The Two Secret LMSW Exam Acronyms You Must Know

Have you felt torn between answer choices on social work licensing exam questions?

LMSW Exam Acronyms That Help You Choose the Right Answer

There are two powerful acronyms that can guide you to the correct answer. These memory tools have helped thousands of social workers pass their LMSW exams on the first try.

Why These Acronyms Work

The ASWB exam tests your ability to prioritize and make clinical decisions. When you’re stuck between two seemingly correct answers, these acronyms help you identify which action comes first or which option is best, based on social work values and practice standards. When students learn how to apply LMSW exam acronyms, they often feel immediate relief because the decision making process becomes clearer.

Important: These acronyms were not helpful for the LCSW exams that rely on more practical experience.

Acronym #1: FAREAFI

Use for FIRST/NEXT questions

When a question asks “What should the social worker do FIRST?” or “What is the NEXT step?” use FAREAFI:

F – Feelings of the client be acknowledged first above all. Begin building rapport.

A – Assess the situation, gather information

R – Refer to appropriate services or specialists

E – Educate the client about resources, options, or their condition

A – Advocate for the client’s needs

F – Facilitate connections and support

I – Intervene with therapeutic techniques

How to Use FAREAFI

Look at your answer choices and identify where each option falls in the FAREAFI hierarchy. The correct answer is typically the one that comes earliest in the sequence (unless earlier steps have already been completed in the question stem).

Example: If one answer involves assessing (A) and another involves intervening (I), choose the assessment option; it comes first.

These LMSW exam acronyms are especially helpful when two answer choices seem clinically correct but only one follows proper social work priorities.

Acronym #2: AASPIRINS

Use for BEST/MOST questions

When a question asks “What is the BEST response?” or “What is MOST appropriate?” use AASPIRINS:

A – Acknowledge client/patient. Begin building rapport.

A – Assess the situation thoroughly

S – Start where the patient is at (meet them where they are)

P – Protect life (of the individual and community—determine danger to self/others)

I – Intoxicated do not treat. Refer for substance abuse treatment

R – Rule out medical issues before assuming psychological causes

I – Informed consent must be obtained

N – Non-judgmental stance toward all clients

S – Support patient self-determination and empowerment

How to Use AASPIRINS

Scan your answer choices and see which principle applies. Eliminate answers that violate social work values

(like failing to support self-determination or being judgmental). Choose the answer that best aligns with the earliest relevant principle.

Example: If safety is at risk (P for Protect life), that takes priority over supporting self-determination (S).

Quick Test Day Tip

Write these down immediately: When you sit down for your exam, jot down both acronyms on your scratch paper during the tutorial. This way, you can refer to them throughout the test without having to remember them under pressure.

See These Acronyms in Action

Want to see exactly how to apply these tools to real exam questions? Check out:

• How to Use Two Acronyms to “Go for the Gold” – 6 detailed examples with explanations
• Got LMSW Exam Anxiety? 4 Strategies + 10 Practice Questions – Practice applying the acronyms

Additional Study Resources

Study Strategy Posts:

Ten Tips for Passing the LMSW Exam

Secrets for Passing the LMSW Exam

Tools to Help You Pass the LMSW Exam

Practice Questions:

10 LMSW Exam Practice Questions

10 More LMSW Exam Practice Questions

Helpful Articles:

10 Questions About the ASWB Exams – The New Social Worker

What Do I Do When I Fail the Social Work Exam? – The New Social Worker

Complete Guide:

The Complete LMSW Exam Guide

Wishing you the best of luck on your exam!

How helpful do you find these two acronyms in figuring out the correct answer to some of the practice questions?  Do you have any lessons learned and/or additional tips to share? 

SaveSave