NCE Practice Exam – mind remake project

Quick Overview of the NCE

• 200 total questions
• 160 scored + 40 unscored (you won’t know which are which)
• Time limit: 3 hours, 45 minutes
• Computer-based, multiple choice
• Content covers 8 CACREP domains

For more information about the NCE, see The National Counselor Examination (NCE) Content Outline.

This practice exam reflects the types of questions and domains you’ll see on test day.

This NCE practice exam is based on Mometrix Test Preparation NCE Flashcards as well as Encyclopedia of Counseling, 3rd Edition and the DSM-5-TR. It has 175 questions.

How to Use This Practice Exam

To get the most out of this, treat it like the real thing:

• Complete in one sitting
• No phone / no notes
• Use a timer (3h 45m)
• Skip difficult items — return later
• After finishing, review every incorrect answer and categorize it:

Error Categories:

• Didn’t know the content
• Misread the question
• Chose too quickly
• Overthought / second-guessed

Your goal is not just a score — it’s identifying your weak content areas.

How Is the NCE Scored?

The Modified Angoff Method is the standard-setting process used to determine the passing score on the NCE. It’s how the exam decides what score counts as “passing” for that specific test form.

How It Works

1. A panel of licensed counseling experts reviews each test question before the exam is given.
2. For every question, each expert estimates the percentage of minimally competent entry-level counselors who would answer that question correctly.
   • Not good counselors.
   • Not struggling counselors.
   • Barely-qualified-but-acceptable counselors.
3. Those percentage ratings across all questions are averaged and totaled.
4. That total becomes the cut score (aka the minimum passing score).
5. The final passing score may be slightly adjusted for fairness depending on exam difficulty.

Why This Matters

• The passing score is not a fixed number like “You need 70%.”
• Different test versions can have slightly different cut scores.
• This ensures the exam is fair, even if one version is harder than another.

NCE Content Breakdown

When you review missed questions, match them back to these domains.

For this practice NCE, a 70% is required to pass.

Test-Day Strategy Tips

1. Don’t spend more than 60–90 seconds on a single question

2. Trust your first instinct unless you misread the question

3. Look for what the question is actually asking — many are about ethics + least restrictive + client safety

4. If stuck, eliminate two answers first, then choose

Common NCE Trick Question Patterns (How to Outsmart Them)

When two answers are correct, choose the one that is least restrictive and most client-centered.

If safety is involved, stabilize before insight.

On ethics questions, consult + document is almost always there for a reason.

Words the NCE Uses to Signal Correct Answers

Look for These (Good)	Avoid These (Often Wrong)
Explore	Tell
Assess	Advise
Support	Direct
Collaborate	Persuade
Validate	Interpret immediately
Client-centered	Counselor-driven

Disclaimer: This practice exam is an independently created study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Counselor Examination (NCE), NBCC, or any commercial test preparation publisher. All questions have been paraphrased, reworded, and/or newly created based on general counseling knowledge and do not reproduce proprietary test questions. This resource is for educational purposes only and should be used as a supplemental study tool—not as a replacement for official preparation materials.

---

Did you take the exam recently?
Share your experience or any content areas you’d like a deeper breakdown of.
Your feedback helps me make the next practice exam even better.

 

#1. Roughly how many counselors in the United States are currently licensed or certified?

#2. A scatter plot depicts:

#3. What is a common red flag that the boundaries between counselor and client are becoming blurred?

#4. What function does a frequency distribution serve in data analysis?

#5. Under what conditions can a counselor be held liable for malpractice?

#6. Which principle in counseling ethics focuses on reliability and faithfulness to professional duties and client commitments?

#7. In Jung’s theory, teleology focuses on which of the following aspects of personality?

#8. A counselor who practices effective multicultural counseling:

#9. According to Raymond Cattell’s factor-analytic model, personality is made up of which three types of traits?

#10. The bystander effect indicates that helping behavior is __________ when a person is the only bystander.

#11. Bandura’s most influential research focused on which experiment?

#12. A 51-year-old woman resumes her HR career once her children are in school full-time. This is an example of:

#13. Which type of family structure has been growing more common in the U.S.?

