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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Psychology & Mental Health

Ready for an ABA Challenge? Take the Applied Behavior Analysis Test

Think you can ace our aba practice exam? Start your aba test now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Illustration for Applied Behavior Analysis quiz with practice questions on a golden yellow background

This applied behavior analysis test helps you practice core ABA skills and get exam ready with realistic scenarios. Review core principles , check your recall with practice Q&A , and spot gaps before the exam so you can focus your study better.

What is the primary focus of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
Modifying observable behavior
Prescribing medication regimens
Studying internal mental states
Analyzing genetic influences
ABA is primarily concerned with understanding and changing observable behaviors through systematic interventions. It relies on empirical measurement of behavior and its relationship to the environment. Internal states are not the direct focus, though they may be inferred.
Which term describes the antecedent, behavior, and consequence in ABA?
IV-DV analysis
Paired stimulus assessment
Multiple baseline design
Three-term contingency
The three-term contingency (antecedent-behavior-consequence) is the core unit of analysis in ABA. It helps practitioners understand how specific environmental events trigger and maintain behaviors. Manipulating any part of this contingency can alter behavior.
What type of reinforcement schedule delivers a reinforcer after a fixed number of responses?
Fixed ratio
Variable interval
Fixed interval
Variable ratio
A fixed ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a set number of responses, producing a high rate of responding with a short post-reinforcement pause. Unlike variable schedules, the response requirement is predictable. This schedule is commonly used to build new behaviors quickly.
Which principle involves withholding a previously delivered reinforcer to decrease a behavior?
Extinction
Positive reinforcement
Punishment
Shaping
Extinction involves discontinuing reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior, leading to a decrease in that behavior over time. Initially, extinction bursts may occur before the behavior reduces. Extinction must be consistent across all contexts for effectiveness.
What does ABC data recording stand for in ABA?
Antecedent, Baseline, Correction
Analysis, Baseline, Change
Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence
Action, Behavior, Control
ABC recording documents the Antecedent (what precedes the behavior), the Behavior itself, and the Consequence (what follows). This method helps identify functional relationships between environmental events and behavior. It's a basic but powerful data-collection tool.
Which term refers to a stimulus that precedes behavior and signals availability of reinforcement?
Motivating operation
Conditioned stimulus
Discriminative stimulus
Aversive stimulus
A discriminative stimulus (SD) signals that a particular response will be reinforced. It's part of the three-term contingency and sets the occasion for behavior. SDs help individuals discriminate when and where behaviors will be effective.
Which process involves reinforcing successive approximations to a target behavior?
Modeling
Shaping
Chaining
Prompting
Shaping is the differential reinforcement of successive approximations toward a desired behavior. It's used when the target behavior is not currently in the learner's repertoire. Each step closer to the target is reinforced until the final behavior occurs.
What is the term for a sequence of behaviors, each stimulus for the next behavior?
Chaining
Scanning
Fading
Prompting
Chaining breaks down complex behaviors into smaller components where each behavior produces the stimulus for the next. Forward, backward, and total-task chaining are common methods. It's effective for teaching multi-step skills.
Which form of data recording measures the duration of a behavior?
Latency recording
Duration recording
Interval recording
Frequency recording
Duration recording measures the total time a behavior occurs from onset to offset. It's useful for behaviors that last a considerable length of time, like tantrums or on-task behavior. This method helps quantify how long a behavior persists.
What is a primary reinforcer?
A generalized reinforcer
A social reinforcement like praise
A stimulus that is naturally reinforcing
A conditioned reinforcer paired with others
Primary reinforcers (unconditioned reinforcers) are inherently reinforcing because they satisfy basic biological needs, such as food, water, and warmth. They do not require pairing or learning to be effective. They are universally valued across individuals.
Which term refers to the sudden increase in behavior when extinction is first implemented?
Extinction burst
Prompt dependency
Spontaneous recovery
Resistance to extinction
An extinction burst is a temporary increase in the frequency, intensity, or variability of behavior when extinction is first applied. It's a normal part of the extinction process. Practitioners should be prepared to continue withholding reinforcement despite the burst.
What does a variable interval reinforcement schedule depend on?
Fixed number of responses
Unpredictable number of responses
Unpredictable time intervals
Fixed time intervals
A variable interval schedule provides reinforcement for the first response after varying time intervals, which are unpredictable. It produces steady, moderate response rates. This schedule is used to maintain behaviors over time.
Which method involves delivering prompts with decreasing assistance over time?
Chaining
Time sampling
Fading
Shaping
Fading gradually reduces the level or intensity of prompts as the learner begins to respond independently. The goal is full independence in the target behavior. Fading minimizes prompt dependency.
In a functional behavior assessment, which function is tied to obtaining attention?
Social-negative reinforcement
Social-positive reinforcement
Automatic reinforcement
Sensory extinction
Social-positive reinforcement involves behaviors that produce attention or tangible items from others. Attention-seeking behaviors often fall under this category. Interventions focus on teaching appropriate ways to request attention. APA - Functional Behavior Assessment
Which single-case design staggers the introduction of the intervention across behaviors or settings?
