How to Study for the RBT Exam in Just One Week | Daily Task

To study for the RBT exam in one week, follow a structured daily schedule, use mock tests, flashcards, and the ABA Wizard app. Focus on each task list domain, practice daily, and review weak areas using active recall and timed quizzes.

I know.. It’s a bit hopeful to study and pass the RBT exam in 7 days, but it can work, especially if you have already completed your 40-hour RBT training and understand the basics.

This guide walks you through how to organize your study schedule, what tools to use, how to review each section of the task list, and how to lock in the information, all without burning out.

Who Is This Guide For?

This plan is designed specifically for:

• Mid-level learners (you know the basics, but need structured review).
• People short on time (exam coming up fast? This is for you).
• Those who have completed their 40-hour training are eligible to test.

Please, If you haven’t finished the 40-hour training yet, come back to this guide once that’s done. Trust me, you can’t cram the whole course in one week.

Which Part of the Syllabus Should We Focus on for the Exam?

That was a trick question cause you need to prepare for them equally important. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to prioritize one over the others.

Domain	% of Exam	Approx. Questions
Measurement	12%	~21
Assessment	12%	~21
Skill Acquisition	32%	~56
Behavior Reduction	20%	~35
Documentation & Reporting	12%	~21
Professional Conduct & Scope	12%	~21

Total questions: You will get 85 in total (plus 10 pilot questions not scored)

Study Tools You’ll Be Using

I have compiled a few tools/websites and YouTube channels that will help you quickly get up to date and get ready for the exam in a crunch week:

• RBT Practice Mock Exam
• ABA Wizard App (for daily mock questions)
• StudyABA YouTube Channel (short, clear concept videos)
• BCBA or RBT Notes from Reddit and Quizlet (for flashcard-style review)
• Full-Length Mock Exams (I suggest you take 2, one midweek, one on Saturday)
• Pomodoro Timer App (study in 25-minute focus blocks with 5-minute breaks)

Memory Techniques That Will Help You

I want you to do what technique works best for you, but take a look at these few and try them all to see which one fits you.

• Spaced Repetition: You’ll review each domain at least twice this week.
• Active Recall: Flashcards, verbal self-quizzing, mock tests.
• Chunking: Group similar concepts (e.g., continuous vs. discontinuous measurement).
• Visual Mapping: Use diagrams or flowcharts to make sense of procedures.

Your RBT 7-Day Study Plan

I have broken down each day into time blocks. Of course this is not a fixed schedule and you can adjust times as needed, but keep the structure.

In the case you’re working a job, compress sessions or push them to early mornings/evenings and shift them to your schedule needs.

Day 1: Monday — Measurement + Intro Review

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

• Watch videos on frequency, duration, latency, and IRT
• Use flashcards to define continuous vs. discontinuous measurement

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

• Practice data recording with sample scenarios (e.g., how to take duration data on tantrums)

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

• ABA Wizard 20-question practice (Measurement only)
• Review missed answers + explanations

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Short notes or draw flowcharts of measurement processes
• Add problem areas to the revision list

Day 2: Tuesday — Assessment

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Define preference assessments (single, paired, MSWO)
• Compare direct vs. indirect assessment tools

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Watch examples on YouTube: conducting a functional behavior assessment (FBA)

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Practice quiz: 15 questions on Assessment
• Journal mistakes or confusing terms

Day 3: Wednesday — Skill Acquisition (Part 1)

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Learn prompting methods (least to most, most to least)
• Discrete Trial Training vs. Natural Environment Teaching

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Use flashcards: define SDs, reinforcers, generalization, and maintenance

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Mock drill: Write your own skill acquisition plan for brushing teeth
• ABA Wizard 10 questions: Skill Acquisition

Day 4: Thursday — Skill Acquisition (Part 2)

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Task analysis, chaining, shaping, and incidental teaching
• Error correction procedures

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

• Practice writing response prompts and procedures for a behavior goal
• Review terms like mastery criteria, baseline, and target response

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Mock Test (partial): 40 questions covering Monday–Thursday topics

Day 5: Friday — Behavior Reduction

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

• Define extinction, differential reinforcement, and antecedent intervention
• Understand how to write a behavior intervention plan (BIP)

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Watch YouTube: Crisis management, intervention strategies
• Make a sample BIP using a case (e.g., escape-maintained aggression)

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Quiz: Behavior Reduction
• Use the mistake log for Saturday’s revision

Day 6: Saturday — Mock Exam + Weak Areas

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Full-length mock test (85–90 questions)
• Simulate real test conditions, no distractions, timed (90 minutes)

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Review incorrect answers
• Focus on the 2 weakest domains (based on test results)

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Flashcard run-through of missed terms
• Light review of Professional Conduct (ethics, boundaries)

Day 7: Sunday — Final Review + Relaxation

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• Review Documentation, Reporting, Ethics
• Study the RBT Code of Ethics briefly

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

• 20-question quiz: mix of all domains
• Review questions slowly, no time pressure

Evening (optional)

• Take a walk, drink water, and go to bed early
• No cramming as your brain needs rest before exam day

Real-Life Advice from Reddit & Test Takers

• “Don’t skip the ethics section. It’s short, but those questions are easy to miss if you assume common sense applies.” – u/RBTthrowaway22
• “If you can explain the concept out loud to someone else, you’re ready.” – u/ABAStudent101
• “Mock exams helped me the most. I reviewed every question I got wrong—even if I guessed it right by luck.” – u/TechToBCBA

How to Stay Focused and Beat Stress During Exam Preparation?

I used to do all these techniques, and they really do help, especially a good night’s rest before the exam makes the most difference.

• Study in Pomodoro blocks (25 min on, 5 min off). Avoid burnout.
• Don’t multitask. Turn off notifications.
• On the night before your exam, skip the hard stuff. Sleep and let your mind take a breather for the next day.

My Personal Opinion

I think studying for the RBT exam in a week is intense, but doable only if you already know the basics.

So, stick to the plan, focus on weaknesses, and please, please don’t skip mock exams. Trust me you don’t need to be perfect, but just prepared enough to score above the passing range.

Good luck to you!