ASWB Bachelors Assessment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A social worker is assessing a client's level of motivation to change substance use. According to the Stages of Change model, a client who says 'I know drinking is a problem, but I'm not ready to quit yet' is in which stage?
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Action
Correct answer: Contemplation
Contemplation involves awareness that a problem exists and ambivalence about change, without commitment to take action in the near future.
Question 2: When assessing for suicidal ideation, which factor is considered MOST associated with increased risk of a completed suicide attempt?
- Vague thoughts of death without a plan
- A specific plan with access to lethal means (Correct answer)
- Expressing suicidal thoughts to others
- A history of depression without prior attempts
Correct answer: A specific plan with access to lethal means
A specific plan combined with access to lethal means significantly elevates suicide risk because the individual has both intent and capability.
Question 3: A social worker uses the CAGE questionnaire during an assessment. What condition is this tool designed to screen for?
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Alcohol use disorder (Correct answer)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Correct answer: Alcohol use disorder
The CAGE is a four-question screening tool used to identify potential alcohol use disorders; two or more 'yes' answers suggest a significant problem.
Question 4: In assessment, the term 'presenting problem' refers to:
- The social worker's clinical diagnosis
- The reason the client is seeking help as stated by the client (Correct answer)
- The most serious problem identified through assessment
- The problem listed on the agency referral form
Correct answer: The reason the client is seeking help as stated by the client
The presenting problem is the client's own stated reason for seeking services, reflecting their subjective experience and immediate concern.
Question 5: A social worker notices a discrepancy between a client's verbal report and nonverbal cues during assessment. The BEST response is to:
- Confront the client directly about lying
- Document only the verbal report
- Gently reflect the discrepancy and invite the client to share more (Correct answer)
- End the session and consult a supervisor
Correct answer: Gently reflect the discrepancy and invite the client to share more
Gently reflecting discrepancies invites the client to explore inconsistencies in a non-threatening way, maintaining rapport and gathering more accurate assessment data.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a closed-ended question during a social work assessment?
- Tell me what a typical day looks like for you.
- How would you describe your relationship with your family?
- Do you currently use any substances? (Correct answer)
- What brings you the most satisfaction in your life?
Correct answer: Do you currently use any substances?
Closed-ended questions can be answered with 'yes' or 'no' and are useful for gathering specific factual information quickly during assessment.
Question 7: A social worker is completing a psychosocial assessment and wants to understand the client's perception of their own problem. This reflects which assessment principle?
- Objectivity
- Client self-report validity
- Subjective perspective (Correct answer)
- Diagnostic formulation
Correct answer: Subjective perspective
Incorporating the client's subjective perspective in assessment ensures services are grounded in the client's own understanding, values, and experience of their situation.
ASWB Bachelors Assessment 4
A social worker is assessing a client's level of motivation to change substance use.
According to the Stages of Change model, a client who says 'I know drinking is a problem, but I'm not ready to quit yet' is in which stage?