News
Exam Program-
March 22, 2023Listening to social workers through community conversationsThe community conversations, an ASWB initiative to conduct qualitative research on experiences with licensing and the exams, are nearing the halfway point. Final results will be published alongside pass data in August 2023 and will be used as ASWB reenvisions its competence assessments.
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February 7, 2023ASWB social work examination update
The data highlighted disparities in exam pass rates for different demographic groups. For Black test-takers and older test-takers, pass rates were particularly low. The discrepancies seen in the data are unacceptable. Recognizing that multiple factors impact a test-taker’s performance and need to be addressed, we remain committed to doing our part and working with other […]
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ASWB has contracted with the independent firm Fifth Theory to provide free test mastery mindset support to test-takers who are unsuccessful in passing the social work licensing exams. Fifth Theory’s research-based Test Mastery Inclusion program is designed to help test-takers be successful on a high-stakes exam. ASWB acknowledges that the personal and educational experiences that […]
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December 21, 2022ASWB breaks new ground, hosting a successful webinar for educatorsThe webinar offered a behind-the-scenes look at how the ASWB exams are developed and the steps ASWB takes to guard against bias and maintain reliability and validity. Harless shared information about ASWB’s initiatives to bring more voices into the creation of exams for the future of social work and to enhance the testing experience to reduce barriers.
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December 5, 2022Testing experience enhancements coming January 1, 2023
Candidates can expect to see these improvements to the exam administration process starting in January 2023: Three-option multiple choice phased in Exam forms may contain both three- and four-option questions beginning in January 2023. The exam will gradually include more three-option questions going forward, with the goal of completing the transition by 2025. Exam questions […]
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October 31, 2022ASWB publishes updated Examination Program YearbookASWB is pleased to announce the 2022 edition of the Examination Program Yearbook, an annual publication that highlights the expertise and diversity of the Examination Committee volunteers, item writers, and exam development consultants who contribute to the development of the social work licensing exams.
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The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) today released an in-depth trend analysis of pass rate data for its social work licensing exams alongside state and school-level data. ASWB published these data as part of the association’s commitment to participating in data-driven conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion. ASWB Chief Executive Officer Stacey Hardy-Chandler, Ph.D., […]
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April 1, 2022An update from ASWB for the social work community
In line with the continued efforts of the Association of Social Work Boards to make the social work licensing exams as fair and equitable as possible, ASWB has recently committed to enhancing the exam development process to bring in more voices than ever before. ASWB’s Strategic Framework 2022–2023 directs the organization to engage with stakeholders […]
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March 1, 2022ASWB seeks volunteers for Practice Analysis Task Force
The Association of Social Work Boards is recruiting volunteers for its Practice Analysis Task Force, offering licensed social workers the opportunity to participate behind the scenes in the next analysis of the practice of social work. Selected task force members will provide subject matter expertise to the association’s practice analysis process, reenvisioned as the Social […]
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On November 9, ASWB’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion to gather, analyze, and release examination performance data. The motion directs ASWB staff and its consultants to develop a plan to implement this important information-sharing initiative. ASWB anticipates that the new analysis will include performance data broken down by demographic group for our member jurisdictions […]