How Hard is it to Pass the BCBA® Exam? 

The question every future BCBA® inevitably asks: how hard is it to pass the BCBA® exam? If you’ve heard the stories or seen the data, then you know the exam has a reputation for being difficult. Ask around and you’ll likely hear that it’s sort of like running a marathon. But barefoot, on broken glass, in a giant corn maze, guarded by storm troopers and you can’t remember where you left your lightsaber…oh, and your headphones just died. 

While that may seem a little hyperbolic to some, you would be hard pressed to find anyone that likens their experience to a walk in the park. While the BCBA® exam may have a daunting reputation, don’t be discouraged. It is possible to beat the odds. Get the facts on what you need to know about the BCBA® exam, its pass rates, and why candidates find it so challenging.

What Is a BCBA® Certification and Why Get One?

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam (or, BCBA® exam) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB). Once certified as a BCBA®, you can conduct behavior assessments, develop treatment plans, and work with clients and their families. Certified BCBAs can also supervise Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBAs®), Registered Behavior Technicians® (RBTs®), and other professionals providing behavior-analytic services. 

These additional duties, increased responsibility, and the opportunity to work more closely with families and make a difference in people’s lives inspire many to pursue their BCBA® certification. It can also be a way for many in the field to deepen their understanding of the science and take the next step in their career. 

The BACB® was established to meet the professional needs of behavior analysts, governments, and consumers of behavior-analytic services. Their mission is to protect consumers of behavior-analytic services by systematically establishing, promoting, and disseminating professional standards of practice. As the regulatory body for the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) across ethics, defining professional standards of care and discipline, the board oversees, in addition to the RBT and BCaBA certifications, the graduate-level BCBA® exam.

Each year, the BACB® releases an annual report with their testing data for the BCBA®, BCaBA®, and RBT® exams. In 2022, more than 15,000 candidates sat for the BCBA® exam (both first-timers and retakers). This was a 35% decrease from 2021, with 23,000 candidates sitting for the exam that year. The previous year, 2021, marked a significant change in ABA, with the BACB® phasing out the 4th Edition Task List. This transition prompted many candidates to take the exam in 2021, before the new 5th Edition Task List took effect on January 1, 2022.

Caught in the Task List transition? Catch up with PTB’s Crosswalk to the 5th Edition Task List. Download PTB’s step-by-step guide for free. 

The Path(s) to Becoming a BCBA®

Long before candidates can sit for the exam, prospective BCBAs must meet a series of requirements established by the BACB® and submit an application in order to prove their eligibility. Currently, there are four paths to meet the eligibility requirements, though it’s important to note that the BACB® will be revising the pathways in 2027: 

1. Obtain an ABAI accredited university degree.
2. Complete the required Behavior Analytic coursework.
3. Teaching and research as faculty.
4. Postdoctoral experience.

Regardless of the path, the BACB® requires all candidates to complete a minimum amount of supervised fieldwork in behavior analysis. The base number of hours varies depending on the path and whether a candidate chooses to complete “supervised fieldwork” or “concentrated supervised fieldwork.” The latter calls for fewer hours but has additional supervisory requirements. 

Supervised fieldwork gives future BCBAs the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field and includes activities such as conducting assessments, writing behavior plans, and overseeing behavior-analytic programs. These fieldwork hours must be supervised by an active BCBA®; a licensed or registered psychologist certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology who was tested in applied behavior analysis; or an authorized Verified Course Sequence instructor. 

Pathway 1: Obtain a Degree From a Program Accredited or Recognized by Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) or the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)

Candidates pursuing this avenue must receive a master’s or doctorate degree from accredited universities.The BACB® announced in their June 2023 newsletter, that they have expanded their educational requirement to now include universities accredited by APBA, as well as ABAI. These universities have undergone a thorough review to ensure their program meets ABAI’s and APBA’s respective standards, which outlines criteria for the curriculum, coursework, and the administration. Once a candidate has received a degree from an accredited university, they then must complete the necessary supervised fieldwork. Pathway 1 requires 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork.

Pathway 2: Behavior-Analytic Coursework

Those pursuing a BCBA® certification through coursework must have a graduate degree from a “qualifying institution,” have completed both an acceptable graduate coursework sequence in behavior analysis and supervised fieldwork. The BACB recognizes “qualified institutions” as universities or colleges in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia which have been accredited by their country’s respective regulatory board. Candidates with degrees from non-qualifying institutions, such as those in other countries, must undergo a degree equivalency evaluation to demonstrate that their degree is equivalent to a U.S. master’s degree or higher. Candidates must also complete at least 315 hours of behavior-analytic coursework, as well as either 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 of concentrated supervised fieldwork.

Pathway 3: Faculty Teaching and Research

This​​ route requires candidates to have an acceptable graduate degree from a qualifying institution, previously held a full-time faculty position in behavior analysis that includes research and teaching, and completed supervised fieldwork. To qualify, candidates must have worked at an institution, full-time for at least three years (cumulative). This faculty appointment must also include certain characteristics, including teaching at least five sections of behavior-analytic coursework at the graduate level. Candidates are also required to demonstrate their research and must have published at least one journal article related to behavior analysis. As with the others, this approach also requires either 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork.

Pathway 4: Postdoctoral Experience

To apply for BCBA® certification via postdoctoral experience, candidates must have a doctoral degree from a qualifying institution and have 10 years of full-time experience practicing behavior analysis (time spent teaching behavior analysis does not count). That experience must also have occurred under a relevant state/provincial license or national professional credential. Unlike the others, this path requires only 500 hours of supervised fieldwork.

While the journey to certification is different for everyone, and life has a way of interrupting our best-laid plans, it can take an average of 6 to 10 years to receive a BCBA® certification. This includes the time needed to obtain the required undergraduate and master’s degrees, and complete the necessary fieldwork and training. Once a candidate has met the eligibility requirements, and their application has been approved by the board, they can then take the BCBA® exam.

Passing the BCBA® Exam – How Hard Is It?

In order to pass the BCBA® exam, candidates must score at least 76%. The BACB uses the “modified Angoff” method, a “criterion-referenced” method to establish the passing score. With the modified Angoff method, BACB-certified experts review the exam and determine the passing rate, which is then approved by the BACB Board of Directors.

Though the perceived difficulty of the BCBA® exam varies by individual and various factors– like the quality of their academic study, postgraduate coursework and the depth of prep– it is widely considered to be one of the most challenging exams to pass. In terms of difficulty and effort required to prepare, it is often compared to the Bar Exam for attorneys or USMILE (U.S. Medical Licensing Exam) for physicians. While they do share similarities, the BCBA® exam actually has a lower pass rate. In 2022, the BACB® reported a 55% pass rate for first-time test takers. Compare that with the 2022 Bar Exam’s 72% pass rate for first-time test takers. Given the USMILE’s multi-step examination process, it’s a little trickier to draw direct parallels. Overall, however, their 2022 data shows pass rates of 74% and higher for first-time test takers.    

Part of what contributes to the BCBA® exam’s reputation for being difficult is the consistent performance gap between exam retakers and exam first-timers. The data shows significantly lower pass rates for those retaking the exam, with the BACB® reporting a 24% pass rate for retakers in 2022 and a 28% pass rate in 2021. This pattern is not unique to the BCBA® exam. Both the Bar Exam and the USMILE report higher pass rates for first-timers. And while the performance gap can’t be attributed to just one factor, PTB co-founder Dana Meller has a theory for why some retakers struggle to pass the BCBA® exam: the score report.
After the exam, those who don’t pass are provided with a score report which lists feedback for each section of the Task List. Some candidates who fail use the score report as a guide for their later attempts, and only review the Task List sections they scored poorly on. Meller believes this approach is misguided:

“Many people end up studying only those sections for their next attempt. But guess what? The scores flip-flop. On the other hand, first timers don’t have a score report. They study everything. And I would argue, this is a variable affecting the odds.”

