RBT Practice Exam – RBT Mock Exam

Welcome to RBT Practice Exam 2, your next step toward becoming a certified Registered Behavior Technician! If you’ve already taken RBT Practice Exam 1 and are looking to challenge yourself with a fresh set of questions, you’re in the right place.

This second practice exam is designed to deepen your understanding of ABA principles and test your readiness with even more realistic, exam-style questions.

Like the first exam, this version aligns with the RBT Task List (2nd Edition) and covers all key domains:

• Measurement
• Assessment
• Skill Acquisition
• Behavior Reduction
• Documentation and Reporting
• Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

Take your time, review the explanations, and track your progress as you get closer to exam day!

RBT Exam Practice Test with Answers

Question 1: Difference between Antecedents and Consequences
A. The Antecedent happens before the behavior, and the Consequence follows the behavior.
B. The Antecedent happens after the behavior, and the Consequence happens before the behavior.
C. Antecedents and Consequences both happen before behaviors.
D. Antecedents and Consequences both happen after behaviors.

Answer: A. The Antecedent happens before the behavior, and the Consequence follows the behavior.

Explanation: Antecedents occur prior to a behavior and set the stage, while consequences happen afterward and affect whether the behavior is likely to happen again.

Question 2: Components involved in Classical Conditioning as Antecedent Conditions
A. Unconditioned Response, Conditioned Response, Respondent Behaviors
B. Unconditioned Stimulus, Conditioned Stimulus, Neutral Stimulus
C. Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement
D. Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment

Answer: B. Unconditioned Stimulus, Conditioned Stimulus, Neutral Stimulus

Explanation: Classical conditioning involves these stimuli as antecedent events that trigger automatic (respondent) responses.

Question 3: Components involved in Operant Conditioning as Consequences
A. Unconditioned Stimulus, Conditioned Stimulus, Neutral Stimulus
B. Conditioned Stimulus, Unconditioned Stimulus, Neutral Stimulus
C. Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment
D. Respondent Behaviors

Answer: C. Positive Reinforcement, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Punishment, Negative Punishment

Explanation: Operant conditioning focuses on consequences that increase or decrease behaviors through reinforcement or punishment.

Question 4: Example of a Three-Term Contingency using Positive Reinforcement
A. A math exercise is given, the client completes it, and then there is no more homework (behavior increases).
B. A math exercise is given, the client completes it, and then the client receives candy (behavior increases).
C. A math exercise is given, the client completes it, and then the client receives candy (behavior decreases).
D. A math exercise is given, the client completes it, and then there is no more homework (behavior decreases).

Answer: B. A math exercise is given, the client completes it, and then the client receives candy (behavior increases).

Explanation: Positive reinforcement involves adding a pleasant stimulus (candy) after a behavior, which increases the likelihood of the behavior repeating.

Question 5: Preference Assessment used when a client interacts freely with multiple stimuli and the therapist records time and number of interactions
A. Single Stimulus
B. Multiple Stimulus with Replacement
C. Free Operant
D. Multiple Stimulus without Replacement

Answer: C. Free Operant

Explanation: The free operant method allows the client to interact freely with stimuli while the therapist observes and records behavior without removing or replacing stimuli.

Question 6: Preference Assessment used when a client selects stimuli and the chosen items are removed from the environment without replacements
A. Single Stimulus
B. Multiple Stimulus without Replacement
C. Free Operant
D. Paired Choice

Answer: B. Multiple Stimulus without Replacement

Explanation: In this method, selected items are removed and not replaced, narrowing down preferences through elimination.

Question 7: Type of assessment where the RBT focuses on consequences of problematic behaviors to understand why the client behaves a certain way
A. Preference Assessment
B. Individualized Assessment
C. Environmental Assessment
D. Functional Assessment

Answer: D. Functional Assessment

Explanation: Functional assessments analyze antecedents and consequences to determine the reasons behind behaviors.

Question 8: Example of an Unconditioned Punisher
A. Escape
B. Water
C. Pain
D. Food

Answer: C. Pain

Explanation: Pain naturally reduces behavior without any prior learning, making it an unconditioned punisher.

