Topic 2: Taking the LMHC Licensure Exam! {by 2/1}
We will be completing a few case study questions for the NCMHCE next week (the exam used for licensure in MA and other states). We briefly touched upon the content of the exam in our previous class (we will cover the content in significantly more detail next week). Simply share any questions, concerns, anxieties, or thoughts of optimism that you have about taking the exam.
*See Documents 4 & 5 under “MA LMHC Prep” in Handouts.
Your original post should be posted no later than 2/1. It is okay if your post is relatively “short.” Replies are not required for this blog – I will do my best to address each of your responses in class.
Dr. Adam M Volungis 
Jan 26, 2024 @ 14:02:14
I am just generally concerned about the knowledge I do or do not have. Will what I have absorbed over these two years be enough to pass? My internship is amazing, but it is not your normal placement where you can apply basically everything we have learned in the program to the work we do. I also just in general do not test well because of nerves a well. I guess for me it is really just about trusting how much I know.
I also think it is interesting that we will have to work through cases. I think it is pretty cool and honestly makes me feel a little bit better rather than like all multiple choice or super similar to the SATs. But again, will what I know be enough to pass? That is just something I will have to trust myself with, I know that. It just still makes me nervous.
I think in general for me, I just want to have as much information as possible about the exam such as how long it normally takes, some specific things they are looking for, which I can see in the readings a bit, and if there are specific things I should look to study more. I will just feel better overall if I have as much information as possible, which is why we have this class, and that is great for me!
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:48:40
Hi Tiana,
I agree that having the case study structure is preferred to a series of random questions. It will help me collect my thoughts, and I can see the value in it. I am also worried about what external content i need to learn.
Jan 27, 2024 @ 17:10:14
After looking over the NCMHCE outline, I am feeling a little nervous that the knowledge that I gained through the program and my internship may not be enough. The outline’s section on the “Areas of Clinical Focus” gave me a mini-heart attack as I have not yet encountered many of these issues in my own practice. However, I am hopeful that the multiple-choice format of the test will allow me to use my clinical judgement in these instances. Overall, I am thankful that the test is in multiple-choice format compared to short answer/essay format where there may be more room for error or misinterpretation.
Jan 28, 2024 @ 11:22:26
Hi Abby!
I totally agree with you! While I am so nervous about the knowledge I may be lacking in order to pass this exam, I am grateful for the multiple choice format that will also be a part of the exam. While all multiple choice would be hard, all short answer/essay would be far worse so it is nice that there is more than just that. There may be parts to this exam that I simply do not have experience with and that is a scary thought as well! So I feel your pain.
Jan 28, 2024 @ 21:19:41
One of my biggest questions is how should I study for the exam? Because the format involves case studies, should I mainly study by doing practice tests? I am wondering what some effective study methods have been for other students. Also, I was a little concerned when I looked at the section about the areas of clinical focus because there were a lot of areas of focus. How familiar do we have to be with all the areas of clinical focus? I am also curious about when/how often the test is offered because I saw some different answers about when the test is offered. Looking through some of the content, I was feeling somewhat optimistic because I recognized a lot of content from our different courses, so I am hopeful that I will feel confident while going through some of the case studies.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 15:07:21
Hi NikkiAnn! I felt the same way as you regarding how to study for the exam. Since there is so much variation depending on what case studies we will get, it is hard to know where to begin! I feel comfort in knowing that many of us feel the same way and are a little intimidated by the exam. Hopefully with practice tests we can all feel a little more prepared and comfortable come exam time! Thanks for posting this.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 17:56:59
Hi NikkiAnn, I would also like to learn more about the clinical focus area, I am not sure how that will play out. I am curious if we will need to learn other interventions or what we have learned is enough. I also agree that it will be helpful to learn what have been helpful study tips from other students. I do not know any friends or family that have taken the exam.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 20:34:27
Hi NikkiAnn
Finding effective studying tools is huge. I would also love to know what has worked best for other people in order to better my chances of doing well!
I am super excited that you were able to find some information that made you feel more optimistic! There really are so many areas of focus and that does worry me a lot as well. This exam in general just worries me. But I am happy you were able to recognize that there was a lot of information you already know or have seen before and that you are able to feel more hopeful! You are going to do great, I have no doubt.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 10:04:11
I’m a little concerned about where to find study materials and how open to interpretation the exam questions will be. When I took the test to get CANS certified it was more difficult due to the high amount of interpretation. I’m hoping it as not as much like that. Honestly, at this point it just feels like one more high stakes test.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 15:10:12
Hi Sam! I was also thinking about how this exam will compare and contrast to the case studies and format of the CANS certification exam. I imagine that the oral exam will certainly be longer and more comprehensive, but in terms of other aspects of how the cases and questions are formatted, I wonder how similar it will be. It can be so hard to know what to pull from a case description when you have such a limited and specific amount of time to make clinical judgements and conclusions. Thanks so much for sharing this perspective!
