RBT Practice Exam – 85 Questions (2026 Full-Length Mock Test)

Q1. A therapist counts the number of times a student calls out in class. What type of measurement is this? A. Duration B. Frequency C. Latency D. Interval. Answer: B. Frequency. Frequency is the count of behavior occurrences. Q2. A client engages in hand-flapping for 2 minutes. What is being measured? A. Duration B. Latency C. Rate D. Interval. Answer: A. Duration. Duration measures how long a behavior lasts. Q3. A child begins brushing their teeth 8 seconds after being told. What type of data is this? A. Latency B. Duration C. Rate D. Frequency. Answer: A. Latency. Latency is the time between instruction and response. Q4. A therapist records the number of times a client says “hi” per minute. What measurement is this? A. Rate B. Frequency C. Duration D. IRT. Answer: A. Rate. Rate = frequency over time. Q5. A therapist notes that 5 seconds pass between two instances of clapping. This is: A. IRT B. Duration C. Frequency D. Latency. Answer: A. IRT. Interresponse Time measures time between two behaviors. Q6. A therapist checks every 30 seconds to see if a student is on task. This is: A. Frequency B. Momentary Time Sampling C. Duration D. Latency. Answer: B. Momentary Time Sampling. Records behavior at the end of intervals. Q7. Which data system gives the most precise measure of behavior? A. Interval recording B. Duration recording C. Frequency recording D. Time sampling. Answer: C. Frequency recording. Frequency gives exact counts. Q8. Which recording method overestimates behavior? A. Partial interval B. Whole interval C. Momentary time sampling D. Frequency. Answer: A. Partial interval. Partial interval may inflate occurrence. Q9. Which recording method underestimates behavior? A. Whole interval B. Partial interval C. Momentary time sampling D. Frequency. Answer: A. Whole interval. Whole interval misses brief behaviors. Q10. Which measurement would best capture how long a tantrum lasts? A. Frequency B. Duration C. Latency D. Interval. Answer: B. Duration. Duration measures total length of behavior. Q11. A therapist records whether a behavior occurs at any time during a 10-second interval. This is: A. Partial interval B. Whole interval C. Duration D. Latency. Answer: A. Partial interval. Behavior occurs at least once in interval. Q12. A therapist records whether a child is on task for the entire 30-second interval. This is: A. Partial interval B. Whole interval C. Momentary time sampling D. Latency. Answer: B. Whole interval. Requires behavior to occur the whole time. Q13. Asking a parent to describe what triggers their child’s tantrums is an example of: A. Direct measurement B. Indirect assessment C. Functional analysis D. Latency recording. Answer: B. Indirect assessment. Involves interviews and checklists. Q14. A preference assessment identifies: A. What causes problem behavior B. What reinforcers are effective C. How long a behavior lasts D. How often a behavior occurs. Answer: B. What reinforcers are effective. Reveals potential reinforcers. Q15. Which is a direct assessment method? A. Parent interview B. Staff questionnaire C. ABC recording D. Rating scale. Answer: C. ABC recording. Directly observes antecedent, behavior, consequence. Q16. A single-stimulus preference assessment involves: A. Giving a client two choices at once B. Offering one item at a time C. Watching which toys a client plays with D. Asking a parent to choose. Answer: B. Offering one item at a time. Present one item individually. Q17. Which assessment shows how problem behavior is maintained? A. Preference assessment B. Functional assessment C. Baseline measurement D. Skill assessment. Answer: B. Functional assessment. Finds function of behavior. Q18. ABC stands for: A. Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence B. Antecedent, Baseline, Condition C. Assessment, Behavior, Control D. Analysis, Behavior, Consequence. Answer: A. Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence. Events before, during, and after behavior. Q19. Teaching a client to tie shoes by breaking down the steps is called: A. Shaping B. Task analysis C. Prompt fading D. Generalization. Answer: B. Task analysis. Breaks skills into smaller steps. Q20. Teaching one step at a time and prompting the rest is: A. Forward chaining B. Backward chaining C. Total task training D. Shaping. Answer: A. Forward chaining. Teaches first step, then adds next. Q21. Teaching the last step first is: A. Forward chaining B. Backward chaining C. Shaping D. Discrete trial. Answer: B. Backward chaining. Backward chaining teaches the final step first, promoting success. Q22. In discrete-trial teaching, the instruction given to the client is the: A. Reinforcer B. Prompt C. Discriminative stimulus D. Consequence. Answer: C. Discriminative stimulus. The instruction signals the opportunity for a response. Q23. When a therapist uses hand-over-hand to help a child pick up a spoon, this is: A. Independent response B. Physical prompt C. Modeling D. Verbal prompt. Answer: B. Physical prompt. Physical prompts guide movement directly. Q24. Which prompt is most intrusive? A. Verbal B. Gesture C. Physical D. Visual. Answer: C. Physical. Physical prompts give the most control over behavior. Q25. Gradually