Question 9: Preference Assessment where the client is shown two stimuli at a time, with location swapping and all pairs presented
A. Single Stimulus
B. Multiple Stimulus without Replacement
C. Free Operant
D. Paired Choice

Answer: D. Paired Choice

Explanation: Paired choice involves systematically presenting two stimuli at a time in all possible pairs to assess preferences.

Question 10: When a behavior occurs more frequently in the presence of a stimulus than when it is absent, this is called
A. Stimulus Control
B. Operant Conditioning
C. Respondent Behavior
D. Reinforcer

Answer: A. Stimulus Control

Explanation: Stimulus control means the behavior is influenced by the presence or absence of specific stimuli.

Question 11: Type of data gathered when a specialist asks for assessment data before starting an intervention
A. Frequency
B. Baseline
C. Intervention
D. Maintenance

Answer: B. Baseline

Explanation: Baseline data is collected before treatment to understand the behavior’s current level.

Question 12: When reducing a behavior through punishment or extinction, what should be done simultaneously?
A. Teach a new behavior
B. Teach a functionally equivalent behavior
C. Teach communication
D. Negatively reinforce the behavior for reduction

Answer: B. Teach a functionally equivalent behavior

Explanation: Replacing the problem behavior with an appropriate alternative that serves the same function is important.

Question 13: Data collection method where a teacher records if the behavior occurs throughout a one-minute interval, repeated 20 times
A. Partial interval
B. Whole interval
C. Momentary time sampling
D. Planned Activity Check

Answer: B. Whole interval

Explanation: Whole interval recording notes if the behavior persists during the entire interval.

Question 14: Extinction, differential reinforcement of other behaviors, and response blocking are examples of

A. Antecedent interventions
B. Punishment procedures
C. Consequence interventions
D. Reinforcement procedures

Answer: C. Consequence interventions

Explanation: These strategies modify the consequences to reduce undesired behaviors.

Question 15: Sheila uses toy dinosaurs as a reward after a child earns tokens. The toy dinosaurs are a
A. Generalized conditioned reinforcer
B. Primary reinforcer
C. Unconditioned reinforcer
D. Conditioned reinforcer

Answer: C. Unconditioned reinforcer

Explanation: Toy dinosaurs are naturally reinforcing because they provide sensory enjoyment without prior learning.

Question 16: Precise mastery criteria for a goal to request preferred items independently
A. 10 times per session
B. 80% independence across 3 consecutive sessions
C. 100% accuracy
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Mastery criteria often include frequency, consistency, and accuracy to ensure skill proficiency.

Question 17: Your BCBA instructs you to use a continuous schedule of reinforcement for a new goal. What does this mean?

• Reinforce the behavior intermittently
• You reinforce every occurrence of the behavior
• Reinforce the behavior after a fixed number of responses
• Reinforce the behavior at the end of each session

Answer: You reinforce every occurrence of the behavior

Explanation: A continuous schedule means that every instance of the target behavior is reinforced, which is often used when teaching new skills.

Question 18: Which of the following is considered best practice for an RBT when communicating with stakeholders?

• As directed by the supervisor
• Reporting data relevant to the client’s goals
• When communicating about other clients with similar goals
• It isn’t appropriate

Answer: As directed by the supervisor

Explanation: RBTs should follow supervisor instructions when sharing information to maintain confidentiality and ensure accurate reporting.

Question 19: Which term means stopping reinforcement of a behavior that was previously reinforced?

• Extinction
• Extinction burst
• Spontaneous recovery
• Differential reinforcement

Answer: Extinction.

Explanation: Extinction involves withholding reinforcement to reduce or eliminate a previously reinforced behavior.

Question 20: Sam yells loudly to get his mother’s attention. His mother reinforces close approximations to low speaking volumes and ignores loud screams. What process is this an example of?