Jan 30, 2024 @ 11:47:06
After looking over the outline for the exam there were a couple sections where I feel that I may not have acquired the knowledge to answer correctly. Some of the sections included reviewing payment, fees, and insurance benefits and explaining the limits of social media in the ethics area. I am also concerned about finding study materials and knowing when to start studying or how. I am also concerned about whether I would need to take time off from work to study and not feel so overwhelmed with clients while also studying for the exam.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 17:54:06
Hi Amanda, I am happy I read your response because I complete missed where it lists “reviewing payment, fees, and insurance benefits.” I am pretty nervous about that because I have not gained any experience in that area in my internship. I am also not sure how my agency navigates there insurance or how involved I’ll be in my next position.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:51:36
Hi Amanda,
I empathize with you, knowing how much of what to study is the key to the test; I am worried about having a working understanding of various models and methods. I was also worried about the payment and fees part of the content as it is something that is not really covered in the program.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 12:49:58
Most of my concern for the test is logistics of when and where to take it., how to register etc. I’m looking forward to hearing more about the content and format of the test. Once I have that I think I will feel pretty confident that if I study I will do well. I am hoping to be able to do some practice tests if I can. I prefer tests to presentations any day so the licensure test is much less of a concern than the oral exam.
Jan 31, 2024 @ 14:27:35
Hi Rylee!
I would also like to learn more about the logistics of the exam in terms of when/where to take it and how to register! I think this would be helpful information to review! Taking practice tests would definitely be really helpful in terms of preparing for the exam. I also wonder what resources are the most beneficial for this.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 15:04:16
In general, tests and exams can be relatively overwhelming for me. As I mentioned last week, I do much better with papers and assignments that allow me time to reflect upon and formulate my answers more thoughtfully. In time-sensitive situations such as testing, I can easily second guess myself and often change my answers from the right answer to the wrong answer just because I second-guess myself. For that reason, I am definitely nervous for the exam. I do, however, think my experience from classes in the program, experience in the field of community-based mental health treatment, and my internship experience in an outpatient setting will all help me to some extent for the exam and to feel more prepared. Additionally, I hope to take many practice exams to feel as prepared as possible for the content and format of the exam questions.
I like the description of our work in the field as the combination of art and science. I think there is a very formulaic and regimented way to perform therapy, however there is also a lot of subjectivity to it as well. All clinicians may not handle or perceive situations in the exact same way, so I worry about some of the variation in responses for the exam questions. I am wondering how much of the exam allows for such subjectivity and how much has a specific right or wrong answer. Upon looking at the content outline, I feel it is both helpful in compiling the information we are expected to know for the exam while also being overwhelming as the outline lists many different topics for the exam. Depending on our internship caseload and previous clinical experience, we may be more familiar and comfortable in some areas as opposed to others, and we cannot be sure what exact scenarios will be covered in our specific exams.
I like that there is a lot of variation and choice in when we decide to take the exam so that throughout our 2 years of required supervision we can take the exam when we most feel comfortable and prepared doing so. Overall, I hope to feel more prepared for the exam as time goes on and as I gain both more clinical experience and more specific preparation for this exam.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 14:23:06
Hi Tom, I agree with you in the problem of second guessing. I believe there are multiple ways to solve a problem, but what I have learned so far, is that they have their “best practice’ principle, so even thought there are ways to justify your decision, from all correct answers, one of them is better overall. In that sense, a lot of practice with their questions could probably help us to understand the style of the exam.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 17:23:07
I am a little nervous for the exam because I am not sure how to study for it. I am also not sure how well I am prepared for this exam. The domains and subtopics are listed on the handout, but I am just wondering what areas/subtopics would be better to focus on?
Also, Should I be researching interventions outside of the education I have received or will questions be broad and apply to all types of therapy? I am also curious about the time I spend reading and interpreting the case studies. I don’t want to get stuck on little details and not have enough time to complete the exam.
Jan 31, 2024 @ 14:22:32
Hi Ashley!
I am also feeling nervous for the exam and unsure of how to best prepare. I would like to gain more insight on what topics are the most important to focus on when studying. Additionally, in terms of the case studies, I also think it would be beneficial to review how to best interpret the information/apply clinical knowledge!
Feb 01, 2024 @ 14:26:17
Hi Ashley, I have heard from some people that presented the exam, that they usually take the full 4 hours to complete it. I imagine we all want to read and read again to make sure we understand the case. I hope with practice we can identify what is the most important part of each case.
Feb 02, 2024 @ 08:49:26
Hi Ashley, I agree with your point that I am still wondering if I should be studying other therapeutic frameworks/approaches for the exam. After taking the practice exam in class, I noticed that the exam touches on other frameworks, so I am curious to know how much of these I should study.
