Pearson RBT Practice Exam: 85 Questions

Which of the following data collection methods records the amount of time a behavior occurs?

Duration

When recording frequency, you are:

Counting how many times a behavior occurs

Which measurement procedure divides an observation period into intervals and notes whether the behavior occurred at any time during each interval?

Partial interval recording

You want to measure how long it takes a child to comply after being given a direction. Which measure is most appropriate?

Latency

When using a continuous measurement procedure, which of the following would be used to measure how quickly a behavior occurs per unit of time?

Rate

Which data collection method measures the time between two consecutive occurrences of the target behavior?

Interresponse time

When using momentary time sampling, data are recorded:

Only if the behavior occurs at the end of each interval

Which of the following is an example of discontinuous measurement?

Whole interval recording

In a 30-minute session, you record that behavior occurred 10 times. What type of data are you most likely reporting?

Frequency

A teacher wants to keep track of how long it takes a student to start writing after directions are given. This is an example of:

Latency

The primary purpose of collecting ABC data is to:

Identify antecedents and consequences

Which of the following best describes a preference assessment?

Determining which items or activities function as potential reinforcers

A direct assessment method might include:

Observing the client's behavior in a natural environment.

Which is an example of indirect assessment?

Interviewing the client's caregiver about behavior

The main goal of a functional behavior assessment (FBA) is to:

Identify the function of a target behavior

During a preference assessment, multiple items are presented at the same time, and the client is free to interact with any items. This best describes a(n):

Free operant preference assessment

A RBT is asked to collect baseline data on a new behavior. The best approach is to:

Record data on the behavior before an intervention is introduced

Which of the following is a hallmark of discrete trial teaching (DTT)?

Structured teaching with clear beginning and end points

An example of a naturalistic teaching strategy is:

Providing learning opportunities in everyday routines

Which of the following is an example of forward chaining?

Teaching the first step until mastered, then proceeding sequentially

When a skill is broken down into smaller, teachable steps, this is called a:

Task analysis

Which prompt involves physically guiding the learner through the behavior?

Physical prompt

Why is prompt fading important?

To reduce reliance on prompts and increase independence

Which is an example of incidental teaching?

Waiting for the child to request a toy and using that moment to teach "toy"

Most-to-least prompting refers to:

Starting with a more intrusive prompt and gradually reducing intensity

Which statement about shaping is true?

It involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior

What is the first step when implementing a token economy?

Define the target behavior(s) to earn tokens.

Generalization involves:

Transferring a learned skill across different people, settings, and stimuli

Maintenance of a skill means

Continuing to perform the skill over time after formal teaching has stopped

Which is an example of using a visual prompt?

Showing a picture schedule.

Backward chaining is best described as:

Teaching the last step first and progressing backward

In discrete trial teaching, an SD (discriminative stimulus) is:

An instruction or cue that signals reinforcement is available for a correct response

When planning a skill acquisition program, the first step is usually:

Identify and define the target behavior or skill.

When using error correction in DTT, the immediate next step after an incorrect response is often to:

Represent the SD and provide a prompt for the correct response

A functional communication training (FCT) program teaches a client to:

Replace problem behavior with more appropriate communicative responses

Which of the following is an example of an unconditioned reinforcer?

Food

An example of a condition that might use discrete trial teaching would be:

Teaching a child to label pictures using short, structured trials

Why would a BCBA incorporate both DTT and Naturalistic Environment Teaching (NET)?

To teach structured targets and promote generalization in everyday contexts

A BCBA wants you to implement a task analysis. Your responsibility is to:

Follow the step-by-step breakdown as instructed.

Extinction involves:

No longer providing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior

In a differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) procedure, you would:

Reinforce an appropriate alternative behavior while placing the problem behavior on extinction.

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) involves:

Reinforcing the absence of the target behavior during a specified time

Which of the following strategies is most likely to prevent problem behaviors?

