| Exam Name | RBT Practice Exam – 2026 Updated |
|---|---|
| Exam Provider | Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) |
| Certification Type | Entry-Level Behavior Technician Certification (ABA Therapy) |
| Total Practice Questions | 150 Advanced MCQs (Scenario-Based + ABA Application + Data Interpretation) |
| Exam Domains Covered | • Measurement & Data Collection • Assessment (Functional Behavior Assessment Basics) • Skill Acquisition (Prompting, Shaping, Chaining) • Behavior Reduction Strategies • Documentation & Reporting • Professional Conduct & Ethics |
| Questions in Real Exam | • Total: ~85 Questions • Scenario-based and application-focused • Strong emphasis on ABA principles and real situations |
| Exam Duration | • Total Time: ~90 Minutes • Fast-paced and practical • Requires quick decision-making |
| Passing Score | • Scaled scoring system (typically ~70%) • Based on competency across domains |
| Question Format | • Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) • Scenario-Based ABA Situations • Data Interpretation Questions • Behavior Function Identification • Ethics and Professional Conduct Scenarios |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner to Intermediate (Application-Focused & Scenario-Based) |
| Key Knowledge Areas | • Reinforcement and punishment principles • Prompting hierarchies and fading techniques • Chaining and shaping procedures • Functional behavior assessment (FBA basics) • Data collection methods (frequency, duration, latency) • Differential reinforcement strategies (DRA, DRO, DRL, DRI) • Generalization and maintenance strategies • Ethical guidelines and professional boundaries |
| Common Exam Traps | • Confusing negative reinforcement with punishment • Misidentifying behavior function (escape vs attention vs tangible) • Choosing punishment over reinforcement-based strategies • Ignoring least-to-most prompting principles • Misinterpreting data collection methods • Overstepping RBT scope (changing plans without supervisor) |
| Skills Developed | • Applied behavior analysis (ABA) implementation skills • Data-driven decision making • Behavior intervention and skill teaching techniques • Functional communication training (FCT) • Ethical practice and professional conduct • Collaboration with supervisors and teams |
| Study Strategy | • Focus on ABA principles and real-world application • Practice scenario-based questions daily • Understand behavior functions clearly • Memorize reinforcement schedules and definitions • Take timed mock exams • Review rationales to improve decision-making accuracy • Focus on ethical boundaries and RBT role limitations |
| Best For | • Individuals entering ABA or behavioral therapy field • RBT certification candidates • Behavior technicians and paraprofessionals • Students in psychology or applied behavior analysis |
| Career Benefits | • Entry into behavioral therapy and ABA careers • Opportunities in autism and developmental services • Foundation for BCaBA/BCBA advancement • Increased employability in healthcare and education settings |
| Updated | 2026 Latest Version – Based on Current BACB RBT Task List |
1. A child receives a sticker after completing a task, increasing task completion. This is:
A. Punishment
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Positive reinforcement
D. Extinction
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive reinforcement involves adding a stimulus (sticker) to increase behavior frequency.
2. Removing a demand when a child screams increases screaming. This is:
A. Positive punishment
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Extinction
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing an aversive (demand) reinforces the behavior.
3. Gradually teaching a skill through successive approximations is:
A. Chaining
B. Shaping
C. Prompting
D. Fading
Answer: B
Rationale: Shaping reinforces closer approximations to the target behavior.
4. Breaking a task into smaller steps is:
A. Task analysis
B. Prompting
C. Reinforcement
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Task analysis simplifies complex behaviors into teachable steps.
5. A therapist provides a hint to guide behavior. This is:
A. Reinforcement
B. Prompting
C. Extinction
D. Punishment
Answer: B
Rationale: Prompts help evoke correct responses.
6. Gradually removing prompts is:
A. Shaping
B. Fading
C. Chaining
D. Modeling
Answer: B
Rationale: Fading ensures independence.
7. Reinforcing only the final step in a chain is:
A. Forward chaining
B. Backward chaining
C. Shaping
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Backward chaining reinforces completion first.
