Download National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) by NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselo and more Exams Career Counseling in PDF only on Docsity!
National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) by NBCC (National
Board for Certified Counselors ) Questions And Correct
Answers Plus Rationales 2025.
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the ASCA National Model? A. To evaluate teacher effectiveness B. To provide a curriculum for school principals C. To guide school counselors in developing comprehensive, data-driven programs D. To increase standardized test scores
The ASCA National Model helps school counselors implement data-
informed, student-focused programs that support academic, career,
and social/emotional development.
2. According to the ASCA Ethical Standards, what should a school counselor do first when faced with an ethical dilemma? A. Report to the media B. Consult with a supervisor or colleague C. File a police report D. Keep the dilemma confidential
Consultation with peers or supervisors is the first step in resolving
ethical concerns to ensure objectivity and adherence to professional
standards.
3. Which theory emphasizes the role of self-efficacy in academic success? A. Piaget’s Cognitive Theory B. Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory C. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory D. Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory
Bandura’s theory highlights the importance of beliefs in one’s ability
(self-efficacy) to affect outcomes.
4. A student is struggling with grief after the loss of a parent. What is the most appropriate initial counseling approach? A. Provide emotional support and allow expression of feelings B. Refer to the attendance office C. Recommend dropping classes D. Call in peers for support
Grieving students need a safe, supportive environment where they can
talk through their emotions.
Data analysis allows counselors to assess whether interventions are
effective and meeting goals.
8. The career theory that includes the concepts of compromise and circumscription is: A. Super’s Life-Span Theory B. Gottfredson’s Theory of Circumscription and Compromise C. Holland’s Personality Theory D. Krumboltz’s Happenstance Theory
Gottfredson's theory explains how career choices are influenced by self-
concept and social restrictions.
9. What is a key feature of a responsive services component in a comprehensive counseling program? A. Lesson planning B. Parent-teacher conferences C. Crisis counseling and intervention D. Standardized testing coordination
Responsive services address immediate student needs including crises,
grief, and bullying.
10. In the consultation process, school counselors should primarily focus on: A. Fixing the teacher's problem B. Collaborating with the consultee to support the student C. Taking over classroom management D. Observing without providing input
Effective consultation is a collaborative process centered on student
success.
11. A student is refusing to attend school due to severe anxiety. What should the counselor do first? A. Refer the student to truancy court B. Conduct a needs assessment and collaborate with parents C. Suspend the student D. Remove the student from academic classes
Conducting a needs assessment and involving parents helps identify
root causes and appropriate interventions.
12. The most appropriate use of a peer mediation program is to: A. Resolve criminal behavior B. Replace administrative discipline C. Assist students in resolving interpersonal conflicts D. Diagnose emotional disorders
A. Emphasis on students’ strengths and future goals B. Analysis of childhood trauma C. Exploration of unconscious conflict D. Focus on disciplinary records
Solution-focused approaches help students visualize and build on their
successes.
16. A school counselor is ethically obligated to breach confidentiality when: A. A student reveals plans to harm someone B. A student admits cheating on a test C. A teacher asks for a student’s records D. A parent requests it
Threats of harm require mandatory reporting under ethical and legal
obligations.
17. The most effective way to evaluate the success of a school-wide bullying prevention program is: A. Count classroom visits B. Compare pre- and post-intervention data on bullying incidents C. Ask staff for opinions D. Monitor test scores
Data comparison provides objective evidence of a program's
effectiveness.
18. In multicultural counseling, cultural competence involves: A. Memorizing facts about cultures B. Self-awareness, knowledge of others, and skills C. Avoiding discussions of identity D. Applying the same interventions to all students
Cultural competence requires awareness of biases, understanding of
cultures, and adaptation of counseling techniques.
19. According to Erikson, adolescents are primarily dealing with which psychosocial task? A. Trust vs. Mistrust B. Identity vs. Role Confusion C. Industry vs. Inferiority D. Intimacy vs. Isolation
Erikson’s theory places adolescents in the stage of developing a
coherent sense of self.
20. What is the first step in implementing a school counseling program? A. Develop lesson plans B. Distribute brochures C. Conduct a needs assessment D. Schedule classroom visits
B. Deliver core curriculum addressing academic, career, and personal/social development C. Promote sports D. Reduce teacher workload
Classroom guidance provides all students with essential life skills
education.
24. A student with ADHD needs support staying organized. The counselor should recommend: A. Using planners and checklists B. Reducing academic rigor C. Excusing the student from homework D. Ignoring the behavior
Organizational tools help students with ADHD manage time and
responsibilities.
