HomeBxLogDana Do'sDana Do’s: Why You’re Not Passing the BCBA® Exam Dana Do’s: Why You’re Not Passing the BCBA® Exam January 26, 2023 I had a phone call with a student the other day who’s struggling to pass the Big ABA exam. She has tried everything and wanted my advice on what to do next. I asked her why she thought she wasn’t passing. Her answer was, “I don’t know.” I have this conversation a lot. I’m often met with “I don’t know” when I ask that question. The problem is, if you don’t know, then I definitely don’t know. I wish I did, but behavior analytically speaking, we must have an answer to that question. We need to define and operationalize the problem in order to address this with a functional solution, like we do with our clients. It works for them. If you are struggling with the exam, unsure of what to do next, I urge you to have this conversation with yourself. Dig deep to identify the problem. Is it building more fluency? Getting more applied experience? Needing more mock exams? Needing to work on memorization? Or getting deeper with the content? Whatever the answer, you have to operationalize the problem. If you do, you have a much better chance of coming up with an effective solution and beating those daunting odds. BEPWDana Do'sFlashcardsRetakerSAFMEDSStudy Manual Related Content Dana Do's: Breaking Down a BCBA®/BCaBA® Mock Exam Question About Operational Definitions 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.BCBA® Exam Study Tips: BDS and PTB Take Exam Candidates Beyond the Modules and the Study Manual 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.Dana Do's: Understanding All the Types of Validity in ABA 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.Access Free BCBA®/BCaBA® Exam Prep Resources Not all BCBA® exam prep is equal—quality matters. Check out PTB's free, reliable study materials, mock questions, and guides to help you Pass the Big ABA Exam.Dana Do's: Two Procedures for Calculating Duration If you’re looking for data on how long a behavior occurs, duration is the name of the game. However, as PTB founder Dana Meller explains, there are two methods for ensuring and reporting duration that future BCBA®s need to know. Dana Do’s: A Simple Explanation on the Different Types of Simple Discriminations PTB founder Dana Meller makes it simple with an explainer on the types of simple discriminations and important differences to keep in mind.Dana Do's: Radical Behaviorism's Origin Story If you too are confused about radical behaviorism, then this is for you. PTB founder Dana Meller explains behaviorism, with a twist.Dana Do's: Key Words to Watch For on the Big Exam PTB founder Dana Meller shares some key words to watch for when breaking down test questions around compound schedules on the BCBA®/BCaBA® exam.Dana Do's: Confused About Extinction and Negative Punishment? PTB founder Dana Meller clears up the common confusion between extinction and negative punishment.Dana Do's: How to Discriminate Between Extraneous and Confounding Variables Extraneous and confounding variables are the same, but different. PTB founder Dana Meller breaks it down.Dana Do's: How to Use the Ethics Code to Help Answer Questions on the BCBA® Exam PTB founder Dana Meller illustrates how using the ethics Code can help BCBA/BCaBA exam candidates identify the correct answer on exam questions.Dana Do's: How to Determine Preference of Tested Stimuli How do you determine the relative preference of tested stimuli during trial-based preference assessments? PTB Founder Dana Meller breaks it down.Dana Do's: Clearing Up the Confusion Over Shaping and Chaining Shaping and chaining are strategies for teaching complex behaviors that are often confused. PTB founder Dana Meller makes the differences clear. Dana Do's: Fun Fact About Using DRA You know how the textbooks say that there are two parts to differential reinforcement, one being reinforcement for the desired behavior and the other extinction for the target behavior? Applying…Dana Do's: Socially Significant Information Social significance is such a buzzword ABA. PTB founder Dana Meller breaks down all the different areas in which social significance is important. Dana Do's: The Distinction Between Analysis Types and Experimental Designs What’s the difference between parametric, component, and comparative analyses? And what do experimental designs have to do with it? PTB founder Dana Meller clears up the confusion with a deep dive into analysis variations.Dana Do's: How to Prepare for the Transition to the BACB® 6th Edition Test Content Outline With the 6th Edition transition weeks away, many BCBA®/BCaBA® exam candidates are uncertain about how to best prepare. PTB founder Dana Meller is here with advice on how 5th Ed. students can plan to Beat the Odds and navigate the new 6th Ed. Test Content Outline (TCO).Big Exam Prep Workshop PTB’s Big Exam Prep Workshop is a live, interactive 6-week intensive (with up to 14 weeks of access to online materials, subject to registration). Integrating behavior analytic strategies, this hands-on masterclass breaks down the BACB® 6th Edition Test Content Outline, harnessing PTB’s