Notes from Pam
Pam's Column
Honest letters on passing the ASWB, from a licensed clinical social worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor who has sat on hiring panels and watched brilliant social workers get stopped at this one exam. Let's change that.
Pamela Coin, LCSW
Licensed clinical social worker. I reviewed every question myself.
Pam's latest letter
What Your School's ASWB Pass Rate Actually Tells You (and What It Doesn't)
ASWB publishes first-time pass rates by school every year. Here's how to read that number without spiraling, and what actually predicts whether you pass.
More from the column
Retaker Reset: Turning Your ASWB Score Report Into a Study Plan
Didn't pass on your first try? Here's how to read your score report without spiraling, diagnose what actually went wrong, and build a retake plan that fixes it.
How to Answer Reasoning-Based ASWB Questions (When There's No Fact to Recall)
A repeatable four-step method for ASWB questions that test judgment, not memory — plus a worked example and a 30-day way to build the skill.
Do You Need to Pass the ASWB Exam Before Your First Social Work License in Your State?
Some states require the ASWB Masters exam before they will issue any license. Others hand you a credential first and hold the exam until the end of your supervised hours. Here is which is which, with the board source for every line.
Which States Are Dropping the ASWB Masters Exam, and What That Changes for Your Prep
Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and DC have removed or suspended the masters exam for the first license. The clinical exam did not move, so prep shifts to the end of your supervised hours.
The ASWB Exam Doesn't Test What You Memorized, Here's How to Answer What It Actually Asks
Most candidates study facts and definitions, but the exam wants judgment in messy, realistic scenarios. Here's a four-step framework for reasoning through any case-based question.
Two Good Answers, One Right Choice: How to Handle the ASWB Exam's Toughest Questions
When both answer choices look reasonable, the exam is testing your judgment, not your memory. Here's the decision framework to pick the right one — and know when to trust your gut.
Before your next study session
Try six real ASWB moments, free
A question that adapts to you, a clinical simulation, a timed question, a flashcard, and a question for Pam.
Try the six turnsFree, no account needed. Questions reviewed by Pam Coin, LCSW.