Bottom line: the best way to beat the odds as a retaker is to study like a first-timer. As PTB co-founder Dana Meller advises, all of the Task List sections are connected– so, a weakness in one section can impact understanding, fluency, and scoring in other areas. Studying only certain Task List sections often leads to knowledge gaps. Those taking the exam for the first time don’t have a score report, so they study everything, which gives them a more holistic understanding of the Task List and leaves them better prepared for exam day.

Get weekly BCBA® exam study tips from PTB co-founder delivered directly to your inbox. Sign-up now for PTB’s email newsletter. 

A key factor buried in these pass rates is the degree of the knowledge gap between the coursework and the exam itself. Some graduate programs for behavior analysis may not adequately cover the content of the exam itself, which can leave some candidates feeling unprepared. The BCBA® exam pass rate by university isposted by the board in its annual report. In 2021, the top 10 universities reported a 100% pass rate for their students. The top 3 ranked were Brock University, Western New England University and University of Georgia.

Digging deeper into the success of these top universities, it is clear that small class sizes, lower instructor-to-student ratios, and access to student resources all contribute to their high pass rates. No university with a 100% pass rate had more than 30 first-time candidates sit for the exam in 2021; Brock University topped the list with 24. In addition to that, the top universities offer student resources for career and skill development. 

The Applied Behavior Analysis program at Western New England University, for example, partners with the prestigious New England Center for Children and the center’s school that works with more than 500 children diagnosed with autism. The Center provides state-of-the-art education to these children and students which allows students to receive real-world training through the university’s program.

What Makes the BCBA® Exam so Hard?

By comparison to other professional certifications like state Bar exams, the BCBA® exam itself is a single day test, administered over a 4-hour period. It’s a  multiple-choice CBT (computer-based test) with 185 questions. As part of the exam’s scoring method, 10 of those are “pilot questions,” which means they are unscored and not included when scoring. Test takers are not told which 10 questions on the exam are the “pilot questions,” so candidates must respond to every one of them on the exam.

All exam questions follow the BACB® Task List, currently in its 5th edition. The BACB handbook provides a breakdown of the 185 questions and their corresponding Task List sections, both by number of questions in each section and by the percentage of the exam. While visibility to the number of questions offers some guidance for test-takers, the exam is well-known for its degree of difficulty in the way the questions are structured. Candidates are advised to read with care and caution, as questions aren’t always straightforward and require absolute clarity, as underscored by Dr. Danyelle s. goitia beal (Psy.D., BCBA), Adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University and Executive Director at Loving Hands Family Support Services.  

“The test is so difficult because you have to know what is and what isn’t. If you aren’t clear on what the test question is asking, then it is easy to get tripped up.”

How to Pass the BCBA® Exam

While attending a university with a strong ABA program and a high pass rate can improve your odds of passing the BCBA® exam, there are many other reported factors that can influence performance, including study habits, dedicating enough time to test prep, difficulty with standardized testing formats, and overall anxiety– to name a few. 

Though the exam may be difficult, it’s not impossible to achieve a passing score. There are several ways students can improve their chances and beat the odds. The right preparation is essential.

Know Your Learning Style

Before you can properly study for the BCBA® exam, you first need to understand your learning style. Knowing how you learn best will help you determine which study methods will be most effective for you. The most common four learning styles follow the VARK model, which stands for visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.

Visual: Visual learners retain information best when it’s presented in a visual format such as graphics, charts, videos, etc; they learn by seeing and observing. For those who prefer visual study aids, the PTB Big Stack Flashcards allow students to add their own definitions, tips, notes, and other visual cues to help make the information more salient for them. The PTB Study Manual also features graphics and helpful visuals, making it another great option for visual learners.   

Auditory: Auditory learners absorb information through listening and conversation. These learners prefer to understand concepts through lectures, group discussions, and other audio-based media, like the PTB Streaming Lecture Series.  

Reading/Writing: This group learns best through reading and other written materials. Reading/writing learners typically prefer books, written exercises, and word problems. For these learners, the PTB Study Manual will be especially helpful, as will the fluency drills included in the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop.

Kinesthetic: This type of learning focuses on doing and experiencing. Kinesthetic learners best absorb information through hands-on activities, experiments, and interactive experiences. The SAFMEDS (Say All Fast, a Minute Every Day, Shuffled) protocol can be particularly helpful for kinesthetic learners as this hands-on modality focuses on rote memorization. Check out the PTB Small Stack SAFMEDS with 500+ expertly curated terms and definitions.

Study Effectively

It’s not enough to just study, it’s imperative to learn the material thoroughly. Studying effectively is the key to achieving a passing score. Take it from ABA veteran Dr. Stephen Eversole (BCBA-D), founder of Behavior Development Solutions (BDS), and notably, PTB co-founder Dana Meller’s mentor. “Success on the BCBA® exam is best achieved when the learner focuses on meaningful discriminations–i.e., differentiating instances of a concept from near-instances.”

The BCBA® Task List can be overwhelming but good habits can make studying more manageable. Things like having a set plan, routinely reviewing the material, and using active learning techniques can all help you feel more prepared on exam day.

Structuring Your Study Plan

Time management is essential for studying effectively, which is why creating a plan is so crucial. Having a plan in place can help you allocate enough time to review every Task List section and concept, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of the material. If you’re not sure where to start, the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop can help you create an effective study strategy that breaks down and organizes the Task List– so you can stay on track and know exactly what to study each week.

Review, Review, Review

When devising your study strategy, it’s important to schedule time to regularly review (and re-review) your materials. Not only is this an effective study habit, reviewing what you’ve already learned helps to reinforce that knowledge and improve memorization. This is why knowing your learning style can be especially beneficial, as it can help you determine which study methods work best and make the information more salient for you. PTB offers study aids that are the ideal quick reference tool for a variety of learning types. Review on-the-go, anytime, anywhere, with the PTB Flashcards and SAFMEDS. 

Active Learning

“Active learning” is a hands-on approach that uses interactive methods and modalities to help students learn through actively engaging with the material. This includes tactics such as group discussions, active-outlining, taking notes, collaborative projects, and interactive quizzes or mock exams. The PTB Big Mock Exam uses many active learning techniques, including a 175-question mock exam with video reviews for each question that cover the answers in-depth.

Use Quality Study Materials

The material used to study is perhaps the most critical piece of exam prep. It is imperative to use quality materials that are comprehensive. This cannot be emphasized enough. There are a lot of free BCBA® exam prep resources floating around the web. But are they reliable? Are they accurate? Are they valid? Candidates are being tested on Task List fluency and it’s important to rely on sources with definitions that are accurate and grounded in the science of ABA. If relying on BCBA® exam prep on Quizlet, or mock exams sourced from a Facebook Group, be sure to assess the quality of the materials before blindly trusting. Avoid the extra stress that unreliable materials can create. 

The journey to certification can be expensive, from the travel expenses while doing your coursework, to the cost of the exam itself, not to mention the expenses that come with preparing for the exam. However, it’s important to consider your prep as an investment. Many exam prep providers, like PTB, understand the financial strain it places on students and are increasingly offering payment plan options, such as Klarna and AfterPay. Some companies, including PTB, even offer need-based scholarships to further offset the costs of certification. 

When it comes to quality, the expression “garbage in, garbage out” sums it up best. If you’re keen on studying with questionable materials, prepare for the very real possibility of having to retake the exam and endure the entire exam prep process all over again– not to mention, consider all the time wasted. To identify good quality exam prep, consider the source. Ensure the materials are up to date and follow the current BACB Task List Guidelines. Look for materials that are peer reviewed, too, as this provides additional credibility.

Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D, CEO of of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA), expanded on this in an interview with PTB, sharing her advice for discriminating between quality materials and sources: “Have some philosophic doubt. Don’t take things on face value. If something is packaged really beautifully, that’s awesome but dig a little deeper. For example, if it’s an organization or a company that is offering a product that you might purchase. Can you find their mission statement on their website and… if you can, can you see any evidence that they engage in activities that are well aligned with that mission? If it’s a speaker on a topic, can you do a little bit of research to see that they have some scholarly work?”

