SAC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SAC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is a protective factor that DECREASES suicide risk in adolescents? → Strong sense of connectedness to family and school
2. Which approach to substance abuse education has been shown to be LEAST effective with adolescents? → Fear-based 'scare tactic' presentations
3. What does professional liability insurance protect a SAC practitioner against? → Financial loss from claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in professional services
4. Which type of program evaluation examines whether a student assistance program is being delivered to the intended population? → Process evaluation
5. 'Neurobiology of addiction' education for students should emphasize that addiction is best understood as: → A chronic brain disease with genetic and environmental components
6. A student with a history of substance use is being discharged from an outpatient treatment program. The SAC's MOST important role is to: → Coordinate with the treatment provider to develop a school-based relapse prevention plan
7. A SAC counselor discusses 'set and setting' when explaining hallucinogen experiences. 'Set' refers to: → The user's mindset and psychological state
8. When facilitating a parent education night on recognizing signs of adolescent substance use, the SAC should AVOID: → Identifying specific students or families as examples during the presentation
9. A crisis intervention team (CIT) in a school setting is MOST effective when it: → Has a pre-established plan, clear roles, and regular training before a crisis occurs
10. Progress monitoring data should be collected at which frequency for students receiving Tier 2 interventions? → Regularly (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly) to track response to intervention
11. What is one effective prevention strategy for reducing teen substance use? → School-based prevention programs
12. A SAC is subpoenaed to testify about counseling sessions with a student. The strongest legal protection against being compelled to testify would be: → Counselor-client privilege established by state statute
13. The ethical concept of 'fidelity' in counseling practice PRIMARILY refers to: → Honoring commitments, being trustworthy, and keeping promises made to clients
14. After a suicide in a school community, which approach is recommended to prevent contagion (copycat suicides)? → Following safe messaging guidelines and providing targeted support
15. Which federal law specifically governs the confidentiality of substance use disorder treatment records in federally assisted programs? → 42 CFR Part 2
16. A SAC discovers mid-implementation that a planned curriculum is developmentally inappropriate for the target grade level. The BEST immediate action is to: → Pause implementation, adapt the curriculum, and document the modification
17. In transactional analysis, which ego state is characterized by rules, judgments, and 'should' statements inherited from parental figures? → Parent
18. The concept of 'duty to warn' most commonly refers to a counselor's obligation to: → Notify potential victims when a client poses a credible threat of harm to them
19. Under what condition can a counselor break confidentiality? → If there is risk of harm or abuse
20. Naloxone (Narcan) is important in substance abuse education because it: → Reverses opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors
21. Which type of data is considered QUALITATIVE in a student assistance program evaluation? → Focus group transcripts describing student experiences
22. A SAC program wants to track whether early warning indicators of student at-risk status are being identified promptly. This is BEST accomplished through: → A case-tracking system with time-to-identification metrics
23. What is the primary purpose of a professional code of ethics? → Ensure ethical behavior and professionalism
24. A SAC is using a RACI chart during program planning. What does the 'C' (Consulted) designation indicate about a stakeholder's role? → The stakeholder provides input before decisions are made but does not own the task
25. Which federal legislation significantly shapes school-based substance abuse programs by requiring drug-free school zones? → Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act
26. In the context of SAC services, 'scope of practice' refers to: → The range of services the counselor is trained and authorized to provide
27. A student returns to school after a psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal crisis. Who should be involved in the reintegration meeting? → The SAC, parents, school administrator, and if possible the treating clinician
28. A student discloses that she is pregnant and asks the SAC not to tell anyone. Under Title IX, schools may NOT: → Require the student to use separate or alternative programs without her consent
29. A school adopts a new early warning system for identifying at-risk students. The SAC's communication role in implementation should primarily include: → Training stakeholders on proper referral procedures and data interpretation
30. In Communication & Stakeholder Relations, what is the FIRST step a SAC professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information