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 Task List concepts and ABA terminology, study tips, mock exam questions with answer breakdowns, and lifestyle advice to maintain a healthy exam prep regimen.
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)
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.
What are the historical origins of Methodological Behaviorism? Learn about observable behavior and John Broadus Watson’s controversial “Little Albert Experiment.”
Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-4: Distinguish among behaviorism, the experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, and professional practice guided by the science of behavior analysis.
The Pioneer of Methodological Behaviorism Read More
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: What are the Markers of a Good Supervisor? Read More
PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews matching-to-sample procedures, focusing on one specific method where stimuli are not physically identical but have a symbolic relationship.
Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section G-12: Use equivalence-based instruction.
Matching-to-Sample Procedures: Test Your Knowledge and Challenge Yourself Read More
PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses the simultaneous occurrence of respondent and operant conditioning, clarifying the differences between the two and how they influence behavior.
Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.
ABA Terminology Challenge ➠ Respondent-Operant Interactions Read More
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).
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.
Let’s Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Choice-Making Read More
PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses Interobserver Agreement (IOA) and its significance in behavior analysis. Discover the desired percentage of agreement for IOA and its role in increasing data credibility and evaluating intervention effectiveness.
Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures.
Questing for the Gold Standard of IOA Agreement Read More
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).