• Shaping
• Extinction
• Differential reinforcement
• Stimulus fading

Answer: Differential reinforcement

Explanation: Reinforcing desired behaviors while withholding reinforcement for undesired behaviors exemplifies differential reinforcement.

Question 21: What is the definition of latency in behavior measurement?

• The time from the end of one behavior to the start of the next behavior
• The time it takes for a behavior to occur after a given stimulus
• The total time a behavior occurs
• The number of times a behavior occurs

Answer: The time it takes for a behavior to occur after a given stimulus

Explanation: Latency measures how quickly a behavior starts after a prompt or stimulus.

Question 22: What is interresponse time (IRT)?

• The time it takes for a behavior to occur after a stimulus
• The time between consecutive instances of a behavior
• The total duration of a behavior
• The number of times a behavior occurs per hour

Answer: The time between consecutive instances of a behavior

Explanation: IRT is the duration between one occurrence of a behavior and the next.

Question 23: John is counting how many times their client pinches themselves. What type of measurement is John using?

• Latency
• Rate
• Frequency
• Duration

Answer: Frequency

Explanation: Frequency is the count of how many times a behavior occurs.

Question 24: Liam’s client sorts pens by color during a session to help identify and name colors. What type of teaching is this?

• Naturalistic teaching
• Discrete trial teaching
• Discrimination training
• Stimulus transfer control procedures

Answer: Naturalistic teaching

Explanation: This teaching occurs naturally within the environment, using client interests to promote learning.

Question 25: Noah is reinforced for keeping his hand in his pocket instead of sucking his fingers. What type of differential reinforcement is this?

• Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors
• Differential reinforcement of other behaviors
• Spontaneous recovery
• Extinction burst

Answer: Differential reinforcement of incompatible behaviors

Explanation: Reinforcing a behavior physically incompatible with the problem behavior helps reduce the undesired behavior.

Question 26: When Tim rewards his pet monkey with banana chips for performing tricks, the monkey’s behavior increases. What type of consequence is this?

• Punishment
• Relational Frame Theory
• Extinction
• Reinforcement

Answer: Reinforcement

Explanation: Providing a reward following a behavior that increases the likelihood of the behavior is reinforcement.

Question 27: You are continuously collecting data on a client’s multiplication problem-solving. Which is a type of continuous data collection?

• Mand, Tact, Intraverbal, Echoic
• Free Operant, Multiple Stimulus, Paired Stimulus, Questionnaires
• Frequency, Latency, Rate, Duration
• Partial Interval, Whole Interval, Momentary Time Sampling

Answer: Frequency, Latency, Rate, Duration

Explanation: These are continuous measures because they record every occurrence or detail of the behavior.

Question 28: Which is NOT a type of functional behavioral assessment?

• ABC Data Collection
• Free Operant
• Functional Analysis
• Scatterplot Analyses

Answer: Free Operant

Explanation: Free operant is a preference assessment method, not a functional behavior assessment.

Question 29: A child sees a cookie and says “Cookie.” Without knowing the motivation, what type of verbal operant is this?

• Tact
• Mand
• Intraverbal
• Echoic

Answer: Tact

Explanation: Tacting is labeling or naming an object or event in the environment.

Question 30: Terry buys groceries from a list and his girlfriend checks the bags later. What type of data collection method is this?

• Full Rate
• Indirect Count
• Frequency (Discontinuous)
• Permanent Product

Answer: Permanent Product

Explanation: Permanent product data is collected by observing tangible results of behavior after it occurs.

Question 31: Tim measures the time from the end of one bite until the start of another bite. What type of measurement is this?

• Interval Schedule
• Instantiated Response Tracking
• Inter-response time
• Inter-trial Interval

Answer: Inter-response time

Explanation: This measures the time between successive occurrences of the same behavior.

Question 32: Todd uses a vending machine and receives a beverage after selecting a code. What type of consequence is this?

• Attention-based Reinforcement
• Automatic Reinforcement
• Socially Mediated Reinforcement
• Extinction-based Reinforcement

Answer: Automatic Reinforcement

Explanation: The behavior produces its own reinforcement automatically without mediation by others.