Changing criterion design
Alternating treatments design
Reversal design
Multiple baseline design
Multiple baseline designs implement interventions at different times across behaviors, settings, or subjects. This design demonstrates experimental control without withdrawal of intervention. Staggering helps confirm that behavior change is due to the intervention, not time.
What is the main purpose of a preference assessment in ABA?
Assess extinction effects
Measure baseline rates
Identify potential reinforcers
Evaluate stimulus generalization
Preference assessments help identify which stimuli are likely to function as effective reinforcers for an individual. Common methods include single-item, paired-choice, and multiple-stimulus assessments. Accurate preference assessments improve intervention success rates.
Which ethical guideline requires behavior analysts to maintain client dignity and respect?
Scope of competence
Integrity
Confidentiality
Client dignity
The BACB's ethical code emphasizes client dignity and respect, ensuring interventions are socially valid and culturally sensitive. Practitioners must avoid demeaning or stigmatizing procedures. Respect for autonomy is central to ethical practice.
In behavioral skills training, which component involves providing a demonstration of the target behavior?
Feedback
Reinforcement
Modeling
Role-play
Modeling in BST provides a clear example of the correct performance of the target behavior. It precedes rehearsal (role-play) and feedback. Demonstration helps learners acquire new skills efficiently.
Which measure captures whether a behavior occurs within specified continuous or discontinuous intervals?
Permanent product
Latency recording
Time sampling
Event recording
Time sampling records whether a behavior occurs in pre-selected intervals (partial, whole, or momentary). It's efficient for high-rate behaviors but may under- or over-estimate occurrence. Permanent product and event recording involve different metrics.
What is a motivating operation (MO)?
A procedure for decreasing behavior
A discriminative stimulus for punishment
An environmental variable altering the value of a reinforcer
A type of behavior chain
An MO changes the effectiveness of a stimulus as a reinforcer and influences current frequency of behavior. Establishing operations increase reinforcer value; abolishing operations decrease it. MOs are critical in functional analyses.
Which design evaluates two or more treatments by rapidly alternating them?
Alternating treatments design
Changing criterion design
Withdrawal design
Multiple baseline design
Alternating treatments (multi-element) designs compare the effects of different interventions by rapidly switching between them. They allow for quick comparisons and are useful when reversal is unethical. Care must be taken to avoid carryover effects.
Which term describes reinforcing a lower rate of behavior than currently displayed?
Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)
Differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL)
Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)
Differential negative reinforcement (DNR)
DRL reinforcement is delivered if the target behavior occurs at or below a predetermined criterion within a time period. It reduces but does not eliminate behavior, useful for behaviors that may be acceptable at low rates. It differs from DRA and DRO.
What distinguishes a generalized conditioned reinforcer from other conditioned reinforcers?
It has low resistance to extinction
It only functions for sensory behaviors
It's specific to one context
It's been paired with multiple unconditioned reinforcers
Generalized conditioned reinforcers are paired with a variety of unconditioned or conditioned reinforcers, making them effective under many conditions and not dependent on a specific MO. Money is a classic example. They maintain behavior across varied contexts.
Which component of a behavior plan specifies how often fidelity checks occur?
Behavior intervention plan
Treatment integrity plan
Functional assessment
Social validity assessment
A treatment integrity plan outlines procedures for monitoring and promoting accurate implementation of the behavior intervention plan. It details frequency of checks, data collection methods, and correction procedures. High fidelity is essential for effectiveness.
Which term refers to teaching a communicative response as an alternative to problem behavior?
Discrete trial training
Social skills training
Task analysis
Functional communication training
Functional Communication Training (FCT) replaces problem behavior maintained by a specific function with an appropriate communicative response. It begins with a functional analysis to identify the maintaining consequence. FCT is highly effective in reducing challenging behaviors.
What does interobserver agreement (IOA) assess?
Validity of a measurement system
Consistency of data between observers
Treatment integrity
Social acceptability of interventions
IOA measures the degree to which two or more observers record behavior in the same way. High IOA indicates reliable data collection. It's essential for validating behavior change data.
Which analytical method examines behavior under varying levels of reinforcement to identify an effective schedule?
Latency analysis
Progressive ratio analysis
Reinforcement schedule thinning analysis
Demand fading analysis
Reinforcement schedule thinning analysis systematically increases response requirements to ensure maintenance of behavior under leaner schedules. It tests the highest ratio or interval schedule that still maintains responding. This method helps prepare clients for naturalistic reinforcement conditions.
What is a behavior cusp?
A behavior that is always maladaptive
A single response in a multiple stimulus assessment
A behavior that opens new environments and learning opportunities
A minor behavior change with limited generalization
A behavior cusp produces contact with new environments, reinforcers, contingencies, and responses. Learning a cusp may result in rapid acquisition of complex repertoires. It contrasts with pivotal behaviors that produce widespread changes in other behaviors.
Which concept involves equivalence among stimuli without direct training of all relations?
Fading
Stimulus equivalence
Shaping
Chaining
Stimulus equivalence emerges when learners demonstrate reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity among stimuli after training some relations. It indicates generalized learning and categorization. It's foundational in complex verbal behavior research.