8. A behavior decreases when reinforcement stops. This is:
A. Punishment
B. Extinction
C. Reinforcement
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Extinction occurs when reinforcement is removed.
9. Delivering reinforcement intermittently is:
A. Continuous schedule
B. Intermittent schedule
C. Extinction
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Intermittent schedules maintain behavior over time.
10. Recording how often a behavior occurs is:
A. Duration
B. Frequency
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequency measures count of behavior.
11. Measuring how long a behavior lasts is:
A. Frequency
B. Duration
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Duration measures time span.
12. Measuring time between instruction and response is:
A. Frequency
B. Duration
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Latency measures delay.
13. Reinforcing a behavior every time it occurs is:
A. Continuous reinforcement
B. Fixed ratio
C. Variable ratio
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous reinforcement strengthens new behaviors.
14. Reinforcement after a set number of responses is:
A. Fixed ratio
B. Variable ratio
C. Fixed interval
D. Variable interval
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixed ratio depends on response count.
15. A child learns by observing another. This is:
A. Modeling
B. Shaping
C. Prompting
D. Chaining
Answer: A
Rationale: Modeling involves observational learning.
16. Providing reinforcement for alternative behavior is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRL
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: DRA reinforces a replacement behavior.
17. Reinforcing absence of behavior is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRL
D. Punishment
Answer: A
Rationale: DRO reinforces behavior reduction.
18. A behavior analyst conducts an assessment to identify triggers. This is:
A. Intervention
B. Functional behavior assessment
C. Reinforcement
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: FBA identifies antecedents and consequences.
19. A therapist follows ethical guidelines. Purpose?
A. Control
B. Protect client
C. Diagnose
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethics ensure client safety and rights.
20. A behavior decreases after adding an aversive stimulus. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Positive punishment
C. Negative reinforcement
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Adding an aversive reduces behavior.
21. Reinforcing lower rates of behavior is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRL
D. Extinction
Answer: C
Rationale: DRL reduces frequency without eliminating behavior.
22. A therapist collects ABC data. Purpose?
A. Diagnose
B. Identify behavior patterns
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: ABC data reveals antecedents and consequences.
23. A client engages in escape behavior. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: B
Rationale: Behavior is maintained by avoiding demands.
24. Reinforcement delivered after varying responses is:
A. Fixed ratio
B. Variable ratio
C. Fixed interval
D. Variable interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable ratio produces high response rates.
25. A therapist uses least intrusive prompts first. This is:
A. Prompt hierarchy
B. Shaping
C. Chaining
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Prompt hierarchy promotes independence.
26. A behavior maintained by sensory stimulation is:
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Automatic reinforcement
D. Tangible
Answer: C
Rationale: Automatic reinforcement is self-generated.
27. A therapist reinforces correct responses immediately. Why?
A. Delay learning
B. Strengthen association
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate reinforcement strengthens behavior.
28. A child receives reinforcement after 5 responses. This is:
A. Fixed interval
B. Fixed ratio
C. Variable interval
D. Variable ratio
Answer: B
Rationale: Fixed ratio depends on number of responses.
29. A therapist uses extinction. Result?
A. Increase behavior
B. Decrease behavior over time
C. Immediate stop
D. Reinforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Behavior decreases when reinforcement is removed.
30. What is the PRIMARY goal of ABA?
A. Punishment
B. Behavior change
C. Observation
D. Diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: ABA focuses on improving socially significant behaviors.
31. A child screams to escape tasks. BEST intervention?
A. Ignore behavior only
B. Teach functional communication (request break)
C. Punish
D. Increase demands
Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching a replacement behavior (functional communication) addresses the escape function effectively and ethically.
32. A therapist records behavior during 10-second intervals as occurring or not. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Partial interval recording
C. Duration
D. Latency
Answer: B
Rationale: Partial interval records whether behavior occurs at any time during the interval.
