Introduction

If you’re preparing for the ASWB BSW Exam, one of the first things you naturally want to know is: “What score do I need to pass?”
It’s a simple question, but the answer is a little more complicated than most people expect. Unlike many standardized tests, the ASWB exam doesn’t give you one universal passing score that everyone uses. Instead, passing scores vary depending on your jurisdiction, the scoring model, and the version of the exam you take.

Understanding how scoring works—and what “passing” actually means—will give you a huge sense of relief. Because once you know what you’re aiming for, it becomes much easier to build a smart study plan that leads to success, instead of studying blindly and hoping for the best.

This guide breaks everything down clearly, gently, and in a way that reduces stress. You’ll learn exactly how the ASWB scoring system works, what score you should aim for, what scaled scores mean, how raw scores convert to passing scores, and how you can use this knowledge to prepare effectively.

Let’s make this simple—because once you understand the scoring model, everything else becomes easier.

👉 Check out our ASWB BSW 2025 Study Guide + Interactive Practice Questions inside The Health Exams Portal — fully updated for the 2025 exam outline and built to help you strengthen your understanding of human behavior, social work practice, ethics, and core professional foundations. You’ll get realistic exam-style questions, instant answer explanations from your 24/7 AI Personal Tutor, and smart progress tracking to help you study with confidence and clarity. You got this!

1. There Is No Single “Universal” Passing Score

This surprises many candidates.

There is no single passing score shared by all states and provinces for the ASWB BSW exam. Instead:

👉 Each licensing board sets its own passing standard.

Even though the exam is the same nationwide, the passing score is determined by:

• Your state or provincial licensing board
  
• Their regulatory standards
  
• Their policies for entry-level competence
  

This means two people could take the same version of the BSW exam, in the same month, and each have a different required passing score depending on where they are seeking licensure.

Why this matters

You don’t need to memorize a single number—you need to understand the range of passing scores and how scaled scoring works.

2. Most Jurisdictions Use a Passing Score Around 98–105 Correct Answers

Even though every jurisdiction sets its own standard, in practice, most passing scores fall into a consistent range.

For the ASWB BSW exam, the passing score is typically:

👉 Around 98–105 correct answers out of the 150 scored questions.

This range can vary slightly depending on:

• The version of the exam you receive
  
• The difficulty of your specific test form
  
• The jurisdiction’s licensing requirements
  

But for most candidates, this is the realistic target.

What does this mean in percentage?

Since 150 items are scored:

• 98 correct = ~65%
  
• 105 correct = ~70%
  

So even though the number sounds high, the percentage required is relatively manageable.

3. The ASWB Uses Scaled Scoring — Here’s What That Means

When you take the ASWB BSW exam, your score is converted into what’s called a scaled score.

What is a scaled score?

A scaled score is a mathematical conversion that:

• Adjusts for slight differences in test difficulty
  
• Ensures fairness across different test versions
  
• Allows boards to set consistent passing thresholds
  

The ASWB typically uses a scale that ranges approximately from 0–100, with 70 often functioning as the passing scaled score in jurisdictions that use scaled scoring.

Why scaled scoring helps you

Imagine one version of the test is slightly more challenging than another. Without scaling, candidates taking the harder version would be unfairly penalized. Scaling ensures everyone is judged fairly, no matter which version they receive.

4. How Raw Scores Convert to Scaled Scores

Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly out of the 150 scored items (remember: 20 are unscored pretest items).

For example:

• 100 correct = raw score of 100
  
• 112 correct = raw score of 112
  
• 140 correct = raw score of 140
  
• This raw score is then converted into a scaled score, which considers the difficulty of your specific test form.

Example conversion (illustrative only)

Again, this is just an example. The actual conversion changes depending on the difficulty of your test.

Key takeaway

You don’t need a perfect score. In fact, you can miss 40–50 questions and still pass.

5. Why Passing Scores Differ by Jurisdiction

Jurisdictions set their own passing scores based on:

• Their definition of “minimal competence”
  
• Their legal requirements
  
• Their local professional standards
  
• Their regulatory expectations
  
• Their history with ASWB scoring
  

Some states require a higher passing score because they want a wider buffer of competence for entry-level practice. Others stick to the ASWB recommendations.

