BxLog is PTB’s exam prep blog, edited and curated by veteran ABA professionals with a mission to provide candidates helpful tools and guidance along their BCBA® exam prep journey. Explore short videos and articles containing valuable information including explanations of Test Content Outline concepts and ABA terminology, study tips, mock exam questions with answer breakdowns, and lifestyle advice to maintain a healthy exam prep regimen.
Confused about ratio strain vs. breaking point? Learn how abrupt changes in reinforcement can lead to avoidance and aggression (ratio strain), while increased effort with no change in reinforcement can cause behavior to stop altogether (breaking point).
Dana Do’s: Key Differences Between Ratio Strain and Breaking Point Read More
Do motivating operations (MOs) only influence behavior in the moment? Not quite. Learn more about behavior-altering effects and functional-altering effects that shape future behavior. Using relatable examples, PTB founder Dana Meller breaks down how MOs impact reinforcement value now—and in the long run.
Dana Do’s: Do MOs Only Affect Behavior in the Moment? Read More
Learn how the BCBA® exam is scored, and what score you should aim for to improve your chances of passing.
Dana Do’s: How the BACB® Scores the BCBA® Exam Read More
Avoid BCBA® exam scams on social media. Learn how to spot fake offers, protect your money, and stay ethical in your test prep.
Dana Do’s: Avoid BCBA® Exam Scams Read More
How do you discriminate between operant behavior and respondent behavior on test questions? PTB founder Dana Meller shows you the ABC of it.
PTB founder Dana Meller answers a follower request for an explanation around a mock question posted on social about the impact of an incomplete operational definition on trustworthy measurement.
Dana Do’s: Breaking Down a BCBA®/BCaBA® Mock Exam Question About Operational Definitions Read More
Preparing for the BCBA® exam can feel overwhelming, but expert guidance can make all the difference. Dana Meller, founder of Pass the Big ABA Exam, and Dr. Stephen Eversole, founder of Behavior Development Solutions, share decades of exam prep insights. Their discussion covers essential strategies for success—not just to pass the exam, but to become a skilled and ethical behavior analyst.
ABA has multiple types of validity—internal, external, social, and measurement validity—but how do you keep them straight? PTB founder Dana Meller can help.
Dana Do’s: Understanding All the Types of Validity in ABA Read More
How do we ensure the data we collect is truly reliable? PTB founder Dana Meller (MA, BCBA) breaks down the importance of accuracy assessments and shares four key reasons why they’re crucial.
Dana Do’s: Four Reasons for Conducting Accuracy Assessments Read More
Interpreting graphed data is an important skill to have, for the BCBA® exam and beyond. A fundamental part of this is the level line. PTB founder Dana Meller breaks down both methods for establishing a level line and when to use them.
Dana Do’s: Mean or Median? Choosing the Right Level Line to Interpret Graph Data Read More