When in doubt, trust the ABA source materials– you can’t go wrong with the classics. Foundational texts, like Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavior Analysis for Lasting Change, are essential for understanding the core principles of ABA. While these books can be dry (and aren’t exactly what you’d call a “relaxing read”), they are the source of truth for the science of ABA. For those who need help distilling this dense information, the PTB ABA Study Manual is the gold standard for breaking down the Task List and the ABA concepts included in the exam. Check out PTB’s Books We Love page for a list of recommended reading. 

Reduce Test Anxiety

It’s common for students to experience anxiety when taking tests, which can negatively impact performance. Beyond the physical effects– like problems sleeping, procrastinating, and an increased heart rate– anxiety can also disrupt concentration and decision making, and make it more difficult to think clearly.

On exam day, achieving a passing score relies on you feeling and performing your best. The negative effects of anxiety can impact your ability to make accurate discriminations. This increases your chances of making simple mistakes and getting answers wrong, even if you know the material.  

While it might not be possible to eliminate all of your anxiety and pre-exam jitters, there are strategies that can help you manage and alleviate some of the mental pressure. 

Set Goals

Setting goals for yourself, such as completing certain sections by a certain date, can help you stay motivated and maintain your momentum while studying. When you reach a studying goal, reward yourself with a refreshing drink, a day off, or your favorite special treat. As any behavior analyst can tell you, reinforcement will strengthen those good study habits.

Take a Break if Needed

Studying for the BCBA® exam is like a marathon, which means it’s crucial for students to pace themselves. Study burnout is a real concern. Remember to take breaks from studying if you need to. There is such a thing as studying too much. Sometimes, it’s better to take a day off and revisit the material with fresh eyes.

Get Community Support

Stress can lead some students to self-isolate, which only compounds those anxious feelings. Keep yourself accountable and make studying more enjoyable with the power of community. Connect with other students or those who have been in your shoes before. Hearing from others who are also studying, struggling, and stressed out can help you feel less alone and can help you overcome those feelings– together. 

Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive outlook and attitude can do wonders for managing exam day anxiety. Replace negative thoughts and self-talk with positive affirmations whenever you catch yourself in a moment of doubt. Redirecting your negative thoughts follows the self-management strategy of “habit reversal.” Originally coined by B.F. Skinner, this technique involves identifying events that precede one’s own challenging behavior and engaging in alternative behaviors when those precursor events occur. 

Make Time for Self-Care

Self-care is an essential part of managing stress, but it’s often the first thing to slip when juggling a busy schedule. Make it a priority to take care of yourself and for those things that make you feel your best, like getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating a balanced diet.

Ask for Help

If the stress is too much for you to manage on your own, don’t be afraid to seek out professional help. Talking to a counselor or therapist who specializes in anxiety can help you better manage everything on your plate.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to pass, sometimes it can help to remember your reason for becoming a BCBA®, to reconnect with your purpose. 
“Identify your why for taking the test to create some distance from the thoughts that create anxiety about taking the test,” said Dr. Nasiah Cirincione-Ulez (Ed.D, BCBA, LBA), CEO and founder of ULEZI, LLC. “My reason for taking the test was to earn my credential and have more of a voice in the field of behavior analysis. When I started this practice, answering each question was a deeper step into my valuing of sharing my own voice in the field of applied behavior analysis. What’s your why?”

But What If I’m a Bad Test Taker? 

Everyone tests differently. While some excel at standardized tests, others find them difficult and have trouble choosing the right answer, especially if more than one option seems correct. So, for those who already struggle with multiple choice tests, the notoriously-tricky BCBA® exam can be even more challenging. This is why PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers many tips to help students make better discriminations on exam day. 

That said, not all hope is lost. Test taking, like studying, is a skill. So, even if you weren’t born with it, you can learn it. The best way to deal with a difficult testing format is practice, practice, practice. This advice doesn’t just apply to getting to Carnegie Hall (see old dad jokes for more on this). 

Mock exams are a great way to build test taking skills. They can help you assess your knowledge, gauge preparedness for the real exam, and are invaluable to those candidates who struggle with the multiple choice testing format. However, as with any study material, quality is essential to your preparedness and success. Look for mock exams that mimic the actual BCBA® exam experience– same number of questions, corresponding to the same percentage of the Task List sections, administered as a CBT (computer based test)– will help acclimate candidates to the experience, which has the benefit of reducing test anxiety. 
Another sign of a good-quality BCBA® mock exam: receiving immediate test results, detailed by Task List section. A mock score report that is true to the actual BCBA® exam can be a helpful guide to identifying knowledge gap, like the PTB Big Mock Exam or the PTB MiniBig. It can also be helpful to assess your test-taking behavior, like with the PTB Self-Monitor Test Taking Form, which can offer critical insight into whether missed questions were an issue of knowledge or behavior. Was something mis-read? Did you have trouble narrowing down the correct answer? Identifying the issues and addressing them behavior analytically can mean the difference between a passing score or a failing one.

Crossing the Certification Finish Line

The path to the BCBA® exam is long, and as challenging as it may be, you can pass and cross the certification finish line. It’s a marathon that, like any other, takes determination, hard work, and training. On the other side, is a rewarding career and future filled with new opportunities.

“Preparing oneself and studying does not end when you pass your board exam,” said Isaac Bermudez (MA, BCBA), Chief Innovation Officer at Brett DiNovi & Associates. Passing your BCBA® exam is just the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, fine tuning and then sharing that knowledge to the next generation of behavior analysts.”

Set yourself up for exam day success by having a plan of action, using quality study materials, and taking steps to manage your anxiety. With the right preparation and support, the journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

For more than a decade, PTB has been a leading study partner for thousands of candidates preparing for the BCBA® exam. As a pioneer in interactive exam prep, PTB’s multi-modal and academically rigorous framework of strategies and tools are designed using ABA strategies, produced for a variety of learning styles and optimized for accountability. Explore all of PTB’s trusted test prep tools.

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There is a struggle with identifying what is or is not a behavior when it comes to BCBA® exam questions. PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers some simple yet critical ways to make those discriminations.

Dana Do's: Do Alternative Behaviors Need to be Functionally Equivalent?

Do alternative behaviors always have to be functionally equivalent to the target behavior that we're trying to reduce or eliminate? PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks in down.

Dana Do's: And Just Like That, Context and Application for Task List Items

How does going to ABA conferences help you pass the BCBA® exam? PTB co-founder Dana Meller recalls her student journey and the "a-ha moment" when she realized, attending forced her to generalize what she was studying, in context. Suddenly, ABA terminology was no longer a foreign language she was trying to master.

Dana Do's: How to Determine Value vs. Behavior Altering Effect

A motivating operation is not a thing that you hold in your hand. It is the state or condition of being deprived of something or satiated with something. PTB co-founder Dana Meller dives into the in-the-moment effects to help explain the difference.

PTB Partner Spotlight: In Conversation with APBA’s CEO, Dr. Tyra Sellers

An industry veteran who watched the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) grow into what it is today, Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D joined the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) in January 2023 as CEO. Her first ABA certification came before the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) even existed. Some years later, as fate would have it, Sellers found herself at the  BACB, serving as the director of the ethics department. Now, she is bringing her knowledge and experience to the distinguished organization with a strategy that is focused on access, education and community.

Dana Do's: Cracking the Ethics Code on Consent vs. Assent

The ethics code asks behavior analysts to obtain informed consent before starting a treatment plan. But…what does that entail? PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down informed consent, assent, and the ethics elements you need to know. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Code Section E- 2.11 Obtaining Informed Consent

Dana Do's: Discriminating Between Masking and Overshadowing

PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers detailed examples to help students better discriminate between two often confusing concepts: masking vs. overshadowing.

Dana Do's: Chain Chain Chain, Chain, Chain...

