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20 free RBT practice questions

Try an original mixed set across the six current RBT Test Content Outline domains, then use each rationale to choose what to review next.

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These are original Passy questions based on the current RBT Test Content Outline (3rd ed.). The set includes all six domains, but it is not weighted like the real exam. They are not official BACB questions and do not predict whether you will pass.

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Data Collection and GraphingStep 1 · Choose one answer

A technician records a tally mark every time a client independently requests a break. Which measurement procedure is being used?

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All 20 RBT questions with explanations

Try the set above first, then use this list to review. Each answer and explanation stays closed until you open it.

Question 1 · Data Collection and Graphing
A technician records a tally mark every time a client independently requests a break. Which measurement procedure is being used?
1. Duration recording
2. Frequency recording
3. Whole-interval recording
4. Latency recording
Show answer and explanation for question 1
Correct answer: B · Frequency recording
Tallying each independent request counts how often the behavior occurs. Duration would time how long a break lasts, latency would time the delay to the first request, and whole-interval recording would score whether the behavior filled an entire interval.
Look for this next time: Frequency counts occurrences. Match the recording method to the question the data need to answer.
Question 2 · Data Collection and Graphing
A supervisor asks for an estimate of whether a client is on-task during 10-second intervals and tells the technician to score the interval if the client is on-task at any point in it. Which method is this, and what is a common risk?
1. Whole-interval recording, which tends to underestimate the behavior
2. Partial-interval recording, which tends to overestimate the behavior
3. Momentary time sampling, which records only the last second of the session
4. Permanent-product recording, which requires a finished worksheet
Show answer and explanation for question 2
Correct answer: B · Partial-interval recording, which tends to overestimate the behavior
Scoring an interval if the behavior occurs at any point is partial-interval recording. Because a brief occurrence still marks the whole interval, the method often overestimates how much of the interval the behavior occupied.
Look for this next time: Discontinuous methods estimate occurrence. Know what each interval rule tends to over- or underestimate.
Question 3 · Behavior Assessment
A technician presents an array of leisure items, lets the client pick one, removes that item, and repeats with the remaining items. Which preference assessment is this?
1. Free-operant observation
2. Paired-stimulus assessment
3. Multiple-stimulus without replacement
4. Single-stimulus presentation
Show answer and explanation for question 3
Correct answer: C · Multiple-stimulus without replacement
An array is presented, the selected item is removed, and the array is presented again. That is multiple-stimulus without replacement. A paired-stimulus assessment presents two items at a time, and a free-operant observation records engagement without presenting successive arrays.
Look for this next time: Name preference assessments by how items are presented and whether selected items stay in the array.
Question 4 · Behavior Acquisition
After a client independently puts materials away, a noisy demand is removed, and independent clean-up increases in later sessions. Which procedure describes this?
1. Positive punishment
2. Negative punishment
3. Positive reinforcement
4. Negative reinforcement
Show answer and explanation for question 4
Correct answer: D · Negative reinforcement
A stimulus (the noisy demand) is removed after the response, and the response becomes more likely. Removal plus a future increase is negative reinforcement. Punishment would decrease the future probability of the response.
Look for this next time: Classify by both the change after the response and the later effect on that response.
Question 5 · Behavior Acquisition
A program uses the least help needed: the technician waits for independence, then a verbal cue, then a gesture, then a model if the client still does not respond. Which prompting approach is this?
1. Most-to-least prompting
2. Least-to-most prompting
3. Stimulus fading of the materials only
4. Time delay without any prompts
Show answer and explanation for question 5
Correct answer: B · Least-to-most prompting
Starting with the opportunity for independence and adding more assistance only as needed is least-to-most prompting. Most-to-least would begin with the most intrusive prompt and fade down.
Look for this next time: Identify prompt hierarchies by where they start and how assistance changes across attempts.
Question 6 · Behavior Acquisition
During snack, a client reaches for juice. The technician waits, models “juice,” and delivers the juice after a correct request instead of running discrete trials at the table. Which teaching format is this closest to?
1. Discrete-trial teaching in a structured array
2. Naturalistic / incidental teaching
3. Backward chaining of a leisure routine
4. A token economy without teaching trials
Show answer and explanation for question 6
Correct answer: B · Naturalistic / incidental teaching
The technician captures a naturally occurring motivating context and teaches the request there. That matches naturalistic or incidental teaching rather than a table-based discrete-trial sequence.
Look for this next time: Match teaching format to whether trials are instructor-arranged or captured in the natural routine.
Question 7 · Behavior Reduction
A client bangs the table. Staff immediately come over, ask what is wrong, and spend a minute talking. Table-banging then increases across days. Which function is best supported?
