About a month ago, I outlined my plans for preparing for the Law and Ethics Exam. My intention was to study every day for a month using Ben Caldwell’s High Pass course, and I had created a schedule for doing so.
Things did not go as planned.
While I was studying, my day job became particularly demanding, and the number of clients I was seeing increased. Balancing these responsibilities left me with less time and energy than I had anticipated. I ended up concentrating most of my preparation into the final two weeks before the exam.
As I worked through the online program and textbook, I discovered that reading was particularly helpful to me. During some of the longer videos, I found my attention wandering. Reading, taking notes, and returning to specific passages helped me process the information more effectively.
A few days before the exam, I completed the online program and took the mini mock exam. My score was low, and that set off alarm bells.
Fortunately, the course provided detailed feedback that showed me where I needed more work. I reviewed selected videos and textbook sections, focusing on the material that needed my attention.
My score improved considerably on the first full-length mock exam and increased again on the second. This time, however, I finished with only one minute to spare. I was making progress, but knowing the material and managing my time were two different challenges.
The day before the actual exam, I sat down to take the third and final full-length mock exam. I hoped to improve my score, manage my time better, and build confidence for the real exam the following afternoon.
Then the electricity went out in my neighborhood.
I switched to my phone’s cellular connection, but because I had left my phone in another room, I lost valuable time before reconnecting. I rushed through the remaining questions but still ran out of time, and my score dropped.
When I reviewed the results, I saw that most of my mistakes came after the outage disrupted my concentration. I was frustrated, but I put the experience into perspective. The score had been affected by something outside my control and did not necessarily reflect what I had learned.
So, I took a break.
The following morning, I returned to my notes, focused on a few areas that needed additional attention, and trusted what I had already learned.
Then I sat for the actual exam.
As I read the first few questions, the issues addressed felt familiar, and I approached them with careful attention. I worked through the exam, managing my time with composure.
When I finished, I still had 14 minutes to spare.
And I passed.
A Word About High Pass
The materials developed by Ben Caldwell and his team were essential to my success. The High Pass course gave me a structured way to prepare, and its detailed feedback helped me identify weaknesses and return to the material with a clearer purpose. It allowed me to turn mistakes into opportunities for learning rather than reasons to become discouraged.
I have already recommended High Pass to colleagues who are preparing for this next step.
Beyond Passing an Exam
As I continue my work as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I will encounter situations in which information is incomplete, circumstances are difficult, and the right course of action is not obvious. Understanding my legal and ethical responsibilities provides a foundation, but I must also learn to apply that knowledge, recognize my limitations, and seek consultation and supervision when necessary.
This responsibility extends to all of us in the profession. We are entrusted with people’s stories, vulnerabilities, relationships, and sometimes their safety. Ethical practice requires more than passing an examination or avoiding professional consequences. It asks us to protecr clients, respect confidentiality, maintain appropriate boundaries, practice within our competence, and make thoughtful decisions when the path forward is unclear.
The exam measures our knowledge at a particular moment, but becoming an ethical therapist requires continued learning and attention to the people who place their trust in us. For me, passing the exam represents an important step and a reminder of the responsibilities I am assuming as I continue to grow into this profession.
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I will see you next week!