Jan 30, 2024 @ 23:06:53
After reading through the case studies, I think my first question is: Can we mark up the exam? Reading through, there were some details I knew were important for later, so it would be nice to underline certain portions of the case. Anxiety-wise, I think my earlier concerns of overthinking it and making pointless mistakes are still prevalent. By looking at these case studies, I am giving myself some exposure before the real test in the not-so-distant future. Also, some of the questions seemed too straightforward, it felt like a trap. Additionally, I realized I did not know enough about some of the content. I think after studying and some more case example exposure, I could potentially feel more confident about answering those types of questions.
Feb 02, 2024 @ 08:46:48
Hi Esther, I completely agree with your post! I hope that we can have some sort of physical paper to make notes while taking the exam. Also, I agree that I am a little concerned of making simple mistakes on the actual exam. When we completed the practice exam in class, I found that I got certain questions wrong because I did not read the question thoroughly. It is important we read the questions slowly to ensure we know what they are asking. Also, I feel somewhat better after reviewing the sample case studies because many of the questions are based on instinctual knowledge.
Jan 31, 2024 @ 14:17:27
After reviewing the NCMHCE outline and case study examples, I have a few concerns. Most importantly, I am wondering how to best prepare for the exam. Specifically, in terms of the section regarding areas for clinical focus, there are a number of different areas to focus on, and I would like to know what study techniques have been most beneficial for others. On the other hand, in that the exam is multiple choice, I am optimistic in terms of my ability to apply clinical judgement when choosing the best answer. Additionally, I feel that I have learned an immense amount in this counseling program as well as in my internship thus far, so that gives me a little more confidence in terms of passing. Regardless, testing is always SUPER nerve wrecking/anxiety provoking, so I am looking forward to getting more guidance on how to succeed on this exam!
Jan 31, 2024 @ 21:52:52
When I read the requirements of the exam, I feel anxious if I have to take it. One of my concerns is how frequent the form and content of the exam are changed. I guess there might be more questions related to telehealth after the pandemic. It is great to have guidance from a person who just took the exam. I also wonder whether any short course or group people can attend to prepare for the exam besides annual workshops from the board.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 00:31:31
I feel anxious about exams in general because I worry that even if I’m well-prepared, unexpected things could happen during the exam. Some people get very nervous and forget things they know. Generally, I do well in exams, but I need to feel fully prepared. After reviewing the outline and requirements, I feel good about the multiple-choice format. However, I’m not sure what the best method is to study for it. Additionally, I’m concerned that I might get tired during the exam, which could affect my ability to concentrate and do well.
Also, I would like to attend workshops and get familiarized with the exam before taking it so I can feel more confident.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 18:48:26
Hi Patricia,
I worry about getting tired during the exam too. The case study format is interesting, but it does require extra concentration because you don’t want to miss a detail in the long narrative that could influence how you answer the questions. I could see it getting increasingly challenging as the test progresses!
Lisa
Feb 01, 2024 @ 15:52:06
Thinking of preparing for the NCMHCE exam often brings forth a mix of emotions. There’s the anticipation of managing time effectively during the test, concerns about understanding and recalling all necessary information, and anxieties about potential challenges and outcomes. However, trying to be positive, I think I will have to start preparing for the exam and the specific questions I will be facing sooner than later. I’m also considering presenting these types of tests is always stressful and can cause some anxiety, so it will be necessary for me, at least, to do some mock tests or something similar.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 18:46:09
Hi Sergio,
I’m struggling with the same concerns about studying. There’s so much potential material to cover. I am really hoping from some information about how to structure my studies and specifically what to study!
Lisa
Feb 01, 2024 @ 18:44:02
As with any test with so much riding on it, I’m naturally anxious. From the readings and practice questions, I find the format different than what I’m used to, but fairly straightforward all the same. That said, I’m feeling that it’s not difficult to settle on an answer, but for many of the questions, I’m relying on instinct more than factual knowledge. I have no idea if I’m answering them correctly, so that makes me nervous. I’m hoping we go over the answers in class tonight, and keeping my fingers crossed that that will make me feel better not worse! I’m also hoping for some specific guidelines/materials to structure my studying for the exam.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 21:45:35
I certainly think I work well in a multiple-choice environment. I belive I will have a good shot at the exam, provided I study seriously. I worry about knowing content outside of CBT, such as various assessments and frameworks. I do have a tendency to overthink questions, which can be helpful when wording is specific and outside of my domain of knowledge.
Feb 01, 2024 @ 22:15:50
Hello,
First going through the NCMHCE questions it was a good experience to know and understand what to expect on the exam regarding the format, types of questions, and the style used. My main concern as many of us shared is the multiple-choice format who I have the tendency to overlook when comparing to other exams in the program. I find it easier to work on paper-format or short answers, because you can back up your answer with explanations, examples, and arguments. However, I will do my best to train myself and feel more confident by the time I must take my exam. Learning more about sources, and practice samples in this class is truly helpful to gain more knowledge and get more exposure toward needed test taking strategies. Practicing the sample questions did not seem as ‘’ horrifying” as I was expecting which is calming for the future challenges. In addition, I think that is very beneficial and wonderful being able to discuss and share our thoughts, and learning about former students experiences in class.