33. Reinforcing behavior at the end of a set time period is:
A. Fixed ratio
B. Fixed interval
C. Variable ratio
D. Variable interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Fixed interval reinforcement depends on time, not response count.
34. A client stops behavior when attention is withheld. This suggests function is:
A. Escape
B. Tangible
C. Attention
D. Automatic
Answer: C
Rationale: Behavior maintained by attention decreases when attention is removed.
35. A therapist models a skill before asking the client to perform it. This is:
A. Prompting
B. Modeling
C. Chaining
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Modeling demonstrates desired behavior for imitation.
36. A behavior increases after removing loud noise. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing an aversive increases behavior.
37. Teaching each step of a task in sequence is:
A. Chaining
B. Shaping
C. Prompting
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Chaining teaches steps in order.
38. Reinforcing only behavior that occurs after a specific time interval is:
A. DRL
B. DRO
C. DRI
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: DRL reduces behavior rate by reinforcing lower frequency.
39. A therapist uses most-to-least prompting. Purpose?
A. Increase errors
B. Ensure correct responding
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: High support initially ensures success, then prompts fade.
40. A behavior is maintained by access to toys. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: C
Rationale: Tangible reinforcement involves access to items.
41. Recording exact number of responses per minute is:
A. Frequency
B. Rate
C. Duration
D. Latency
Answer: B
Rationale: Rate accounts for responses over time.
42. A therapist uses least-to-most prompting. Purpose?
A. Reduce independence
B. Promote independence
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Least intrusive prompts encourage independence.
43. A behavior decreases after removing reinforcement. This is:
A. Punishment
B. Extinction
C. Reinforcement
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Extinction removes maintaining consequence.
44. A therapist uses backward chaining. First step taught?
A. First step
B. Last step
C. Middle step
D. Random step
Answer: B
Rationale: Backward chaining starts with final step.
45. A client engages in self-stimulatory behavior. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Automatic
D. Tangible
Answer: C
Rationale: Sensory-maintained behaviors are automatic.
46. Reinforcing behavior after unpredictable time intervals is:
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable interval
C. Fixed ratio
D. Variable ratio
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable interval depends on time, unpredictably.
47. A therapist measures time between instruction and response. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Duration
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Latency measures delay in response.
48. A behavior increases after adding praise. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Adding a stimulus increases behavior.
49. A therapist reinforces incompatible behavior. This is:
A. DRA
B. DRI
C. DRO
D. DRL
Answer: B
Rationale: DRI reinforces behavior that cannot occur simultaneously.
50. A client learns to request items instead of tantrums. This is:
A. Extinction
B. Functional communication training
C. Punishment
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: FCT replaces problem behavior with communication.
51. A therapist records behavior at the end of intervals. This is:
A. Partial interval
B. Whole interval
C. Momentary time sampling
D. Duration
Answer: C
Rationale: Momentary sampling checks behavior at a specific moment.
52. A client’s behavior increases due to escape from tasks. BEST strategy?
A. Increase demands
B. Teach break requests
C. Ignore
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Replacement behavior addresses function.
53. A therapist provides reinforcement after every 3 responses. This is:
A. FR3
B. VR3
C. FI3
D. VI3
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixed ratio depends on set number of responses.
54. A behavior is maintained by social praise. Function?
A. Automatic
B. Attention
C. Escape
D. Tangible
Answer: B
Rationale: Praise is a form of attention.
55. A therapist uses shaping to teach writing. This involves:
A. Punishment
B. Reinforcing approximations
C. Ignoring errors
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Shaping reinforces gradual improvement.
56. A therapist collects baseline data. Purpose?
A. Punish
B. Compare future progress
C. Ignore
D. Diagnose
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline provides comparison for intervention effectiveness.
57. A client’s behavior decreases after adding a reprimand. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Positive punishment
C. Negative reinforcement
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Adding aversive decreases behavior.
58. A therapist ensures data accuracy by training observers. This is:
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Extinction
D. Reinforcement
Answer: A
Rationale: Interobserver agreement ensures reliability.