In a multiple schedule, what does a changeover delay help prevent?
Extinction bursts
Satiation on the reinforcer
Adventitious reinforcement due to rapid switches
Prompt dependency
A changeover delay (COD) is a brief pause following a schedule change to prevent responses from being reinforced under the wrong component. It ensures that reinforcement is contingent on clear discriminative stimuli. COD reduces adventitious reinforcement and improved control.
Which procedure pairs a neutral stimulus with an aversive event to evoke avoidance responding?
Conditioned aversive stimulus pairing
Stimulus fading
Automatic reinforcement
Positive punishment
Conditioned aversive stimulus pairing involves pairing a neutral stimulus with an aversive unconditioned stimulus, so the previously neutral stimulus comes to evoke avoidance or escape. It's a form of classical conditioning leading to conditioned aversiveness.
What is the differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA) designed to do?
Reinforce successive approximations to a target
Reinforce the absence of problem behavior
Reinforce an appropriate alternative to problem behavior
Reinforce a low rate of the problem behavior
DRA reinforces a functionally equivalent alternative behavior while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior. It reduces problem behavior by teaching replacement skills. It differs from DRO, which reinforces any behavior except the problem.
In stimulus equivalence, which derived relation emerges when A - B and B - C are taught?
Generalization gradient
Reflexivity (A - A)
Symmetry (B - A)
Transitivity (A - C)
Transitivity emerges when learners demonstrate A - C relations after training A - B and B - C. It completes the stimulus equivalence class along with reflexivity and symmetry. Transitive responding indicates the learner formed untrained relations.
Which reversal design includes a baseline, intervention, withdrawal, and reintroduction of intervention phases?
Multiple baseline design
ABAB design
Alternating treatments design
Changing criterion design
The ABAB design features an initial baseline (A), treatment (B), return to baseline (A), and final treatment (B). This structure demonstrates experimental control by showing behavior changes correspond to intervention phases. It requires reversible behaviors.
Which concept describes the weakening of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is presented without the unconditioned stimulus?
Operant extinction
Classical extinction
Habituation
Spontaneous recovery
Classical extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is repeatedly presented without the unconditioned stimulus, leading to a reduction in the conditioned response. It differs from operant extinction, which removes reinforcement for an operant response. Over time, the CR diminishes.
What distinguishes a changing criterion design from other single-case designs?
Withdrawal of intervention after each phase
Gradual shifts in performance criteria during intervention
Simultaneous baselines across behaviors
Rapid alternation of multiple treatments
A changing criterion design evaluates the effects of an intervention by requiring the target behavior to meet progressively changing performance criteria over phases. It shows experimental control by demonstrating behavior changes corresponding to each criterion shift. It's ideal for shaping continuous improvements.
Which analysis identifies whether behavior is maintained by automatic reinforcement?
Escape condition
Sensory functional analysis condition
Demand condition
Attention condition
The sensory (automatic) condition in functional analysis isolates behavior from social consequences, allowing only sensory consequences. If the behavior persists, it indicates automatic reinforcement. This condition contrasts with social functions like attention or escape. Springer - Functional Analysis
In verbal behavior analysis, what is the speaker's response to another's verbal behavior called?
Tact
Listener behavior
Intraverbal
Mand
Listener behavior refers to covert or overt responses under the control of a speaker's verbal behavior. It includes following instructions or answering questions. Listener skills are essential for functional communication.
What is a compound schedule of reinforcement?
A combination of positive and negative punishment
A schedule alternating purposes daily
Two or more basic schedules operating in sequence or conjunction
A schedule with only ratio and interval components
Compound schedules integrate multiple basic schedules (e.g., FR, FI, VR, VI) either in sequence (chain), alternating components (mult), or combined contingencies (conjunctive, conjunctive). They allow complex control over behavior patterns. Understanding compound schedules is critical for advanced behavior interventions.
Which analysis uses parametric assessment to examine how varying dimensions of a stimulus affect behavior?
Parametric stimulus analysis
Functional communication analysis
Task analysis
Stimulus generalization test
Parametric stimulus analysis systematically varies dimensions (e.g., intensity, duration) of an antecedent or consequence to identify thresholds and optimal values. It provides precise data for customizing interventions. This approach refines stimulus control over behavior.
In advanced single-case design, what is the purpose of a changing tolerance window in schedule thinning?
Prevent any deviation from baseline performance
Allow gradual relaxation of response criteria while maintaining behavior
Increase prompt levels systematically
Ensure maximum reinforcement density
A changing tolerance window broadens acceptable response latencies or rates during schedule thinning, facilitating maintenance of behavior under sparser reinforcement. It balances transition to naturalistic schedules and prevents extinction. This advanced tactic supports long-term generalization.
Which advanced concept describes cultural practices shaped by metacontingencies rather than individual contingencies?
Macrobehavioral analysis
Group contingency
Relational frame theory
Metacontingency analysis
Metacontingency analysis studies cultural-level practices maintained by interlocking behavioral contingencies and aggregate products. It extends ABA principles to groups and societal behaviors. Understanding metacontingencies is vital for macro-level interventions.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Assess ABA Core Concepts -

