ASWB Examination Guidebook

Checking in at the test center Identification

When you arrive at the test center, you must present two original forms of identification to test—one from the primary list and one from the secondary list.

The first and last names on both IDs must match the name on your Authorization to Test from ASWB.

The test center does not verify middle names or initials.

You will need to keep your photo ID with you at all times during your testing session.

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• Candidates are able to bring in Original Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree or Legal name change documentation if the marriage/divorce/court date was AFTER the candidate registered for the exam.

• If the Candidate is already married, divorced or finalized name change, and registers under their previous name any way, there is no guarantee that PSI will allow to test, and possibly will forfeit the $230/$260 fee registration fee. Candidates with their name already changed, MUST go back to their state board, update their name and wait for update to be processed by ASWB. Candidate can schedule once new authorization with changes have been received.

  • Candidates MUST cancel any appointment already set up; NO changes can be made on scheduled exams.

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Because you paid for the examination when you registered with ASWB, no further payment will be required at check-in.

Personal items

A personal item is any item a candidate brings to the test center that is not preapproved as a nonstandard testing arrangement.

These items are not allowed for security reasons.

• Test-takers may take only their primary ID, preapproved items, and comfort aids into the testing room.

• Other personal items must be stored in a locker/bag or remain in the test-taker’s vehicle.

• Each locker/bag is numbered and has a key on a key ring.

• The test-taker should retain the key until after the exam.

• Test-takers should never share a locker/bag because exams may end at different times.

Personal belongings that must be stored

The following are examples of items that are not allowed in the testing room. Test-takers may be required to store other items not listed here.

Permitted personal items

The following items are allowed in the testing room.

Comfort Aids (PSI)

Religious apparel

Religious apparel is defined as articles of clothing worn as part of the doctrinal or traditional observance of the religious faith practiced by an adherent. Religious apparel is allowed in the testing room after being visually inspected. Jewelry and other items bearing religious inscriptions or otherwise indicating religious affiliations are not considered religious apparel and are always subject to the standard clothing and jewelry restrictions. Test-takers should place these items in their locker/bag.

The testing room

After you have checked in and stored any personal items, the test administrator may ask you to:

• Pull back your hair to show that no devices are present.

• Lift your tie or hood to show that nothing is concealed.

• Roll up your sleeves.

• Turn out your pockets.

• Pat your hands around your waistline and down your legs

• Remove your glasses and place them on a desk for visual inspection.

Next, you will be escorted into the testing room at your reserved time. This room will contain several stations, each with a computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, and headphones. Test center staff will seat you. Other test-takers will be in the testing room with you, and they may enter and leave the room while you are taking your exam. These individuals may be taking an ASWB examination or other examinations administered by Pearson VUE.

Headphones

Exam Security

Exam security is taken very seriously, and your behavior at the test center will be monitored via audio and video recording. Surveillance cameras run continuously in the testing room and in other areas of the test center. Test center personnel may walk through the testing room to monitor the room while you are taking the exam. Access to the testing room is restricted to test center personnel and test-takers.

You will not be allowed to eat, drink, or chew gum in the testing room. You may eat and drink only in the waiting area of the test center.

Test center staff will supply you with an erasable white board (9x12) and marker. You may not write anything on the note board booklet before the exam begins. You must return the booklet and marker when you complete the exam. If you do not return these items, your exam score will be invalidated. ASWB will be notified, and your actions may be reported to your board.

You will not be allowed to bring anything other than permitted personal items into the testing room or take materials from the testing room. You will not be allowed to consult any study materials at any point during the exam.

Test center staff will report any suspected violations of these rules and other irregularities to PSI and ASWB for investigation. Test-takers who are found to have violated security measures will have their examination scores invalidated, will be reported to their board, and may face a range of administrative, civil, and criminal charges.

Tutorial

You will begin by taking a brief on-screen tutorial about the operation of the testing equipment. This tutorial is not a part of your four-hour testing time. The testing clock starts when you begin the exam.

The Examination

Questions appear on the screen one at a time, and test-takers select their answer. You may skip questions and go back to them later, mark questions for review, highlight and strike through text, and go back and change answers. The software allows users to zoom in and make text appear larger. A help screen is available during the entire exam.

