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Big Exam Prep Workshop: PTB’s June 2 Workshop is Open, Register Now to Get 14 Weeks of Access

Three Factors That Affect Your Concentration– And What the Science Says

It probably goes without saying, but just in case it doesn’t: Your physical state can affect your mental state. Between working and studying, it’s easy to let self-care slip when your schedule is completely booked up. If you’re feeling run down, check to make sure these three factors aren’t the culprit.

#1: Hydration
From Stanley cups to smart water bottles, "hydration" has become a bit of a buzzword. However, there is some science behind the trend. Like your body, your brain is composed mostly of water, about 73%. So, dehydration can quickly affect your brain power. In fact, some studies show that even losing just 1% of your body mass due to dehydration is enough to impact cognitive ability, reaction time, and attention. In fact, hydration may be even more important for women, as one study indicated that even mild dehydration can significantly impact mood in healthy young women.

#2: Hunger
You’ve probably heard that it’s important to fuel your brain as you’re studying but have you ever wondered why? Your brain may only account for 2% of your body weight, however, it eats up about 20% of the calories you consume. Studies indicate that hunger can make things seem and feel more emotional, and increase negative feelings. Additionally, the BBC reported that one study on fasting found hunger impacted cognition and the ability to switch between tasks.

#3: Temperature
Your body puts in a lot of work to maintain its ideal temperature. So, it’s important to ensure you’re working or studying in the right environment. Studies have shown that extremes in either direction, either too hot or too cold, can affect your concentration and cognition. Studies have shown that colder temperatures can enhance feelings of confusion and negatively impact memory. Whereas with warmer temperatures, studies report that hot days can lead to poorer test scores and poorer focus.
Go Big and set yourself up for exam prep success. The PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop is PTB’s most comprehensive prep protocol. Get 6 weeks of mock exams and live lectures, plus up to 14 weeks of access to a host of multimodal prep tools including fluency drills, vocab lists, study halls, and more.

PTB’s next class begins Tuesday, June 2 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Access is open, register now to start studying.

PTB Founder Dana Meller Helps You Discriminate Between Extinction and Negative Punishment

Is it negative punishment or is it extinction? This seems to be a common question for many exam candidates. Tripped up trying to tell them apart? PTB founder Dana Meller is here to explain.
Get flexible exam prep at an affordable price. Each mini mock focuses on a specific TCO Domain with 30 peer-reviewed questions, sourced from the latest academic literature. Enhance your comprehension with written breakdowns, included in the score report, that explain answer choices with in-depth rationales.

Prep as you go with individual mini mocks or get the complete PTB Mini Mocks series, covering all 9 Domains with 270 questions in all.

Deadline for the Summer 2026 PTB Scholarship is Tomorrow, May 1

Share your story with PTB and you could receive complimentary registration to the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop, a PTB ABA Exam Study Manual, and a one-on-one mentoring session with PTB founder Dana Meller.

As part of PTB’s commitment to supporting students throughout their certification journey, PTB offers a seasonal scholarship that aims to make exam prep more accessible and reduce the financial strain associated with certification. PTB Scholarship recipients are offered the opportunity to prep with PTB’s tools, study with the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop, and meet with PTB founder Dana Meller.

The deadline is tomorrow, May 1. To apply, submit a short essay and share what motivates you to become a BCBA®.

Word of the Week: Interresponse Time (IRT)

Check out PTB's official online glossary with 528 essential ABA terms. Created by PTB founder Dana Meller, MA, BCBA and edited by Tyra Sellers, J.D., Ph.D., BCBA-D.

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