Exam break policy

In the regular course of evaluating the development and administration of the social work licensing exams, the Association of Social Work Boards works closely with psychometric experts to determine ways in which the association can improve the test-taking experience.

Recently, coinciding with the vendor transition for exam administration, ASWB implemented a policy that provides the social work licensing exams in two distinct sections of 85 questions with a break in between the two sections. Each section has a time limit of two hours, and there are no structural differences in content distribution, content order, or difficulty between the sections. Under this policy, the exams continue to meet and exceed industry standards related to the validity and reliability necessary for their use in the licensure process.

The purpose of this modification is to provide test-takers with a break during which the testing clock is stopped for a period of up to 10 minutes. This modified format is based on test-taker feedback as well as analyses conducted by ASWB and psychometric experts at Pearson VUE.

With the implementation of this policy, the exam process is as follows. After completing the first 85-question section, test-takers are prompted to review and submit answers for that section. Upon submission, a test-taker’s answers for that section are recorded and can no longer be reviewed or changed. The testing clock then stops for up to 10 minutes. After the break, test-takers have two hours to complete the remaining 85 questions. This testing policy applies to all social work licensing exams.

The scheduled break stops the testing clock and allows test-takers to pause before continuing to the second section. They may also end the break early if they prefer to begin answering the second set of questions immediately. Test-takers may also take additional unscheduled breaks during their exam after notifying the testing proctor; the testing clock, however, does not stop during unscheduled breaks.

ASWB and its psychometric experts at Pearson VUE conducted an analysis using exam data before implementing the scheduled break. Through its evaluation, Pearson VUE found that candidates would continue to have sufficient time to complete each section within the allotted time, consistent with the previous exam format.

Given the lack of substantive structural changes and the absence of time constraint issues, the scheduled break is expected to enhance both the experience of candidates taking the social work licensing exams and the fairness of these assessments, as all candidates are eligible for the break if needed. The addition of the scheduled break also has the potential to reduce the number of test-takers requiring approval for nonstandard testing arrangements.

Consistent with regulatory associations for other licensed professions, ASWB continuously evaluates its exam administration policies and practices to improve the test-taking experience and maintain the exam’s validity for use by the social work regulatory community in Canada and the United States.

For more information on taking an exam, including details about both scheduled and unscheduled breaks, candidates are encouraged to download the ASWB Examination Guidebook or contact Exam Services at exam@aswb.org.