NCSC National Certified School Counselor

A school counselor is working with a student who is struggling with anxiety. The counselor decides to use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Which of the following techniques is most consistent with CBT?

• AEncouraging the student to explore their early childhood experiences.
• BHelping the student identify and challenge their negative thought patterns.
• CUsing dream analysis to uncover unconscious conflicts.
• DFocusing on the student's here-and-now experience without interpretation.

A student reports to the school counselor that they are being physically abused at home. According to ethical and legal guidelines, what is the counselor's primary responsibility?

• ATo immediately confront the parents about the allegation.
• BTo report the suspected abuse to the appropriate child protective services agency.
• CTo provide counseling to the student to help them cope with the abuse.
• DTo maintain confidentiality and not disclose the information to anyone.

A high school student is interested in a career in engineering but is unsure of which specific field to pursue. Which of the following assessments would be most helpful for this student?

• AMyers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
• BStrong Interest Inventory (SII)
• CWechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)
• DBeck Depression Inventory (BDI)

A school counselor is developing a comprehensive school counseling program. According to the ASCA National Model, which of the following is NOT one of the four main components of a comprehensive school counseling program?

• AFoundation
• BManagement
• CDelivery
• DEvaluation

A middle school student is having difficulty making friends and is often isolated. The school counselor decides to start a social skills group. Which of the following would be the most appropriate first step in forming the group?

• ADeveloping a detailed curriculum for the group sessions.
• BScreening potential group members to ensure they are a good fit.
• CAdvertising the group to the entire student body.
• DSetting the time and location for the group meetings.

A school counselor is working with a student from a different cultural background. To be an effective counselor, it is most important for the counselor to:

• ATreat the student the same as all other students.
• BBe aware of their own cultural biases and assumptions.
• CEncourage the student to adopt the values of the dominant culture.
• DAvoid discussing cultural issues to prevent making the student uncomfortable.

According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, what is the primary developmental task for adolescents?

• ATrust vs. Mistrust
• BInitiative vs. Guilt
• CIndustry vs. Inferiority
• DIdentity vs. Role Confusion

A school counselor is helping a high school senior with the college application process. The student is feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for the counselor to take?

• ATelling the student to relax and not worry about it.
• BProviding the student with a list of colleges to apply to.
• CHelping the student break down the process into smaller, manageable steps.
• DCompleting the college applications for the student.

A school counselor is working with a student who is exhibiting signs of depression. The counselor should:

• ADiagnose the student with depression and begin treatment.
• BRefer the student to a mental health professional for a comprehensive evaluation and diag…
• CTell the student's parents that their child is depressed.
• DIgnore the signs and hope they go away.

A school counselor wants to evaluate the effectiveness of a new anti-bullying program. Which of the following research methods would be most appropriate?

• AA case study of a single student who participated in the program.
• BA survey of students' attitudes towards bullying before and after the program.
• CAn informal discussion with teachers about their perceptions of the program.
• DA review of the school's discipline records for bullying incidents.

A school counselor is working with a teacher who is struggling to manage a student's disruptive behavior in the classroom. The counselor's role in this situation is to:

• ATell the teacher how to handle the student.
• BTake the student out of the classroom.
• CCollaborate with the teacher to develop a behavior management plan.
• DReport the teacher to the principal for not being able to control the classroom.

A school counselor is providing supervision to a counseling intern. The primary purpose of supervision is to:

• AEnsure that the intern is following the school's rules and regulations.
• BHelp the intern develop their counseling skills and professional identity.
• CEvaluate the intern's performance for a grade.
• DProvide therapy to the intern for their personal issues.

A student's parents are divorced and have a contentious relationship. They disagree about the student's educational plan. The school counselor should:

• ATake sides with the parent who they believe is right.
• BRefuse to get involved in the parents' dispute.
• CFacilitate a meeting with the parents to help them come to a consensus that is in the bes…
• DTell the parents to go to court to resolve their issues.

A school counselor is working with a student who has a disability. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the counselor is responsible for:

• AProviding the student with all of their academic instruction.
• BDeveloping and implementing the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• CAdvocating for the student's rights and ensuring that they receive a free and appropriate…
• DDiagnosing the student's disability.

A school counselor is using a solution-focused brief counseling (SFBC) approach with a student. Which of the following questions is most consistent with this approach?