Which chaining method goes with which behavior? Dana Meller offers some considerations that may help you answer that question on the exam. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section Section G-8: Use chaining.

Dana Do's: Confused About Automatic and Socially Mediated Reinforcement?

It’s not wrong to associate sterotypic behaviors with automatic reinforcement— but there are other factors to consider. PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers a quick explainer to clear up the confusion. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-7: Define and provide examples of automatic and socially mediated contingencies.

Dana Do's: If All Prompts Prompt Behavior, What's the Difference?

If all prompts prompt behavior, how can you tell the different between stimulus and response prompts? PTB co-founder Dana Meller simplifies it with one word. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).

Dana Do's: Fun Fact. The Process of Self-Management Requires Two Behaviors

Self-management: one process, two behaviors. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains controlled vs controlling response, and shares real-life examples of how they are used together in self-management strategies.

The Path(s) to Becoming a BCBA®

Currently, there are four paths to meet the eligibility requirements, though it’s important to note that the BACB® will be revising the pathways in 2027.

What Is a BCBA® Certification and Why Get One?

The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® exam (or, BCBA® exam) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB).

Beat the Odds: Factors that Impact Performance on the BCBA® Exam

Though the exam may be difficult, it’s not impossible to achieve a passing score. There are several ways students can improve their chances and beat the odds. The right preparation is essential.

How Hard is it to Pass the BCBA® Exam? 

The question every future BCBA® inevitably asks: how hard is it to pass the BCBA® exam? If you’ve heard the stories or seen the data, then you know the exam has a reputation for being difficult. Ask around and you’ll likely hear that it’s sort of like running a marathon. But barefoot, on broken glass, in a giant corn maze, guarded by storm troopers and you can’t remember where you left your lightsaber…oh, and your headphones just died. 

Dana Do's: What Do Philosophical Assumptions Got To Do With It?

It often feels like the board is asking candidates to study concepts you may never use in practice. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains why that's actually inaccurate. The philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis is so much more integral than just passing the big exam.

10 Positive Effects From Prioritizing Self-Care

Self-care. It’s a bit of a broad term, and a total buzzword these days. It’s often used in the context of bubble baths and “unplugging.” But, at its core, self-care is about more than just “me-time.” It’s about taking care of yourself in a way that works best for you and your lifestyle.

5 Ways to Make the Big Exam Feel Less Scary

#1: Arm Yourself (With Knowledge) As they say, knowledge is power, and the best defense on exam day is knowing your stuff. It’s ok to reschedule if you’re not ready.…

Dana Do's: Feeling Isolated on ABA Island

The life of a behavior professional can be rewarding, but it can also be a little lonely. PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares her experience with overcoming isolation with some recommendations for students and current BCBAs.

Desk Yoga: 7 Stretches for Your Next Study Session

Long days and even longer study sessions, can leave your back and neck feeling stiff. Luckily, PTB has just the thing: 7 desk-friendly, do-anywhere yoga moves. While it can’t replace your regular yoga routine, these stretches can help you reset your mind and body when you’re glued to your desk (or couch, or kitchen chair). 

5 Science-Backed Tips to Make Your Study Space More Soothing

#1 – Declutter to De-stress Fortunately, this first tip costs nothing. Unfortunately, it may require a bit of elbow grease. Organizing your study or work station can help you better…

Keep Calm and Study On: 6 Strategies for Managing Test Prep Stress 

It goes without saying that studying for the BCBA® exam is stressful. The experience can fray the nerves of even the most level-headed student. If you’re feeling the test prep…

From PTB’s Test (Prep) Kitchens: A Brain-Boosting Berry Smoothie

It’s important to fuel your brain and body with nutritious food that will give you the energy to power through long days and even longer study sessions. But, between school,…

Dana Do's: What Chaining Method to Use When?

The books don't really say much about what chaining methods BCBA's should apply to what behaviors. PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks it down. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-8: Use chaining.

Behind the Scenes of the Big Exam Prep Workshop

Known for her trademark humor and clinical knowledge, PTB co-founder Dana Meller takes students behind the scenes of creating the PTB Streaming Lecture Series, a collection of 9 pre-recorded lectures covering each of the BCBA® 5th edition task list sections.

Dana Do's: What are the Markers of a Good Supervisor?

PTB co-founder Dana Meller identifies the markers of being a good supervisor. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section I-8: Evaluate the effects of supervision (e.g., on client outcomes, on supervisee repertoires).

Dana Do's: Yes, verbs are clues that can help you prep for the BCBA exam

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares how the verbs used in the Task List can provide you with significant clues for effective studying. By examining task list verbs, you can actually determine the specific type of discrimination required in your studies. Learn how understanding these verbs can guide your preparation and better equip you for success on the big exam.

5 Test-Taking Tips to Help You Pass the BCBA® Exam 

Prep the Night Before Pack up everything you’ll need for exam day the night before so you won’t need to worry about it the day of. Are you wearing comfortable…

6 Science-Backed Study Tips for Your Next Study Session

Switch Up Your Environment Studying in a new environment has been shown to help improve memory and concentration levels. Try studying at a coffee shop, library, or a new spot…

Add to Cart: PTB’s Study Essentials

When it comes to test-prep, you need the right tools for the job. PTB has compiled a must-have list of study supplies so you can stock up on your next…

Dana Do's: How to Decode the Code

PTB co-founder Dana Meller suggests that memorizing the sections of the BACB® Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts will in fact help you make correct discriminations when prepping for the BCBA® exam.

Dana Do's: Why BCBA® Retaker Odds are Lower

There's a danger of studying only the score report. PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers insight on why it's important to study like a test virgin.

Dana Do's: That Feeling of Freaking Out Over the BCBA® Exam

Everyone feels like they won't pass the BCBA® exam, not just you. PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about the experiences her students share as they prep for the exam. And surprise surprise, you are not alone in feeling scared, dealing with the pressures of everyday life, and trying to negotiate so many variables. If that's you and you're struggling, the good news is that it's temporary. And the payoff, that is fantastic.

Dana Do's: Imagine the Task List is a Jigsaw Puzzle

PTB cofounder, Dana Meller treats the task list like a puzzle, and so should you. Like a puzzle, all the task list items are interconnected. To be exam ready, you need all the pieces, and every piece needs to be in place.

Dana Do's: Looking at the World Behavior Analytically

Why should you look at the world behavior analytically? Because it will help you build ABA fluency.

Dana Do's: How to Optimize Memorization

PTB Co-founder Dana Meller reinforces the importance of memorization and offers some practical, empirically validated tips for memorizing the task list.

Dana Do's: Get Your M.A.C. Skills Together

PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers a key to building fluency and BCBA® exam readiness. Memorization. Application. Comprehension.

Dana Do's: Dealing with the Frustration of Failing the BCBA® Exam

PTB cofounder Dana Meller offers some unsolicited advice for candidates who have experienced the frustration of failing the BCBA® exam by only a few points.

Dana Do's: Why You're Not Passing the BCBA® Exam

PTB cofounder Dana Meller helps candidates retaking the exam consider a functional approach to defining the obstacles holding them back.

Dana Do's: Short Cuts Don't Work

PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about avoiding shortcuts in your exam prep. Becoming a BCBA® is not just about passing the Big Exam, it is about taking on a professional identity.

Dana Do's: The Importance of Speaking ABA

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares the importance of speaking ABA and being able to fluently read and understand the Cooper text in order to pass the big exam.

Dana Do's: Understanding the ABC's of Behavior Used to Break Down Test Questions

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares how our ABA superpowers can be used to break down exam questions to organize BCBA® exam prep.

Dana Do's: Put On Your BACB® Board Hat

Want to know what to study for the BCBA® exam? PTB co-founder Dana Meller reminds candidates that the exam is a knowledge assessment, not a skill assessment.

Dana Do's: BCBA® Exam Prep Studying Tips

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares helpful tips about incorporating studying into your already busy lives.

Dana Do's: Use Mistakes to Assess How You Test

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares insights on how to use your mock BCBA® exam mistakes to assess and improve your test-taking behavior.

