DCD Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) exam questions

The DCD Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) exam

Regulator

Department of Community Development (DCD), Abu Dhabi - social-care licensing

Format

100 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes, computer-based

Delivery

Prometric (Prometric.com/ADDCD)

Booking

Apply in TAMM, complete DataFlow verification, then book with your eligibility ID

From DCD's public Professional Certification Exams guide (2022). DCD publishes no pass mark or fee in it; confirm both on your eligibility notice. Dubai counsellors are licensed by the Community Development Authority instead.

From each regulator's own exam pages; anything a regulator does not publish says so. Assessment mode also depends on your licence title, so confirm your route on your eligibility notice.

12 worked Social Work (DCD Abu Dhabi) practice questions

Original exam-style questions from the bank, spread across the blueprint domains. They are not real or recalled exam questions. Try each one, then open the answer for the rationale and reference. None of them appear in the free mock exam, so reading them will not spoil it.

1. Question 1 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   A 6-year-old boy cannot yet grasp that the amount of water stays the same when it is poured into a taller, thinner glass. According to Piaget, what does this indicate?

   1. AHe has a learning disability that will persist into later adulthood
   2. BHe is in the preoperational stage, not yet mastering conservation
   3. CHe is in the formal operational stage but lacks motivation
   4. DHe has achieved object permanence but not attachment
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. He is in the preoperational stage, not yet mastering conservation

   Failure on conservation tasks is typical of the preoperational stage, in which thinking is dominated by perception and centring on one feature. Mastery appears around the concrete operational stage, so this is normal development and not a deficit.

   Reference: Zastrow C & Kirst-Ashman K, Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 10th ed. (Cengage, 2016), Cognitive development

2. Question 2 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   A social worker uses a technique in which the client's problem is externalised and the client's preferred story is developed in conversation. Which approach is this?

   1. ABehaviourism
   2. BPsychoanalysis
   3. CNarrative therapy
   4. DTask-centred practice
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Narrative therapy

   Narrative approaches help clients separate themselves from the problem and construct alternative accounts that emphasise their strengths and values. Behavioural, psychoanalytic and task-centred models use other methods.

   Reference: Teater B, An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods (Open University Press, 2010), Narrative approaches

3. Question 3 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   A teenager copies aggressive behaviour from a violent older brother after seeing him praised for it. Which theory explains this?

   1. ASocial learning theory
   2. BAttachment theory
   3. CHumanistic theory
   4. DPsychosexual development theory
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Social learning theory

   Social learning theory proposes that people learn through observation and imitation, especially when the model is rewarded. Attachment, humanistic and psychosexual theories explain other aspects of development.

   Reference: Zastrow C & Kirst-Ashman K, Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 10th ed. (Cengage, 2016), Learning theories

4. Question 4 · Professional Knowledge and Theories

   Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggests that a social worker should prioritise which need for a family who have lost their home?

   1. ASelf-actualisation, through personal growth and life coaching
   2. BBasic physiological and safety needs, such as shelter
   3. CEsteem needs, through recognition and awards
   4. DBelonging needs, through social club membership
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. Basic physiological and safety needs, such as shelter

   In Maslow's model, basic survival and safety needs take precedence because higher needs cannot be addressed while they are unmet. Practical resources such as shelter must therefore come before growth-oriented work.

   Reference: Zastrow C & Kirst-Ashman K, Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 10th ed. (Cengage, 2016), Maslow's hierarchy

5. Question 5 · Professional Skills

   A client states, "Nobody here cares about me." The social worker replies, "Tell me more about what makes you feel that way." Which skill is used?

   1. AExploring through an open invitation
   2. BGiving advice about how to find friends
   3. CDirectly disputing the client's statement
   4. DChanging the subject to the client's case file
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Exploring through an open invitation

   Inviting the client to elaborate in his own words shows interest and gathers information without judging. Arguing or advising prematurely may make him feel dismissed.

   Reference: Bailey M, Mastering Communication in Social Work (Jessica Kingsley, 2014), Exploring skills

6. Question 6 · Professional Skills

   A worker who meets an angry, mistrustful parent wants to build a working relationship. Which approach is most helpful?