1. Automatic / sensory reinforcement
2. Escape from an academic demand
3. Access to attention
4. Access to a tangible item
Show answer and explanation for question 7
Correct answer: C · Access to attention
Social attention consistently follows the behavior, and the behavior increases. That pattern supports an attention function. The scenario does not describe demand removal, item delivery, or a clearly automatic consequence.
Look for this next time: Infer function from the consequence that reliably follows the behavior and the later change in that behavior.
Question 8 · Behavior Reduction
A plan withholds attention for shouting and delivers attention for a quiet hand raise. Which differential reinforcement procedure is this?
1. DRO for the absence of any behavior during an interval
2. DRA for an alternative communicative response
3. DRI for a physically incompatible motor response
4. Extinction without any reinforced alternative
Show answer and explanation for question 8
Correct answer: B · DRA for an alternative communicative response
A functionally related alternative (raising a hand to request attention) is reinforced while shouting is not. That is DRA. DRO would reinforce a period without shouting regardless of what else occurs, and DRI would require a response that cannot occur at the same time as shouting.
Look for this next time: Name DR procedures by whether they reinforce an alternative, an incompatible response, or the absence of the problem behavior.
Question 9 · Documentation and Reporting
A client arrives with a new fever and is unusually drowsy. Session data later look worse than last week. What should the technician do first?
1. Write that the client was noncompliant and continue without notifying anyone
2. Objectively document the change and notify the supervisor promptly
3. Change the behavior plan independently to make the data look better
4. Wait until recertification to mention the illness
Show answer and explanation for question 9
Correct answer: B · Objectively document the change and notify the supervisor promptly
Illness and drowsiness are variables that can affect progress. The technician should record what was observed and seek supervisor direction rather than inferring noncompliance or altering the plan alone.
Look for this next time: Report observable changes that may affect session data through the established chain of command.
Question 10 · Ethics
A coworker asks a technician to start a new prompting procedure the supervisor has not trained. The technician has not demonstrated competence with it. What is the most appropriate action?
1. Start the new procedure immediately to be helpful
2. Decline to implement the untrained procedure and seek supervisor direction
3. Watch a social-media video and then use the procedure
4. Tell the family the technician is now the case supervisor
Show answer and explanation for question 10
Correct answer: B · Decline to implement the untrained procedure and seek supervisor direction
RBTs provide services only after demonstrating competence and only under ongoing qualified supervision. An untrained procedure should be referred to the supervisor rather than improvised.
Look for this next time: Stay inside trained procedures and current supervision. Competence is demonstrated, not assumed.
Question 11 · Data Collection and Graphing
A technician starts a timer when a tantrum begins and stops it when the tantrum has been over for the time the plan defines. Which measure is this?
1. Duration
2. Frequency
3. Latency
4. Interresponse time
Show answer and explanation for question 11
Correct answer: A · Duration
Duration is how long a behavior lasts. Frequency would count episodes. Latency is the time from a cue to the start of a response. Interresponse time is the gap between responses, not the length of one episode.
Look for this next time: If the timer covers the behavior itself, you are recording duration.
Question 12 · Data Collection and Graphing
A graph of independent requests rises for three sessions, then drops to zero on the day the client was ill and left early. What is the most accurate reading?
1. The skill is lost and the program should be deleted
2. That session is not comparable until the illness and early departure are noted for the supervisor
3. The graph proves the reinforcement procedure caused the illness
4. Zero always means the client refused on purpose
Show answer and explanation for question 12
Correct answer: B · That session is not comparable until the illness and early departure are noted for the supervisor
A zero after an illness and a short session is a context note, not proof the skill disappeared or that reinforcement caused the illness. The technician records the condition and lets the supervisor interpret the trend.
Look for this next time: Write the condition that makes a point hard to compare. Do not invent a cause from one session.
Question 13 · Behavior Assessment
A supervisor asks an RBT to run a brief paired-stimulus preference assessment before a new program. What does the RBT do?
1. Present two items at a time, record the choice, and rotate items as the supervisor trained
2. Ask the client’s sibling which toy is the favorite and record that as data
3. Choose the item the technician likes and skip the trials
4. Change the assessment into a functional analysis of escape
Show answer and explanation for question 13
Correct answer: A · Present two items at a time, record the choice, and rotate items as the supervisor trained
A paired-stimulus assessment presents two items and records the selection. A relative’s opinion, the technician’s preference, or switching to a functional analysis changes the assigned assessment.
Look for this next time: Run the preference assessment you were trained to run. Do not substitute an opinion.
Question 14 · Behavior Assessment
During an ABC note, a demand is presented, the client drops to the floor, and the demand is removed. Which consequence is recorded?