Question 33: Alex teaches handwashing by completing all steps with hand-over-hand prompting except the last step, which the client masters independently, then moves backward step by step. What type of teaching is this?

• Reverse Chain
• Backwards Chain
• Future Chaining
• Past Chain

Answer: Backwards Chain

Explanation: Backward chaining starts with the last step and moves backward through the chain.

Question 34: Billy teaches handwashing by teaching the first step, then completing the rest, introducing the second step when the first is mastered. What type of chaining is this?

• Forward Chaining
• Future Chaining
• Backwards Chaining
• Whole Task Training

Answer: Forward Chaining

Explanation: Forward chaining teaches the behavior in the natural order from the first to the last step.

Question 35: A therapist teaches shoe tying with an across-topographies prompt hierarchy until mastery. What is this teaching method?

• Forward Task Teaching
• Backward Task Teaching
• Complete Format Teaching Analysis
• Total Task Teaching

Answer: Total Task Teaching

Explanation: Total task teaching involves teaching the entire sequence as a whole rather than step-by-step.

Question 36: Breaking down a complex behavior into smaller steps is called

• Task Technology
• Recipe for success
• Task Analysis
• Conceptual Analysis

Answer: Task Analysis

Explanation: Task analysis involves dissecting a complex skill into teachable units.

Question 37: An RBT records 18 instances of a child throwing items. What continuous measurement is this?

• Rate
• Duration
• Latency
• Frequency

Answer: Frequency

Explanation: Frequency is the count of behavior occurrences.

Question 38: An RBT sets a timer for 2 minutes and checks if the client is seated immediately when the timer goes off. What measurement is this?

• Whole interval recording
• Momentary time sampling
• Partial interval recording
• Latency

Answer: Momentary time sampling

Explanation: Momentary time sampling records whether behavior occurs at the exact moment the timer signals.

Question 39: A differential reinforcement procedure where all behaviors except one specific behavior are reinforced is called

• DRL
• DRO
• DRA
• DRH

Answer: DRO

Explanation: Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO) reinforces any behavior except the targeted one.

Question 40: Which differential reinforcement procedure strengthens a response that cannot physically occur at the same time as the unwanted behavior?

• DRL
• DRI
• DRH
• DRO

Answer: DRI

Explanation: Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI) reinforces behaviors incompatible with the problem behavior.

41. Which axis on a line graph does the Abscissa refer to?
• X-axis
• Y-axis
• Ordinate
• Coordinate

Answer: X-axis
Explanation: The abscissa is the horizontal axis on a graph, commonly referred to as the X-axis.

42. What is the most common graph used in applied behavior analysis?
• Pie chart
• Line graph
• Bar graph
• Scatter plot

Answer: Line graph
Explanation: Line graphs are most commonly used in ABA to display behavior data over time.

43. A differential reinforcement procedure where the inter-trial interval has decreased, resulting in an increased rate of behavior, is referred to as _ _ _ _?
• DRL — differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior
• DRO — differential reinforcement of other behavior
• DRH — differential reinforcement of higher rates of behavior
• DRA — differential reinforcement of alternative behavior

Answer: DRH — differential reinforcement of higher rates of behavior
Explanation: DRH is used to increase the rate of a behavior by reinforcing higher rates.

44. Which of the following ways is a safe way to store data collected during a therapy session that may contain PHI (Personal Health Information)?
• In a briefcase, which is set to explode if the wrong person tries to open it
• In a file-folder
• On a clipboard
• Files containing PHI should be stored in a lockable file folder or cabinet when not in use. During transport (say, between the office and a client’s home), all files should be stored in the trunk of your vehicle. You should only transport files with the express consent of your BCBA supervisor.

Answer: Files containing PHI should be stored in a lockable file folder or cabinet when not in use. During transport (say, between the office and a client’s home), all files should be stored in the trunk of your vehicle. You should only transport files with the express consent of your BCBA supervisor.
Explanation: This ensures confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations.