signature formula for organizing and structuring BCBA® exam prep. Dana Do's: What's the Difference Between Continuous and Discontinuous Measurement? It’s all too easy to mix up continuous and discontinuous measurement procedures. Need some help discriminating between the two? Get clarity with help from PTB founder Dana Meller.You Got This: 5 Tips to Build Up Your Test-Taking Confidence Exam day can shake even the most self-assured candidate but it’s important to feel secure in yourself and your skills. Looking to up your confidence before sitting for the Big…Dana Do's: Considerations for Exam Questions Related to the Use of Punishment Punishment is known to have a quick impact on behavior, but there are ethical implications which makes it very controversial. PTB founder Dana Meller offers some considerations when encountering exam questions related to punishment.Dana Do's: Tips for Test Questions About Functional Analysis Tripped up trying to make correct discriminations when it comes to functional analysis? PTB founder Dana Meller has some tips to help you answer those tricky exam questions. Dana Do's: Six Direct Assessment Methods Looking to review direct assessment methods? PTB founder Dana Meller gets right to it with this quick explainer.Dana Do's: Exploring the Forms and Functions of Noncontingent Reinforcements (NCR) Let’s talk contingency independent antecedent intervention… Or, in simpler terms, NCR. Get the scoop on this non-invasive procedure with a quick explainer from PTB founder Dana Meller.Dana Do's: What to Do the Night Before the Big Exam Some advice about what to do the night before the BCBA®/BCaBA® exam from PTB founder Dana Meller.Dana Do's: Exploring the Four Types of Reinforcer Assessments PTB founder Dana Meller discusses reinforcer assessments, which should not be confused with stimulus preference assessments.Five Ways to Help Offset the Cost of Certification Becoming a certified BCBA® is a big investment—not just in time and effort, but financially, too. From exam fees to study materials, costs can add up fast. The good news? There are ways to make the journey more budget-friendly. PTB has rounded up five practical tips to help you save money on your path to certification.The 5 Elements of an Effective Study Plan If you’re on the path to the BCBA®/BCaBA® exam and looking to get a plan in place, look no further. PTB has five tips to help you devise an effective schedule to help you Beat the Odds.7 Tips for Maximizing Test Prep #1: Focus on Form Be sure to get the right resources and materials. Having up-to-date books and academic literature will ensure you’re studying the right stuff. Ready for mock exams…Dana Do's: Nine Considerations for Prioritizing Target Behaviors PTB founder breaks down each of the nine considerations for prioritizing target behaviors.Dana Do's: Extinguished Behaviors Resurge When reinforcement for the alternative replacement behavior is discontinued, extinction for the alternative behavior can resurge. The BACB® 6th Edition: Assessing All the Changes The Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB®) transition from the 5th to the 6th Edition of the BCBA® exam began January 2025. While many of the fundamentals remain unchanged, the 6th Edition introduces new terminology, expanded domains, and a stronger emphasis on cultural humility and inclusion. This article breaks down the key updates and explains what BCBA® candidates need to know to prepare effectively for exam.Rest Assured: Four Tips for Better Sleep Before the Big Exam Studying for the BCBA® exam and feeling sleep-deprived? Quality rest is key to staying focused and retaining information, but it’s often the first thing to suffer when life gets busy. If you’re struggling to unwind, PTB has rounded up a few tips to help you sleep more soundly and stay refreshed on your exam journey.Dana Do's: 7 Steps of Evidence-Based Supervision PTB founder Dana Meller clarifies the specific steps for evidence-based supervision, not to be confused with behavior skills training. Dana Do's: What is the Difference Between Trial-Based and Free-Operant Teaching Arrangements? Not too sure about discriminating between the different teaching arrangements? Not to worry. PTB founder Dana Meller is here to explain trial-based vs free operant procedures.6 Science-Backed Tips for Improving Your Memory Being able to recall information, facts, concepts, and terms is essential for the exam. If you find your memory slips from time to time, or you struggle to remember when put on the spot, try these six tips for building your memory muscle.Dana Do's: All the Validities in ABA, Explained PTB founder Dana Meller helps connect each of the validities to the validity of this explanation.Dana Do's: Will Reinforcer Assessments be on the BCBA® Exam? The Task List and the TCO (Test Content Outline) both include preference assessments. But, they don't mention reinforcer assessments. Does that mean that reinforcer assessments will not be on the exam? ABA in Your Day-to-Day: Products That Use the Power of Behavior Principles The principles behind behavior analysis (ABA) are everywhere– if you know