PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop: Register Now for Sundays Starting October 19

Post-Summer Studying: 4 Tips for a Successful Fall

Summer is officially over. For many, that means saying goodbye to beach trips, pool days, and vacation time, and hello to a busy new season. It’s back to work, back to school, and back to reality. If you’re trying to keep the post-summer blues at bay, PTB has four tips to help you stay on track this fall.

#1: Get Your Vitamin D

Even if fall is your favorite season, it’s hard to deny that the shorter days can be a drawback. Adding to that, keeping up your vitamin D intake is arguably more crucial when the daylight starts diminishing, especially when you consider its role in supporting the immune system. Beyond dietary sources of vitamin D, consider where you can squeeze in some sunlight during the day (with the necessary SPF, of course). Maybe you can fit in a morning walk or, if weather permits, enjoy your lunch outdoors. Getting a little extra sun exposure can help you boost your vitamin D, and it might just boost your mood, too.

#2: Assess Your Progress

If studying took a back seat over the summer, now is the perfect time to check in with yourself and take stock of your exam prep progress. Consider your testing date and compare where you are currently to what you have mapped out in your study plan. There is no shame in needing to adjust course and regularly evaluating your progress can help you better prepare for any changes to your timeline. If you’re not quite where you need to be, identify the areas that require additional support or studying and how that impacts your long-term plans.

#3: …And How You Feel

Check in with how you’re feeling, too. The changing season can also mean changing schedules, new routines, and additional responsibilities. If you notice you’ve been feeling more anxious or overwhelmed, it’s important to acknowledge and address it. The pressure of BCBA® exam prep can easily lead to burnout, but self-compassion can help you mitigate and manage the stress. Of course, in a perfect world, studying would always take center stage, but it’s not always realistic when juggling life’s other demands.

#4: Practice Seasonal Self-Care

No matter where you are on your certification journey, and no matter how you feel about it, self-care should be part of your exam prep game plan. Staying “healthy” means taking care of yourself mentally and physically. If you’re struggling to leave summer behind, try embracing a little seasonal self-care. Pick up a new scented candle, paint a colorful autumnal scene, or spend an evening watching your favorite Halloween movies. However you find joy, make it a new fall tradition and lean into the season.

Go Big this fall with the PTB Big Exam Prep Workshop. Cover the complete TCO with 6 weeks of mock exams, live lectures, study halls, and more. Get expert instruction from PTB founder Dana Meller and hands-on support.

The next class begins Sunday, October 19, at 10:00 a.m. PST.

REGISTER NOW

High Stakes Test Prep: Advice for Your Last Attempt at the BCBA® Exam

So, you’re preparing for the BCBA® exam… And you’re down to your last (or last few) attempts. What’s a candidate to do? PTB founder Dana Meller offers some practical advice for how to study in this high-stakes scenario.

Simulate an authentic exam day experience with the PTB Big Mock Exam. PTB’s most comprehensive mock exam covers the entire TCO with 185 peer-reviewed questions that accurately reflect the clinical and scientific language in the BCBA® exam. Analyze your results with written reviews that break down answer choices, included in the score report.

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REMINDER: Fall 2025 PTB Scholarship Deadline is Tomorrow, September 26

Submit your application to the fall 2025 PTB Scholarship by tomorrow, September 26. As part of PTB’s mission and commitment to student success, the PTB Scholarship is offered as a means to make exam prep more accessible and equitable. Recipients of the PTB Scholarship 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.

For consideration, submit a short essay about your path to certification, what inspires you to become a BCBA®, and what motivates you on your journey. Full application details are available on the PTB website.

APPLY NOW

Word of the Week: Setting Event

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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