59. A therapist reinforces behavior after varying responses. This is:
A. FR
B. VR
C. FI
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable ratio produces strong responding.
60. What is the PRIMARY role of an RBT?
A. Diagnose
B. Implement behavior plans
C. Create treatment plans
D. Supervise
Answer: B
Rationale: RBTs implement plans designed by supervisors.
61. A therapist notices behavior increases when attention is provided after it occurs. BEST strategy?
A. Continue attention
B. Implement extinction for attention-maintained behavior
C. Punish
D. Ignore data
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing the maintaining reinforcer (attention) reduces behavior over time.
62. A client engages in task refusal maintained by escape. BEST intervention?
A. Ignore
B. Teach break request (FCT)
C. Increase demands
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Teaching appropriate escape requests replaces problem behavior.
63. A therapist measures behavior during entire interval for occurrence. This is:
A. Partial interval
B. Whole interval
C. Momentary time sampling
D. Duration
Answer: B
Rationale: Whole interval requires behavior throughout the interval.
64. A behavior occurs immediately after instruction removal. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: B
Rationale: Behavior is maintained by escape from demands.
65. A therapist reinforces behavior after unpredictable number of responses. This is:
A. FR
B. VR
C. FI
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable ratio produces high, steady responding.
66. A client receives reinforcement for not engaging in behavior for 5 minutes. This is:
A. DRA
B. DRO
C. DRL
D. DRI
Answer: B
Rationale: DRO reinforces absence of behavior.
67. A therapist gradually reduces prompts. This ensures:
A. Dependence
B. Independence
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Fading promotes independent responding.
68. A client learns by watching peers. This is:
A. Shaping
B. Modeling
C. Chaining
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Observational learning is modeling.
69. A therapist collects data on how long behavior lasts. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Duration
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Duration measures time length.
70. A behavior increases when noise is removed. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing aversive increases behavior.
71. A therapist uses backward chaining. FIRST step taught?
A. First
B. Last
C. Middle
D. Random
Answer: B
Rationale: Backward chaining starts with final step.
72. A behavior is reinforced every 2 minutes regardless of response count. This is:
A. FR
B. FI
C. VR
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Fixed interval is time-based.
73. A therapist uses ABC data. Purpose?
A. Diagnose
B. Identify function
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: ABC data reveals behavior patterns.
74. A client engages in behavior for sensory stimulation. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: D
Rationale: Automatic reinforcement is self-produced.
75. A therapist reinforces behavior that replaces problem behavior. This is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRL
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: DRA reinforces alternative behavior.
76. A therapist records responses per minute. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Rate
C. Duration
D. Latency
Answer: B
Rationale: Rate includes time factor.
77. A client receives reinforcement after unpredictable time intervals. This is:
A. FI
B. VI
C. FR
D. VR
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable interval depends on time unpredictably.
78. A therapist uses least-to-most prompting. Purpose?
A. Increase dependence
B. Promote independence
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Minimal assistance encourages independence.
79. A behavior decreases after adding a consequence. This is:
A. Reinforcement
B. Punishment
C. Extinction
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Punishment reduces behavior.
80. A therapist reinforces incompatible behavior. This is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRI
D. DRL
Answer: C
Rationale: DRI prevents occurrence of problem behavior.
81. A therapist collects baseline before intervention. Purpose?
A. Punish
B. Compare progress
C. Ignore
D. Diagnose
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline provides reference point.
82. A client engages in behavior to access toys. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: C
Rationale: Tangible reinforcement involves items.
83. A therapist reinforces every correct response. This is:
A. Continuous
B. Intermittent
C. Extinction
D. Punishment
Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous reinforcement strengthens new skills.
84. A therapist measures time from instruction to response. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Duration
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: C
Rationale: Latency measures delay.
85. A client learns a task step-by-step sequence. This is:
A. Shaping
B. Chaining
C. Prompting
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Chaining teaches sequences.