• A"Tell me about a time when you were able to solve this problem, even just a little bit."
• B"What do you think is the underlying cause of this problem?"
• C"How does this problem make you feel?"
• D"What are the negative consequences of this problem?"

A student who recently immigrated to the United States is struggling to adjust to the new school and culture. The school counselor should:

• AEncourage the student to forget about their old culture and embrace the new one.
• BProvide the student with a list of resources for immigrants.
• CAcknowledge the student's feelings of loss and confusion, and help them to navigate the a…
• DAssume that the student's struggles are due to a language barrier.

According to Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, an individual at the postconventional level of morality would be most likely to:

• AObey rules to avoid punishment.
• BConform to social norms to gain approval.
• CFollow their own ethical principles, even if they conflict with laws or rules.
• DBelieve that rules are absolute and should not be questioned.

A school counselor is helping a student who is unsure about their post-secondary plans. The counselor should first:

• AEncourage the student to go to a four-year college.
• BHelp the student to explore their interests, skills, and values.
• CGive the student a list of vocational schools.
• DTell the student to take a year off to figure things out.

A school counselor is conducting a needs assessment to determine the most pressing needs of the student population. Which of the following is the most effective way to gather this information?

• AAsking the principal what they think the students need.
• BSurveying students, parents, and teachers.
• CReviewing the school's test scores.
• DUsing the counselor's own intuition.

A school counselor is concerned that a student may be at risk for suicide. The counselor's first step should be to:

• AImmediately notify the student's parents.
• BConduct a suicide risk assessment.
• CCall 911.
• DKeep the student in their office until the end of the day.

A school counselor is working with a student who has been diagnosed with ADHD. The counselor, teacher, and parents are working together to develop a 504 plan. The purpose of a 504 plan is to:

• AProvide the student with special education services.
• BEnsure that the student has a fair and level playing field in the general education class…
• CExempt the student from standardized testing.
• DPlace the student in a more restrictive educational setting.

A school counselor is using reality therapy with a student who is consistently late to class. Which of the following questions would the counselor be most likely to ask?

• A"Why do you think you are always late?"
• B"What are you doing that is not working?"
• C"How does being late make you feel?"
• D"What would your life be like if you were on time?"

A school counselor is a member of the school's crisis response team. In the event of a school-wide crisis, the counselor's primary role is to:

• AProvide medical care to injured students.
• BProvide psychological first aid to students and staff.
• CTalk to the media about the crisis.
• DSecure the school building.

A school counselor is working with a student who is struggling with substance abuse. The counselor should:

• AProvide the student with a list of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.
• BRefer the student to a substance abuse treatment program.
• CTell the student to just say no to drugs.
• DPunish the student for using drugs.

A school counselor is working with a student who is gifted and talented. The counselor's role is to:

• AHelp the student to find challenging and enriching educational opportunities.
• BEncourage the student to skip a grade.
• CTell the student that they are smarter than everyone else.
• DGive the student more homework.

A school counselor is teaching a classroom guidance lesson on conflict resolution. Which of the following is the most effective way to teach this skill?

• ALecturing to the students about the importance of getting along.
• BHaving the students watch a movie about conflict.
• CUsing role-playing to have the students practice resolving conflicts.
• DGiving the students a worksheet on conflict resolution.

A school counselor is working with a student who is experiencing test anxiety. Which of the following interventions would be most helpful?

• ATelling the student to study more.
• BTeaching the student relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle…
• CGiving the student a copy of the test ahead of time.
• DTelling the student that the test is not important.

A school counselor is working with a student who is the victim of cyberbullying. The counselor should:

• ATell the student to ignore the cyberbullying.
• BHelp the student to report the cyberbullying to the social media platform and to the scho…
• CTell the student to delete their social media accounts.
• DEncourage the student to retaliate against the cyberbully.

A school counselor is working with a student who is questioning their sexual orientation. The counselor's role is to:

• ATell the student that they are just going through a phase.
• BEncourage the student to conform to traditional gender roles.
• CProvide a safe and supportive environment for the student to explore their feelings and i…
• DRefer the student to a therapist who specializes in conversion therapy.

A school counselor is a member of the school's leadership team. In this role, the counselor is responsible for:

• AMaking all of the decisions for the school.
• BAdvocating for the academic, career, and social-emotional needs of all students.
• CDisciplining students for misbehavior.
• DSupervising all of the teachers.