    Evaluate your grasp of fundamental applied behavior analysis test principles, including reinforcement, punishment, and behavior functions.

  2. Analyze Behavior Change Strategies -

    Identify and differentiate key ABA intervention techniques to modify behavior in real-world scenarios effectively.

  3. Apply Data Collection Methods -

    Demonstrate accurate use of measurement systems and data recording procedures commonly featured in ABA practice exams.

  4. Interpret Functional Assessment Results -

    Analyze functional behavior assessments to determine antecedents, behaviors, and consequences for targeted interventions.

  5. Differentiate Reinforcement Schedules -

    Compare continuous and intermittent reinforcement schedules and predict their impact on behavior maintenance.

  6. Evaluate Ethical Guidelines -

    Apply professional and ethical standards to case scenarios, ensuring compliance with BACB requirements during the aba mock exam free.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Principles of Reinforcement -

    Understand positive vs negative reinforcement by learning how adding or removing stimuli shapes behavior (Cooper, Heron & Heward, 2007). Use the mnemonic RASA (Response, Antecedent, Stimulus change, Assessment) to recall key elements and watch for these on your applied behavior analysis exam.

  2. Schedules of Reinforcement -

    Differentiate continuous and intermittent schedules - like fixed-ratio (FR) or variable-interval (VI) - to predict response patterns in real-world scenarios (Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis). Mint the phrase "VR-Five Keeps Response Alive" to remember that variable-ratio schedules yield high, steady rates and appear frequently on aba practice exam questions.

  3. Measurement & Data Collection -

    Grasp event recording for tallying discrete behaviors and momentary time sampling for continuous actions, ensuring you meet BACB standards for reliability. Accurate measurement underpins success in any applied behavior analysis test, so practice charting frequencies and durations until it feels second nature.

  4. Functional Behavior Assessment -

    Master ABC data collection (Antecedent - Behavior - Consequence) and descriptive vs. experimental FA methods to uncover behavior functions (Smith & Iwata, 1997). This skill is vital for both real cases and aba mock exam free scenarios, so rehearse writing clear, concise hypotheses linking A to C.

  5. Behavior Intervention Plans -

    Designing function-based BIPs involves selecting antecedent modifications, teaching alternative skills, and reinforcement strategies aligned with the BACB task list. Review sample intervention templates and role-play delivery to build fluency for your aba test and applied behavior analysis exam alike.

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