This variability can feel confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand the typical score range, you know exactly what to aim for.

6. Why the Passing Score Is NOT Percentage-Based

This part confuses a lot of candidates, so let’s clear it up:

👉 The ASWB does NOT use a percentage-based passing requirement.

You are not required to score:

• 70%
  
• 75%
  
• 80%
  

Or any other percentage.

Instead, passing is based on:

• A fixed number of correct answers
  
• Converted to a scaled score
  
• Aligned with your jurisdiction’s standards
  

This approach ensures fairness, consistency, and accuracy—especially across different versions of the test.

7. What Score Should You Aim for While Studying?

Because passing scores vary slightly by jurisdiction, the best strategy is to aim above the minimum.

The sweet spot goal while preparing is:

👉 Aim for 110–120 correct answers on practice exams.
(That’s roughly 73–80%.)

Why this range works:

• It gives you a safety buffer
  
• It accounts for nerves on test day
  
• It protects you if your test form is harder than average
  
• It prepares you for ethical and applied reasoning items
  
• It ensures a strong, confident performance
  
  

You don’t need perfection—you just need consistency.

8. What Role Do the Unscored Questions Play?

Remember, the exam includes 20 unscored pretest items.

These items:

• Do NOT count toward your score
  
• Are mixed throughout the exam
  
• Are indistinguishable from scored items
  
• Help ASWB evaluate future test questions
  
• Can be easier or harder than typical questions
  

The mistake many people make:

They waste time worrying about questions that feel too strange, too simple, or too confusing—without realizing those questions might not even count.

The best approach

Treat every question like it counts. Keep moving. Don’t panic over outliers.

9. What Happens if You Don’t Pass?

If you do not reach your jurisdiction’s passing score:

• ASWB will give you a score report
  
• You will see how you performed across domains
  
• You must wait a specific period before retaking (typically 90 days)
  
• You will need to re-register and pay exam fees again
  

It’s not the end of the road. Many strong social workers pass on their second attempt. The score breakdown helps you identify which domains need more attention.

10. Tips to Increase Your Chance of Passing the BSW Exam

Knowing the passing score is helpful—knowing how to reach it is even more important.

Here’s how you can set yourself up for success:

1. Study each domain systematically

Because the exam is heavily weighted toward Assessment and Intervention, start there.

2. Practice ASWB-style reasoning

This teaches you how to choose the best answer—not just a correct one.

3. Review ethics thoroughly

Ethics appears across every domain, not just Domain 4.

4. Take full-length practice tests

You need stamina for a 170-question exam.

5. Build a realistic pacing plan

Aim to answer 50 questions per hour with time to spare.

6. Focus on understanding, not memorizing

You’ll see many applied scenario questions that require judgment, not recall.

7. Study with purpose, not pressure

Your goal is not perfection.
Your goal is competence—and you’re capable of it.

👉 Check out our ASWB BSW 2025 Study Guide + Interactive Practice Questions inside The Health Exams Portal — fully updated for the 2025 exam outline and built to help you strengthen your understanding of human behavior, social work practice, ethics, and core professional foundations. You’ll get realistic exam-style questions, instant answer explanations from your 24/7 AI Personal Tutor, and smart progress tracking to help you study with confidence and clarity. You got this!

Final Thoughts

Understanding the passing score for the ASWB BSW exam helps take away a huge amount of stress. Instead of guessing what you need to aim for, you now understand:

• How scoring works
  
• What counts
  
• What doesn’t
  
• What a passing score typically looks like
  
• How scaled scoring levels the playing field
  
• Why jurisdictions vary
  
• What score you should aim for
  
• How to prepare effectively
  

You don’t need a perfect score—you just need a solid, steady, consistent performance. And with the right study plan, you can absolutely achieve that.

You’ve worked hard to get here. You’re capable, prepared, and ready for this next step. Keep moving forward—you’re closer than you think.

You’ve got this.