What LCSW score do you need to pass? Breaking down the numbers

I've been seeing a lot of confusion about passing scores for the LCSW exam, so I wanted to share what I've researched and experienced.

The official minimum is typically 71%, but most successful candidates average around 85% on practice tests before sitting for the real thing. The exam prep section tends to drag scores down because it's the most conceptually dense part of the exam.

I found that working through the lcsw ethics and professional standards 3 consistently for two to three weeks gets most people into the passing zone. The key isn't just doing more questions — it's reviewing every mistake and understanding the underlying principle.

Anyone who scored above 88%: what was your actual study timeline? Curious whether people who take more time consistently score higher or if there's a plateau effect.