Occasionally, I get some emails about this blog from the people who find it useful. I have not posted here in a while because of a variety of reasons; however, I could be convinced to post again should the need arise.
Most of what you will find here are brief explanations of the theories and methods of clinical social work practice. My reasons for writing it in the past were twofold. First, it helped me study for my exam. Second, the guides I found online were poorly edited and provided little value for the money you paid for them.
As I think about writing new posts for this blog I am working hard to convince myself of its usefulness for others in need. In that vein, I would ask what you, the people who find this medium and information helpful, would like me to post on this blog. The clinical theories and methods are relatively complete, are there other areas that seem information heavy that could be dealt with here and provide a service to others taking the exam?
What do you think? What information could I provide here that would be helpful for you (and others) taking the LCSW national exam?
If I don't hear anything I will assume that I have provided the necessary information for your benefit. If I do hear something then I will attempt to provide what information I can in as timely a manner as possible.
Feel free to email me or leave a comment in this post.
Peace
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17 comments:
please keep writing...I'm currently studying to take the LCSW in NY and am using your site as a study guide...thank you for all you information...
P.S. the information you are providing is invaluable...I agree that the study guides are poorly written and they charge so much...again thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge...
since I seem to be the only one...thank you thank you thank you...
glad you are finding something useful here, I am sure there are others, just silent others at this time. Good luck with your studies.
I too am studying for the LCSW exam in NYC, have a date of 3/10, but not sure I'll be ready. I am using the Academic Review information, which a friend lent me, but the online exams portion has expired. The program is boring, not well organized and very rhetoric heavy. It is also extremely expensive - and I already have the volumes 1 & 2. So this is VERY helpful. Do you have any suggestions for practice exams? What do you think of Socialworkexam.com (the Linton Hutchinson character?) Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Melissa
Melissa-
Socialworkexam.com is the reason why this blog exists. I bought the "notes" material from the website, believing the other stuff was too expensive, and was thoroughly unimpressed. It was poorly edited, full of spelling and grammatical errors and entirely unusable. I even emailed them offering to edit the document and clean it up to make it consumable, but never heard back. Dr. Hutchinson emailed me several months ago to see if he could use the material on this site to bolster the information he gives out to test-takers, I have yet to reply to him because I am not sure I want my stuff sold.
As for practice exams, there used to be one that was brief but freely available. I am not sure of the website at this time though. The AATBS material that I used for my prep offered online exams (about 6 of them) but it they do charge for access. I bought my materials off of ebay and saved about $25. There are very few free resources out there for people who don't want to mortgage their houses to pass the exam. Unfortunately, I don't feel as though I can post direct questions on the blog without incurring copyright issues. If I run across some resources that will be helpful I will add them to the website. Glad you are finding things useful.
peace and good luck
Thanks for getting back to me. Good to know that others too find serious problems with the help that is for sale out there. I've been stunned, flummoxed, then depressed by it. Unfortunately my options are limited and I may have to go with a 30 day socialworkexam.com subscription. If only to get to some exams. They will be critical for me, as my studying is going stupefyingly badly. Anyway, thanks again, and I really appreciate your help.
Melissa
I have used the socialworkexam.com site for about a week and found the exam part to be helpful, but overall the site was poorly laid out. I have the book from LEAP, and was quite impressed with it. love your blog!
-Robin
First and foremost, congratulations on passing your examination. I just viewed your information and found it to be extremely helpful. I am interested in any suggestions you may have regarding outlining and simplifying the area of Human Growth and Development. I have worked in Florida in the area of foster care and children/adolescent services for the past 15 years and areas beyond that I find very challenging. I purchased the on-line testing from Aatbs, and my assessment of my weakness is evident when I take the on-line tests. I am doing really well in the other areas, but not the area that I should be, because that is 22% of the questions. I appreciate any advice!
I just want to say thank you so much for this site. I'm planning to sit for my exam this June and have been doing some research in prep materials. Your site and the other commenters here have been very helpful to me in making a decision. I'm going to try out the AATBS materials along with your writeups here. This blog is very empowering for me. Please keep updating! :)
Here is a link to a small online practice exam:
http://gerrygrossman.com/mall/SampleMT.php?Type=2
I take the exam tomorrow (for NJ). Wish me luck!!
I just finished teaching a course and will add some new information in the coming weeks... I still have to grade papers (and oh yeah, that dissertation thing as well).
Peace
I feel like I am incredibly late in finding and responding, but here I am nonetheless. I am studying to take the Master's level exam in NJ. I hear the material is the same, so I'm using your blog as one source of study information. It is very clear, concise, well written and helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hello. My hours just got approved by the BBS. I am an MFT and I am wondering if there is a big difference between the exams for MFT and MSW. I could get a used AABTS MSW study guide for a good price and was wondering if I should get it.
There is probably enough of a difference in the specifics to warrant getting a study guide. Generally, I imagine there are a lot of similarities.
Tomorrow 12:30 test time. 4 hours in a chair?? Just enduring that after 21 years as a SW should give me a right to pass this thing! I could have grandfathered my license years ago but was out of practice and thought I'd not go back- what a mistake- ths is crazy. I'm 47yrs. old, private practice , licensed since 1988 and will probably fail because I disagree with most of their answers! I'm reframing my thoughts after reading your blog- I have been told by collegues to answer what they would want- similar to your advice- thanks!!!!!!
Thank you so much for this. With the current economic downturn and my husband being laid off from work, I need every dollar I can muster. I am attempting to prepare for the exam through free resources online! I hope I can pull this off. If anyone knows other websites, please post!
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