#14. In a career decision-making approach, which of the following is NOT considered a factor that influences career choices?

#15. Whose psychoanalytic theory addresses development across all stages of life?

#16. The idea that families work to preserve consistency and equilibrium is known as:

#17. Rogers taught that to empathize with the client, a therapist must ____________.

#18. Which of the following are factors that can contribute to the possibility of developing an addiction?

#19. A client experiencing depression and anxiety begins using alcohol excessively to cope. This behavior is an example of:

#20. If a client shows little or no progress in therapy, what is the therapist’s appropriate next step?

#21. Which of the following is one of the stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

#22. In Roe’s theory, vocational choice is strongly linked to:

#23. Which option does NOT represent a standard phase in the family life cycle model?

#24. An Asian client may be more likely to prefer a counselor who is:

#25. Development occurs across several broad domains. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

#26. Which of the following is NOT an example of a reactive (intrusive) measurement technique?

#27. How is leisure time defined?

#28. A woman who is being robbed in a crowded public place is less likely to receive help due to:

#29. In the LEARN Model for culturally responsive care, what does the “N” represent?

#30. Henry, a 72-year-old widower, looks back on his life with both pride and regret. This reflects Erikson’s stage of:

#31. According to Harlow’s research with rhesus monkeys, what was most critical for forming a secure attachment between an infant and its caregiver?

#32. Parents ignore their 4-year-old’s nighttime crying, but the behavior increases instead of decreasing. This reflects the effect of:

#33. Which factor(s) is/are most commonly associated with suicide risk according to research?

#34. Which theorist developed the behavior therapy technique known as systematic desensitization?

#35. Brandon follows his parents’ rules mainly to avoid losing TV time. Which level of Kohlberg’s moral development does this illustrate?

#36. According to Super’s career development theory, what vocational task is typically associated with ages 18–21?

#37. Which psychologist expanded Bowlby’s attachment work by designing the Strange Situation experiment?

#38. For which substance does the DSM-5-TR provide diagnostic criteria for withdrawal?

#39. Premature dropout from a counseling group is most likely when a member is:

#40. For clients who are at risk of developing emotional problems after a traumatic event (such as violence), what is the most appropriate initial intervention?

#41. Two clients are described as “workaholics.” One finds satisfaction and meaning in the work, while the other feels unhappy and strained by it. Which client is likely to experience more difficulty?

#42. At the start of the counseling relationship, what is the counselor ethically obligated to do?

#43. When starting a counseling relationship, what is important for the counselor to do?

#44. Which statement accurately describes an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

#45. A counselor is screening potential members for a support group for survivors of domestic violence. Which individual would be the MOST appropriate to include in the group?

#46. A counselor provides individual therapy to a parent and also to that parent’s child in separate sessions. This setup represents which counseling modality?

#47. Which theory is founded on the idea that people naturally seek close relationships and are driven to act in ways that support autonomy and a sense of competence?

#48. Members of which type of group are likely to experience a transition period when someone leaves or a new member joins?

#49. A counselor using Motivational Interviewing asks a client to rate their confidence in quitting substance use on a scale from 1 to 10. The client says, “I’m at a 4.” Which counselor response is most likely to encourage the client to express their own reasons for change?

#50. Counselors may schedule booster sessions after a client has been discharged in order to provide continued support. These sessions are useful for all of the following EXCEPT::

#51. A client says, “Nothing ever works out for me. I have the worst luck. I should just stop trying.” This statement reflects which cognitive pattern?

#52. Interprofessional collaboration involves working with client support systems and other service providers. This collaboration benefits clients in many ways EXCEPT:

#53. A client who has been court-ordered to attend substance use treatment is resistant and not following their treatment plan. How would a Gestalt therapist most likely work with this resistance?

#54. Which element provides the basis for developing both short-term and long-term treatment goals?

#55. For clients experiencing depression or anxiety, which assessment tool can be used to support client involvement in decision-making and help guide the treatment planning process?

#56. A child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder has a treatment goal of reducing angry outbursts and arguing. Which short-term objective would best support that goal?