86. A therapist uses extinction. Expected outcome?
A. Immediate stop
B. Gradual decrease
C. Increase forever
D. Reinforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Behavior decreases over time.
87. A therapist ensures ethical practice. Purpose?
A. Control
B. Protect client
C. Diagnose
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethics prioritize client welfare.
88. A behavior increases after adding praise. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: A
Rationale: Adding stimulus increases behavior.
89. A therapist uses shaping. This involves:
A. Punishment
B. Reinforcing approximations
C. Ignoring
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Shaping builds behavior gradually.
90. Which is MOST important in RBT role?
A. Diagnosis
B. Implementing plans with fidelity
C. Creating plans
D. Supervising
Answer: B
Rationale: RBTs implement plans accurately under supervision.
91. A client’s behavior increases after receiving attention. BEST intervention?
A. Provide more attention
B. Implement extinction for attention-maintained behavior
C. Punish
D. Ignore data
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing the maintaining reinforcer (attention) reduces behavior over time, though an extinction burst may occur initially.
92. A therapist reinforces a behavior in different settings. This promotes:
A. Extinction
B. Generalization
C. Prompting
D. Punishment
Answer: B
Rationale: Generalization ensures behavior occurs across environments, people, and situations.
93. A therapist gradually reduces reinforcement frequency. Purpose?
A. Punish
B. Maintenance
C. Extinction
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Thinning reinforcement schedules supports long-term maintenance of behavior.
94. A client engages in behavior only in one setting. BEST strategy?
A. Ignore
B. Teach across multiple environments
C. Punish
D. Stop training
Answer: B
Rationale: Training in varied contexts promotes generalization.
95. A therapist ensures procedures are followed exactly. This is:
A. Reliability
B. Treatment integrity
C. Validity
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Treatment integrity ensures interventions are implemented as designed.
96. A client engages in behavior due to sensory input. BEST intervention?
A. Ignore
B. Provide alternative sensory stimulation
C. Punish
D. Increase demands
Answer: B
Rationale: Matching function with appropriate alternatives reduces problem behavior.
97. A therapist collects data consistently across sessions. This ensures:
A. Punishment
B. Reliability
C. Extinction
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent measurement improves data reliability.
98. A behavior increases after removing a task demand. This is:
A. Positive reinforcement
B. Negative reinforcement
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Removing aversive stimuli reinforces behavior.
99. A therapist reinforces a behavior only after 10 minutes pass. This is:
A. FR
B. FI
C. VR
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Fixed interval depends on time.
100. A client learns a skill and maintains it over time without reinforcement. This is:
A. Generalization
B. Maintenance
C. Extinction
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintenance refers to long-term retention of behavior.
101. A therapist uses errorless learning. Purpose?
A. Increase errors
B. Prevent incorrect responses
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Errorless learning minimizes mistakes and builds confidence.
102. A client’s behavior is influenced by peers. BEST strategy?
A. Ignore peers
B. Use peer modeling
C. Punish
D. Remove peers
Answer: B
Rationale: Peer modeling promotes learning through observation.
103. A therapist reinforces behavior after unpredictable responses. This is:
A. FR
B. VR
C. FI
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable ratio schedules produce strong, steady responding.
104. A client engages in behavior for escape. BEST replacement behavior?
A. Ignore
B. Teach requesting a break
C. Punish
D. Increase demands
Answer: B
Rationale: Functional communication replaces escape behavior effectively.
105. A therapist collects data on behavior occurrence per interval. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Interval recording
C. Duration
D. Latency
Answer: B
Rationale: Interval recording tracks behavior within time segments.
106. A therapist ensures ethical standards. This includes:
A. Ignoring consent
B. Maintaining confidentiality
C. Punishing clients
D. Diagnosing
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement.
107. A client receives reinforcement after 3 responses consistently. This is:
A. FR3
B. VR3
C. FI3
D. VI3
Answer: A
Rationale: Fixed ratio depends on set number of responses.
108. A therapist uses prompting hierarchy. Purpose?
A. Increase errors
B. Promote independence
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual reduction of prompts builds independence.