Arranging the environment to remove triggers and reinforce replacement behaviors

A child frequently yells for attention. A function-based intervention might include:

Teaching them an appropriate way to request attention

Which is an example of escape extinction?

Requiring a child to finish a task even if they try to escape by whining

Punishment procedures should be used:

Only under strict supervision and after reinforcement-based procedures have been tried

If you make an error in documentation, you should:

Follow your organization's policy for correcting errors.

When asked to perform a task outside of your RBT scope of practice, you should:

Politely decline and refer to your BCBA supervisor

Extinction bursts are characterized by:

Temporary increase in frequency or intensity of the behavior after extinction is implemented

One key to effectively reducing problem behavior is to:

Teach a functionally equivalent replacement behavior

Which of the following best describes objective session notes?

Factual and observable descriptions of what occurred

An RBT receives a gift from a client's family worth a significant amount. The best response is to:

Politely reject and tell that it's against the policy

Professional boundaries between an RBT and a client's family include:

Maintaining a professional relationship focused on client well-being

A behavior reduction plan should include all of the following EXCEPT:

Techniques to avoid reinforcing replacement behaviors

Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) reinforces:

A behavior that cannot occur at the same time as the target problem behavior

If an RBT suspects abuse or neglect, they should:

Follow the relevant mandated reporting procedures

What is the RBT's role in service delivery?

Implementing intervention plans designed by the supervisor

Response blocking is a procedure in which:

Physical intervention prevents the completion of the behavior

RBTs are expected to collect data:

Consistently, following the prescribed data collection procedures

Why is it important to follow the BACB's Ethics Code for RBTs?

It protects the client, the RBT, and the integrity of the field

When should an RBT update the BCBA on the client's progress?

As directed by the BCBA and regularly per the supervision plan

You are working with Maria, who often engages in hand-flapping when excited. You have been asked to collect frequency data on this behavior during a 30-minute session. During one session, Maria flaps his hands 15 times in total. How should you accurately document this behavior for your data collection?

Record 15 as the frequency of hand flapping for that session.

You're setting up a preference assessment for Daniel, who is non-vocal. You simultaneously place five items (a plush toy, a puzzle, a spinner, a ball, and a coloring book) on the table. You allow Daniel to engage freely with any items he chooses. Which method of preference assessment are you using?

Free operant preference assessment.

Olivia frequently rips worksheets to escape from non-preferred tasks. As part of the behavior intervention plan, you are instructed not to allow him to avoid or delay the activity by ripping. Instead, you calmly replace the worksheet and continue teaching. What procedure is being used in this scenario?

Escape extinction.

While on a lunch break, your colleague starts discussing a client's tantrum behaviors in detail with you in the break room, where other people (not on the ABA team) can overhear. How should you respond?

Politely remind your colleague of confidentiality guidelines and suggest you discuss it privately.

Maria frequently interrupts instruction by calling out answers. The behavior plan states that if Maria raises her hand and waits to be called on (appropriate behavior), she gets access to a sticker. If she blurts out, no sticker or attention is given to that behavior. Which differential reinforcement procedure is being used?

DRA

Explanation: DRA involves reinforcing an alternative, appropriate behavior (raising her hand) while withholding reinforcement (attention/sticker) for the problem behavior (blurting out).

You notice you made a mistake on your data sheet— you wrote down 5 instances of aggression, but upon re-checking, it was actually 6. Your company policy states that any corrections should be made clearly with a single line and an initial. What is the proper way to correct your documentation?

Draw a single line through the incorrect value, write the correct value, and initial the change.

Your client's parent invites you to their child's birthday party at a local amusement park on a weekend. You have a close working relationship but are concerned about maintaining professionalism.

Politely decline or consult your supervising BCBA about the boundaries policy.

Alex is learning to wash his hands. The behavior plan involves having Alex master each step one by one, starting from turning on the faucet independently before moving on to wetting hands, applying soap, etc. Which type of chaining procedure is being used?

