If you’re preparing for the LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker) exam, you’re probably wondering how many questions you’ll need to answer on test day. Understanding the exam format and number of questions is a great first step in getting prepared.
The Breakdown: Number of Questions
The LMSW exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions. But don’t worry—only 150 of those questions are scored. The remaining 20 questions are used to gather data for future exams and are not counted toward your score. The trick is that you won’t know which 20 questions are experimental, so you should treat every question as if it counts toward your final score.
Timing: How Long Do You Have?
You’ll have 4 hours to complete the 170 questions, 20 of which are not scored. Time management is key! With 150 scored questions, you’ll need to pace yourself to ensure you answer all the questions within the time frame.
Types of Questions: What to Expect
The questions on the LMSW exam are designed to assess your knowledge in a variety of areas relevant to social work practice, such as:
- Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment - 27%
- Assessment and Intervention Planning - 24%
- Interventions with Clients/Client Systems - 24%
- Professional Relationships, Values, and Ethics - 25%
The questions will often be scenario-based, requiring you to think critically and apply your knowledge to real-world social work situations.
So, to summarize: The LMSW exam consists of 170 questions, with 150 scored questions that assess your ability to apply your social work knowledge. With a time limit of 4 hours, you’ll have just under 90 seconds per question to answer thoughtfully. While the number of questions may seem overwhelming, careful study and practice with mock exams will help you manage your time and tackle the test with confidence.
Good luck—you’ve got this!