45. Tim, an RBT, is at the supermarket when he sees a client with whom he regularly works. He excitedly greets his client and talks about their most recent therapy session. After he heads home, he realizes he did something wrong – what was it?
• He should have had the client sign a disclosure act notification form, which must be done each time you see a client in public
• He should have waited for the client to acknowledge him first, AND refrained from acknowledging any details about their therapy relationship unless explicit consent was given
• Tim should avoid speaking to clients in public, even if they acknowledge him first
• He did nothing wrong – it would be unethical to treat a client different because he or she has a diagnosis

Answer: He should have waited for the client to acknowledge him first, AND refrained from acknowledging any details about their therapy relationship unless explicit consent was given
Explanation: Confidentiality must be maintained; no therapy details should be discussed without consent.

46. The BCBA gave the RBT 10 tasks to have the learner perform to assess whether the learner can perform the tasks or not. This is an example of:
• Pairing
• Maintenance
• Generalization
• Probing

Answer: Probing
Explanation: Probing assesses the learner’s current skill level on specific tasks.

47. In the break room in their clinic, a BCBA made a casual comment, which was more of a joke, which Sally (an RBT) felt a little uneasy about. The BCBA said, “I don’t care what the teacher thinks! My job is to get the kid to behave; if it disrupts her class a little bit, that’s her problem. We have enough problems as it is!” What, if anything, is wrong with this statement?
• The BCBA was not right to make that remark. BCBAs must only comment on behavior analytic professionals and avoid even mentioning other professionals, such as speech language pathologists, teachers, or social workers.
• While in poor taste, there’s nothing wrong with a little office humor behind closed doors.
• The joke made by the BCBA was unprofessional, as it serves to undermine the views and concerns of a legitimate stakeholder in the behavior change plan the BCBA is implementing. A BCBA has a responsibility to all parties, and while the client comes first, we should not treat other stakeholders with disdain.
• The teacher will get over it. Besides, teachers aren’t paid enough to care about some snivelling BCBA!

Answer: The joke made by the BCBA was unprofessional, as it serves to undermine the views and concerns of a legitimate stakeholder in the behavior change plan the BCBA is implementing. A BCBA has a responsibility to all parties, and while the client comes first, we should not treat other stakeholders with disdain.
Explanation: Professional respect is required for all stakeholders involved in a client’s care.

48. A client with dental issues and chronic health issues related to being overweight consults with a BCBA. She identifies that candy, ice cream, donuts, and other sugar snacks are valuable stimuli during an informal preference assessment. What ethical issues, if any, are there to using these types of reinforcers with this type of client?
• BCBAs are strictly forbidden from using sweets and must always use vegetables.
• It would be unethical to use stimuli that would exacerbate (make worse) the client’s current health issues. The BCBA should make every possible effort to pursue other stimuli.
• The behavior analyst needs to conduct a preference assessment for other stimuli classes (e.g., videos, apps/games, physical toys, etc.). However, no ethical violation is taking place here.
• There are no ethical concerns with using candy and other sugary foods here – the client has a right to prefer what he wants, and as long as the family is OK with it, the BCBA should always use the most highly preferred stimuli available (to ensure effectiveness).

Answer: It would be unethical to use stimuli that would exacerbate (make worse) the client’s current health issues. The BCBA should make every possible effort to pursue other stimuli.
Explanation: Reinforcers should never cause harm or worsen health conditions.

49. Essential components of a written skill acquisition plan include all of the following except:
• Review data on average once every 2 months
• Modify the plan if necessary
• Identify a measurement procedure for data collection
• Identify a skill to teach and create a goal

Answer: Review data on average once every 2 months
Explanation: Data should be reviewed frequently (often weekly or more), not just once every 2 months.

50. When Jessica is working with her client, she ensures she is always providing learning opportunities across different stimuli, various times of the day, incorporating new people, and in teaching in different settings. What is Jessica programming for?
• Generalization
• Maintenance
• Discrete trial training
• Indirect Teaching

Answer: Generalization
Explanation: Generalization involves teaching skills across different settings, stimuli, people, and times.