BCBA Generalization and Maintenance Practice Questions - Free Mock Test 2025
Test your BCBA Generalization and Maintenance knowledge with 5 free practice questions covering programming strategies and long-term behavior change.
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About Generalization and Maintenance
Preparing for the BCBA exam in 2025? One of the most crucial—but often overlooked—sections is Generalization and Maintenance, which ensures that behavior changes are durable, transferable, and sustainable across people, settings, and time. This domain accounts for 8–12% of the exam, making it essential for exam success. In this article, you’ll find 5 high-quality BCBA practice questions specifically focused on generalization strategies, maintenance plans, stimulus control transfer, and more—all updated for the 2025 BCBA exam. Review these questions, read the explanations, and identify your weak spots before test day.
🧠 Domain Snapshot: Generalization & Maintenance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| BCBA Task List Section | Section G |
| Exam Weight | 8–12% |
| Main Focus | Promoting durable, generalized behavior change |
| Key Topics | Stimulus control, maintenance schedules, natural contingencies |
| Estimated Questions | Around 8–10 questions on the BCBA exam |
Key Topics:
- Types of generalization (stimulus, response, setting)
- Programming for generalization
- Maintenance strategies and schedules
- Transfer of stimulus control
- Natural contingencies and trapping
- Self-management and independence
- Follow-up and booster sessions
- Environmental modifications
📚 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Generalization refers to the spread of learned behaviors across different people, settings, or stimuli. Maintenance means the behavior continues over time after the intervention has ended.
A: Multiple exemplars are varied examples of a target behavior used during training. They help ensure the learner can perform the behavior across different situations and conditions.
A: Stimulus generalization is when a behavior occurs in response to similar stimuli. Response generalization is when the learner uses different behaviors that serve the same function.
A: They often use strategies like thinning reinforcement, using natural contingencies, training caregivers, and scheduling follow-up booster sessions to support long-term behavior change.
📝 Sample Practice Questions
Here are 5 authentic BCBA Generalization and Maintenance questions from our question bank:
Question 1
A behavior analyst is designing a maintenance plan for a client who has learned to use a communication device. Which of the following strategies is most effective for maintaining this skill over time?
A) Conduct daily training sessions indefinitely
B) Gradually fade out prompts while maintaining intermittent reinforcement
C) Introduce a new communication device
D) Use punishment for incorrect usage
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Gradually fade out prompts while maintaining intermittent reinforcement
Explanation: Gradually fading prompts and maintaining intermittent reinforcement helps sustain the behavior long-term and strengthens maintenance of the communication skill.
Question 2
A BCBA is planning a generalization strategy for a client who has learned to follow a daily schedule. What should be included in the plan?
A) Use the schedule only in the client's home
B) Introduce the schedule in different environments and with various activities
C) Limit schedule use to prevent over-dependence
D) Focus solely on morning routines
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Introduce the schedule in different environments and with various activities
Explanation: Introducing the schedule in different environments and activities helps the client generalize the skill across various contexts and situations.
Question 3
A BCBA is designing an intervention to help a client generalize social skills across different settings. Which strategy is most effective?
A) Conduct all social skills training in one setting to ensure consistency
B) Incorporate multiple exemplars and settings during training
C) Only train with peers the client is already familiar with
D) Focus on verbal instructions rather than role-playing scenarios
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Incorporate multiple exemplars and settings during training
Explanation: Using multiple exemplars and settings during training increases the likelihood of skill generalization across different environments and situations.
Question 4
A client has generalized a behavior across settings but struggles with maintaining it over time. Which approach should the BCBA take to address this issue?
A) Increase the intensity of the initial training sessions
B) Implement periodic booster sessions
C) Focus on teaching additional new behaviors
D) Use punishment for lapses in behavior
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Implement periodic booster sessions
Explanation: Periodic booster sessions can help reinforce and maintain the behavior over time, addressing long-term skill retention effectively.
Question 5
A client has successfully learned to initiate conversations with peers during structured play. What is a suitable next step to promote generalization of this skill?
A) Introduce the client to a new group of peers in the same play setting
B) Practice initiating conversations with family members at home
C) Increase the duration of structured play sessions with current peers
D) Focus on teaching the client to initiate conversations in non-play settings
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Practice initiating conversations with family members at home
Explanation: Practicing with family members at home involves different people and settings, promoting generalization across contexts and relationships.
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