With the recent switch to back to Pearson VUE for exam administration, a new feature has been added to the exam process: Instead of one four-hour, 170-question stretch, the test is now broken into two, two-hour, 85-question sits with an optional 10-minute break in between them. Once you've completed the first of the two sections and submitted it, you may not return to it. The exam content is the same.

The change spelled out in the new ASWB Exam Guidebook (page 17). Here are the essentials (emphasis added):

Breaks
There are two types of breaks that you may take during your exam, a scheduled 10-minute break and
unscheduled breaks.
All breaks
• During breaks, you may leave the testing room only to visit the closest restroom and access a drink and
snack.
• Take your photo ID with you on breaks.
• Be courteous to other test-takers at the test center.
• You will not be allowed to leave the building.
Scheduled break
• The exam is divided into two sections. You will be given the entire exam time at the beginning of the
test. There are no individually timed sections, so manage your time accordingly.
• After you complete the first section, you will be prompted to review and submit your answers for that
section. You will no longer have access to those questions after you submit them.
• You will then have the option of taking a scheduled break, during which the clock will stop for a
maximum of 10 minutes.
• You may take less than 10 minutes for your scheduled break. Any remaining break time, however, will
not extend the amount of time allocated for answering the remaining exam questions.
• It is important to return on time from the scheduled break and to allow time for the exam proctor to
readmit you into the exam room.
• Once the break has expired, the exam clock automatically begins again.
Unscheduled breaks
• You may also take unscheduled breaks at any time during the exam by raising your hand to notify a
proctor.
• The clock continues to run during unscheduled breaks.

In the past, breaks were optional and, if taken, would eat up test-taking time. For many, the scheduled 10-minute break will be a welcome change. For others, the inability to review all 170 questions together before submitting will be irksome. But, we're social workers, we will adjust! As will SWTP. It'll take some tech jiggering, but we'll get things matching the new exam flow soon! Stay tuned...

Thanks to tutor/YouTuber Phil Luttrell who drew our attention to the change with this video. 




April 7, 2025
Categories :
  aswb  
Previous
Next