Getting ready for your Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam? Try this free RBT practice quiz with 15 selected questions that cover all key domains of the RBT Task List.
You’ll get an instant score at the end with helpful feedback:
- 0 – Need more practice!
- 40 – Keep trying!
- 60 – Not bad!
- 80 – Good work!
- 100 – Perfect!
This quick RBT test is ideal for self-paced study, last-minute review, or identifying areas to focus on. No login required.
RBT Practice Exam
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Question 1 |
Lena is recording frequency data on a client’s hand-flapping behavior during a 15-minute observation. Midway through, the BCBA changes the operational definition of the behavior to include only flapping above shoulder level. What should Lena do with her current data and observation?
Discard the previous data and restart the entire observation. | |
Continue using the old definition until the session ends. | |
Note the change in the definition and restart data collection with a new timestamp. | |
Stop the session immediately and consult the BCBA. |
Question 1 Explanation:
Lena should note the operational definition change and restart the data collection from that point, marking the time of the update. Consistency in definitions is critical for valid data interpretation.
Question 2 |
During a session, Marcus sees the learner start to tantrum. The caregiver asks him to use a punishment procedure she read about online. The BCBA hasn’t mentioned it. What is Marcus's ethical obligation?
Try the strategy once, then report to the BCBA. | |
Politely refuse and explain he can only follow approved interventions. | |
Use it only if the caregiver insists. | |
Ask the learner for consent before trying it. |
Question 2 Explanation:
RBTs may not implement procedures outside the BCBA's plan. Even if caregivers request it, ethical boundaries prohibit unapproved interventions.
Question 3 |
Jamal is taking partial interval data for off-task behavior. The BCBA asks him to switch to whole interval mid-session. The learner's rate of behavior is high. What is the BEST course of action?
Finish the session using whole interval recording. | |
Switch methods but record the time of the change and inform the BCBA. | |
Keep using partial interval but note the request. | |
Discard all data collected and restart the session. |
Question 3 Explanation:
While mid-session changes aren't ideal, documenting the exact time and informing the BCBA ensures data integrity and transparency.
Question 4 |
Your client has been hitting their sibling during transitions. The BCBA adds a DRA protocol. During the session, you see the behavior escalate. What should you do?
End the session immediately and report. | |
Physically intervene to stop the sibling from being hit. | |
Change the intervention temporarily to something less risky. | |
Continue the DRA procedure and collect detailed ABC data. |
Question 4 Explanation:
You must follow the behavior plan as written unless there’s a safety risk. Collecting ABC data while continuing the DRA helps inform future decisions by the BCBA.
Question 5 |
During a community outing, your client begins eloping into dangerous areas. There is no elopement protocol in the current plan. What should you do?
Restrain the client immediately. | |
Create a temporary elopement protocol yourself. | |
Remove the client from danger and inform the BCBA afterward. | |
Call the caregiver to take over. |
Question 5 Explanation:
RBTs are responsible for client safety. While they can’t independently create protocols, they must act to prevent harm and notify the BCBA for future planning.
Question 6 |
You’re using extinction to reduce screaming. The behavior increases in intensity and duration over the next few sessions. What is this called?
Stimulus generalization | |
Spontaneous recovery | |
Punishment effect | |
Extinction burst |
Question 6 Explanation:
An extinction burst refers to the temporary increase in frequency, intensity, or duration of a behavior when reinforcement is first withheld.
Question 7 |
A parent requests daily video updates of sessions. Your agency prohibits media sharing for confidentiality. What should you do?
Tell the parent you’ll check with the BCBA. | |
Take the videos and send them privately. | |
Let the parent record secretly if they insist. | |
Share the videos but don’t include the learner’s face. |
Question 7 Explanation:
RBTs must always follow organizational policies and BACB ethics codes. The request should be directed to the supervising BCBA.
Question 8 |
Your BCBA is late to provide supervision, and your 5% supervision quota hasn’t been met this month. What should you do?
Ignore it unless the BACB contacts you. | |
Continue working and assume they’ll catch up next month. | |
Inform your BCBA and document your concern in writing. | |
Ask a coworker to sign off supervision time. |
Question 8 Explanation:
RBTs are ethically responsible for ensuring proper supervision. Documenting concerns with the BCBA is essential if requirements aren’t met.
Question 9 |
You're assigned to a client with a trauma history. The plan includes escape extinction. What should raise a red flag?
Escape extinction can retraumatize if not used carefully. | |
All escape extinction is unethical. | |
You should ignore the history and follow the plan. | |
Reinforcement should replace all punishment procedures. |
Question 9 Explanation:
RBTs must be aware of how procedures affect individuals with trauma. Even evidence-based interventions require ethical reflection and BCBA review.
Question 10 |
You work with a non-vocal child who suddenly begins using vocal sounds appropriately. It’s not in your plan to reinforce these. What should you do?
Ignore it unless it’s disruptive. | |
Reinforce it immediately even if not in plan. | |
Punish it since it’s outside the skill target. | |
Collect ABC data and notify the BCBA. |
Question 10 Explanation:
RBTs should collect data on emerging behaviors and alert the BCBA, who can determine if shaping or reinforcement should be introduced.
Question 11 |
During a session, Mateo is instructed by his BCBA to implement extinction for aggressive behavior by withholding attention. However, the client begins self-injuring when attention is removed. What should Mateo do next?
Continue with extinction since aggression is the target | |
Redirect the self-injury silently without delivering attention | |
Immediately contact the supervisor and discontinue the extinction procedure | |
Apply punishment as a replacement for extinction |
Question 11 Explanation:
Self-injury is a medical and safety concern. RBTs must immediately halt any procedure that results in harm and notify the BCBA. Continuing extinction here is unethical and outside RBT scope.
Question 12 |
Janelle is tracking frequency data for a tantrum behavior but realizes halfway through the session she forgot to record the first three instances. What is the BEST response?
Estimate the missing data and move on | |
Restart the session with new data | |
Document the error and inform the BCBA | |
Leave the data sheet blank |
Question 12 Explanation:
The RBT must document all data collection errors honestly and report to the BCBA. Fabricating or omitting data violates ethical standards and compromises treatment.
Question 13 |
A supervisor asks Raj to run a DRA program. Raj notices that the learner’s replacement behavior isn’t actually functionally equivalent. What should he do?
Modify the program to make it equivalent | |
Continue implementing as written | |
Ask the parent to ignore the replacement behavior | |
Pause implementation and consult the supervisor |
Question 13 Explanation:
RBTs may not modify programs. If a replacement behavior doesn't match the function, it won’t reduce problem behavior. Consulting the supervisor ensures ethical treatment.
Question 14 |
During a session, Ava uses a token economy. The client begins to cry and refuses all tokens, saying they "don't care." What’s the BEST course of action?
Remove the token system and use verbal praise | |
Assess motivation and contact BCBA for alternatives | |
Force the client to earn tokens anyway | |
Switch to edible reinforcers without consulting |
Question 14 Explanation:
Token economies rely on motivation. If tokens lose value, RBTs must assess the client's MOs and notify the BCBA to adjust the plan. Acting independently is a violation.
Question 15 |
Niko is asked to use differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI). The client exhibits the problem behavior while also displaying the incompatible behavior. What should Niko do?
Reinforce both behaviors equally | |
Only reinforce incompatible behavior if problem behavior is absent | |
Punish the problem behavior after reinforcing | |
Ignore the incompatible behavior entirely |
Question 15 Explanation:
In DRI, reinforcement is only delivered when the incompatible behavior occurs without the problem behavior. Reinforcing both undermines the procedure’s goal.
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