5th Edition Study Manual (Current Version 2.2) FINAL QUANTITY

FINAL 5th Edition Run. Limited Quantity. FINAL SALE - NO RETURNS, REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES AFTER 9/24/24

Universally recognized as the “other white book”, the comprehensive PTB ABA Exam Study Manual organizes and breaks down the complete 5th Edition Task List, distilling the Cooper text (Applied Behavior Analysis by John Cooper, Timothy Heron and William Heward) to include all critical exam concepts. The Manual is structured for quick navigation, contextualized with situational and relatable examples, salient visuals, and detailed explanations. In its 11th year of publication, the Manual is widely regarded as an ideal study companion and ABA bible, proving valuable as a quick reference tool beyond the exam. Save! Manual is $99 when purchased with the PTB 5th Edition Big Exam Prep Workshop. FREE SHIPPING (U.S. ONLY): Delivery within 7 - 10 business days. PRIORITY SHIPPING (U.S. ONLY): Delivery within 3 - 5 business days for an additional fee. Select USPS Priority at checkout.

Dana’s Do’s: The Best Methods for Last-Minute Exam Prep

PTB founder Dana Meller has advice and tips for the best last-minute study methods.

Dana Do's: How to Ease Exam Nerves

PTB founder Dana Meller offers some helpful advice to quell exam day jitters.

Dana Do's: How to Use Mock Exams Effectively in Your BCBA® Exam Prep

Taking mock exams is a fantastic activity for exam prep. However, there are ways that these test are being used that may do more harm than good. PTB co-founder Dana Meller highlights three things to watch out for to ensure you are not misusing mock exams in your BCBA® exam prep.

Are You a Bad Test-Taker: Strategies for Overcoming Exam Anxiety

It’s common for students to experience anxiety when taking tests, which can negatively impact performance. Beyond the physical effects– like problems sleeping, procrastinating, and an increased heart rate– anxiety can also disrupt concentration and decision making, and make it more difficult to think clearly.

Dana Do's: How to Effectively Use Your Whiteboard on the BCBA® Exam

What’s the best thing to put on your whiteboard? PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains that a highly personalized approach is the best strategy. Get her tips to figure out how to use your whiteboard effectively on exam day.

Dana Do's: A Common Misconception About the Role of Memorization

Memorization is a crucial skill, but it may not be enough to get you a passing score. PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares her insight into how rote memorization can create a false sense of confidence while offering tips to improve knowledge generalization.

Dana Do's: Careful About Getting Creative With Mock Exams

PTB co-founder cautions candidates about using the actual BCBA® exam as a mock exam, listing all the reasons why you might want to reconsider getting creative with your mock exam prep experience.

Stuffed Schedule? 6 Tips for Better Time Management

#1: Set Deadlines Believe it or not, setting deadlines can help you get more done. Parkinson’s Law is the idea that “work expands to fill the time available for its…

Dana Do's: Warning. Be Careful of Extremes.

PTB co-founder Dana Meller sends an important warning for test takers. Watch out for extremes in exam questions and answer options.

5 Foods to Boost Brainpower While Studying

#1 Green tea You’d be hard pressed to find an ABA student who isn’t reaching for caffeine in one form or another. Try sipping on green tea the next time…

MiniBig

 

PTB MiniBig: Fast, Flexible, and Focused Exam Prep

The PTB MiniBig enables BCBA® exam prep candidates to tailor their study needs by popping in on single sessions of the intensive PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop. Each 3.5-hour session, focused on specific sections of the Task List, includes a mock exam followed by real-time, live, interactive feedback and access to live session replays, without committing to the full workshop.

Dana Do's: How to Know When You're Ready to Sit for the BCBA® Exam

PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about measuring exam readiness. How do you know if you’re ready to sit?

Dana Do's: How to Make Time for Studying for the BCBA® Exam

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares helpful tips about incorporating studying into your already busy lives.

Dana Do's: The Problem With Making Assumptions on the BCBA® Exam

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares practical insight on the importance of approaching exam questions at face value.

Big Mock Exam

The original Big Mock Exam has been upgraded with video segments to offer a highly individualized, in-depth review, while simulating an authentic test experience. Designed with a commitment to academic quality, the mock exam integrates clinical and scientific language, and reflects the format and distribution of questions on the actual BCBA® exam. The score report now features 175 video reviews that correspond to each test question, providing comprehensive explanations, detailed breakdowns, visuals and rationales allowing students to shape the content to their particular needs.

Access begins immediately and expires 6 months from the time of purchase. To avoid a false sense of improvement, PTB has limited the exam two attempts within 6 months.

Three Hallmarks of High Quality Test Prep

Preparing for the BCBA® exam is a marathon– and a dizzying one at that. There are an overwhelming number of options out there for study materials… So how do you…

Dana Do's: The Differences Between Stimulus Equivalence and Transitivity, Explained

Transitivity is connected to stimulus equivalence, yes, but there’s more to it than that. Let PTB co-founder Dana Meller explain the key differences between these two concepts.

Dana Do's: The Pros and Cons of Answering BCBA® Exam Questions Before Reviewing Answer Options

PTB is always looking for easy-to-incorporate strategies that are going to increase the chances of a correct response. So, is it a good strategy to answer test questions before looking at the answers? PTB co-founder Dana Meller weighs in.

A Behavior-Analytic Approach to New Year’s Resolutions

It's a new year. What do you hope to accomplish? No matter what resolutions you’re working towards, use behavior analysis on yourself to help you reach those goals. Consider these PTB tips for New Year’s resolutions, the ABA way.

PTB Year in Prep: A Data-Filled Look at 2023’s Study Stats

As scientists, we know you love data. PTB crunched the numbers based on behaviors of the thousands of dedicated students who trusted us with their journey to certification. It’s been…

Dana's Do's: Struggling with ABA Jargon? Watch This.

The clinical jargon of ABA can be one of the most intimidating parts of BCBA® exam prep. However, as PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains, understanding the source material like textbooks and literature— no matter how dense they may be— is imperative for exam day success.

Dana Do's: How to Know if Your Study Activities are Effective

How do you know if your BCBA® study activities are effective? PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares some key analysis that may help BCBA® exam candidates assess efficacy.

Dana Do's: How to Use Mock Exams in Your Study Plan

I was recently asked if mock exams are useful in predicting how someone will do on the actual big exam. And, is repeating the same mock exam an effective study…

5 Reasons You Need a Mock Exam Before the Big Day

When it comes to devising a study plan for the BCBA® exam, there’s no “one size fits all” strategy. Different learning styles require different techniques, and it’s important to study…

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Contingency Contracting Components

Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question about contingency contracts and their importance in behavior management. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains the three essential elements of a contingency contract and how they can be effectively implemented to achieve behavior change. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-19: Use contingency contracting.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Motivating Operation Example Explained

Test your concepts & principles knowledge with #PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a question about identifying the specific motivating operation described in the scenario. Included is a breakdown of the two components, or effects, that operate underneath the MO umbrella. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Ethics Question: What's the Magic Number? The Ideal Supervisory Load

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about an ethical consideration for behavior analysts. Discover the significance of independent decision-making to ensure client well-being. Refer to BACB® Ethics Code For Behavior Analysts Section 4.03: Supervisory Volume (see 1.02, 1.05, 2.01)

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Identifying Measurement Confounds in Experimental Design

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question that explores the difference between measurement confounds and subject confounds, how they relate to threats to internal validity in ABA research. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-2: Distinguish between internal and external validity.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Response-Independent & Dependent Reinforcement Schedules

Sharpen your behavior-change skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question that examines an intervention aimed at reducing attention-seeking outbursts. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-14: Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Choice-Making

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question that focuses on understanding preferences and reinforcement, and how analyzing choices can provide a window into what reinforces behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section F-5: Conduct preference assessments.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Winning Measurement System to Record Client Tolerance to Losing

Let's review and break down a BCBA® mock exam question about measurement techniques in ABA, specifically percentage of opportunity. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains how to calculate the percentage of opportunities where the behavior is exhibited and why this method is superior to rate, count, and interval recording in certain situations. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-3: Measure occurrence (e.g., count, frequency, rate, percentage).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Ethical Considerations in Experimental Design

Test your understanding of ethical considerations in experimental designs with PTB co-founder Dana Meller. Let's review a BCBA® mock exam question about reversal design and the nuances and concerns associated with this experimental setup. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-5: Use single-subject experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline, multielement, changing criterion).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Satiated and Satisfied— Understanding Motivating Operations

Sharpen your ABA principles skills as PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about motivating operations (MOs) and their influence on behavior. Learn the process of identifying the correct answer while gaining a deeper understanding of MOs and their behavior-altering effects. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations.

