Free BCBA Practice Test 2026

Master the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam with our comprehensive practice test featuring 1,418+ questions covering all 9 BACB Task List 5 domains.

BCBA Exam Domains

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Our BCBA practice tests are designed by behavior analysts and updated for the 2026 exam. Get instant feedback, detailed explanations, and track your progress across all Task List 5 domains.

10 Free BCBA Practice Questions with Answers

Sample Question 1 — Behavior Assessment

A 6-year-old client frequently engages in disruptive behaviors (e.g., hitting, screaming) during transitions at school. The teacher reports these behaviors occur across settings and with various adults. What is the BEST initial step to conduct a functional behavior assessment (FBA)?

  1. A. Implement a behavior intervention plan (BIP) focusing on positive reinforcement.
  2. B. Immediately begin extinction procedures to eliminate the disruptive behaviors.
  3. C. Conduct indirect assessments, such as interviews with the teacher and parents, and review relevant records. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Begin direct observation to identify the antecedents and consequences of the behaviors.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Indirect assessments should precede direct observation. Gathering information from various sources (interviews, records) provides a preliminary understanding of the behavior, allowing for more focused direct observation. Options A and B are premature without a proper FBA. Option D, while important, is incomplete without the initial indirect assessment phase.

Sample Question 2 — Behavior Change Procedures

A behavior analyst is working with a client who engages in self-injurious behavior (SIB) when asked to complete academic tasks. Which of the following behavior change procedures is most appropriate for decreasing SIB?

  1. A. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) (Correct answer)
  2. B. Task analysis
  3. C. Behavioral momentum
  4. D. Incidental teaching

Correct answer: A

Explanation: DRA involves reinforcing a desirable alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior. This can effectively reduce SIB by providing reinforcement for engaging in appropriate behaviors instead.

Sample Question 3 — Behavior Reduction Procedures

A 7-year-old client with autism frequently engages in hand-flapping during transitions. Functional assessment suggests this is maintained by automatic reinforcement. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?

  1. A. Extinction of hand-flapping combined with positive reinforcement for appropriate transition behaviors.
  2. B. Response blocking of hand-flapping with no replacement behavior taught.
  3. C. Ignoring hand-flapping and only providing attention when the child is engaged in other activities.
  4. D. Providing a competing sensory activity to reduce the need for self-stimulatory behavior. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: When a behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement, the most appropriate intervention targets the sensory consequences produced by the behavior itself. Providing a competing sensory activity (also called a competing stimulus or matched stimulation) gives the learner access to similar or functionally equivalent sensory input, thereby reducing the motivation to engage in hand-flapping during transitions. This approach is evidence-based and commonly recommended for automatically reinforced stereotypy. Why the other options are less appropriate: A: Extinction for automatically reinforced behavior is often impractical or ineffective because the reinforcement is internally produced and cannot be easily withheld. While reinforcing appropriate transitions is good practice, extinction alone does not address the sensory function. B: Response blocking without teaching a replacement behavior is overly restrictive, may increase problem behavior, and does not address the underlying sensory need. C: Ignoring the behavior targets socially mediated attention functions, which is inconsistent with the functional assessment indicating automatic reinforcement.

Sample Question 4 — Discrete Trial Teaching

During a discrete trial teaching (DTT) session with a 4-year-old client with autism, the client consistently fails to respond to the instruction "Touch red." The therapist has attempted several prompts but the client remains unresponsive. What is the BEST course of action?

  1. A. Continue presenting the same instruction with increased prompting until the client responds correctly.
  2. B. Immediately switch to a different task or activity to avoid frustration.
  3. C. Conduct a brief error analysis to determine the reason for the non-response (e.g., lack of understanding, difficulty with discrimination, etc.) and adjust the instruction or materials accordingly. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Increase the intensity of prompts until the client responds, regardless of the client's level of frustration.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Option C is best because it involves a systematic approach to problem-solving. Before escalating prompts or changing tasks, it's crucial to analyze the reason for the non-response. This might involve simplifying the instruction, using different materials, or ensuring the client understands the target behavior. Options A and D risk increasing frustration and potential negative behavior without addressing the root cause. Option B avoids addressing the skill deficit.

Sample Question 5 — Documentation and Reporting

A BCBA is working with a client who exhibits challenging behaviors in a school setting. The teacher requests a summary of the intervention plan and progress to date for an upcoming IEP meeting. What is the MOST appropriate course of action?