1. The demand was removed after the behavior
2. The client was tired, so the function is automatic
3. The behavior happened because of a diagnosis
4. No consequence occurred because the demand was the antecedent
Show answer and explanation for question 14
Correct answer: A · The demand was removed after the behavior
The consequence is what followed the behavior: the demand ended. Tiredness and a diagnosis are not the observed consequence. The demand is the antecedent; removing it is a separate event.
Look for this next time: Write the event that came after the behavior. Do not jump from one note to a function.
Question 15 · Behavior Acquisition
A client independently ties a shoe for the first time, and the plan says to deliver praise and a token after independent correct responses. What should the technician do?
1. Deliver the praise and token
2. Withhold both so the client does not become dependent
3. Add three more prompts after the independent response
4. End the program because one correct response is mastery
Show answer and explanation for question 15
Correct answer: A · Deliver the praise and token
The plan specifies the consequence for an independent correct response, so that consequence is delivered. Withholding it, prompting after success, or calling one trial mastery all depart from the written program.
Look for this next time: Reinforce the independent response the way the current plan says to reinforce it.
Question 16 · Behavior Acquisition
A prompting plan says to wait 3 seconds, then use a gesture, then a partial physical prompt if needed. The client responds correctly at the gesture. What is the next technician action?
1. Stop the prompt sequence and deliver the programmed consequence
2. Continue to the physical prompt so every trial uses all prompts
3. Repeat the trial with a full physical prompt to be sure
4. Record the response as prompted at the physical level
Show answer and explanation for question 16
Correct answer: A · Stop the prompt sequence and deliver the programmed consequence
Least-to-most prompting stops when the client responds. Extra physical help would be more intrusive than the response required. The data should match the gesture prompt that was actually used.
Look for this next time: Stop at the prompt level that works. Do not record a prompt you did not use.
Question 17 · Behavior Reduction
A behavior plan says not to comment on shouting and to prompt a card touch, then deliver attention for the card. The client shouts. What should the technician do?
1. Avoid commenting on the shout, prompt the card, and give attention when the card is used
2. Explain at length why shouting is wrong
3. Give the attention immediately so the shouting stops faster
4. Remove the card so the client has to shout louder to be noticed
Show answer and explanation for question 17
Correct answer: A · Avoid commenting on the shout, prompt the card, and give attention when the card is used
The plan withholds attention for shouting and moves the client to the replacement response. A lecture can be attention. Giving attention for the shout, or taking away the replacement, teaches the opposite of the plan.
Look for this next time: Follow the written consequence and prompt the replacement. Do not improvise a lecture.
Question 18 · Documentation and Reporting
An RBT notices a new bruise and the client’s explanation does not match what the caregiver said. What is the first responsibility?
1. Report the observation to the supervisor immediately and meet your own mandated-reporting duty under state law and agency policy
2. Wait until the next monthly graph to mention it
3. Ask the caregiver to explain it privately and then decide alone whether it counts
4. Post a question in a group chat so other technicians can vote
Show answer and explanation for question 18
Correct answer: A · Report the observation to the supervisor immediately and meet your own mandated-reporting duty under state law and agency policy
A new injury with an inconsistent explanation is reported up right away. The RBT Ethics Code (2.0) also expects RBTs to know and comply with mandated-reporting requirements, so telling the supervisor does not replace your own legal duty. Waiting for a graph, investigating alone, or polling coworkers delays protection and can spread private information.
Look for this next time: Safety and possible abuse go to the supervisor now. Do not crowdsource the decision.
Question 19 · Documentation and Reporting
A session note says the client “was bad today.” Which revision is more useful?
1. “Client left the table 6 times after work demands. Returned with a gesture prompt on 4 of those times.”
2. “Client was manipulative and knew better.”
3. “Bad behavior continued. No data needed.”
4. “Client has a bad attitude at home too.”
Show answer and explanation for question 19
Correct answer: A · “Client left the table 6 times after work demands. Returned with a gesture prompt on 4 of those times.”
A useful note states observable actions and the counts or prompts used. Labels such as bad, manipulative, or attitude do not tell the supervisor what happened or what the technician did.
Look for this next time: Write what you saw and what you did. Leave the character judgment out of the note.
Question 20 · Ethics
A caregiver asks an RBT to add a new punishment procedure that is not in the behavior plan. What should the RBT do?
1. Decline to add it and tell the supervisor about the request
2. Add it for one day as a favor
3. Use it only if no one is observing
4. Ask the caregiver to write it into the plan and then follow that note
Show answer and explanation for question 20
Correct answer: A · Decline to add it and tell the supervisor about the request
An RBT implements the plan they were trained to implement. A new punishment procedure needs the supervisor, not a one-day trial, a private exception, or a caregiver edit.
Look for this next time: Do not add a procedure, especially punishment, because someone at the session asks for it.