reducing the level of prompting is called: A. Shaping B. Fading C. Chaining D. Reinforcing. Answer: B. Fading. Fading reduces prompts over time to build independence. Q26. Providing reinforcement only when the correct response occurs is: A. Differential reinforcement B. Negative reinforcement C. Extinction D. Punishment. Answer: A. Differential reinforcement. Strengthens desired behaviors by reinforcing only correct responses. Q27. A child learns to say “dog” only when seeing an actual dog, not a cat. This is: A. Generalization B. Discrimination C. Prompting D. Shaping. Answer: B. Discrimination. Behavior occurs only in presence of the specific stimulus. Q28. Teaching a child to say “hello” to many different people demonstrates: A. Discrimination B. Generalization C. Shaping D. Task analysis. Answer: B. Generalization. The skill transfers across people and contexts. Q29. Reinforcing successive steps toward a behavior is: A. Chaining B. Fading C. Shaping D. Modeling. Answer: C. Shaping. Reinforcing approximations builds complex behaviors gradually. Q30. Which is an example of incidental teaching? A. Practicing flashcards B. Using natural opportunities to teach C. Practicing only in therapy room D. Following a strict trial schedule. Answer: B. Using natural opportunities to teach. Incidental teaching occurs in natural settings. Q31. Which is an example of discrete-trial training? A. A therapist asks, “What is this?” while showing a card B. A child requests a snack naturally C. A parent reinforces saying “please” at dinner D. A teacher provides choices during recess. Answer: A. A therapist asks, “What is this?” while showing a card. DTT has clear instruction, response, and consequence. Q32. Which is an example of a conditioned reinforcer? A. Food B. Water C. Stickers D. Sleep. Answer: C. Stickers. Conditioned reinforcers are learned, such as tokens or praise. Q33. Which is an unconditioned reinforcer? A. Praise B. Toys C. Water D. Money. Answer: C. Water. Unconditioned reinforcers meet biological needs. Q34. Which reinforcement schedule produces steady responding? A. Fixed ratio B. Fixed interval C. Variable ratio D. Variable interval. Answer: D. Variable interval. VI schedules produce steady, consistent response rates. Q35. A slot machine works on which schedule? A. Fixed interval B. Fixed ratio C. Variable ratio D. Variable interval. Answer: C. Variable ratio. VR schedules produce high, steady responding (like gambling). Q36. Teaching a skill with all steps completed each time is: A. Forward chaining B. Backward chaining C. Total task training D. Shaping. Answer: C. Total task training. Client practices the whole sequence each trial. Q37. Which is the best way to promote maintenance of a skill? A. Provide reinforcement only in therapy B. Reinforce occasionally in natural settings C. Always prompt the skill D. Use mass trials. Answer: B. Reinforce occasionally in natural settings. Natural reinforcement promotes maintenance. Q38. Which example demonstrates generalization? A. A child learns to say “dog” only with flashcards B. A child says “dog” when seeing a real dog at the park C. A child says “dog” only when asked by therapist D. A child claps only when told. Answer: B. A child says “dog” when seeing a real dog at the park. Applying skills to new environments shows generalization. Q39. Which is the best way to encourage independence? A. Delay prompts B. Increase reinforcement C. Use stronger prompts D. Provide constant feedback. Answer: A. Delay prompts. Delaying prompts encourages independent responding. Q40. Modeling involves: A. Reinforcing behavior B. Demonstrating behavior for imitation C. Using physical prompts D. Fading prompts. Answer: B. Demonstrating behavior for imitation. Modeling shows how to perform a skill. Q41. Which of the following best defines frequency recording? A. Measuring how long a behavior lasts B. Counting how many times a behavior occurs C. Measuring how intense a behavior is D. Estimating behavior from memory. Answer: B. Counting how many times a behavior occurs. Frequency measures count per time period. Q42. Which behavior should be measured using duration recording? A. Number of hand-raises B. Length of tantrum C. Count of bites D. Number of requests. Answer: B. Length of tantrum. Duration measures how long a behavior lasts. Q43. Latency recording measures: A. The time from instruction to start of behavior B. The number of errors in a task C. The interval between reinforcers D. The total duration of a session. Answer: A. The time from instruction to start of behavior. Latency is delay between SD and response. Q44. Partial interval recording is best for: A. Continuous behaviors B. High-rate, brief behaviors C. Long behaviors with clear start and end D. Discrete trials. Answer: B. High-rate, brief behaviors. Partial interval captures if behavior happened at all during each interval. Q45. Whole interval recording may: A. Underestimate behavior duration B. Overestimate behavior frequency C. Ignore short behaviors D. Be identical to momentary sampling. Answer: A. Underestimate behavior duration. Behavior must occur throughout the entire interval to count. Q46. Momentary time sampling records behavior: A. Any time during the interval B. Only at