If you’ve looked at the ASWB exam content outlines recently, you already know: they’re massive. Just reading through the list takes time, focus, and maybe a strong cup of coffee. Understanding it all? That takes even more.
Some items are straightforward. “The concept of empathy”—sure, no problem.
But others—like “methods of networking” or “elements of a case presentation”—might make you pause and wonder, Wait, am I supposed to know how to do that?
Let’s talk about one of those quiet, easy-to-miss items: elements of a case presentation. It’s buried in the “Consultation and Interdisciplinary Collaboration” section of the outline. And honestly, many people walk into the exam without ever having seen it—and still pass.
Still, if you want to know what it means (and be a little more ready for any curveballs), here’s a quick breakdown.
A case presentation is just a structured way of talking about a client. That’s it. If you’ve ever explained a case in supervision, in a team meeting, or even to a friend in grad school, you’ve already done it—just maybe not formally.
In some settings (like hospitals, agencies, or group supervision), you might be expected to use a standard format. That might look something like this:
Demographics – age, gender, referral source, relevant identity markers
Key findings – clinical observations, symptoms, assessment data
Background – brief life history, trauma history, systems involved
Formulation – how you make sense of it all (your working hypothesis)
Interventions and Plan – what’s already been tried and what’s next
Reason for Presentation – why you’re sharing this case (seeking support, review, guidance)
You don’t have to memorize this list. It’s not like Erikson’s stages. Think of it as a guideline: something to organize your thoughts and communicate effectively with others.
In practice, case presentations vary a lot depending on setting and supervisor. Some are very structured; others are more of a “let’s talk it through” situation.
On the ASWB exam, you won’t be writing a case presentation—but you might see a mini one in a vignette. The question will ask what you, the social worker, should do next. Understanding the structure of a case can help you spot what’s missing, what’s urgent, or what needs to happen next.
For example:
A social worker presents a case in supervision. The client is a 14-year-old recently placed in foster care. The social worker shares detailed background about the child’s early development and academic history, but omits any discussion of current symptoms or risk factors. What should the supervisor recommend?
A. Focus more on developmental trauma in future sessions
B. Include the client’s current functioning and presenting concerns
C. Discuss the client’s school history in more detail
D. Shift the conversation to foster care policy issues
A case presentation should prioritize what's happening now and what needs attention—not just history. Correct answer: B.
You don’t need to stress over this outline item. Most case presentation questions are common sense. The key is to focus on what’s most relevant, especially if there are safety concerns, diagnostic questions, or team-based planning.
If you’ve never given a formal case presentation before, that’s okay. Chances are, you’ve done the work—it just wasn’t labeled that way.
And if you’re wondering about “methods of networking”? Don’t overthink it. It just means building professional relationships with people outside your office. You’ve got this.
Try a full-length practice test to see how case-style questions show up on the exam. And good luck—you’re likely closer than you think!
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