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The rationale matters more than the score.

A short set can show you what deserves another look. It is intentionally small, so it cannot measure full RBT readiness or predict whether you will pass.

Answer before reviewing

Choose the best entry-level technician action, check it, and read the rationale before moving on.

Read every rationale

Confirm why the best option fits, even when you were right.

Follow the pattern

Use recurring misses—not one score—to choose your next focus.

Want the wider map? Read what to study for the RBT exam or how to tell reinforcement from punishment.

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20 original questions

20 free RBT practice questions

A technician records a tally mark every time a client independently requests a break. Which measurement procedure is being used?

All 20 RBT questions with explanations

A technician records a tally mark every time a client independently requests a break. Which measurement procedure is being used?

A supervisor asks for an estimate of whether a client is on-task during 10-second intervals and tells the technician to score the interval if the client is on-task at any point in it. Which method is this, and what is a common risk?

A technician presents an array of leisure items, lets the client pick one, removes that item, and repeats with the remaining items. Which preference assessment is this?

After a client independently puts materials away, a noisy demand is removed, and independent clean-up increases in later sessions. Which procedure describes this?

A program uses the least help needed: the technician waits for independence, then a verbal cue, then a gesture, then a model if the client still does not respond. Which prompting approach is this?

During snack, a client reaches for juice. The technician waits, models “juice,” and delivers the juice after a correct request instead of running discrete trials at the table. Which teaching format is this closest to?

A client bangs the table. Staff immediately come over, ask what is wrong, and spend a minute talking. Table-banging then increases across days. Which function is best supported?

A plan withholds attention for shouting and delivers attention for a quiet hand raise. Which differential reinforcement procedure is this?

A client arrives with a new fever and is unusually drowsy. Session data later look worse than last week. What should the technician do first?

A coworker asks a technician to start a new prompting procedure the supervisor has not trained. The technician has not demonstrated competence with it. What is the most appropriate action?

A technician starts a timer when a tantrum begins and stops it when the tantrum has been over for the time the plan defines. Which measure is this?

A graph of independent requests rises for three sessions, then drops to zero on the day the client was ill and left early. What is the most accurate reading?

A supervisor asks an RBT to run a brief paired-stimulus preference assessment before a new program. What does the RBT do?

During an ABC note, a demand is presented, the client drops to the floor, and the demand is removed. Which consequence is recorded?

A client independently ties a shoe for the first time, and the plan says to deliver praise and a token after independent correct responses. What should the technician do?

A prompting plan says to wait 3 seconds, then use a gesture, then a partial physical prompt if needed. The client responds correctly at the gesture. What is the next technician action?

A behavior plan says not to comment on shouting and to prompt a card touch, then deliver attention for the card. The client shouts. What should the technician do?

An RBT notices a new bruise and the client’s explanation does not match what the caregiver said. What is the first responsibility?

A session note says the client “was bad today.” Which revision is more useful?

A caregiver asks an RBT to add a new punishment procedure that is not in the behavior plan. What should the RBT do?

The rationale matters more than the score.

Answer before reviewing

Read every rationale

Follow the pattern

Choose your next step.

Try free practice

Build a study plan

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