Social Work 2026 Exam Change Overview by Dr. Dawn Apgar

✅ Content Area Reductions: The current four content areas will be consolidated into three: Values and Ethics, Assessment and Planning, and Intervention and Practice.

✅ Shift to Applied Knowledge Statements: The traditional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) format will be replaced with applied knowledge statements.

✅ Increased Emphasis on Values and Ethics: The revised exams will place greater focus on ethical considerations within practice, reflecting their central role in the profession.

✅ Updated Subdomains: Each of the three content areas will include revised subdomains that are consistent across all exam categories (Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, and Clinical).

The exams will continue to be four hours long (with a 10 minute break between the 2-two hour sections) and include 170 multiple-choice questions, with 150 scored questions and 20 unscored questions. As on the current exam, you will have no way to know which items are not being scored. Each question will now offer three response options instead of four.

If you are currently studying for your social work exam, you still have plenty of time to prepare and succeed before the exam changes in 2026. I suggest you continue on the path you are on, especially if you are retaking the exam. Work with the material you are familiar with and test in 2025. Focus on your studies, use available resources, and stay committed to your goal. You can do this!

Start preparing now to take advantage of the current structure.

— Dr. Dawn Apgar

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