what to look for. It probably wouldn’t surprise a BCBA® (or future BCBA®) to know that ABA inspires everyday products that help people live healthier, more productive lives. Here are some favorites.Dana Do's: The ABCs of Breaking Down BCBA® Exam Test Questions If you need help breaking down test questions, there's a simple tool you can use to eliminate the risk of making assumptions on the BCBA® exam. Dana Do's: Has Your Coursework Left You Unprepared for the BCBA® Exam? If your coursework left you unprepared for the BCBA exam, PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers some ideas of how to avoid the hamster wheel of multiple exam retakes.Dana Do's: What's the Difference Between Response vs. Stimulus Prompts? If a response prompt and a stimulus prompt both prompt correct responses, what is the difference?Beat the Odds: 5 Tips You Need If You’re Retaking the Exam Retaking the BCBA® exam? Don't be discouraged. Passing the exam is challenging for many. If you're preparing for another attempt, PTB has five essential tips to help you beat the odds and succeed this time around.Dana Do's: What Should I Do If I Don't Pass the BCBA® Exam? If you're retaking the exam and you don't know how to proceed with studying again, PTB co-founder Dana Meller has some suggestions that you might want to consider. Dana Do's: Why BCBA® Exam Retakers Should Ignore the Score Report PTB's retaker philosophy has not changed since we first began BCBA® test prep in 2012. In fact, the philosophy has only been reinforced over the years as retaker pass rates continue to drop. If you're retaking the exam, you need to hear this advice from PTB co-founder Dana Meller.3.14 Tips to Make Exam Prep as Easy as Pi Setting goals when developing a study strategy is important, but even more important is setting goals that are rational, realistic, and manageable. Here are three tips to help.Dana Do's: How to Discriminate What 'Is' or 'Is Not' Behavior in BCBA® Exam Questions 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 founder Dana Meller breaks it 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, 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.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 ConsentDana 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.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 Preparing for the BCBA® exam can be daunting, but with these five tips, you can ease the stress. From studying smart to planning for the unexpected, these strategies will help you feel confident and ready on exam day.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 Transform your study space into a soothing environment with these five science-backed tips. 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 pressure, not to worry, PTB is here with six tips for managing stress while studying.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 PTB Streaming Lecture Series 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 BACB® 6th Edition Test Content Outline.Dana Do's: What are the Markers of a Good Supervisor? PTB founder Dana Meller identifies the markers of being a good supervisor. 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 Test Content Outline can provide you with significant clues for effective studying. By examining TCO 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 Prepare for success on exam day with these five tips.6 Science-Backed Study Tips for Your Next Study Session From switching up your study environment to quizzing yourself, these strategies will help improve focus, memory, and retention on the exam.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® and BCaBA® Retaker Odds are Lower There's a danger of studying only the score report. PTB 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: 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: BCBA® Exam Prep Short Cuts Don't Work PTB 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 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. Dana Do's: Attention Multiple BCBA® Retakers (You are Going to Want to Hear This) The data shows candidates struggle to pass the BCBA® exam on later attempts. PTB co-founder Dana Meller takes a deeper look at the data and offers a strategy for beating the retaker odds. Dana Do's: The Scientific Goals of Behavior Analysis PTB co-founder Dana Meller takes on the first portion of the Task List with a quick lesson about section A-1. The secret sauce for understanding the goal of behavior analysis? It all comes down to description, prediction, and control.Dana Do's: How to Decipher the Many Forms of Validity It's particularly meaningful to be able to tell validity, social validity, internal and external validity apart. PTB co-founder Dana Meller has some tips to do just that.Dana Do's: How to Discriminate Dependent vs. Independent Variables If You're Not a Researcher Not a researcher? How about some help discriminating between dependent and independent variables. PTB co-founder Dana Meller offers a few tips to make that distinction on the BCBA® exam.Dana Do's: How to Discriminate Between SDs & MOs PTB co-founder Dana Meller breaks down the distinction between motivating operations (MOs) and discriminative stimulus (SDs). 