109. A client engages in behavior due to attention. BEST intervention?
A. Provide attention after behavior
B. Use extinction and reinforce appropriate behavior
C. Ignore completely
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Combining extinction with reinforcement of alternatives is effective.
110. A therapist measures behavior duration. This tells:
A. Frequency
B. Length of behavior
C. Delay
D. Rate
Answer: B
Rationale: Duration measures how long behavior lasts.
111. A therapist uses shaping. This involves:
A. Punishment
B. Reinforcing approximations
C. Ignoring
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Shaping builds complex behaviors step-by-step.
112. A client engages in problem behavior across settings. BEST strategy?
A. Ignore
B. Generalization training
C. Punish
D. Stop intervention
Answer: B
Rationale: Training across settings ensures consistent behavior.
113. A therapist observes a sudden increase in behavior during extinction. This is:
A. Spontaneous recovery
B. Extinction burst
C. Reinforcement
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Temporary increase is common during extinction.
114. A therapist records exact number of responses. This is:
A. Duration
B. Frequency
C. Latency
D. Interval
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequency counts occurrences.
115. A client receives reinforcement for behavior incompatible with problem behavior. This is:
A. DRO
B. DRA
C. DRI
D. DRL
Answer: C
Rationale: DRI reinforces incompatible behaviors.
116. A therapist ensures accurate implementation of plans. This is:
A. Validity
B. Treatment integrity
C. Reliability
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Treatment integrity ensures fidelity.
117. A client learns faster with immediate reinforcement. Why?
A. Delay learning
B. Strengthen association
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate reinforcement strengthens behavior.
118. A therapist collects baseline data before intervention. Purpose?
A. Punish
B. Compare outcomes
C. Ignore
D. Diagnose
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline allows evaluation of change.
119. A client engages in behavior for access to items. Function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: C
Rationale: Tangible reinforcement involves items.
120. What is the MOST critical RBT skill?
A. Diagnosis
B. Accurate implementation of behavior plans
C. Supervision
D. Creating plans
Answer: B
Rationale: RBTs must implement plans with fidelity for effective outcomes.
121. An RBT is asked by a parent to modify a behavior plan independently. BEST response?
A. Agree and modify
B. Decline and refer to supervisor
C. Ignore
D. Make small changes
Answer: B
Rationale: RBTs must not alter plans independently; all changes require supervisor (BCBA) approval to maintain treatment integrity.
122. A therapist notices data trending downward despite intervention. BEST action?
A. Continue unchanged
B. Report to supervisor and review plan
C. Ignore
D. Increase reinforcement randomly
Answer: B
Rationale: Data-driven practice requires reviewing ineffective interventions with a supervisor.
123. A client only performs a skill with one therapist. BEST strategy?
A. Ignore
B. Train with multiple people
C. Punish
D. Stop training
Answer: B
Rationale: Training across people promotes generalization.
124. An RBT shares client information with a friend. This violates:
A. Reinforcement
B. Confidentiality
C. Prompting
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core ethical requirement under BACB guidelines.
125. A therapist reinforces behavior after varying time intervals. This is:
A. FI
B. VI
C. FR
D. VR
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable interval schedules depend on time unpredictably.
126. A client engages in behavior maintained by escape. BEST prevention strategy?
A. Increase demands
B. Provide choice and breaks
C. Ignore
D. Punish
Answer: B
Rationale: Antecedent strategies reduce motivation for escape.
127. A therapist observes inconsistent data between observers. This indicates issue with:
A. Validity
B. Reliability
C. Extinction
D. Reinforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Interobserver agreement ensures reliability.
128. A client learns a skill but stops performing it after reinforcement ends. BEST solution?
A. Ignore
B. Use reinforcement thinning gradually
C. Punish
D. Stop training
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual fading supports maintenance.
129. A therapist uses differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL). Purpose?
A. Eliminate behavior
B. Reduce frequency
C. Increase behavior
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: DRL reduces but does not eliminate behavior.