the end of the interval C. Continuously D. Randomly. Answer: B. Only at the end of the interval. It captures whether behavior occurs at the exact moment the interval ends. Q47. A completed worksheet is an example of: A. Continuous measurement B. Permanent product recording C. Event recording D. Frequency data. Answer: B. Permanent product recording. The product is the result of behavior measurable after it occurs. Q48. Interobserver agreement (IOA) ensures: A. Reinforcers are effective B. Observers are consistent in data collection C. Behaviors are punished equally D. The client is improving. Answer: B. Observers are consistent in data collection. IOA measures reliability between observers. Q49. Which is the first step when implementing data collection? A. Create graphs B. Define behavior operationally C. Start observing without a plan D. Only record when convenient. Answer: B. Define behavior operationally. Clear definitions ensure reliable and accurate data. Q50. Which example demonstrates an operational definition? A. “Client is aggressive.” B. “Client hits others with open hand.” C. “Client is angry.” D. “Client behaves badly.” Answer: B. “Client hits others with open hand.” Operational definitions describe observable, measurable behavior. Q51. Which is a continuous measurement method? A. Partial interval B. Whole interval C. Frequency recording D. Momentary time sampling. Answer: C. Frequency recording. Frequency counts every occurrence. Q52. Which is a discontinuous measurement method? A. Duration B. Frequency C. Interval recording D. Rate. Answer: C. Interval recording. Observes behavior within intervals, not continuously. Q53. A BCBA instructs you to collect data on self-stimulatory behavior every 10 seconds. Which method is this? A. Partial interval recording B. Frequency recording C. Duration recording D. Latency recording. Answer: A. Partial interval recording. Records whether the behavior occurred at any time in the interval. Q54. Which graph type best shows progress over time? A. Scatterplot B. Bar graph C. Line graph D. Pie chart. Answer: C. Line graph. Line graphs effectively show changes in data trends over time. Q55. Which is the best reason for graphing data? A. To impress supervisors B. To make decisions based on visual trends C. To store paperwork D. To skip analysis. Answer: B. To make decisions based on visual trends. Graphs support data-based decision making. Q56. If data shows behavior decreasing after intervention, the RBT should: A. Stop taking data B. Report progress to the supervisor C. Change the program independently D. Add new targets without approval. Answer: B. Report progress to the supervisor. Only supervisors can adjust programs. Q57. When summarizing session data, the RBT should: A. Guess trends B. Graph data and write objective notes C. Exaggerate improvements D. Avoid mentioning challenges. Answer: B. Graph data and write objective notes. Documentation should be accurate and professional. Q58. Which data collection method is most suitable for aggressive outbursts with clear start/stop times? A. Frequency B. Duration C. Partial interval D. Permanent product. Answer: B. Duration. It measures how long each outburst lasts. Q59. Which ensures accuracy when collecting data? A. Recording immediately after each behavior B. Recording from memory C. Estimating frequency later D. Only collecting easy data. Answer: A. Recording immediately after each behavior. Real-time data ensures accuracy. Q60. If two observers record very different data, the RBT should: A. Ignore the difference B. Discuss definitions and retrain for consistency C. Keep own data private D. Delete one set of data. Answer: B. Discuss definitions and retrain for consistency. Clarifying definitions improves reliability. Q61. What is the main purpose of a behavior intervention plan (BIP)? A. To punish inappropriate behavior B. To outline strategies to reduce problem behavior and teach alternatives C. To provide academic goals D. To replace the BCBA’s supervision. Answer: B. To outline strategies to reduce problem behavior and teach alternatives. A BIP provides proactive and reactive procedures based on function. Q62. Who is responsible for designing the BIP? A. RBT B. Parent C. BCBA or BCaBA D. Client. Answer: C. BCBA or BCaBA. RBTs implement, not design, plans. Q63. If a client’s BIP stops working, the RBT should: A. Change the plan immediately B. Report concerns to the supervisor C. Ignore the data D. Try a new consequence without approval. Answer: B. Report concerns to the supervisor. RBTs must communicate but not alter plans. Q64. Which is an example of an antecedent intervention? A. Removing the toy after aggression B. Providing a choice before instruction C. Ignoring behavior D. Delivering praise. Answer: B. Providing a choice before instruction. This prevents problem behavior by changing the environment beforehand. Q65. Functional behavior assessment (FBA) identifies: A. The diagnosis of the client B. The function (reason) a behavior occurs C. The consequence to use D. The client’s learning style. Answer: B. The function (reason) a behavior occurs. FBA determines why the behavior happens. Q66. Common behavior functions include all EXCEPT: A. Attention B. Escape C. Tangible