homepage-practice Practice Quiz (SEO Content)
1. A behavior technician is recording how long it takes a student to begin a task after being given an instruction. What type of measurement is being used?
- Duration
- Latency
- Inter-response time
- Frequency
Explanation: Latency is the time elapsed between a stimulus (the instruction) and the initiation of a response (beginning the task).
2. You’re collecting data on how many times a client engages in hand-biting during a session. What measurement procedure are you using?
- Duration recording
- Interval recording
- Frequency recording
- Latency recording
Explanation: Frequency recording involves counting the number of times a behavior occurs. Hand-biting is a discrete behavior easily counted over a session.
3. A child is given a sticker every time they say “please” instead of whining. This is an example of:
Explanation: Differential Reinforcement of Alternative behavior (DRA) reinforces a specific, desirable alternative behavior ('please') while withholding reinforcement for the undesired behavior (whining).
4. When using partial interval recording, you mark the interval if:
- The behavior happens for the full interval
- The behavior happens at any time during the interval
- The behavior does not happen
- You prompt the behavior
Explanation: Partial interval recording is a discontinuous measurement method where the interval is marked if the behavior occurred at *any point* during that interval, even briefly.
5. Which of the following is an example of an antecedent?
- The client claps after the teacher smiles
- The client earns a token
- The teacher says “clean up”
- The client throws a toy
Explanation: An antecedent is a stimulus or event that occurs immediately *before* a behavior. The teacher saying 'clean up' is an instruction (antecedent) that precedes the child's response (behavior).
6. What is the RBT’s role in functional behavior assessments (FBAs)?
- Develop interventions
- Diagnose behavior
- Conduct functional analysis
- Collect ABC data
Explanation: The RBT’s primary role in the FBA process is to assist by collecting descriptive data, such as ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) data.
7. During a session, you’re instructed to teach handwashing using a task analysis. Which teaching strategy are you likely using?
- Shaping
- Chaining
- Mand training
- Token economy
Explanation: Chaining involves teaching a sequence of behaviors (a task analysis) where the completion of one step serves as the prompt for the next step. Handwashing is a perfect example of a behavior chain.
8. You present a red and green card and say “Touch red.” This type of instruction is part of:
- Naturalistic teaching
- Discrete trial training
- Incidental teaching
- Chaining
Explanation: Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a structured instructional method that involves a specific antecedent (presenting cards and giving the instruction), a specific behavior, and a specific consequence.
9. A learner is asked to identify the letter “B” among several letters. This is an example of:
- Receptive language
- Echoic behavior
- Tacting
- Manding
Explanation: Receptive language is responding non-vocally to the language of others, such as identifying or selecting an item when named or pointed to.
10. Your client’s mom tells you, “Please don’t tell the BCBA about today’s session.” What should you do?
- Respect her wishes
- Only share part of the session
- Document and report the session to your supervisor
- Ignore the session entirely
Explanation: RBTs must always follow the ethical code, which mandates reporting variables that affect the client and communicating with the supervisor, even if a stakeholder requests confidentiality regarding a session event.
11. What is the main goal of differential reinforcement?
- Eliminate behavior entirely
- Punish bad behavior
- Teach replacement behaviors while reducing undesired ones
- Stop the child from misbehaving
Explanation: Differential reinforcement involves reinforcing desired behaviors (often replacement behaviors) while withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors, which leads to a functional reduction of the undesired behavior.
12. A token board is used to deliver reinforcement after each correct response. The token acts as a:
- Primary reinforcer
- Conditioned reinforcer
- Backup reinforcer
- Prompt
Explanation: A token is a neutral stimulus that acquires reinforcing properties because it is *paired* with a backup (primary or established) reinforcer. This makes it a conditioned (or secondary) reinforcer.
13. What’s an example of generalization?
- A learner only asks for juice at home
- A learner requests help with different people in different settings
- A learner asks for the same item repeatedly
- A learner needs prompts in all environments
Explanation: Generalization is the occurrence of a target behavior in a setting, situation, or stimulus condition different from the one in which the behavior was trained. This example shows generalization across people and settings.
