You know the feeling. You’re halfway through an exam question and a little voice pipes up: “What if they mean something else?” Suddenly you’re rereading every word, second-guessing your gut answer, and adding layers of complexity the question never actually asked for.
On the ASWB exam, that’s how perfectionism turns into lost points.
It helps to understand that perfectionism can show up in two ways on the exam:
1. Perfectionism in the exam-taker – This is you, overthinking your way out of a correct answer by:
Adding “what ifs” that aren’t in the question.
Imagining hidden problems the stem doesn’t describe.
Searching for a flawless real-world solution instead of the best exam-world choice.
2. Perfectionism in the vignette – This is when the client, supervisee, or colleague in the question is perfectionistic in their own life or work. Your job is to choose the best social work response to help them address it. That might mean helping them set realistic goals, challenge cognitive distortions, or adjust priorities.
Being aware of both types matters. If you let your own perfectionism drive your answer, you risk overcomplicating and missing the point. If perfectionism is part of the vignette, you need to identify it as the presenting issue and respond appropriately.
Perfectionism isn’t just about wanting to be right—it’s about feeling like you have to be. That pressure can lead to:
Overcomplicating questions – Seeing hidden traps where none exist.
Changing correct answers – Research shows your first instinct is often right.
Wasting time – Spending five minutes on a single question worth one point.
Spiraling anxiety – The more you second-guess, the shakier your confidence becomes.
Perfectionist test-takers often:
Add extra “what ifs” beyond what’s in the stem.
Hunt for perfect solutions instead of the best available answer.
Revisit the same question multiple times without gaining new insight.
Remember: the ASWB exam isn’t grading your ability to imagine every possible scenario—it’s testing whether you can identify the most appropriate, textbook-aligned choice given the facts provided.
The best way to avoid the perfectionism trap is to stick strictly to the facts given in the question—if it’s not there, don’t invent it. When you hit an item you’re unsure about, answer it, mark it, and move on so you can keep your momentum.
Trust the training you’ve done and rely on standard, exam-world reasoning rather than chasing real-world exceptions. And practice under timed conditions to build confidence in making quick, decisive choices without getting stuck in second-guessing.
Here’s a question where perfectionism — both in the test-taker and in the vignette — might trip you up:
A social worker is meeting with a new client who reports frequent arguments with their spouse. The client denies any history of violence or emotional abuse. The social worker should FIRST:
A) Conduct a full safety assessment to rule out hidden abuse.
B) Explore the client’s perception of the marital conflicts.
C) Suggest immediate couples counseling.
D) Ask the spouse to join the session to provide their perspective.
Have your answer?
A perfectionist test-taker might think, “What if the client isn’t telling the truth? Maybe I should investigate hidden abuse just in case.” That’s adding facts the question doesn’t give you—exactly the kind of overthinking that costs points.
If the perfectionism in this scenario were coming from the client instead — for example, if they described constantly trying to “fix” every minor disagreement — the exam might be asking how to help them manage that trait. But here, there’s no indication of safety concerns or perfectionistic thinking in the client’s presentation.
Correct Answer: B – Stick to the facts and choose the most appropriate, textbook-aligned first step.
Don’t let the need for a perfect answer push you into a wrong one. Whether it’s your own perfectionism or perfectionism in the vignette, the exam rewards clear, confident reasoning—not mental gymnastics.
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