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.
Would you like to see how some examples of how these are applied to some questions? Check out How to Use Two Acronyms to “Go for the Gold” on the LMSW 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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This is not an acronym tip, but it is a study tip.
As 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!
It’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.
http://workawesome.com/productivity/study-hacks/#more-15241
Dorlee,
This 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,
How 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!
Hello there! I am taking my exam next week and I came across your blog in a google search! Thanks so much! This will help!
Another acronym I saw on the internet to use during the exam for questions that ask about TREATMENT PROCEDURES:
Emily is Always Getting Into Extraordinary Trouble
E- Engage
I- Information Gathering
A- Assess
G- Goal Setting
I- Intervention
E- Evaluation
T- Termination
Thanks so much for sharing this acronym !
Have you tested it out to see if it will give you the correct response to either the FIRST or BEST variation type questions as well?
It would be great if it would because it is a much friendlier [easier to remember type of acronym than the two I had shared in this post].
Thanks again!
Hello I failed my exam by two points after multiple tries. I don’t understand what I am doing wrong?
I’m sorry to hear that you failed your exam. It sounds like you are very close to passing. Is it possible that anxiety may be playing a role?
If yes, you may want to try some one the advice in this post https://www.socialwork.career/2013/04/how-to-tame-your-job-interview-anxiety-once-and-for-all.html
Alternatively, you may find watching the videos in this post helpful https://www.socialwork.career/2014/04/got-lmsw-exam-anxiety-4-strategies-10-practice-questions.html You will see that you are not alone in having a difficult time in passing the exam. Sometimes it takes a few tries before you pass it.
I’m sure you’ll get there. Wishing you the best of luck!
Dorlee did you get through your exam?
Yes, Brienna, I passed my exam a year and a half ago 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing these acronyms! I’m preparing for my exam now!
Passed by exam a few weeks ago, and this was by far the most important things that I reviewed when it came to figuring out exam questions.
Congrats, Lisa!
Thank you for stopping by to share not only your good news but the importance of using this tool for your success!
Hi just wanted to drop by and say that I used this technique when I took my exam and I’m happy to report that I PASSED!. This was truly helpful. I found this in the 9th hour of studying. Thanks Dorlee!
Tamika, I’m so glad to hear that the two acronyms were helpful for you and that you passed. Congrats!
Thanks so much for stopping by to share your kind feedback and good news!
Best,
Dorlee