14. You are told to ignore tantrums that occur when a demand is given. This strategy is known as:
- Response cost
- Negative reinforcement
- Escape extinction
- Positive punishment
Explanation: If the function of the tantrum is escape from the demand, then ignoring the tantrum while *insisting on the demand* is Escape Extinction. The learner is blocked from receiving the escape reinforcement.
15. A child finishes a puzzle without help and is given 5 extra minutes of playtime. This is an example of:
- Punishment
- Extinction
- Positive reinforcement
- Negative punishment
Explanation: Positive reinforcement is adding a desirable stimulus (extra playtime, 'positive') following a behavior (finishing the puzzle) to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.
16. Which of the following actions violates client confidentiality?
- Discussing a client at home with a parent
- Talking about a client with a classmate in the hallway
- Recording data on a private tablet
- Sharing updates with the supervising BCBA
Explanation: Discussing a client in a public or semi-public space like a hallway, where unauthorized people (like a classmate) can overhear, is a clear violation of confidentiality.
17. A BCBA asks you to observe a learner to identify reinforcers based on what they play with when given free access to toys. This is a:
- Paired stimulus assessment
- Free operant preference assessment
- Functional analysis
- Trial-based assessment
Explanation: A Free Operant preference assessment involves observing what a learner freely engages with when given access to multiple items, without requiring a response or removing items.
18. A fixed ratio (FR-3) reinforcement schedule means:
- Reinforcement is given every 3 minutes
- Reinforcement is given after a random number of correct responses
- Reinforcement is given after 3 correct responses
- Reinforcement is delivered continuously
Explanation: Fixed Ratio (FR) schedules deliver reinforcement after a fixed (unchanging) number of responses. FR-3 means reinforcement is delivered after 3 responses.
19. Which of the following is a good example of permanent product recording?
- Recording how long a tantrum lasts
- Observing in real-time
- Counting completed homework assignments
- Timing how long a student works
Explanation: Permanent product recording measures the lasting effects of a behavior on the environment. A completed homework assignment is a physical, measurable result of the behavior ('completing homework').
20. What should you do if you forget to collect data for part of a session?
- Make up the data based on memory
- Skip that part of the session report
- Inform your supervisor and note it accurately
- Delete the session log
Explanation: Ethical practice requires accurate documentation. You must never fabricate data (option 0) or conceal a data error (options 1 and 3). The correct action is to notify your supervisor and document the error accurately.
The official RBT exam is a 90-minute, computer-based test administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). It includes 75 scored questions and up to 10 pilot questions that don’t count toward your final score.
The exam focuses on practical knowledge and professional conduct relevant to real-world behavior technician responsibilities.
The 75 scored questions are broken down into six content areas:
1. Measurement ⟶ 12 Questions
2. Assessment ⟶ 6 Questions
3. Skill Acquisition ⟶ 24 Questions
4. Behavior Reduction ⟶ 12 Questions
5. Documentation and Reporting ⟶ 10 Questions
6. Professional Conduct & Scope of Practice ⟶ 11 Questions
After completing your RBT competency assessment, you can schedule your RBT exam at Pearson VUE.
A total of 85 questions will be asked in the RBT exam, but only 75 questions are scored. The 10 unscored questions are pre-tested for future BACB exams.
There is no straightforward answer. Each RBT exam has a specific passing score calculated using the modified Angoff method. However, 80% or higher is considered a safe score to pass the RBT exam.
No exam is easy or hard. It depends upon your preparation and training. Approximately 74% of candidates pass the RBT exam on their first attempt.
You can retake the RBT exam 8 times in 12 months. The re-apply application will be available within 48 hours of a failed attempt, and you can reschedule your next exam after 7 days.
No, you can’t take the RBT certification exam at home. As of September 1, 2023, the RBT examination is only delivered at in-person test centers.