Confidentiality Statement

When you take an ASWB examination, you sign the Confidentiality Statement. Your signature means you agree not to disclose information about exam questions and answers in any format, including on social media. You may not talk about questions with your colleagues, supervisors, mentors, or teachers.

Breaks

You may take short breaks during the four-hour exam at your discretion. If you need to take a break, you must raise your hand for assistance from the proctor, who will escort you out of the testing room.

• Testing time does not stop for breaks.

• You may leave the testing room during breaks only to use the closest restroom and to access a drink and snack from your locker.

• Take your photo ID with you on breaks.

• Be courteous to other test-takers at the center.

• You will not be allowed to leave the test center during your exam.

Difficulties and remedies

Although rare, software problems and power outages do occur. If you experience a problem at the test facility or with testing the software or the computer or other equipment during the exam, report the problem to PSI test center staff at the time the problem occurs. Test center staff must confirm the problem and be given the opportunity to resolve it (30 min). If you do not notify the test center staff of a problem at the time it occurs, ASWB will not be able to verify the problem and you will have no recourse.

Test-takers must allow test center staff at least 30 minutes to correct any exam delivery, administration, or environmental difficulties. If the problem continues for more than 30 minutes, you have the choice to stay until the problem is corrected or to have your appointment rescheduled. You must report concerns to ASWB within two business days of the occurrence. If you do not notify ASWB within this time frame, you will have no recourse.

ASWB and PSI make every effort to ensure that all aspects of examination registration and administration are handled properly and that the result of each examination reflects the performance of the test-taker. In the unlikely event that an error occurs in registration, administration (including disruptions at the test center that lead to delays), or reporting, ASWB and/or PSI will correct the error, if possible, within a reasonable time period. If the problem cannot be corrected within a reasonable time, ASWB and/or PSI may permit the affected candidate to retest at no additional cost. If retesting is determined to be the most appropriate remedy, the examination will be administered in its entirety. No credit will be given for any portion of the previous examination administration. These are the exclusive remedies available to test-takers.

After the exam

After you have completed your exam, you’ll take a brief exit survey. Scores will be available on the PSI portal for the candidates to review.

Exam scoring

All ASWB examination scores are reported as pass/fail, with the number of questions needed to pass the exam and the number of questions answered correctly shown. If you fail the exam, your score report will include a breakdown of the number of questions you answered correctly and the total number of questions in each content area. Your passing or failing score is valid in all states and provinces for the same examination category. Because individual exam questions may have minor differences in difficulty, and because questions change from one exam administration to the next, statistical adjustments are made to account for the small differences in the overall difficulty of individual examinations. These adjustments result in slight increases and decreases in the number of questions that must be answered correctly to pass each version of an ASWB exam. This process ensures that all exams have equal overall difficulty. Making these statistical adjustments ensures that the overall ability that test-takers must demonstrate remains the same from exam form to exam form. In other words, no test-taker receives an advantage or disadvantage because of the version of exam received. Examination scores cannot be altered by ASWB, PSI or a social work board. You must wait at least 90 days to retake any ASWB examination. You may request a waiver of the waiting period if your score was within 10 points of passing and your circumstances prevent you from waiting 90 days to take your next exam. Your official exam results will be forwarded to ASWB and the social work board or college in the state or province in which you are applying for licensure. Your board will have access to your scores no later than 14 days from the date of your examination.

Monitoring test results

To ensure the validity of each individual examination, ASWB and PSI conduct continual systematic statistical reviews of exam scores. Data forensics are used to detect irregularities that raise questions about the validity of each score. If there is any indication of irregularity, your official score report may be delayed pending further review and investigation. If further investigation finds evidence that your behavior during the exam was unacceptable or your results are invalid, ASWB reserves the right to invalidate your score and inform the state or province for which you tested. Test-takers who are found to have violated security measures may face a range of administrative, civil, and criminal charges.

Sharing exam information

Do not discuss exam questions with others, including in study groups, in person, via email, or by posting on Internet forums or social media. These actions violate the Confidentiality Statement you signed before taking the exam.

ASWB Security Tip Line