A Complete Breakdown of ASWB Scoring, Passing Requirements, Scaled Scores, and What You Need to Know to Pass

Knowing what score you need to pass the LMSW exam is essential for confident preparation. Many test-takers are unsure about how the exam is scored, how many questions they need to answer correctly, or why the ASWB uses a scaled scoring system instead of a fixed percentage. The scoring process can seem confusing at first, but once you understand how it works, everything becomes far clearer.

This guide breaks down the full scoring system—how the exam is structured, what counts toward your score, how scaled scoring works, and what you should aim for in practice. By the end, you’ll know exactly what “passing” means and how to set realistic score goals.

👉 Check out our LMSW Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with exam-style practice for the Masters Social Work exam, plus specialized content on ethics, interventions, and community systems.

How the ASWB Scores the LMSW Exam

The LMSW exam does not use a simple percentage-based cutoff. Instead, it uses a scaled scoring model designed to keep the exam fair across different versions.

Here’s how the scoring system works:

1. The Exam Contains 170 Questions

You will see:

• 150 scored questions
• 20 unscored pretest questions

Only the 150 scored questions count toward your result.
The other 20 are experimental items being tested for future exams—and you won’t know which ones they are.

2. Your Raw Score Becomes a Scaled Score

Your raw score is:

The number of scored questions you answer correctly (out of 150).

This raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 0 to 100.

You won’t receive your raw score or scaled score.
Your official result will simply say:

PASS
or
FAIL

along with a breakdown of your performance by content domain.

What Score Do You Need to Pass?

There is no single fixed passing number, because the passing threshold changes slightly depending on how difficult your exam version is.

Based on long-standing testing patterns, most candidates need:

✔️ 93–107 correct answers out of 150

which equals roughly:

✔️ 68%–72% correct

This range shifts slightly depending on:

• Your exam version
• Your jurisdiction
• Psychometric adjustments
• Statistical difficulty balancing

As a rule of thumb, aiming for around 70% accuracy is a reliable indicator that you’re ready.

Why Does the Passing Score Vary?

The ASWB uses multiple versions—or “forms”—of the exam. Although all forms assess the same competencies, some versions naturally end up slightly harder or easier.

To keep the exam fair across all versions:

• Easier exam forms require more correct answers
• Harder exam forms require fewer correct answers

This process, called equating, ensures every test-taker faces the same standard of competence—no matter which version they get.

What Are Scaled Scores?

A scaled score is the ASWB’s way of aligning different exam versions so that passing always means the same thing.

Scaling accounts for:

• The difficulty of your version
• Question performance statistics
• Fairness across states
• Variations in exam forms

You won't see your scaled score—you only see pass/fail.
But understanding scaled scoring eliminates the misconception that “some tests are easier to pass.”

Every exam form requires the same level of competence to pass.

What Your Score Report Looks Like

Immediately after finishing the exam, you receive a printout showing:

• PASS or FAIL
• Performance in each content domain
• Relative strengths and weaknesses

The breakdown includes:

• Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior
• Assessment and Intervention Planning
• Interventions with Clients/Systems
• Professional Values and Ethics

For each domain, you’ll see whether your performance was:

• Above passing
• At passing
• Below passing

This report is the key to planning your next steps.

If You Pass the Exam

Once you pass, you are ready to move forward by:

• Submitting your score to your state board
• Completing any remaining requirements
• Receiving your LMSW license
• Beginning supervised practice
• Starting supervised hours for LCSW (if required by your state)

Passing the exam is one of the biggest milestones in your social work career.

If You Don’t Pass the Exam

Many candidates pass on their second attempt, so this situation is more common than you might think.

If you do not pass, you must:

• Wait 90 days before retaking
• Repay the $230 exam fee
• Study your domain breakdown carefully
• Adjust your preparation strategy

Most people improve significantly once they understand their weak areas.

How to Estimate Your Passing Probability

The best predictor of passing is your performance on full-length practice exams.

• 70%+ consistently → strong chance of passing
• 60–69% → additional review recommended
• Below 60% → more foundational study needed

Consistency is more important than one-time high scores.

Why Scaled Scoring Helps You

Although it seems complicated at first, scaled scoring actually benefits test-takers.

✔️ It ensures fairness

You’re never penalized for receiving a harder version.

✔️ It eliminates random luck

Harder or easier forms don’t influence your chances.

✔️ It keeps pass/fail decisions consistent

Everyone is held to the same competency standard.

✔️ It maintains uniformity across states

The passing requirement is identical everywhere.

Do All States Have the Same Passing Score?

Yes.
The ASWB sets the passing standard for the LMSW exam. Individual states may have additional licensing steps, but the actual exam passing requirement is the same nationwide.

What Score Should You Aim for in Practice?

For the safest margin, aim for:

✔️ 110–120 correct answers on practice exams

or

✔️ 75%–80% accuracy

This gives you:

• Extra room for nerves
• Stability even on a harder form
• Confidence across all domains
• A buffer above the official passing range

Aiming higher also improves consistency.

The Most Important Mindset for Passing

Many candidates fail because of test anxiety—not lack of knowledge.

Successful test-takers usually:

🔥 1. Trust ethical principles

Ethics answers follow predictable patterns.

🔥 2. Put safety first

Safety always overrides everything else.

🔥 3. Avoid overthinking

Your first instinct is often correct.

🔥 4. Use ASWB logic, not agency logic

Real-life shortcuts do not apply on the exam.

🔥 5. Remove distractors

Eliminating two wrong answers dramatically improves accuracy.

How to Use Practice Questions to Improve Your Score

Strategic practice is the fastest path to passing.

• Practice in timed blocks to build 4-hour endurance
• Review rationales carefully to understand answer patterns
• Track performance by domain to target weak areas
• Use structured study materials to reinforce understanding

Consistent practice builds confidence and predictability.

If Scaled Scores Confuse You

Don’t stress—understanding the math is not required.

All you really need to know is:

✔️ Aim for 100–110 correct answers

and you will almost always fall within the passing range.

Scaled scoring exists to make the exam fair; you never have to calculate anything.

👉 Check out our LMSW Practice Questions + Study Guide — updated for 2025, with exam-style practice for the Masters Social Work exam, plus specialized content on ethics, interventions, and community systems.

Final Thoughts

The LMSW exam uses a scaled scoring system to ensure fairness across different versions, but the passing requirement itself is straightforward: most candidates pass by answering roughly 93–107 questions correctly. By practicing consistently, reviewing rationales, strengthening ethics knowledge, and using a calm, structured testing approach, you can absolutely reach the passing threshold.

Your LMSW Study Guide and LMSW Practice Questions remain excellent tools for reinforcing concepts, improving reasoning skills, and preparing strategically for exam day.