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.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.Dana Do's: Response Blocking vs. Extinction Want an easy way to make the correct discrimination between response blocking and extinction? PTB co-founder Dana Meller borrows from the #starwars universe to help explain. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section: G-16 Use positive and negative punishment (e.g., time-out, response cost, overcorrection).Dana's Do's: Conditioning Us to Understand Operant and Respondent Conditioning? PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains how one word can describe two different things. Here's how to practically understand the difference between operant and respondent conditioning. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-3: Define and provide examples of respondent and operant conditioning.Dana Do's: Need a Prompt to Understand Prompting? PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares a trick for discriminating between response and stimulus prompts. 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's Do's: WWSD (What Would #Skinner Do?) on Tax Day? PTB co-founder Dana Meller illustrates a perfect example of rule-governed behavior centered on our shared and dreaded annual Tax Day obligation. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section B-13: Define and provide examples of rule-governed and contingency-shaped behavior.Dana Do's: 1-Minute Experimental Design Test Hack (you still have to study it though) PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares a huge secret to help break down experimental design questions. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section D-3: Identify the defining features of single-subject experimental designs.Dana Do's: How to Easily Break Down the 7 Dimensions of ABA PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares an easy way to break down the 7 dimensions of ABA by using the dimensions to define what it means to be a behavior analyst, which in turn, makes it much easier to discriminate between each dimension. BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section A-5: Describe and define the dimensions of applied behavior analysis (Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968).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. Dana Do's: Importance of Experimental Design Fluency PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about the importance of being fluent in experimental designs, not just to pass the exam, but to be a good clinician as well. Ref 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).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: Using Stimulus Salience to Increase Studying Effectiveness PTB co-founder Dana Meller discusses the ways in which you can increase your studying effectiveness through stimulus salience. We know that ABA works, and Dana reminds students to utilize basic ABA principles to help themselves prepare for the BCBA® exam. Refer to Task List section B-10: Define and provide examples of stimulus control.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 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.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.Add to Cart: Shop PTB’s ABA Holiday Gift Guide PTB is making a list and you’ll want to check it out once (or twice). If you’re not sure what to put on your holiday wish list this year, PTB has the ultimate gift guide for ABA professionals and future BCBAs. Browse now and don’t forget to ask Santa, if you see him.The Science Behind Gratitude Spoiler alert: it’s good for your mental, emotional, and even physical wellbeing.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: 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.Threats to Validity Exposed: When Misleading Data Plays Tricks on Your Perception Test your knowledge of measurement procedures with PTB co-founder Dana Meller as she explains, in detail, one of the threats to validity with several corresponding examples. Dana also shares a clever memorization study tip that will help you on the Big exam. Refer to BCBA® Task List (5th ed.) Section C-8: Evaluate the validity and reliability of measurement procedures. Dana Do's: How to Ease Exam Nerves PTB founder Dana Meller offers some helpful advice to quell exam day jitters.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.Dana Do's: How to Optimize Memorization PTB founder Dana Meller reinforces the importance of memorization and offers some practical, empirically validated tips for memorizing the TCO.Dana Do's: Clarifying Confusion Between Derived Stimulus Relation and Stimulus Equivalence PTB founder Dana Meller clarifies confusion to explain derived stimulus relation vs. stimulus equivalence.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.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…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.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…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.