25. When conducting group counseling, the counselor should always: A. Assign homework B. Diagnose participants C. Obtain informed consent D. Focus only on academics
Informed consent ensures that participants understand the group’s
purpose, rules, and confidentiality limits.
26. Which of the following theories emphasizes environmental influences on career development? A. Holland’s Theory B. Super’s Theory C. Krumboltz’s Social Learning Theory D. Jung’s Personality Theory
Krumboltz emphasizes learning experiences and environmental
conditions in shaping career paths.
27. The role of the school counselor in IEP meetings includes: A. Writing academic content B. Advocating for the student's needs and supporting social/emotional development C. Deciding eligibility D. Assigning grades
Counselors support students holistically and advocate during planning
and placement.
28. What does the “closing-the-gap” action plan in school counseling aim to address? A. Hiring practices B. Inequities in achievement, attendance, or discipline
31. Which leadership role involves advocating for systemic change? A. Coordinator B. Change Agent C. Scheduler D. Data Manager
Change agents identify inequities and influence policies and practices to
support student success.
32. When using data to advocate for student equity, counselors should: A. Avoid subgroup analysis B. Identify trends and disparities across demographic groups C. Focus on only high achievers D. Use outdated statistics
Analyzing subgroup data helps identify and address systemic barriers.
33. A SMART goal must be: A. Subjective, Measurable, Action-based, Realistic, Timely B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound C. Strategic, Meaningful, Academic, Resourceful, Tactful D. Simple, Modifiable, Analytical, Reliable, Timed
SMART goals guide planning and evaluation of counseling interventions.
34. What is the main goal of school counselor advocacy? A. Promote access and equity for all students B. Increase counselor pay C. Reduce testing D. Organize field trips
Advocacy ensures that all students receive the support needed for
success.
35. A student who is often disruptive may benefit most from: A. Suspension B. Behavior intervention planning C. Ignoring the behavior D. Peer punishment
A behavior plan identifies triggers and strategies to promote positive
behavior.
36. Which assessment type measures what students have learned at the end of instruction? A. Diagnostic B. Formative C. Summative D. Pre-assessment
Summative assessments evaluate final outcomes after instruction.
40. Which counseling theory uses the ABCDE method to challenge irrational beliefs? A. Person-centered B. REBT (Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) C. Solution-focused D. Gestalt
REBT helps clients recognize and dispute irrational thoughts.
41. A school counselor reviewing attendance, behavior, and academic data is using: A. Observation B. Multi-tiered data analysis C. Clinical diagnosis D. Anecdotal notes
Data review supports proactive intervention planning.
42. An ethical concern when using technology in counseling is: A. Download speed B. Maintaining student confidentiality and data security C. Color of website D. Counselor tech skills
Online tools must be used with caution to protect student privacy.
43. Group counseling works best when: A. Students share a common issue or goal B. Students are randomly selected C. All grade levels are combined D. Sessions are unstructured
Shared focus increases group cohesion and effectiveness.
44. The ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors standards are used to: A. Grade students B. Monitor staff C. Guide academic, career, and social/emotional development D. Plan school budgets
These standards outline competencies students should develop through
counseling programs.
45. What is the best way to ensure equitable counseling services? A. Serve students who ask B. Use data to identify underserved populations and offer targeted supports C. Focus only on high achievers D. Ignore demographics
Equity means all students receive the support they need to succeed.
49. A student with chronic illness needs academic adjustments. What plan is appropriate? A. IEP B. 504 Plan C. Suspension Plan D. Counseling referral only
504 Plans provide accommodations for students with health
impairments.
50. According to the ASCA National Model, which of the following is a direct student service? A. Data review B. Individual student planning C. Budget preparation D. Staff orientation
Direct student services include personal planning, counseling, and
instruction.
51. What is a primary goal of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards? A. Dictate federal education policy B. Provide guidance for ethical decision-making
C. Enforce criminal law D. Mandate licensure requirements
The ASCA Ethical Standards help school counselors make responsible,
ethical decisions in their professional practice.
52. Which counseling approach is most associated with unconditional positive regard? A. Cognitive-behavioral B. Psychoanalytic C. Person-centered D. Reality therapy
Person-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizes
empathy and acceptance.
53. A high school counselor notices that students from a particular neighborhood underperform academically. The most ethical action is to: A. Ignore the data B. Alert the media C. Investigate possible systemic barriers and implement support strategies D. Assign them easier work
Ethical advocacy includes identifying and addressing barriers to equity
and access.