  1. A. Provide a brief verbal summary of the intervention to the teacher.
  2. B. Send the teacher a copy of the full intervention plan and all data sheets.
  3. C. Prepare a concise written report summarizing the intervention goals, progress, and next steps, while maintaining client confidentiality. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Decline to share any information with the teacher due to privacy concerns.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Option C is the most appropriate because it balances the need for clear communication with maintaining client confidentiality. A concise written report allows for efficient communication without compromising the client's privacy. Options A and B are inadequate; A is insufficiently detailed, and B is overly detailed and potentially a breach of confidentiality. Option D is unethical as it hinders appropriate collaboration and service delivery.

Sample Question 6 — Experimental Design

A BCBA is conducting a functional analysis to determine the function of a client's aggressive behavior. During the attention condition, the client receives brief attention contingent on aggression. During the control condition, the client receives continuous attention with no consequences for aggression. What type of experimental design is being used?

  1. A. Reversal design (A-B-A-B)
  2. B. Multiple baseline design
  3. C. Multielement design (Correct answer)
  4. D. Changing criterion design

Correct answer: C

Explanation: A multielement design (also called alternating treatments design) involves rapidly alternating between different conditions within the same time period. Functional analysis typically uses this design to compare different conditions (attention, escape, tangible, control) in a counterbalanced manner to isolate the maintaining variables of problem behavior.

Sample Question 7 — Foundations of Behavior Analysis

A 7-year-old client with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engages in hand-flapping when transitioning between activities. During a functional assessment, you discover the flapping reduces his anxiety. Which intervention is MOST ethically and effectively aligned with ABA principles?

  1. A. Immediately suppress hand-flapping using reprimands and physical restraints.
  2. B. Ignore the hand-flapping completely, hoping it will extinguish naturally.
  3. C. Teach alternative coping skills (e.g., deep breathing) and reinforce their use during transitions, gradually fading reinforcement as the skills improve. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Administer a mild punishment every time hand-flapping occurs.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Option C aligns with ABA principles by teaching a replacement behavior (coping skills) and using positive reinforcement to increase adaptive responses. Options A and D are ethically problematic and potentially harmful, involving punishment and physical restraints. Option B is passive and may not be effective. The BACB Ethics Code emphasizes positive behavior support and avoiding punishment unless absolutely necessary and with appropriate safeguards.

Sample Question 8 — Generalization and Maintenance

A behavior analyst teaches a child to greet others by saying 'hello' at home. To promote generalization, what should the analyst do next?

  1. A. Only practice greetings at home until mastered.
  2. B. Reinforce greetings only in the presence of family members.
  3. C. Practice greeting behavior in various settings like school and parks. (Correct answer)
  4. D. Gradually reduce the reinforcement for the greeting behavior at home.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Practicing the greeting behavior in various settings helps the child learn to apply the skill across different environments, promoting generalization.

Sample Question 9 — Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice

A BCBA working in a school setting observes a teacher using physical punishment to manage a student's disruptive behavior. What is the BCBA's ethical and professional responsibility?

  1. A. Discreetly observe and continue documenting the student's behavior.
  2. B. Immediately report the incident to the school principal and child protective services, documenting the event thoroughly. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Advise the teacher on more appropriate behavior management strategies, emphasizing positive reinforcement.
  4. D. Inform the teacher of the potential legal implications and advise them to cease this practice.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Option B aligns with the BACB's ethical code regarding reporting suspected abuse or neglect. Physical punishment is illegal and unethical in many contexts. While options C and D might be part of a larger response, immediate reporting is paramount. Option A is a failure to act responsibly.

Sample Question 10 — Supervision and Personnel Management

You are supervising a new RBT who consistently arrives late to sessions. After verbal warnings, the lateness continues. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. A. Immediately terminate the RBT's employment.
  2. B. Document the tardiness, meet with the RBT to discuss the issue and create a performance improvement plan (PIP), and provide additional supervision. (Correct answer)
  3. C. Inform the client's family about the RBT's unreliability.
  4. D. Ignore the issue; it's a minor infraction.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Option B aligns with ethical and effective supervision practices. Documenting the issue is crucial for accountability. A PIP provides a structured plan for improvement, offering support and clear expectations. Immediate termination (A) is premature without a documented attempt at remediation. Informing the family (C) is a breach of confidentiality unless the client's safety or well-being is directly at risk. Ignoring the issue (D) is negligent and unprofessional.

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