware of the potential consequences. This applies whether social workers disclose confidential information on the basis of a legal requirement or based on client consent. In this situation, consent is not needed because the report is mandated by the court. The requirement for these reports cannot be waived. As stated above, the social worker should be as transparent as possible and should show the report to the teenager and foster parents before submitting it to the court.
Q19Which of the following is TRUE regarding social worker confidentiality in client relationships?
✓ Correct answer: C. Social workers must protect client confidentiality unless there is a duty to warn or legal mandate.
Answer: Social workers must protect client confidentiality unless there is a duty to warn or legal mandate. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers are required to respect client confidentiality and can only breach this confidentiality under specific circumstances such as when there is a risk of harm to the client or others (duty to warn), or when legally mandated to do so. Unauthorized disclosure of client information can lead to legal and ethical repercussions. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the social worker-client relationship. Trust is established when clients are assured that their personal information will be kept confidential. However, there are exceptional situations where confidentiality may have to be breached, and these are strictly governed by legal and ethical guidelines. Social workers must always inform clients about the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of their professional relationship and should seek informed consent when necessary. Unauthorized sharing of client information with family members, or divulging information during case consultations without client consent, is a breach of professional ethics and could harm the trust between the client and the social worker.
Q20Which of the following best describes the process of program evaluation in social work?
✓ Correct answer: A. Assessing the effectiveness of a program by collecting data and analyzing the outcomes
Answer: Assessing the effectiveness of a program by collecting data and analyzing the outcomes Program evaluation involves collecting data and analyzing the outcomes to determine the effectiveness of a social work program. This process helps in identifying areas of improvement and making evidence-based decisions. Developing new programs is about creating initiatives to address unmet needs in a community. Providing direct services involves working directly with clients to meet their immediate needs. Advocating for policy changes targets systemic alterations to benefit the client systems and address broader issues.
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