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.
How does going to ABA conferences help you pass the BCBA® exam? PTB 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: And Just Like That, Context and Application for TCO Domain Items Read More
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.
Dana Do’s: How to Determine Value vs. Behavior Altering Effect Read More
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.
There is a difference between ethical decision-making in practice, versus ethical decision-making on test question scenarios.
Dana Do’s: Tips for Exam Questions About Ethics Read More
Branching out, PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares the latest from her “tree” of knowledge to help discriminate between response and stimulus generalization (puns intended).
Dana Do’s: Get to the ‘Root’ of Response vs. Stimulus Generalization Read More
An industry veteran who watched the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) grow into what it is today, Dr. 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.
PTB Partner Spotlight: In Conversation with APBA’s CEO, Dr. Tyra Sellers Read More
What are the key differences between these these two procedures? PTB co-founder Dana Meller distills the concepts with common and relatable examples we can identify with.
Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Sections B-9: Define and provide examples of operant extinction; and B-6: Define and provide examples of positive and negative punishment contingencies.
Dana Do’s: How to Discriminate Between Response Blocking and Extinction Read More
The ethics code asks behavior analysts to obtain informed consent before starting a treatment plan. But…what does that entail? PTB founder Dana Meller breaks down informed consent, assent, and the ethics elements you need to know.
Refer to Code Standard 2.11 Obtaining Informed Consent
Dana Do’s: Cracking the Ethics Code on Consent vs. Assent Read More
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.
A Behavior-Analytic Approach to New Year’s Resolutions Read More
PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers detailed examples to help students better discriminate between two often confusing concepts: masking vs. overshadowing.
Dana Do’s: Discriminating Between Masking and Overshadowing Read More