Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam

How I passed my LMSW exam [this past Friday] and you can too !

• Take the National Association of Social Workers' (NASW) Preparation Course - it is a one-day course that not only prepares you mentally for the big day but also provides you with an invaluable study guide that covers all that you need to know for the exam

• Read Secrets for Passing the LMSW Exam

• Read How to Use Two Acronyms to "Go for the Gold" on the LMSW Exam

• Divide and Conquer: After you know when your exam date is scheduled for, figure out approximately how many pages you need to cover per day/week to finish going through the entire study guide [giving yourself some leeway for some sick days or days when you won't have the time etc.] and then try your best to stick to this schedule. 

Also, note that certain sections will be harder to get through than others in terms of reading and/or trying to retain.  

In terms of the studying, don't just read through the material and/or highlight. As per this article on studying strategies, studying evenly and practice testing are the two most effective strategies. 

• Do not attempt to memorize the whole study guide. Instead: 

1) read through the whole book once [employing the highlighting technique] - I had done this prior to the "divide and conquer" technique

2) take notes during the "divide and conquer" phase 

3) memorize only key items from your notes as you get close to the date of the exam 

4) take the test exam at the back of the study guide once you have finished - I spread out the sample test over three days as a review the week before my exam. 

If you like, you can take additional practice tests. See Tools to Help You Pass the LMSW Exam for free practice exams. 

• Try to take your exam as soon as you can after you graduate. This way, you are more likely to have some of the information covered in the exam fresh in your mind, from the classes you took at graduate school.

If you end up having to take your exam, a year or longer after you have graduated (as I did), you can still do fine. Just try to stay current :)

To keep up-to-date, you can: attend continuing education classes, webinars, listen to informative podcasts such as those provided by InSocialWork or The Social Work Podcast, read social work articles and/or participate in mental health twitter chats like those hosted by @SWSCmedia or @swhelpercom.

How Neuroscience/Willpower Learnings Can Help Prepare You for the Exam:

• Don't study for too long; re-charge your brain every 1.5 hrs with some meditation/exercise/20-minute nap.

• If you don't feel like studying, that's ok. Tell yourself, I will study for just 5 minutes. You can usually get yourself going to do something for just 5 minutes. 

And once you are studying for 5 minutes, you will be able to study for longer and feel so good about what you have done!

• Provide your brain with a steady supply of energy through food and adequate rest throughout the period of time that you are preparing for the exam.

• Meditate before taking the exam (or engage in another type of activity like exercise etc. that can help you clear/relax your mind)

I wish you the best of luck on your exam! 

Did you find this post helpful? If yes, could you please "like" and/or "share" it with others? Thanks!

You May Also Enjoy:

Meditation and Stress Management
The Power of Meditation
10 LMSW Exam Practice Questions
10 More LMSW Exam Practice Questions
Tools to Help You Pass the LMSW Exam

References:
McGonigal, K. (2012). The willpower instinct: How self-control works, why it matters, and what you can do to get more of it. New York: Avery.
Schwartz, T. (2013). Relax! You’ll be more productive. New York Times.

Photo credit: Congratulations card