Most of what makes exam day stressful is the exam. Some of it is the unfamiliar building, the check-in, and not knowing what happens when. That second part is entirely knowable in advance. Here's how the day goes, start to finish. For registration, fees, accommodations, and retakes, see the ASWB exam FAQs.
The exam is given at Pearson VUE test centers across the U.S. and Canada, and you can test outside the jurisdiction where you're applying for licensure. It's worth knowing exactly where the center is and how long it takes to get there at that time of day. Some people do a dry run.
Aim to arrive ~30 minutes before your appointment. Arriving late means you won't be allowed to test, and the exam fee is forfeited.
Bring two original forms of identification: one from Pearson VUE's primary list (a government-issued photo ID) and one from the secondary list. The first and last names on both must match the name on your Authorization to Test. Middle names and initials aren't checked. If your name has changed since you registered, bring the original marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Copies aren't accepted. Without proper ID, you can't test, and the fee is forfeited.
Dress in layers. Test center temperatures vary, and coats and jackets aren't allowed in the testing room, though sweaters, sweatshirts, and blazers are. Leave what you can at home or in the car, including your watch.
Check-in involves more security than most people expect. Your photo will be taken and your palm scanned, and staff may use a detection wand. You'll sign the Candidate Rules Agreement electronically. You may also be asked to turn out your pockets, pull up your sleeves, or remove your glasses for inspection.
Phones, bags, wallets, watches, outerwear, hats (other than religious or medical head coverings), and jewelry wider than a quarter inch get stored in a locker. A drink in a spill-proof container and a snack can be stored in the check-in area for use during breaks. Only your photo ID, preapproved items, and comfort aids go into the testing room.
Staff will seat you at a computer in a room shared with other test-takers, some of whom may be taking entirely different exams and coming and going on their own schedules. The room is monitored by video. You'll get an erasable note board and marker, which have to be returned at the end, and there's an on-screen scratch pad as well. No eating, drinking, or gum in the testing room.
A software tutorial comes first. It doesn't count against your exam time, so it's worth going through carefully rather than clicking past.
The exam has 122 questions in two sections of 61, with two hours for each section. Twelve of the questions are unscored pretest items mixed in with the rest, and there's no way to tell which ones they are. Questions have either three or four answer options.
Within a section, you can skip questions, flag them for review, highlight and strike through text, and change answers. Once you submit a section, or its two hours run out, it's closed for good. That makes the end of the first section a natural checkpoint: review anything you flagged before you submit.
Two hours for 61 questions works out to nearly two minutes per question, which is more time than most people need. The risk on this exam is less often running out of time than spending surplus minutes second-guessing answers that were fine. How to slow down without losing time covers where that time is best spent.
After the first section, there's an optional scheduled break of up to 10 minutes, and the exam clock stops while you take it. You can skip it or come back early, but unused break time doesn't carry over to the second section. Time beyond 10 minutes comes out of your second section, so allow a minute or two for the proctor to readmit you.
The break is worth taking even if you feel fine. Standing up, getting water, and eating something resets attention for the second half.
You can also take unscheduled breaks at any point by raising your hand, but the clock keeps running during those. On any break, you can go only to the restroom and to your stored drink and snack. Leaving the building, including a trip to your car, isn't allowed and can end your exam.
Technical problems are rare, but if one happens, tell test center staff right away. They need to confirm it and get a chance to fix it, and you're expected to allow them at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you can choose to stop and have your appointment rescheduled. You'll also need to report the incident to ASWB through ASWBCentral within two business days. A problem that isn't reported in the moment, or to ASWB within that window, can't be addressed later.
After the second section, there's a brief exit survey, and then your result appears on screen. An unofficial score report shows up on your ASWBCentral dashboard about 24 hours later. Official results go to your board, which can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to process.
The score report shows the number of correct answers needed to pass and the number you answered correctly. If you didn't pass, it also breaks down your performance by content area, which is the place to start in planning a retake.
Remember what you agreed to at check-in. The Confidentiality Statement covers every exam question. Discussing specific questions afterward, in person, in study groups, or online, violates it.
Hopefully, the screen says pass, and that's that. Celebrate, and get on with your social work career and your life.
The less unfamiliar the exam itself feels, the more attention is left for the questions. SWTP's full-length practice tests match the current exam's format and timing, with explanations for every answer option.
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