Free BCBA Behavior Change Procedures Practice Test 2026 — Board Certified Behavior Analyst Questions
This free BCBA Behavior Change Procedures practice test covers behavior change procedures — reinforcement schedules, shaping, chaining, prompting/fading, token economies, differential reinforcement (DRA/DRO/DRI), and BST. Each question includes a detailed explanation grounded in applied behavior analysis principles and the BACB Ethics Code.
Key Topics in BCBA Behavior Change Procedures
- Reinforcement Schedules
- Shaping & Chaining
- Prompting & Fading
- Token Economies
- Differential Reinforcement (DRA, DRO, DRI)
- Behavioral Skills Training (BST)
6 Free BCBA Behavior Change Procedures Practice Questions with Answers
Sample Question 1 — 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?
- A. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) (Correct answer)
- B. Task analysis
- C. Behavioral momentum
- 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 2 — Behavior Change Procedures
Which behavior change procedure involves systematically altering the antecedents and consequences to increase adaptive behaviors?
- A. Stimulus fading
- B. Functional communication training (FCT) (Correct answer)
- C. Behavioral skills training (BST)
- D. Token economy
Correct answer: B
Explanation: FCT involves teaching alternative communication responses that serve the same function as the problematic behavior, thereby addressing the antecedents and consequences to increase adaptive behaviors.
Sample Question 3 — Behavior Change Procedures
A client often refuses to complete morning routine tasks. The behavior analyst decides to use a high-probability request sequence. Which description best fits this procedure?
- A. Gradually increasing task difficulty over time
- B. Presenting a series of easy requests followed by a challenging one (Correct answer)
- C. Providing choices between tasks
- D. Using visual schedules to outline tasks
Correct answer: B
Explanation: A high-probability request sequence involves presenting a series of requests with a high likelihood of compliance (easy tasks) followed by a request with a lower likelihood of compliance (challenging task) to increase compliance with the challenging request.
Sample Question 4 — Behavior Change Procedures
A behavior analyst is using a token economy to increase on-task behavior in a classroom. What is an essential component of a token economy system?
- A. Establishing a punishment for not earning tokens
- B. Having a fixed ratio schedule for token exchange
- C. Clearly defining the target behaviors for earning tokens (Correct answer)
- D. Using tangible items only as tokens
Correct answer: C
Explanation: A critical component of a token economy is clearly defining what behaviors will earn tokens, ensuring consistency and understanding among all participants.
Sample Question 5 — Behavior Change Procedures
Which of the following is an example of using negative reinforcement to increase a desired behavior?
- A. Removing preferred activities when undesired behavior occurs
- B. Allowing a break from a non-preferred task contingent on task completion (Correct answer)
- C. Providing verbal praise for task completion
- D. Giving a token for every task completed
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus contingent on a behavior, increasing the likelihood of the behavior occurring again. Allowing a break from a non-preferred task after completing it serves as negative reinforcement.
Sample Question 6 — Behavior Change Procedures
A behavior analyst is teaching a child to request items using picture exchange communication. Which of these steps is crucial in ensuring the success of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?
- A. Starting with complex sentences immediately
- B. Ensuring the child can verbally label all the items
- C. Conducting a preference assessment to identify motivating items (Correct answer)
- D. Only using PECS in structured settings
Correct answer: C
Explanation: Conducting a preference assessment helps identify items that are motivating for the child, which is crucial for ensuring engagement and successful communication through PECS.
About the BCBA / Board Certified Behavior Analyst Exam
- Questions: 185 (175 scored + 10 unscored), multiple choice
- Time: 4 hours
- Passing score: Set by BACB (scaled, varies by form)
- Cost: $245 (application + exam)
- Validity: 2 years (renew with 32 CEUs)
- Provider: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
- Aligned with: BCBA Test Content Outline (6th Edition)
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