#57. A client with 30 days sober plans to spend a weekend with old using friends. The counselor reflects the client’s progress and then points out the risk of relapse. This response is an example of:

#58. A client says, “I know I have a problem, but I’m not sure I’m ready to change.” According to Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change model, this client is in which stage?

#59. During the intake and early counseling phase, which sequence correctly describes how a counselor develops a client’s treatment plan?

#60. To build collaborative goals, a counselor asks a client to imagine that their problem disappears overnight and to describe what life would look like. This technique is associated with which therapeutic approach?

#61. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to terminate counseling and refer the client to another professional?

#62. Robert Carkhuff described different types of counselor responses. Which of the following is NOT one of his response categories?

#63. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is considered especially effective for treating which condition?

#64. A client in a support group assumes that a group member with a hearing impairment also has an intellectual disability. Which term best describes this kind of attitude?

#65. In strategic family therapy, the therapist typically takes on several specific roles. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

#66. Hypnotherapy is most commonly used today for which of the following purposes?

#67. Implosive therapy, time-outs, and thought stopping are interventions most commonly associated with which type of counselor?

#68. When working with a client who has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which recommendation would be most appropriate for the counselor to offer?

#69. Reinforcement and punishment influence future behavior in different ways. Which statement correctly describes their effects?

#70. A client has just been diagnosed with kidney cancer and responds by intensely researching the disease, treatment options, and prognosis. Which defense mechanism is he demonstrating?

#71. Which of the following best explains the concept of altruism?

#72. Compared to a homogeneous group, a heterogeneous group is best described as which of the following?

#73. Which of the following is NOT considered an advantage of group counseling?

#74. Which type of therapy focuses on increasing self-awareness and helping the client recognize and integrate different parts of the self?

#75. The belief that “My partner must love me no matter what I do” is an example of thinking described in which theoretical approach?

#76. When using Functional Family Therapy (FFT) with a 17-year-old exhibiting antisocial and delinquent behavior, which phase of treatment occurs first?

#77. Which theorist does NOT belong with the other three in terms of theoretical orientation?

#78. Which of the following is NOT a key principle of Adlerian Family Therapy?

#79. There are various stages in group therapy. Which of the following is one of the commonly recognized group stages?

#80. Which of the following may the counselor recommend as interventions for a client experiencing hallucinations?

#81. Emotion-focused coping is:

#82. The theorist associated with bonding and attachment is:

#83. If a client with psychosis tells the counselor that he intends to kill his parents, the counselor must:

#84. What is likely to happen in a group when the leader uses an authoritarian style?

#85. According to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which type of automatic thought is exemplified when a client states, “My mother thinks I’m a failure”?

#86. Freud is to ego, id, and superego as _________ is to parent, adult, and child.

#87. Popular techniques of which therapeutic approach include examining client memories, “spitting in the client’s soup,” and “catching oneself”?

#88. Jacob Moreno is known for all of the following EXCEPT:

#89. Which of the following represents a standardized test?

#90. When a supervisor gives an employee an overall negative evaluation because of one particularly negative trait, which type of rater bias is occurring?

#91. During a psychosocial assessment, a client displays the same sad facial expression the entire time. Which term best describes this affect?

#92. A counselor may choose to administer several psychological tests in order to:

#93. A 17-year-old client has been referred for an assessment of intellectual functioning. Which test is most likely to be used?

#94. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is best described as which of the following?

#95. Changes in human growth and development that are qualitative in nature are referred to as:

#96. The Minnesota Importance Questionnaire is used to assess:

#97. Down syndrome is caused by:

#98. Which of the following is NOT generally considered an appropriate circumstance for using psychological testing?

#99. __________ is considered a disorder of thought, whereas __________ is considered a disorder of mood.

#100. The MMPI-A and CPI are examples of _____________ tests, while the Rorschach and TAT are examples of _____________ tests.

#101. What does a correlational research strategy measure?

#102. In the DSM, a V code refers to:

#103. Children diagnosed with Conduct Disorder at an early age are at increased risk of developing which personality disorder in adulthood?

