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New York School Counselor Exam Questions And
Correct Answers Plus Rationales 2025.
This covers core areas such as student development, program planning, ethics, collaboration, and assessment.
1. Which of the following is a primary goal of a comprehensive school counseling program? A. Increase test scores B. Support academic, career, and social/emotional development C. Reduce teacher workload D. Promote administrative initiatives
A comprehensive program is designed to support the holistic
development of students, not just academic performance.
2. What is the first step in developing a school counseling program? A. Conducting a needs assessment B. Creating a mission statement C. Scheduling counseling sessions D. Writing lesson plans
A needs assessment helps counselors identify the specific needs of their
student population before creating the program structure.
3. FERPA primarily protects: A. Teachers’ evaluations B. School safety procedures C. Student education records D. State funding allocations
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ensures confidentiality of
student academic records.
4. When a student reports abuse, the counselor’s legal responsibility is to: A. Talk to the abuser B. Report it to child protective services immediately C. Inform the school board D. Document it and file it away
School counselors are mandated reporters and must report suspected
abuse without delay.
5. The ASCA National Model includes which of the following components? A. Leadership, Achievement, Discipline, Reporting B. Foundation, Management, Delivery, Accountability C. Planning, Teaching, Evaluating, Research D. Strategy, Ethics, Counseling, Planning
The ASCA model guides counselors in building comprehensive and
effective programs.
6. A key element in ethical decision-making for counselors is: A. Personal values B. Peer influence
Counseling focuses on addressing individual student concerns more
deeply.
10. The most appropriate way to handle a student in crisis is to: A. Call their parents immediately B. Provide immediate emotional support and assess risk C. Refer them to detention D. Send them back to class
Immediate support and risk assessment are critical when a student is in
crisis.
11. What is an IEP? A. Individual Education Plan for gifted students B. Individualized Education Program for students with disabilities C. Instructional Efficiency Program D. Independent Evaluation Process
IEPs are legally required plans for students receiving special education
services.
12. The best time to evaluate the effectiveness of a counseling intervention is: A. Before implementation B. During holidays C. After the intervention is complete D. While the student is absent
Evaluation should follow the intervention to determine its success and
areas for improvement.
13. A 504 Plan is designed to: A. Provide accommodations for students with disabilities not qualifying for special education B. Replace IEPs C. Increase homework for advanced learners D. Label students with disorders
504 Plans ensure equal access for students with physical or mental
impairments.
14. School counselors should use data to: A. Create school budgets B. Identify student needs and measure program effectiveness C. Grade students D. Decide class sizes
Data-driven decisions lead to more effective and targeted interventions.
15. A counselor is concerned about a student being bullied. What is the best first action? A. Ignore it B. Call the police C. Talk to the student to gather more information D. Suspend the bully
19. The most effective way to promote postsecondary planning is to: A. Send college brochures B. Tell students to apply early C. Offer individual and group sessions on college and career readiness D. Let teachers manage it
Counselors play a key role in preparing students for life after high
school.
20. A SMART goal should be: A. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound B. Simple, Measurable, Active, Responsible, Timed C. Strategic, Modern, Accurate, Realistic, Testable D. Safe, Managed, Attainable, Reflective, Tested
SMART goals ensure structured, goal-oriented planning and evaluation.
21. When collaborating with teachers, school counselors should: A. Supervise classroom behavior B. Write lesson plans for them C. Share student concerns and support academic success D. Evaluate teaching quality
Effective collaboration focuses on student development, not teacher
performance.
22. Which theoretical approach emphasizes self-actualization and personal growth?
A. Behaviorism B. Psychoanalysis C. Humanistic D. Cognitive-behavioral
The humanistic approach, developed by Carl Rogers and others, centers
on individual growth and self-worth.
23. A school counselor can support school-wide positive behavior interventions by: A. Punishing offenders B. Ignoring infractions C. Promoting consistent behavioral expectations and data-driven interventions D. Scheduling more detentions
Counselors contribute to PBIS by modeling positive behaviors and using
data for improvement.
24. Which of the following best supports a data-informed school counseling program? A. Guessing based on experience B. Planning without assessments C. Using school-wide achievement, attendance, and behavior data D. Letting students decide goals
Data ensures that interventions are evidence-based and targeted.
25. A student expresses anxiety about college applications. The counselor should first: A. Tell them not to worry
D. Prioritizing gifted programs
Equity involves ensuring all students receive what they need for success.
29. A school counselor conducting a classroom guidance lesson is engaging in: A. Direct service delivery B. Indirect consultation C. Program evaluation D. Scheduling
Direct services include instruction, counseling, and responsive services.
30. Which of the following is the best example of a measurable outcome? A. Improve student feelings B. Make students happy C. Increase attendance rates by 10% within one semester D. Counsel more students
Measurable outcomes are specific and data-driven for accurate
evaluation.
31. According to ASCA, the recommended student-to-counselor ratio is: A. 1: B. 1: C. 1: D. 1:
The 1:250 ratio allows counselors to manage caseloads effectively while
meeting student needs.
32. A counselor wants to implement a peer mediation program. What should come first? A. Assign students randomly B. Train student mediators and define program goals C. Call parents D. Report discipline issues
Proper training and structure are essential to a successful peer
mediation program.
33. What is a major benefit of group counseling? A. Promotes teacher feedback B. Encourages peer support and shared experiences C. Eliminates the need for individual counseling D. Reduces parent concerns
Students often benefit from realizing they are not alone in their
struggles.
34. What is the primary ethical responsibility when conducting a group session? A. Let students direct it B. Ensure confidentiality among all participants C. Focus on a single student D. Keep no records
Confidentiality promotes trust and group safety.
35. Which term best describes unfair discipline based on a student's background? A. Affirmation
Achievement gaps highlight disparities based on race, income, or other
factors.
39. One way to promote a positive school climate is: A. Encouraging respectful communication and inclusivity B. Punishing negative behavior C. Posting test scores D. Limiting extracurriculars
A healthy climate supports all learners emotionally and socially.
40. School counselors help students become self-directed learners by: A. Telling them what to do B. Teaching goal-setting, time management, and self-reflection C. Choosing their classes D. Monitoring homework
Self-direction grows through intentional skill-building activities.
41. Advocacy in the school counseling context means: A. Speaking only for the school B. Supporting student needs and eliminating barriers to success C. Avoiding conflicts D. Promoting personal beliefs
Advocacy is central to a counselor’s role in ensuring fairness and
opportunity.
42. A career development curriculum should begin: A. In elementary school B. In high school only C. During senior year D. After graduation
Early exposure helps students understand and explore their interests
long before choosing a path.
43. The counselor should collaborate with families primarily to: A. Discuss grades B. Replace teacher conferences C. Support student development and success D. Plan holidays
Family partnerships enhance student outcomes across all domains.
44. A Tier 1 intervention example is: A. Individual crisis counseling B. School-wide anti-bullying programs C. IEP accommodations D. Alternative placement
Tier 1 involves proactive, universal strategies for all students.
45. School counselors evaluate program outcomes by: A. Guessing student feelings B. Analyzing measurable data like attendance, behavior, and achievement C. Counting posters
A. Only test scores B. Cultural background, language proficiency, and academic needs C. Peer pressure D. Food preferences
Effective programs consider the whole student experience.
50. Which of the following best reflects ethical school counseling practice? A. Working without supervision B. Consulting when in doubt and following ASCA ethical codes C. Using personal judgment alone D. Ignoring confidentiality
Consultation and adherence to ethical standards ensure professional
integrity.