Dana Do's: How to Get Unstuck When Studying for the BCBA®

PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains how to use Multiple Exemplar training to improve your exam application skills. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section: G-21 Use procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Not All Conditioned Reinforcers Are Created Equal

Let's understand the concept and versatility of Generalized Conditioned Reinforcers (GCSRs) and their crucial role in behavior management. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-8: Define and provide examples of unconditioned, conditioned, and generalized reinforcers and punishers and G-3: Establish and use conditioned reinforcers.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Key Elements of Baseline Logic for Multiple Baseline Design (D-3)

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about baseline logic for a multiple baseline design across behaviors. Dana explains the significance of replication in providing more convincing evidence of a functional relationship and how to make scientific justifications using baseline logic in various designs. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-3: Identify the defining features of single-subject experimental designs (e.g., individuals serve as their own controls, repeated measures, prediction, verification, replication).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Play Along & Identify the Demand Condition in this FA Scenario

Test your behavior assessment skills. Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question about functional analysis (FA) including its role in testing for the escape function of behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section F-8: Conduct a functional analysis of problem behavior.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Functional Assessment Procedures

Focusing on ABC data collection, PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses functional assessment procedures. Dana explains how to generate mathematical probabilities for target behaviors based on specific antecedents and consequences, providing a step-by-step guide to quantitatively analyzing the gathered information. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections F-7: Conduct a descriptive assessment of problem behavior and F-9: Interpret functional assessment data.

Let's Break Down and BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Dimensions of ABA — Basic Principles to Epic Interventions

Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question on the dimensions of ABA, their application in real-world scenarios, and what sets behavior analysts apart. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Let's Get Physical with Imitation Training & Formal Similarity

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a BCBA® mock exam question that targets the essential aspects of imitation training, breaking down the four defining features of successful imitation and how these elements contribute to effective learning and skill acquisition. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-5: Use modeling and imitation training.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Broadening the Scope of Trials-to-Criterion Measurements

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about measurement used to derive trials to criterion data. Dana explains how this measurement can be a powerful tool in understanding and improving behavior performance across different dimensions. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-6: Measure trials to criterion.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Cumulative Record Calculations

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a question about using cumulative records and their significance in behavior analysis. Learn how to utilize cumulative graphs to track behavior over specific time periods and measure and calculate response rates for insightful data analysis. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-11: Interpret graphed data.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Operant Conditioning that Automatically Occurs

Let's clarify the concept of automaticity of reinforcement and punishment, and its distinction from automatic reinforcement. With a relatable example, PTB co-founder Dana explains how an individual's behavior can be influenced without consciously knowing the reasons behind their actions. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.

Put Your ABA Knowledge to the Test ➠ Identifying the Attitude of Science

Test your ABA terminology knowledge. PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses one of the six attitudes of science that focuses on data-based decision-making, explaining how this attitude emphasizes our reliance on facts and objective quantification. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-2: Explain the philosophical assumptions underlying the science of behavior analysis (e.g., selectionism, determinism, empiricism, parsimony, pragmatism).

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Reversal Design Variations With Only One Reversal

Test your Experimental Design skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews and breaks down a mock exam question about reversal design variations that display only one reversal. Included is a description of A-B-A, B-A-B, and A-B-A-B reversal designs. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-5: Use single-subject experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline, multielement, changing criterion).

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Analyzing Untrained Reverse Relations in Stimulus Equivalence

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about the concept of stimulus equivalence, focusing on the one that leads to an untrained relation with a reverse relation. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-12: Use equivalence-based instruction.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: This Factor Won't Derail Extinction Procedure Success

PTB co-founder Dana Meller has an exciting challenge for all of you behavior-change enthusiasts as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question centered on extinction procedures. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-15: Use extinction.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Stimulus Control & Game-Changing Learning Factors

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question that distills the factors that affect stimulus control in behavior analysis. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-10: Define and provide examples of stimulus control.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Select the Correct Elementary Verbal Operant

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews verbal behavior, and explains which of the six elementary verbal operants is controlled by a written verbal Sᴰ, and also shares point-to-point correspondence. Included is a comparison of the different Sᴰ(s) that control(s) each elementary verbal operant. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-14: Define and provide examples of the verbal operants.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Level Up Your Chaining Game for Maximum Efficiency & Natural SR+

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews and breaks down in detail a BCBA® mock exam question about different chaining methods in behavior analysis. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-8: Use chaining.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Who Wants to Learn More About Elementary Verbal Operants?

Let's break down a BCBA® exam mocj question about verbal behavior, focusing on one of the elementary verbal operants - the intraverbal. PTB co-founder Dana Meller clarifies the differences between the intraverbal and other verbal operants, providing a comprehensive understanding of each category. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-14: Define and provide examples of the verbal operants.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: The Best Example of a Behavior

Test your Concepts and Principles knowledge. PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews BCBA® mock exam question about identifying the best example of a behavior. Included is a detailed breakdown of various options that could be helpful when approaching this type of question on the big ABA exam. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-1: Define and provide examples of behavior, response, and response class.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Type of Conditioned Reinforcer in This Scenario

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a specific type of conditioned reinforcer. Included is a description of generalized conditioned reinforcers and corresponding examples. Additionally, Dana shares a good rule of thumb for your exam about which stimuli are always identified as generalized conditioned reinforcers. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-3: Establish and use conditioned reinforcers.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Measurement System in This Scenario

Test your measurement, data display, and interpretation knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses one specific measurement system that measures the effect of the behavior after its occurrence. Here, Dana details the two ways someone could implement this type of measurement system, provides examples of scenarios and a variety of corresponding measurement methods, and highlights some of the pros of utilizing this type of measurement system. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-2: Distinguish among direct, indirect, and product measures of behavior.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Hypothesize the Function of Disruptive Behavior in Circle Time

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question, exploring various possibilities, automatic, unconditioned, negative, and positive reinforcement, to better understand the reasons behind the behavior in this scenario. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-4: Define and provide examples of positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.; and G-1: Use positive and negative reinforcement procedures to strengthen behavior.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Flex Your Ethics Muscles ➠ How Well Do You Know the Code?

PTB co-founder Dana Meller explores the main sections of the Code (4th edition BACB® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts), explaining each section's significance and the ethical responsibilities. Refer to the 4th Edition BACB® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: All Sections

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Using Behavior Reduction Procedures

PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about the utilization of behavior reduction procedures to decrease challenging behavior. Included is a description of extinction, positive punishment, as well as non-contingent reinforcement. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections G-14 Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR); G-15: Use extinction and G-16: Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).

Test your Knowledge of ABA Educational Methodologies ➠ Exploring PSI & Key Concepts

Test your instructional methodologies knowledge. PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses PSI (Personalized System of Instruction), highlighting essential keywords and key figures associated with PSI to enhance your understanding of this personalized approach to effective learning. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-9: Use discrete-trial, free-operant, and naturalistic teaching arrangements.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Unwanted Effects in Responding

Test your knowledge of reinforcement and punishment procedures. PTB co-founder Dana Meller addresses the temporary effect in responding that is expected to occur during the implementation of the treatment procedures. Included, Dana contrasts the occurrence of a temporary increase in challenging behavior in an extinction procedure. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section H-5: Plan for possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.

Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Analyzing the Fundamental IV & BehaviorChange Relationship

Hone your experimental design skills through review of a BCBA® mock exam question. PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down the crucial aspect of experiments—how they demonstrate changes in behavior attributed to the independent variable. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-2: Distinguish between internal and external validity.

Dana Do's: Programming Common Stimuli

PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about programming common stimuli and how this method can help students feel more prepared on exam day. Refer to Task List section G-21: Use procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Master Your Understanding of Autoclitic Verbal Behavior

PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses the complexities of autoclitics and their role in effective communication. Enhance your understanding of this secondary verbal operant as Dana presents real-life examples of autoclitics and their significance, particularly for individuals with social disabilities. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-14: Define and provide examples of the verbal operants.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Identifying Punishers & Understanding their Impact on Behavior

Test your knowledge of behavior principles with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about the concept of punishers, clarifying their true definition based on their effect on behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-6: Define and provide examples of positive and negative punishment contingencies; and G-16: Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Using Physical Guidance to Prompt a Response

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down BCBA® mock exam question about prompting, a response utilizing physical guidance. Included is a description of graduated guidance, least-to-most, and most-to-least prompting methods, as well as stimulus shape transformations. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Correct Dimension of ABA

Test your understanding of philosophical underpinnings with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews the dimension of ABA, exhibited when a behavior analyst utilizes assessment methods to identify the function of challenging behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Compound Schedules of Reinforcement

Test your knowledge of Concepts and Principles with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews one of the compound schedules of reinforcement without Sᴰs. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement.

ABA Terminology ➠ Stimuli Paired in Respondent Conditioning

Test your ABA terminology. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.

Dana Do's: The Secret to Test Questions

PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares a surprisingly easy trick to interpret the call-to-action of a mock or actual test question on the BCBA® or BCaBA® exam.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Identify a 3-Phase Reversal Experimental Design

Test your Experimental Design skills with a breakdown of a BCBA® mock exam question about the identification of a three-phase experimental design. Included is a detailed comparison between four different reversal designs: ABC reversal, ABA reversal, BAB reversal, and ABAB reversal. As a bonus, Dana also provides examples of instances in which each of the reversal designs would be implemented. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-5: Use single-subject experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline, multielement, changing criterion).

Test Your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Verbal Operant Explained in This Scenario

Test your ABA Terminology. What is the verbal operant described in this scenario? Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-14: Define and provide examples of the verbal operants

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Identify the Compound Schedule of Reinforcement

Test your concepts and principles skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller, as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about the compound schedule of reinforcement in the context of voting. Here, Dana details the key features of the mixed, concurrent, conjunctive, and tandem schedules of reinforcement, as well as provides corresponding examples. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Parameters for Using Punishment

Test your knowledge of concepts & principles with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about the parameters to consider when using punishment. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-6: Define and provide examples of positive and negative punishment contingencies, G-16: Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Pivotal Behavior vs. Behavior Cusp

Test your behavior assessment knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she compares and contrasts pivotal behavior vs. behavior cusp, providing several corresponding examples of each, as they relate to identifying the target behaviors that need prioritization for treatment. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section F-3: Identify and prioritize socially significant behavior-change goals.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Types of Unwanted Treatment Side Effects Explained

Test your knowledge of planning interventions with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she explained the types of unwanted treatment side effects. Also included is a description of the two types of contrast effects, positive behavioral contrast and negative behavioral contrast, as well as corresponding examples. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section H-5: Plan for possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Interpret Descriptive Assessment Data

Test your knowledge of interpreting descriptive assessment ABC data with PTB co-founder Dana Meller. Here she discusses conditional probability, including the rules that apply, and provides a step-by-step example using the calculation formula and how to report these data. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections F-7: Conduct a descriptive assessment of problem behavior; F-9: Interpret functional assessment data.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Matching Law vs. Behavioral Contrast

Put your ABA terminology knowledge to the test with #PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she compares two commonly confused terms: Matching Law vs. Behavioral Contrast, and discusses corresponding examples of each. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement, and H-5: Plan for possible unwanted effects when using reinforcement, extinction, and punishment procedures.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Temporal Contiguity Explained in Detail

Test your knowledge of concepts and principles with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses the term temporal contiguity, its association with operant and respondent conditioning. Here, Dana breaks down the different relationship factors that contiguity shares with operant and respondent conditioning. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.

Explore the Reinforcement Procedure Most Similar to Precision Teaching

Test your understanding of behavior-change procedures and ABA educational methodologies with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews the specific differential reinforcement procedure most closely connected to Precision Teaching. Here, Dana provides a concise overview of the individualized instructional method, its focus on fluency-building, and some key aspects of the methodology. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement; G-9: Use discrete-trial, free-operant, and naturalistic teaching arrangements, and G-14: Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Prompt Dependence

Test your Behavior-Change Procedures skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about how prompt dependence is defined, and a scenario that identifies prompt dependence. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Difference Between Two Ways to Fade Response Prompts

PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains with examples, the distinction between two fade response prompts. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Replication Using the Dimensions of ABA

Test your Philosophical Underpinnings knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about identifying the specific dimension of ABA that ensures behavior analytic work can be replicated. Included is a description of behavioral, conceptually systematic, effective, and technological. As an added bonus, Dana shares a clever exercise that helps have better clarity on the purpose of each dimensions. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify This Experimental Design Scenario

Test your ABA terminology with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she offers guidance to identify the specific experimental design relating to a scenario. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-5: Use single-subject experimental designs (e.g., reversal, multiple baseline, multielement, changing criterion).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Name the Conditioned Motivating Operation (CMO) in This Scenario

Test your knowledge of ABA concepts and principles as PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a memorable question about the specific conditioned motivating operation (CMO) described in the scenario, as well as provides additional examples. Included are a description of the CMO pairing process and the resulting behavior and value-altering effects acquired through the pairing process. As a BONUS, Dana shares a tip that will help you on the Big Exam with questions related to CMO. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Type of Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)

PTB co-founder Dana Meller covers the background of DTT and breaks down the four types. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-9: Use discrete-trial, free-operant, and naturalistic teaching arrangements.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Derivative Measures Explained

Put your knowledge of occurence measurement to the test with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses the two types of derivative measures, and each of their defining features and applications. Dana focuses on the derivative measure used for comparing two or more procedures, teaching clients new skills, evaluating mastery over a class of concepts, and the various measurement methods. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-6: Measure trials to criterion.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Negative Reinforcement Contingencies

Test your Concepts and Principles skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about negative reinforcement. Included is a description of CMOS, free operant avoidance, and discriminated avoidance, as well as corresponding detailed examples. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-4: Define and provide examples of positive and negative reinforcement contingencies.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ DRL vs. DRD

Test your knowledge of differential reinforcement procedures as PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses the similarities and key differences between DRL and DRD procedures. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement and G-14: Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ MO vs Sᵈ

Test your understanding of antecedents and behavior change with PTB co-founder Dana Meller. Here she explains the distinction between Sᵈs and MOs, explores their evocative function, and discusses how they can alter our behavioral repertoire when combined. Through relatable examples, Dana illustrates the importance of understanding the interplay between Sᵈs and MOs in behavior change. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-10: Define and provide examples of stimulus control and B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Differential Reinforcement Procedure

Test your behavior-change procedures skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a specific differential reinforcement procedure. Here, Dana compares and contrasts all of the differential reinforcement procedures: #DRL vs. #,DRD, #DRH, #DRO, as well as #DRA vs. #DRI. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-14: Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Use the Dimensions of ABA to Identify, "What Makes Us Behavioral?"

