Think Like the Test

Think Like the Test 13 - Minimalism

How much information do you need to answer exam questions correctly? In some cases -- not all, but some -- you can get a question correct just with your knowledge of the

Think Like the Test 12 - The Model Isn't Everything

When you see exam questions based on models of therapy, knowing the model well can help you eliminate some wrong answer options. But it often can't get you all of the way

Think Like the Test 11 - Systems, in Two Parts

What does it mean to think systemically? And how do you demonstrate systemic thought on an exam? These questions come from a prior edition of the official handbook for t

Think Like the Test 10 - When the Test Is Wrong

Exam developers work diligently to produce what they believe to be strong, accurate exams. But just like everyone else, they occasionally make mistakes. What should you d

Think Like the Test 9 - Morals and Ethics Are Different

What's your moral framework? That can heavily influence your clinical and ethical decision-making -- but it might not line up well with the approach you're being tested o

Think Like the Test 8 - Hollywood, Baby

Therapists and reality TV shows are often not a great mix. And yet, it turns out that both of your esteemed hosts have some history with Hollywood. Learn more about how t

Think Like the Test 7 - That’s Not Actually What the Code Says

What happens when an ethics question -- produced by the actual test developer -- doesn't actually line up with what the relevant code of ethics says? In today's episode,

Think Like the Test 6 - Logic Problems

Logic is one of the most important test-taking skills. If you can rule out even one part of a response choice, you can rule out that entire response choice. In today's qu

Think Like the Test 5 - Safety First

[Content advisory: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault. Listener discretion advised.] Crisis management questions will often include multiple answers that

Think Like the Test 4 - Culture as a Distractor

[Content advisory: This episode includes discussion of client suicidality. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call 988.] Exams have been criticized for h

Think Like the Test 3 - Stop Should-ing Yourself

Key words in a question can often help lead you to the correct answer. In this episode, we discuss some to attend to -- and some that you shouldn't give much weight to.

Think Like the Test 2 - Simon Says

Remember the key lesson from childhood games like Simon Says and Mother May I -- always listen carefully to the instructions. This question comes from Ben Caldwell Labs'

Think Like the Test 1 - To Start, an Easy One

Carrie Wiita and Ben Caldwell talk through a sample question to start our discussion of test-taking skills, and Carrie comes one step closer to an important life goal. T