130. A client engages in attention-seeking behavior. BEST intervention?
A. Provide attention after behavior
B. Ignore behavior and reinforce appropriate attention-seeking
C. Punish
D. Stop therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Combine extinction with DRA for effectiveness.
131. A therapist uses a visual schedule to reduce problem behavior. This is:
A. Consequence strategy
B. Antecedent intervention
C. Punishment
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Visual supports modify antecedents to prevent behavior.
132. A client engages in behavior due to boredom. BEST intervention?
A. Ignore
B. Provide engaging activities
C. Punish
D. Increase demands
Answer: B
Rationale: Enrichment reduces problem behavior.
133. A therapist reinforces behavior every time it occurs initially. Purpose?
A. Maintenance
B. Acquisition
C. Extinction
D. Punishment
Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous reinforcement is used during acquisition phase.
134. A client refuses tasks when difficulty increases. BEST strategy?
A. Punish
B. Adjust task difficulty (shaping)
C. Ignore
D. Stop teaching
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual difficulty supports success.
135. A therapist records time between responses. This is:
A. Frequency
B. Inter-response time
C. Duration
D. Latency
Answer: B
Rationale: Inter-response time measures spacing between behaviors.
136. A client engages in problem behavior after denial of item. Function?
A. Escape
B. Attention
C. Tangible
D. Automatic
Answer: C
Rationale: Behavior seeks access to item.
137. An RBT is unsure about a procedure. BEST action?
A. Guess
B. Ask supervisor
C. Ignore
D. Stop session
Answer: B
Rationale: RBTs must seek supervision when unsure.
138. A therapist reinforces behavior incompatible with aggression. This is:
A. DRA
B. DRI
C. DRO
D. DRL
Answer: B
Rationale: DRI prevents occurrence of problem behavior.
139. A client engages in behavior across settings inconsistently. BEST approach?
A. Ignore
B. Generalization training
C. Punish
D. Stop
Answer: B
Rationale: Train across environments to ensure consistency.
140. A therapist uses extinction but behavior increases temporarily. This is:
A. Recovery
B. Extinction burst
C. Reinforcement
D. Shaping
Answer: B
Rationale: Temporary increase is expected during extinction.
141. A client receives reinforcement after unpredictable responses. This is:
A. FR
B. VR
C. FI
D. VI
Answer: B
Rationale: Variable ratio produces high response rates.
142. A therapist ensures data reflects actual behavior. This is:
A. Reliability
B. Validity
C. Extinction
D. Reinforcement
Answer: B
Rationale: Validity ensures accuracy of measurement.
143. A client learns faster with immediate reinforcement. Why?
A. Delay
B. Strong association
C. Punishment
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate reinforcement strengthens learning.
144. A therapist uses prompting hierarchy. Purpose?
A. Increase errors
B. Promote independence
C. Punish
D. Ignore
Answer: B
Rationale: Gradual prompt reduction builds independence.
145. A client engages in behavior for sensory input. BEST intervention?
A. Ignore
B. Provide sensory alternatives
C. Punish
D. Increase demands
Answer: B
Rationale: Matching function reduces behavior.
146. A therapist collects baseline data. Purpose?
A. Punish
B. Compare outcomes
C. Ignore
D. Diagnose
Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline allows evaluation of intervention effects.
147. A client receives reinforcement for absence of behavior. This is:
A. DRA
B. DRO
C. DRL
D. DRI
Answer: B
Rationale: DRO reinforces non-occurrence.
148. A therapist implements plan incorrectly. This affects:
A. Validity
B. Treatment integrity
C. Reliability
D. Extinction
Answer: B
Rationale: Incorrect implementation reduces effectiveness.
149. A client performs skill after training ends. This is:
A. Generalization
B. Maintenance
C. Extinction
D. Prompting
Answer: B
Rationale: Maintenance reflects long-term retention.
150. What is the MOST important principle in ABA?
A. Punishment
B. Data-based decision making
C. Observation
D. Diagnosis
Answer: B
Rationale: ABA relies on objective data to guide interventions.