Test your Philosophical Underpinnings knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question that breaks down the dimensions of ABA, identifying the specific dimension that describes the defining features of a behavior analyst. Included is a description of each of the answer options, determinism, empiricism, applied, and behavioral. Refer to the BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Understanding Behavior-Altering Effects

Test your terminology. PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains the umbrella term, "Motivating Operations" and breaks down the sub-categories. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Behavioral Momentum

PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections G-2: Use interventions based on motivating operations and discriminative stimuli; G-13: Use the high-probability instructional sequence.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Indicators of Trustworthy Measurement

Test your knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she explains the specific indicator of trustworthy measurement that corresponds with repeated measurement yielding the same result. Included is a description of all three indicators of trustworthy measurement validity, accuracy, and reliability. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.

Breaking Down a Mock BCBA® Exam Question: Understanding Equal-Interval Graphs & Logarithmic Scales

Test your knowledge of ABA graphs with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about equal-interval graphs, exploring their unique properties. Included, Dana explains the concept of proportional values and highlights the graph(s) which operate on a logarithmic scale, offering a different perspective on changes in behavior. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections C-10: Graph data to communicate relevant quantitative relations (e.g., equal-interval graphs, bar graphs, cumulative records); C-11: Interpret graphed data.

Test Your ABA Ethics Terminology ➠ Multiple Relationships

At all costs, avoid multiple relationships. Refer to BACB® | Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts | Section 1.11: Multiple Relationships

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Confounding Threats to Internal Validity

Test your knowledge of measurement confounds with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses one of the four types of threats to internal validity, with corresponding examples. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: It's the IOA Battle Royal. Which Formula Gets Knocked Out?

Sharpen your measurement skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about IOA and helps explain the different formulas used for time sampling measurements. Dana covers four IOA formulas: Interval-by-Interval, Scored Interval, Trial-by-Tial, and Unscored Interval; and highlights key considerations and pitfalls associated with each. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Fundamental Properties of Behavior Change

Test your ability to interpret graphed data with PTB co-founder Dana Meller. Here she explains the three fundamental properties of behavior change, focusing on one specific property akin to an average or median. Included are descriptions of level, trend, variability, and the y-axis. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-11: Interpret graphed data.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: The #1 Threat to Accuracy and Reliability

Test your measurement knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about the key indicators of trustworthy measurement, revealing the most significant threat facing accuracy and reliability. Dana provides insight into the distinctions between reliability, validity, and accuracy and how they relate to measurement. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Explore the 2 Types of Negative Reinforcement

Test your understanding of negative reinforcement with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she discusses the two specific types and details and nuances using relatable examples that significantly impact our everyday lives. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-4: Define and provide examples of positive and negative reinforcement contingencies and G-1: Use positive and negative reinforcement procedures to strengthen behavior.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Understanding Respondent-Operant Interactions

Test your behavior-change procedures skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question that explores respondent-operant interactions, comparing and contrasting habilitation, habituation and adaptation, with an emphasis on the importance of reinforcement. The breakdown touches on operant conditioning and its role in behavior change. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Identify the Stimulus Class

Test your knowledge of concepts and principles as PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a question about identifying a specific type of stimulus class, and the features associated with the three main stimulus class variations. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-2: Define and provide examples of stimulus and stimulus class.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Understanding Respondent Conditioning

Test your concepts and principles skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about respondent conditioning, breaking down the process. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.

Test your ABA Terminology ➠ Programming for Generalization

Test your knowledge of behavior-change procedures as PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses generative learning and programming for generalization. Dana explains one of the nine procedures for achieving generalization that emphasizes the need to generalize the response across similar stimuli, while recognizing that different stimuli may require different responses. NOTE: Here, Dana mentions there are seven methods for programming for generalization, which is consistent with the literature for the 4th Edition Task List. But, for the 5th Edition Task List, there are additional methods. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections G-12: Use equivalence-based instruction and G-21 Use procedures to promote stimulus and response generalization.

Test Your ABA Terminology ➠ What Are The 3 Types of Extinction?

Test your knowledge of Concepts & Principles and Behavior-Change Procedures with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews the different types of operant extinction procedures. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-9: Define and provide examples of operant extinction, G-15: Use extinction.

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Basic Schedules of Intermittent Reinforcement

Enhance your understanding of ABA concepts and principles with PTB co-founder Dana Meller's explanation of a BCBA® mock exam question based on basic schedules of intermittent reinforcement, including fixed interval, fixed ratio, variable interval, and variable ratio schedules. Explore the unique patterns of responding associated with each schedule, and learn more about the schedule that produces a postreinforcement pause. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement.

Test your ABA Ethics ➠ Practicing Within Scope of Competence

Test your ABA Ethics Knowledge with PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviewing the ethics behind practicing within one’s scope of competence. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section E-1: Responsible conduct of behavior analysts BACB® Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts: Section 1.05: Practicing Within Scope of Competence

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Identify the Intervention's Reinforcement Schedule

Test your behavior-change procedures skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she breaks down a BCBA® mock exam question about the differences between contingent and non-contingent schedules, focusing on an antecedent-based, response-independent schedule of reinforcement. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections G-2: Use interventions based on motivating operations and discriminative stimuli and G-14: Use reinforcement procedures to weaken behavior (e.g., DRA, FCT, DRO, DRL, NCR).

PTB's Special ABA Sauce: Mastering the ABCs of Behavior

Test your understanding of the ABCs of Behavior with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she analyzes a tasty scenario to identify the MO, SD, prompt, behavior, and consequence using PTB's special ABC breakdown method. Discover how ordering extra sauce serves as a perfect example to unravel the intricate relationship between MOs, deprivation, SDs, and reinforcement. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-1: Define and provide examples of behavior, response, and response class, B-10: Define and provide examples of stimulus control, B-12: Define and provide examples of motivating operations and G-4: Use stimulus and response prompts and fading (e.g., errorless, most-to-least, least-to-most, prompt delay, stimulus fading).

Breaking Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Compound Schedules of Reinforcement

Test your Behavior-Change Procedures skills with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about the chained schedule, compound schedule of reinforcement. Included is a description of the alternative schedule, concurrent schedule, and conjunctive schedule. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-5: Define and provide examples of schedules of reinforcement.

Perfect Timing: More Tips for Better Time Management

There are (unfortunately) only 24 hours in a day– and that goes for everyone, including Beyoncé. For BCBA® exam candidates, time management is the name of the game right now.…

Dana Do's: 8 Guidelines for Using Modeling

Get ready to model as PTB founder Dana Meller walks you through the eight specific guidelines for using modeling.

Dana Do's: SAFMEDS or Flashcards? How to Choose the Tool Most Effective for You

What kind of learner are you? PTB co-founder Dana Meller spells out the differences between flashcards and SAFMEDS so you can pick the best study tool based on how you learn.

Fuel Your Focus: 5 Foods That Help You Study

Preparing for the BCBA® exam takes focus, stamina, and a whole lot of brain power. You’ve got to learn the entire Task List– from top to bottom– plus, the ethics…

The PTB ABA Exam Study Manual: A Guide to the Other 'White Book'

The PTB ABA Exam Study Manual has become a mainstay of BCBA® exam prep– and with good reason. Expertly written to break down the critical Task List information the BACB®…

Dana Do's: Tips for Exam Questions About Ethics

There is a difference between ethical decision-making in practice, versus ethical decision-making on test question scenarios.

Get the Scoop: What You Need to Know About the BACB’s Transition to the 6th Edition

You may have heard horror stories about the last BACB transition from the 4th to the 5th edition Task List. Not without good reason, too. The 5th edition brought changes to the supervision requirements, an increase to the number of test questions, and the introduction of the Ethics Code. Luckily, this time around won’t be such a shake up. Candidates caught on the cusp of this transition will be relieved to know that most of the updates are minor. Many find these transitions intimidating and overwhelming because they think they’ll have to learn an entire list of new information. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Think of it as more of a restructuring, rather than a total revamp.

Dana Do's: What Would Cooper Do?

PTB co-founder offers a new approach to reframing your mindset when answering questions on the BCBA® exam that may help you beat the odds.