D. Creativity. Answer: D. Creativity. The four main functions are attention, escape, tangible, and automatic. Q67. When a client tantrums to avoid work, the behavior’s function is likely: A. Attention B. Escape C. Tangible D. Automatic. Answer: B. Escape. The child tantrums to get out of a task. Q68. A child screams to get candy, and the parent gives it. The function is: A. Attention B. Escape C. Tangible D. Sensory. Answer: C. Tangible. The child gets access to a preferred item. Q69. If a child hand-flaps because it feels good, the function is: A. Attention B. Escape C. Automatic D. Tangible. Answer: C. Automatic. Sensory or internal stimulation is automatic reinforcement. Q70. When implementing extinction, the RBT should expect: A. Immediate stop in behavior B. Extinction burst C. Permanent behavior reduction after one day D. No side effects. Answer: B. Extinction burst. Behavior often temporarily increases before decreasing. Q71. Extinction means: A. Ignoring all behaviors B. Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior C. Punishing behavior D. Providing reinforcement randomly. Answer: B. Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior. The behavior stops because it no longer produces the outcome. Q72. When using extinction, what’s most important? A. Consistency B. Changing reinforcement every session C. Ignoring correct responses D. Giving more attention. Answer: A. Consistency. Everyone must apply extinction the same way. Q73. Which is an example of differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)? A. Ignoring all behavior B. Reinforcing asking for a break instead of screaming C. Reinforcing screaming and asking D. Giving punishment for errors. Answer: B. Reinforcing asking for a break instead of screaming. DRA reinforces appropriate replacement behavior. Q74. Differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI) means: A. Reinforcing a behavior that cannot happen with the problem behavior B. Punishing all other behavior C. Reinforcing the same behavior D. Ignoring incompatible behavior. Answer: A. Reinforcing a behavior that cannot happen with the problem behavior. Example: reinforcing sitting to reduce running. Q75. Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) means: A. Reinforcing specific good behavior B. Reinforcing absence of the target behavior C. Ignoring correct responses D. Reinforcing inappropriate behavior. Answer: B. Reinforcing absence of the target behavior. Reinforcement is delivered when the problem behavior doesn’t occur during the interval. Q76. Response cost involves: A. Giving extra rewards B. Taking away a token or privilege after behavior C. Ignoring behavior D. Giving verbal prompts. Answer: B. Taking away a token or privilege after behavior. It’s a mild form of punishment by loss of reinforcement. Q77. Time-out works by: A. Providing reinforcement B. Temporarily removing access to reinforcement C. Increasing attention D. Adding a reward. Answer: B. Temporarily removing access to reinforcement. It removes the individual from reinforcing situations. Q78. Which is the best example of positive reinforcement? A. Adding a reward to increase behavior B. Taking away something unpleasant C. Ignoring the behavior D. Adding a task to reduce behavior. Answer: A. Adding a reward to increase behavior. Positive reinforcement adds something pleasant after a correct response. Q79. Negative reinforcement means: A. Giving punishment B. Taking away something unpleasant to increase behavior C. Adding something bad D. Ignoring all behavior. Answer: B. Taking away something unpleasant to increase behavior. For example, removing noise when work starts. Q80. The RBT’s role in crisis situations is to: A. Follow the crisis plan exactly and ensure safety B. Leave the area C. Create new procedures D. Physically restrain independently. Answer: A. Follow the crisis plan exactly and ensure safety. Safety and adherence to protocol are priority. Q81. If a client is aggressive, the RBT should first: A. Ensure safety and follow de-escalation plan B. Argue with the client C. Leave the client alone without supervision D. Try new strategies. Answer: A. Ensure safety and follow de-escalation plan. RBTs protect everyone while maintaining professionalism. Q82. After a crisis, the RBT should: A. Forget about the event B. Debrief and document the incident C. Punish the client D. Avoid telling the supervisor. Answer: B. Debrief and document the incident. Accurate reporting ensures safety and learning. Q83. Which document guides the RBT’s ethical conduct? A. BACB Code of Ethics B. Company policy only C. Client’s choice D. Local law only. Answer: A. BACB Code of Ethics. It sets professional behavior standards for RBTs. Q84. Dual relationships (friendship with a client) are: A. Encouraged B. Prohibited C. Allowed with consent D. Required for rapport. Answer: B. Prohibited. Dual relationships create conflicts of interest and are unethical. Q85. RBTs must maintain confidentiality by: A. Sharing data only with authorized individuals B. Posting session info online C. Discussing clients with friends D. Saving data on personal devices. Answer: A. Sharing data only with authorized individuals. Confidentiality protects client privacy and meets ethical standards.