#104. Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to administer psychological testing?

#105. Francis Galton is best known for promoting which idea?

#106. A test that produces the same results when administered multiple times is demonstrating __________, while a test that measures what it is intended to measure is demonstrating __________.

#107. How would a counselor apply cognitive behavioral theory?

#108. How would a counselor build a therapeutic alliance with a client?

#109. When do group counselors expect members to express genuine thoughts and feelings?

#110. Which of the following work behaviors are counselors ethically required to follow?

#111. What term represents the process in which a counselor and client create a plan to help the client change?

#112. Which statement best describes the qualities of a well-constructed psychological test?

#113. Jennifer coasted through high school, earning average grades without putting in much effort. After graduation, she took a cashier job because college wasn’t financially possible. Now she’s dissatisfied with her work but unsure what direction to take, or what her strengths are. Jennifer is experiencing difficulty with ________.

#114. When counselors develop treatment plans to address negative client behaviors, what aspect of the behavior are they aiming to reduce?

#115. Why do counselors carry out individual assessments with clients?

#116. __________ refers to the degree to which research results can be applied to real-world situations.

#117. In Gestalt theory, which form of resistance involves frequently changing one’s views to match those of others?

#118. Which three core ethical principles were established in the Belmont Report?

#119. Which of the following is NOT represented in a genogram?

#120. Being truthful and honest with clients, also known as ________, can be challenging but ultimately strengthens the therapeutic relationship. This value was added to the ACA ethical principles in 2014.

#121. Scott, a 10-year-old, has grown up believing that all families lived the way his family does—traveling often and receiving many gifts. When his parents explain that their financial advantages come from their jobs as lawyers, Scott begins to associate certain careers with certain social classes. According to Gottfredson’s theory of circumscription and compromise, Scott is now oriented to ________, a substage of circumscription.

#122. After several days in a drug rehab unit, James shares in group, “It’s my fault I’m here… I have to come to terms with that.” Which curative factor of group therapy does this reflect?

#123. Piper has been working on her 7th grade science fair project for a month but keeps procrastinating when it gets difficult. She’s now saying she doesn’t believe she can produce a good project. Piper is demonstrating low ________.

#124. Alexis, age 15, has enjoyed art since childhood. After trying black and grey pencils in art class, she discovers she prefers working with them and asks for her own set. According to Ginzberg, Ginsburg, Axelrad, and Herma’s theory of vocational development, which stage is Alexis currently in?

#125. Which of the following is the primary focus of client-centered (person-centered) therapy?

#126. A test that presents a series of pictures and asks the individual to tell a story in order to explore underlying emotions and themes is the __________.

#127. A client shares a difficult experience, and the counselor responds, “I notice that when you talk about this event, you smile, but your voice becomes shaky.” This response best demonstrates:

#128. Each of the following reflects the purpose of the ACA Code of Ethics EXCEPT:

#129. Frank Parsons is referred to as the Father of ________.

#130. From 1932 to 1997, there was a significant average increase in IQ scores among adults. This rise is known as the _______ Effect.

#131. The idea that dual or multiple relationships between a client and counselor can lead to exploitation and impair professional judgment is most closely associated with which issue?

#132. If someone’s chronological age is higher than their mental age, the person would have a(n) ________ IQ.

#133. Classical conditioning consists of a _______ stimulus, a _______ stimulus, and a _______ response.

#134. Gordon is a 26-year-old recent college graduate who began working in social work after earning his degree and is now pursuing his MSW. According to Super’s theory of career development, Gordon is in the ________ stage.

#135. Strong Interest Inventories can be used with high school seniors to help them identify interests and possible college or career paths. The Strong Interest Inventory is what type of test?

#136. Jason has been attending counseling for anxiety about his financial situation. The counselor asks him to spend the last 15 minutes of the session pretending that his debts are paid off and he has 6 months of savings. Jason begins speaking more confidently and his body language improves. Which Adlerian technique is being used?

#137. Natalie is about to study for her first college exam. When she sits down to begin, she becomes overwhelmed with anxiety and avoids studying by scrolling on her phone for hours. Natalie is experiencing ________.

