BCBA Practice Questions: Behavior Reduction Procedures Domain

Published: June 12, 2025 | 5 min read

Test your BCBA knowledge with 5 practice questions from the Behavior Reduction Procedures domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

BCBA Practice Questions

Master the Behavior Reduction Procedures Domain

Test your knowledge in the Behavior Reduction Procedures domain with these 5 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the BCBA certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

Which of the following is a critical consideration when implementing a punishment procedure for behavior reduction?

A) Ensuring that reinforcement for appropriate behavior is minimized

B) Immediate implementation without baseline data collection

C) Clear definition and consistency in applying the punishment

D) Ensuring punishment is the first line of intervention

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Punishment procedures should be applied consistently and clearly defined to ensure ethical and effective implementation.

Question 2

A BCBA is tasked with reducing a child's elopement behavior, which occurs to escape non-preferred activities. What is the most appropriate intervention strategy?

A) Use a physical barrier to prevent elopement.

B) Implement a Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible behavior (DRI) strategy.

C) Teach the child to request a break from the activity.

D) Introduce a time-out procedure when elopement occurs.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: CORRECT: Teaching the child to request a break provides a functional communication alternative to elopement. OPTION A: A physical barrier does not teach a replacement behavior and may not address the function. OPTION B: DRI may not directly address the function of escape. OPTION C: Time-out does not teach a replacement behavior and may not address the function. OPTION D: Time-out does not teach a replacement behavior and may not address the function.

Question 3

Your client engages in self-injurious behavior (SIB) when frustrated. Your intervention plan includes antecedent manipulation and extinction. The SIB increases for a short time after implementing the plan. What should you do?

A) Immediately change your intervention plan because it is not working.

B) Continue with the plan as this is a normal extinction burst.

C) Increase the intensity of the intervention and add punishment.

D) Consult with your supervisor and reassess the functional behavior assessment.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A temporary increase in the target behavior is expected when extinction is used. Continuing the plan allows you to see if the behavior will eventually decrease. Changing the plan prematurely (A) is unwise. Increasing intensity or adding punishment (C) is not indicated at this stage, nor is it the most ethical or effective route. While reassessment (D) might be needed later, the initial increase in SIB is expected with extinction.

Question 4

A BCBA is working with a client who engages in property destruction to gain access to tangibles. Which strategy should be prioritized to reduce this behavior?

A) Implement a Differential Reinforcement of Other behavior (DRO) schedule.

B) Teach the client to ask for tangibles using a communication device.

C) Use a response blocking procedure every time property destruction occurs.

D) Establish a punishment procedure for property destruction.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: CORRECT: Teaching the client to ask for tangibles provides a functional communication alternative to property destruction. OPTION A: DRO does not teach a specific alternative behavior. OPTION B: Response blocking does not teach a replacement behavior and may not address the function. OPTION C: Punishment does not teach a replacement behavior and may have negative side effects. OPTION D: Punishment does not teach a replacement behavior and may have negative side effects.

Question 5

You are working with a client who screams excessively. The screams are attention-maintained. Which intervention would be MOST effective?

A) Giving the client a preferred item every time they scream.

B) Implementing extinction by ignoring the screams.

C) Using a response cost procedure.

D) Extinction combined with functional communication training (FCT).

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: This option addresses both removing the reinforcement for screaming and teaching an appropriate replacement behavior for getting attention, addressing the function of the behavior. Simply ignoring (B) can lead to extinction bursts. Response cost (C) is also effective but less effective than FCT which addresses both sides of the behavior. Giving preferred items (A) would only reinforce screaming further.

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About BCBA Certification

The BCBA certification validates your expertise in behavior reduction procedures and other critical domains. Our comprehensive practice questions are carefully crafted to mirror the actual exam experience and help you identify knowledge gaps before test day.