   1. AAcknowledge her feelings, be honest about the role and clear about next steps
   2. BAvoid explaining the child-protection role to prevent defensiveness
   3. CMatch the parent's anger with a firm and loud response
   4. DPromise to take no action regardless of what is found
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: A. Acknowledge her feelings, be honest about the role and clear about next steps

   Trust grows when workers are empathic, honest about authority and clear about what will happen. Hidden roles or false promises damage credibility and can place children at risk.

   Reference: Trevithick P, Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook, 3rd ed. (Open University Press, 2012), Working with involuntary clients

7. Question 7 · Professional Skills

   A social worker reflects on a difficult interview, asks what she would do differently, and records learning. Which concept does this illustrate?

   1. ADefensive practice to avoid complaints
   2. BTransference management in the client relationship
   3. CReflective practice for self-evaluation
   4. DStandardised case audit by the agency
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: C. Reflective practice for self-evaluation

   Reflective practice involves reviewing one's own actions to learn and improve, and it supports ongoing self-evaluation. Defensive practice aims to avoid blame rather than to learn.

   Reference: Trevithick P, Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook, 3rd ed. (Open University Press, 2012), Reflection

8. Question 8 · Values

   A client asks the social worker to keep secret that she is planning to leave her abusive husband, but she mentions she has no intention of harming anyone. May the social worker tell the husband's family?

   1. AYes, because family involvement is essential in all cases
   2. BNo, as there is no consent, and no legal duty or serious risk justifies disclosure
   3. CYes, because disclosure is allowed to maintain family unity
   4. DYes, because secrets within a family are generally harmful to the client herself
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: B. No, as there is no consent, and no legal duty or serious risk justifies disclosure

   Disclosure without consent is justified only by a legal duty or serious foreseeable harm, and revealing a plan to leave could place the client in danger. Respecting her self-determination is the proper course.

   Reference: NASW Code of Ethics (2021 revision), Standards 1.02 and 1.07

9. Question 9 · Values

   Which statement best expresses the principle of client self-determination?

   1. AClients can choose anything they like, including actions that would seriously harm other people
   2. BSocial workers decide on the basis of what they think best for clients
   3. CSelf-determination only applies to clients who agree with the worker
   4. DClients have the right to make their own decisions, unless others could be seriously harmed
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: D. Clients have the right to make their own decisions, unless others could be seriously harmed

   Self-determination respects clients' right to make informed choices, but it is limited where a client's decision poses serious foreseeable risk to himself or others. The worker supports informed decisions and does not override them lightly.

   Reference: NASW Code of Ethics (2021 revision), Standard 1.02

10. Question 10 · Professional Assessment and Interventions

    A worker conducts a genogram with a family and finds a pattern of alcohol problems across three generations. How is this information best used?

    1. AAs proof that the current client will inevitably develop an addiction in time
    2. BAs a reason to avoid involving the extended family
    3. CAs a diagnosis that replaces the need for further assessment
    4. DAs a basis for exploring family patterns and risk without blaming anyone
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. As a basis for exploring family patterns and risk without blaming anyone

    A genogram shows recurring patterns and relationships across generations and helps the family understand influences on current problems. It identifies risk but does not determine outcomes, and it should be used non-judgementally.

    Reference: Trevithick P, Social Work Skills and Knowledge: A Practice Handbook, 3rd ed. (Open University Press, 2012), Assessment tools

11. Question 11 · Leadership and Management

    A social worker is asked to maintain case records. Which principle is essential?

    1. ARecords may be updated weeks later from memory for convenience
    2. BRecords should be shared freely among colleagues for general interest or use
    3. CRecords should be accurate, timely and factual, with access controlled
    4. DRecords should contain only the worker's opinions about the client
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C. Records should be accurate, timely and factual, with access controlled

    Reliable records are completed promptly and restrict access to those who need them, which protects clients and supports continuity of care. Delayed or subjective entries weaken their value.

    Reference: Vourlekis B, Social Work Case Management (Routledge, 2017), Records management

12. Question 12 · Fitness to Practice

    A social worker feels emotionally exhausted, cynical about clients and ineffective at work. Which condition does this describe?

    1. ATransference
    2. BRole clarity
    3. CCompassion satisfaction
    4. DBurnout
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D. Burnout

    Burnout combines emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced sense of accomplishment, arising from chronic workplace stress. Compassion satisfaction is the opposite, a sense of fulfilment from helping.

    Reference: NASW Code of Ethics (2021 revision), Standard 4.05; Maslach C & Leiter MP, World Psychiatry (2016)