A school counselor is working with a student who is grieving the death of a loved one. The counselor should:

• ATell the student to be strong and not to cry.
• BEncourage the student to talk about their feelings and memories of the loved one.
• CTell the student that they will get over it soon.
• DAvoid talking about the death to prevent upsetting the student.

A school counselor is working with a student who has a history of trauma. The counselor should use a trauma-informed approach, which means:

• AAvoiding talking about the trauma to prevent re-traumatizing the student.
• BRecognizing that the student's behavior may be a symptom of their trauma, and responding…
• CPunishing the student for their misbehavior.
• DForcing the student to talk about their trauma in detail.

A school counselor is using a person-centered approach with a student. The counselor would most likely:

• AGive the student advice on how to solve their problems.
• BInterpret the student's dreams.
• CProvide the student with unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness.
• DChallenge the student's irrational beliefs.

A school counselor is working with a student who is struggling academically. The first step the counselor should take is to:

• ARefer the student for special education testing.
• BGather information about the student's academic history, strengths, and weaknesses.
• CTell the student to try harder.
• DDevelop a study plan for the student.

A school counselor is working with a student who has an eating disorder. The counselor should:

• ATell the student to just eat more.
• BRefer the student to a medical doctor and a therapist who specializes in eating disorders.
• CWeigh the student every day.
• DKeep the eating disorder a secret from the student's parents.

A school counselor is leading a psychoeducational group on stress management. The purpose of a psychoeducational group is to:

• AProvide therapy to students with serious mental health problems.
• BHelp students to develop new skills and knowledge.
• CGive students a place to socialize.
• DPunish students for their misbehavior.

A school counselor is working with a student who is new to the school. The counselor's primary goal is to:

• AHelp the student to feel welcome and to get connected to the school community.
• BGive the student a tour of the school.
• CTell the student all of the school rules.
• DGive the student a list of all of the extracurricular activities.

A school counselor is working with a student who is being pressured by their friends to try drugs. The counselor should help the student to develop:

• AA good excuse for not trying drugs.
• BA plan to avoid their friends.
• CRefusal skills.
• DA way to get new friends.

A school counselor is concerned about the achievement gap between white students and students of color at their school. The counselor should:

• ABlame the students of color for not trying hard enough.
• BAdvocate for culturally responsive teaching practices and policies that promote equity fo…
• CLower the academic standards for students of color.
• DIgnore the achievement gap.

A school counselor is using data to inform their work. Which of the following is an example of using data to inform a comprehensive school counseling program?

• AUsing attendance data to identify students who are at risk for dropping out.
• BUsing discipline data to develop a school-wide anti-bullying program.
• CUsing achievement data to identify and address achievement gaps.
• DAll of the above.

A school counselor is working with a student who has a phobia of dogs. The counselor decides to use systematic desensitization. The first step in this process is to:

• AExpose the student to a real dog.
• BTeach the student relaxation techniques.
• CHave the student imagine a dog.
• DShow the student a picture of a dog.

A school counselor is working with a student who is a foster child. The counselor should be aware that foster children are at a higher risk for:

• AAcademic problems.
• BMental health problems.
• CBehavioral problems.
• DAll of the above.

A school counselor is working with a student who is homeless. According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the student has the right to:

• AImmediately enroll in school, even if they do not have the required documents.
• BStay in their school of origin, even if they are living in a different school district.
• CReceive transportation to and from school.
• DAll of the above.

A school counselor is working with a student who wants to be a doctor. The counselor should help the student to:

• AChoose a college that has a good pre-med program.
• BGet good grades in science and math.
• CVolunteer at a hospital.
• DAll of the above.

A school counselor is developing a presentation for parents on how to help their children with homework. The counselor should:

• ATell the parents that they should do their children's homework for them.
• BProvide the parents with practical tips and strategies for helping their children with ho…
• CTell the parents that homework is not important.
• DTell the parents to punish their children if they do not do their homework.

A school counselor is reviewing a student's scores on a standardized achievement test. The student's score is reported as being in the 85th percentile. This means that:

• AThe student answered 85% of the questions correctly.
• BThe student's score was higher than 85% of the students who took the test.
• CThe student's score was lower than 85% of the students who took the test.
• DThe student is in the top 15% of students who took the test.

A school counselor is using a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework. Tier 1 interventions are for:

• AAll students.
• BStudents who are at risk.
• CStudents who have intensive needs.
• DStudents who are in special education.