Notes from Pam
Pam's Column
Honest letters on passing the ASWB — from someone who's spent 20+ years in the field, sat on hiring panels, and watched brilliant social workers get stopped at this one exam. Let's change that.
Pamela Coin, LCSW
20+ years clinical practice. I reviewed every question myself.
Pam's latest letter
How to Pick the "Best" Answer When Every Option Sounds Right
The hardest ASWB questions aren't the ones with a wrong answer — they're the ones with four correct answers where only one is best. Here's the decision framework that actually works.
More from the column
How to Answer Applied-Reasoning Questions on the ASWB Exam
The ASWB exam leans hard on scenario-based questions that test judgment, not recall. Here's a repeatable four-step method for finding the best answer every time.
ASWB Exam Pacing: A Strategy That Works No Matter How the Test Changes
Stop counting questions to track your pace on exam day. Here's a percentage-based pacing method that holds up no matter what format ASWB is currently using.
How to Study for the ASWB Exam When You're Not Sure Which Version You'll Get
If you're anxious about which exam version you'll take or whether your materials still match, here's what to actually do about it — and how to study so the format matters less than you think.
FIRST, NEXT, or BEST? How to Stop Overthinking ASWB Vignette Questions
The words FIRST, NEXT, and BEST change what an ASWB question is actually asking. Here's a clear method for reading them correctly instead of guessing under pressure.
ASWB Exam Changes on August 3, 2026: Old Exam vs New Exam
On August 3, 2026 the ASWB exam drops to 122 questions and three content areas, and ethics nearly doubles. Pam breaks down the old exam vs the new exam, and exactly what to study now.
The ASWB Pass-Rate Gap: What It Is and What Black Social Workers Can Do About It
The ASWB pass-rate gap is real, documented, and not about ability. Pam breaks down what's behind it—and what actually helps Black retakers close it.
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