#138. Jessie has been referred to counseling by her employer for stress management. During her first session, her counselor, Tom, reviews her history and sees that she has past substance use. He then says, “I really don’t understand why people get addicted to drugs.” Which core condition of person-centered therapy is Tom failing to provide?

#139. Which statute or act protects the confidentiality of substance use treatment records and limits the disclosure of information related to drug and alcohol use?

#140. Someone diagnosed with adjustment disorder would best benefit from which form of therapy?

#141. The ACT can be taken more than once by the same student. This demonstrates:

#142. Which combination of factors is most strongly associated with an increased likelihood of developing sleep apnea/hypopnea?

#143. A client has experienced ongoing mood swings for more than two years, with multiple episodes of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depression, but neither episode fully meets criteria for major mania or major depression. What is the most likely diagnosis?

#144. A 54-year-old counselor shows up to work intoxicated at least twice a week. How would this behavior best be described?

#145. Which of the following is a primary criticism of projective assessment tools?

#146. When physical symptoms arise as a result of psychological or emotional factors, this is referred to as:

#147. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder have an increased risk for which of the following?

#148. Which of the following best describes the core features of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)?

#149. Which of the following is not included in the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

#150. A client hospitalized for anxiety repeatedly taps their fingers and shakes their foot almost continuously. What is the term for this type of restless, repetitive movement?

#151. Which of the following would NOT be included in an effective suicide safety plan?

#152. A client at intake avoids social situations, is preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance, has undergone unsuccessful cosmetic procedures, and appears irritable. Which provisional diagnosis is most appropriate to consider?

#153. A client previously met full criteria for Stimulant Use Disorder but has not met the criteria for the past 10 months, with the exception of craving. How should this be classified according to DSM-5-TR?

#154. A receptionist is told she cannot sing or hum at work. When she gets home, she turns on music and sings loudly. This behavior is an example of:

#155. Which set represents the four core conditions necessary for forming an effective helping relationship?

#156. According to Stanley Strong’s Social Influence Model, clients are more likely to be influenced by counselors they view as possessing certain qualities. Which of the following is NOT one of those key characteristics?

#157. In the early (initial) stage of a therapy group, which common therapeutic factor is most likely to appear as members begin to interact?

#158. A couple reports they became close after being assigned to the same college dorm and spending a lot of time together. Which factor most likely contributed to their initial attraction?

#159. Sue & Sue’s (2016) tripartite framework for multicultural competence focuses on specific counselor components. Which of the following is NOT one of those components?

#160. Just as an attuned parent mirrors and responds to a baby’s emotional state, counselors convey understanding of a client’s inner experience through which of the following?

#161. Cultural identity is:

#162. A counselor tells a client, “When I look at you, I don’t see color.” This statement is an example of:

#163. Congruence is demonstrated by counselors when they:

#164. Racism that is embedded in institutions and systems of power (such as schools, government, and healthcare) is referred to as:

#165. A counselor keeps checking their phone and watch during a session and seems disengaged. Which basic counseling skill are they failing to use?

#166. A client becomes angry after receiving a third disciplinary warning and says, “This is so unfair—my alarm didn’t go off!” The client’s explanation for why the event occurred reflects which concept?

#167. Self-disclosure by the counselor is most useful when it is connected to which of the following?

#168. Counselors who actively respect and value diversity demonstrate and encourage which of the following?

#169. You are a qualified counseling supervisor. Your brother has just completed his counseling degree and asks you to supervise him. According to the ACA Code of Ethics, what should you do?

#170. Your sexual attraction toward your client is hindering the counseling process. You should:

#171. Counselor certification:

#172. APA is to psychologist as ACA is to:

#173. If a counselor discloses information that seriously harms a client’s reputation, the counselor could be accused of:

#174. What are most ethical dilemmas related to?

#175. There are two primary types of developmental research designs. A cross-sectional study measures different individuals at one point in time. In contrast, a longitudinal study:

---

Before You Leave

Identify your weakest domain.

Schedule your next practice session.

Bookmark this page to review later.

Like this:

Like Loading…