Is the RBT Exam Hard and How Hard is it to Pass the RBT Exam
The RBT exam is moderately hard but highly passable, with a 70–80% first-time pass rate. It tests applied behavior analysis (ABA) concepts, ethics, and practical skills. With focused study and realistic mock exams, most candidates can pass confidently on their 1st attempt.
I’m sure you’ve probably heard mixed things about the exam.
Some say the RBT exam is easy. Others? Not so much. Well, to be honest, it lands somewhere in the middle, and it’s not impossible, but it does require the right strategy.
I’m gonna share with you in this guide and break down everything from how hard the RBT exam really is, why people fail, to exactly how to prepare for each section.
How Hard Is It to Pass the RBT Exam?
The RBT Exam is at a medium difficulty level to pass. It is not designed to trick you, but don’t expect it to be a cakewalk either. You’ll be tested on real-world scenarios, not just glossary terms, and call it a day.
I think, here’s what makes it really challenging:
- The Questions are scenario-based and not just memorization. So, you need to have a deep understanding of it.
- You need to understand terms in context, not in isolation.
- Test anxiety can sneak up if you’re not used to timed exams
- Scaled scoring also makes results hard to interpret without knowing how it works.
If you just Google or visit a few Reddit threads, you will find lots of comments full of people saying, “I thought I failed!” and then ended up passing.
Others walk in overconfident, don’t study the right way, and bomb it. So I guess it is your preparation that matters.
RBT Exam Stats
- Exam length: 85 questions (10 are unscored)
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Format: All multiple choice, one correct answer per question
- Passing score: 200 on a scale from 0–500 (this doesn’t mean 40%, it’s scaled)
- Retake limit: You can retake the test up to 8 times in 12 months
Here is a calculator that you can use to roughly estimate your performance.
How to Pass the Exam (Without Guessing)
This isn’t a content dump, and you need to know more than just definitions.
So, here’s my personal advice if you are gonna take this exam seriously.
- Start with the official RBT Task List (2nd or 3rd Edition, depending on your training). Click here for my mini guide on the task list if you are interested.
- Use mock exams weekly to get comfortable with pacing and question formats
- Focus more on the application, not just the definitions
- Treat Reddit and YouTube advice from those who have passed like goldmines, but cross-reference with legit sources.
- Track what you consistently get wrong from mocks and go back to those topics. By the way, in the exam results, you won’t know which one you got wrong or right.
- Review with someone who’s already passed or is a BCBA, and they’ll point out what matters more.
Top Study Materials (Ranked by My Personal Choice)
I did a few deep dives on the forums and Reddit threads and compiled a few materials that those who have passed this exam recommend. (Some of them helped me too when I was preparing.)
| Resource | Why am I recommending it? |
|---|---|
| ABA Wizard App | You will find Realistic mock exams, great explanations and it’s also affordable. |
| Behavior Development Solutions (BDS) | Similar to ABA, it has Realistic mock exams. |
| YouTube (e.g., Snaba) | If you are a Visual learners, you will find lots of exam breakdowns and full-length explanations. |
| Reddit (r/ABA, r/RBTExam) | Personally, I use it all the time. (For real interactions and advice) |
What Score Do You Need to Pass?
Here’s what confuses people, especially if you are a first timer, the RBT exam is scaled, not raw-scored.
Basically, you need a scaled score of 200 or more out of 500.
I have a guide on it in detail. Check this out if you want more clarity on how the marking works.
That doesn’t mean getting 40% correct. BACB uses a formula that adjusts for test difficulty.
It means two people could get different raw scores and both pass, depending on which version of the test they got.
By the way, this is unrelated, but for now, only English langauge is used to take the exam.
What to Do On Exam Day?
- Read questions fully — We all make this mistake of being in a hurry and skipping details while skimming through, and might miss out on details hidden in scenarios.
- Manage time smartly — Rather than spending time on one question until you solve it, flag tougher questions and return later after you have finished with the easier ones.
- Stay calm — Even if you fail this try, you still have 7 more tries to give in one year. So, don’t worry much about it. Take a deep breath, positive self-talk, and don’t second-guess your gut.
From my own experience, I can tell you that the RBT exam isn’t just about what you know; it’s about how well you can apply it under pressure.
If you train with the right tools, break each section into bite-sized review sessions, and do weekly mocks, I am sure you’ll pass and get through the exam.
