NCE 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.
Q21One of the goals in Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT) is <code>________</code>.
✓ Correct answer: C. To help people gain more integration, organization, flexibility, and range in their cognitive development structures.
One of the goals of Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT) is to help people gain more integration, organization, flexibility, and range in their cognitive development structures. The DCT clinician promotes growth and change through exploration and assessment of people’s world views, operations in the world, and areas of difficulty and cognitive developmental orientations.
Q22In one word, how would you describe a dual relationship?
✓ Correct answer: A. Unethical
Dual relationships are unethical because they frequently cause a counselor to lose objectivity and effectiveness. There are times when a client-counselor relationship is regarded as ethical if it can be reasonably expected to do no harm or exploitation to the client.
Q23If a person feels they have a sense of <code>________</code>, they will be better able to handle the stress of a crowded situation.
✓ Correct answer: D. Control
There are a number of factors which can influence how a person handles<br/>“crowding.” One of these factors would be control. If the person feels they have control over the situation they are more able to handle the stress.
Q24During your session, the counselor takes a few minutes to tell you a personal anecdote and share their perspective and experience. You feel more encouraged to be vulnerable and have deeper rapport with the counselor now. Which counseling skill are they practicing here?
✓ Correct answer: B. Summarizing
Self-disclosure is an important counseling skill that occurs when counselors share a personal experience from their life in order to connect with the client, establish rapport, and encourage vulnerability. They often share a story or life experience that is similar to what the client is going through.<br/><br/>Empathetic response is the counseling skill being utilized when counselors show empathy and understanding of what the client is thinking, feeling, or experiencing. Reframing, also known as redirecting, is when the counselor provides the client with a positive new perspective on their current situation or issue. Summarizing is when the counselor recognizes and summarizes all of the thoughts and feelings expressed by the client.
Q25Which of the following typical teen issues is present when a student is refusing to talk to a crush when given the chance, does not like starting conversations with his peers, and keeps to himself for fear of being rejected?
✓ Correct answer: D. Social Inadequacy
If a student is refusing to talk to a crush when given the chance, doesn't like starting conversations with his peers, and keeps to himself for fear of being rejected he is experiencing feelings of social inadequacy. Many students suffer from insecurity due to feeling socially inadequate.<br/><br/>Family events, romantic relationship challenges, and issues with authority are all common teen issues. Family events that affect teens may involve the divorce of parents, parental dating, illnesses in the family, and more. Issues with authority involve when a teenager doesn't want to listen to authority figures and may act defiant; for example, not listening to their parents or teachers. Romantic relationship challenges, such as an argument with a partner or breakups, are also common.
Q26What is a member of a multidisciplinary team expected to do?
✓ Correct answer: A. All of these
A member of a multidisciplinary team might be asked to lead a committee looking into the best way to offer services to an underdeveloped region of the community, organize a public awareness event, and/or attend weekly meetings to help the team achieve its objectives.
Q27There are several verbal communication skills that a counselor can use to improve communication with the client. <br/><br/>Which of the following verbal communication skills involves guiding the conversation toward a particular area that the counselor feels is important?
✓ Correct answer: A. Confrontation
Focusing is a verbal communication skill that involves guiding the conversation toward a particular area that the counselor feels is important. This skill gives the counselor the ability to determine important information and move the conversation in that direction.<br/><br/>Paraphrasing is when the counselor repeats what the client has told them using different words, to check understanding and let the client know they are being heard. Confrontation involves challenging or confronting a client when they notice a discrepancy in what the client is saying, feeling, or how they are behaving. Questioning involves asking the client specific questions to gather detailed information and explore what issues bring the client to therapy.
Q28Which of the following statements about self-identity is true?
✓ Correct answer: D. It can change throughout one's lifespan
Self-identity can change over a persons life and be dependent upon experiences they have over a period of time. Politics, religion, gender and community can all contribute to self-identity.
Q29When counselors have applied the same interpretation to a behavior regardless of the cultural context, <code>________</code> has been the consequence:
✓ Correct answer: C. Cultural bias
Answers b and c oppose the correct answer, cultural bias. Cultural bias arises as a result of ethnocentrism, the belief that one's culture is superior and/or normal, and other cultures are inferior or abnormal. Cultural bias can be reduced with research and education.
Q30A person who has parents from several different ethnic groups is considered _________.
✓ Correct answer: C. Multiracial
Multiracial individuals have parents from several different ethnic or racial groups.
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