Forward chaining

During snack time, you notice Andrea wants a cookie on the table. You hold the cookie and say, "What do you want?" Andrea says, "Cookie," and you immediately hand it to her. You do this a few more times throughout the snack to encourage her to make a request. Which strategy are you implementing?

Natural Incidental Teaching (NET)

You are working at the table with Sam. You show a flashcard of a dog and say, "What is it?" Sam says, "Dog," and you give him a token. You repeat this procedure with multiple flashcards. The session is highly structured, with clear instructions and immediate feedback. What type of teaching method is being used?

Discrete trial teaching (DTT)

Sarah rarely speaks above a whisper. Her BCBA creates a program to reinforce progressively louder vocalizations. First, Sarah receives a small reward for making any vocal sound. Next, only louder sounds are rewarded, and whispering is no longer reinforced. Which skill acquisition technique is being implemented?

Shaping

Faiza has mastered identifying colors during structured sessions. Now, you occasionally ask her to name colors during daily activities (like picking out colored cups) to ensure she retains the skill over time. What are you working on with Faiza?

Maintenance

Ken has learned to greet people by saying "Hello" to his teacher in the classroom. You now practice greeting new people in different settings, like neighbors at the park or a cashier at the grocery store. What principle is being targeted here?

Generalization

Brianna frequently tears up her assignments during homework time to avoid doing the work. The plan instructs you to replace her homework sheet and continue to prompt completion calmly. You do not allow her to avoid or delay the task by tearing the paper. What behavior reduction strategy is being implemented?

Escape extinction

You're assigned to collect information about Rosa's problem behavior, but you cannot observe her in person today. Instead, you schedule a meeting with Rosa's parents and teachers to gather information about her behavior, what happens before it, and what follows it. Which type of assessment are you conducting?

Indirect assessment

Your BCBA asks you to measure how many times Chris hits the table. You observe for exactly 10 minutes. Chris hits the table 5 times within that period. If you simply recorded the total number of hits (5), you'd be measuring frequency. If you wanted "hits per minute," which measurement would that be?

Rate

You're monitoring Sarah's off-task behavior over a 20-minute period divided into 10-second intervals. If Sarah is off-task at any time during each 10-second interval, you mark that interval as "off-task." What type of measurement system are you using?

Partial interval recording

You have a timer set for every 30 seconds while monitoring Xavier's vocal stereotypy. The timer beeps, and you check if Xavier is engaging in vocal stereotypy at that exact moment. If he is, you mark it as occurring. Which data collection method does this describe?

Momentary time sampling

During a session, you instruct Samuel, "Pick up your plate and put it in the sink." You start the stopwatch the moment you give the instruction and stop it as soon as he begins to follow the directions. You want to see how quickly he complies. Which measurement are you using?

Latency

Your BCBA asks you for the session data from the past week to review progress on a new behavior intervention plan. You've been collecting the data each day, but you haven't consolidated it yet.

Immediately compile and share the complete, accurate data per your supervisor's request.

While organizing data sheets, you notice that the client's file was left open on a table in the clinic's lobby. Several parents and staff members pass by regularly. What should you do to protect confidentiality?

Immediately secure the file in the proper, private location.

In your session notes, you wrote, "Adam was mad and acted out." Your BCBA says this doesn't sound objective. She wants a clear description of what actually happened. How could you revise your notes to be more objective?

"Adam clenched his fists, stomped his feet, and yelled loudly for 30 seconds."

You have been working with a client for a year, and the client's parent invites you to a family barbecue at their home. Your agency discourages dual relationships outside of therapy. What is the most appropriate response?

Politely decline and follow your agency's policy on maintaining professional boundaries.

A parent requests that you implement a new feeding protocol involving nutritional supplements, but you have not received instructions or training from your BCBA. As an RBT, what is the most appropriate action?

Decline to implement the protocol until you receive supervision or training from the BCBA.