As I am going through the process of preparing for the LMSW exam, I've come across two tools that you will find most helpful.
These are two acronyms that will help guide you through the process of selecting your response among the choices offered and are well-worth memorizing (whether you are studying for the LMSW or LCSW exam).
The first acronym is “FAREAFI” (in this order) and it is most useful for FIRST/NEXT type test questions:
FAREAFI
F: Feelings of the client be acknowledged first above all. Begin building rapport.
A: Assess
R: Refer
E: Educate
A: Advocate
F: Facilitate
I: Intervene
To clarify how you use this acronym, your goal is to select the response that is closest in hierarchy to the first letter/item of FAREAFI. Typically, you will have no trouble in discarding two out of the four options provided. However, selecting the correct response among the remaining two responses gets trickier and this handy acronym reminds you which step should go first.
The second acronym is "AASPIRINS" and it most helpful for questions that ask what is
the BEST (or MOST reasonable) option/plan of action:
AASPIRINS
A: Acknowledge client/patient. Begin building rapport.
A: Assess
S: Start where the patient is at
P: Protect life (of the individual and community…this one is about
determining/preventing danger to self and others)
I: Intoxicated do not treat. Refer
R: Rule out medical issue
I: Informed consent
N: Non-judgmental stance
S: Support patient self-determination
For the acronyms to be fresh in your memory during the exam, you may want to memorize them and then jot them down for yourself on the scrap paper given during the test so that you can easily refer back to them throughout your exam.
Wishing you all the best of luck on your exam!
Had you heard of these acronyms before? Test them out with one of the tricky LMSW exam practice questions and let us know if/how they were helpful... Also what study techniques have you found helpful? Please leave a comment so I know that you came by :)
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Photo Credit: Ink Art Texture by Patrick Hoesly
This is not an acronym tip, but it is a study tip.
ReplyDeleteAs I was leafing through a magazine at the dentist's office this morning, I came across a study that indicated that writing something out by hand, aided recall.
When do you write your exam, Dorlee?
Thanks so much, Marianna, for sharing that valuable study tip!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny but I've actually been employing that technique for years, because I found that it was the best way for me to really prepare for exams.
My hope/plan is for December.
Thanks again :)
Dorlee
As an addendum, I ran across a post which provides some helpful study techniques including a site that helps you make digital flash cards and more.
ReplyDeletehttp://workawesome.com/productivity/study-hacks/#more-15241
Dorlee,
ReplyDeleteThis is really awesome and topical for me. I'm attending a workshop next week at my school here in Ontario, Canada this Monday on the topic of practicing in the united states. I'd like to know about your experience writing your professional exams and how that worked out for you.
Tim.
Tim,
ReplyDeleteHow interesting - Is it your plan/intention to ultimately move to the United States?
Glad you enjoyed this post - I'll also make sure to write one post my exam experience :)
Hope you enjoy the workshop!