RBT Behavior Reduction Quiz | Practice For Free

Take RBT Behavior Reduction Quiz as this test is designed to help you practice core ABA strategies for decreasing challenging behaviors.

You’ll answer questions on interventions, reinforcement, and ethical guidelines, just like on the real RBT exam. Take the quiz now and see how ready you are.

RBT Behavior Reduction Quiz

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Question 1
A parent tells you, “My child only hits when you’re here.” You review your session data and see no change in behavior trends. What should you consider FIRST?
A
Argue that your data shows otherwise
B
Review generalization data across settings
C
Tell the parent that it's their fault
D
Ask to observe behavior at home immediately
Question 1 Explanation: 
Even if your data seems consistent, caregiver input can reveal environmental variables or setting-specific triggers. Your job isn’t to argue — it’s to gather more information and help your BCBA evaluate if generalization is lacking. The parent might be right — behavior can occur differently across settings. Review maintenance and generalization data before assuming the plan is solid.
Question 2
Your client is on a DRO (Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior) schedule to reduce hand-biting. During one interval, they engage in hand-flapping. You deliver reinforcement. Is this correct?
A
Yes — DRO means you reinforce any other behavior
B
No — DROs only allow reinforcement if no stereotypy occurs
C
Yes — as long as the target behavior (hand-biting) didn’t occur
D
No — all problem behaviors must be absent during the interval
Question 2 Explanation: 
In a DRO, reinforcement is given only when the specific target behavior does not occur for the set interval. Other behaviors (even stereotypic ones like hand-flapping) are not automatically excluded, unless they’re specified in the plan. In this case, hand-biting is the only behavior under DRO, so if it doesn’t happen during the interval, reinforcement is appropriate — even if flapping occurs.
Question 3
You are assigned to a non-vocal learner using PECS. During a session, the child hands you the “cookie” card, but the last reinforcer given was chips. You don’t have cookies. What’s the BEST action?
A
Give chips — they’re similar enough
B
Praise the request and redirect to another activity
C
Immediately provide the item requested or withhold reinforcement
D
Teach them to ask for chips instead
Question 3 Explanation: 
PECS is a manding system—when the learner makes a request (mand), the exact reinforcer requested must be delivered immediately to strengthen that communicative response. Giving something else (chips) breaks the contingency. If you don’t have the item, you should not reinforce and must document the missed opportunity and inform the BCBA to revise materials.
Question 4

You’re implementing a skill acquisition plan targeting receptive identification. The client consistently answers correctly only after you repeat the SD. What does this suggest?

A
The learner is engaging in differential reinforcement
B
The SD is unclear or poorly delivered
C
The learner has mastered the skill
D
Prompt fading is being done correctly
Question 4 Explanation: 
If correct responses only occur after repeating the SD, this suggests prompt dependency or that the learner has conditioned responding to multiple trials, not the original cue. It may also mean the initial SD lacks salience. You must inform your supervisor — this behavior shows faulty stimulus control, not mastery.
Question 5
You arrive at a home session and find the client in a new environment with construction noise and multiple siblings yelling. What’s your first move?
A
Begin the session anyway — it builds generalization
B
Leave and reschedule the session
C
Start the session but ignore all disruptions
D
Take data and note the environmental changes
Question 5 Explanation: 
Sessions should continue if it’s safe and ethical, but environmental changes must be documented to help your BCBA understand any performance variability. ABA is context-sensitive—noise, new settings, or emotional states influence behavior. Record the events, proceed cautiously, and adjust reinforcement demands if the environment makes learning harder.
Question 6
During group instruction, your client mimics other students’ disruptive behavior after seeing it reinforced. What is this an example of?
A
Imitation
B
Motivating operation
C
Stimulus fading
D
Automatic reinforcement
Question 6 Explanation: 
The client observed others receiving reinforcement for a behavior and imitated that behavior. Imitation occurs when a learner replicates another’s action within a short window following observation. While the function may still be attention or escape, the mechanism of acquisition here is through observational learning, which is foundational in behavior development.
Question 7
You see another RBT using physical prompting with a learner who has no such procedure in their plan. What’s your immediate responsibility?
A
Step in and stop the session
B
Report the concern to your BCBA immediately
C
Tell the parent and let them decide
D
Join the session to model correct procedures
Question 7 Explanation: 
RBTs must report unauthorized procedures immediately to their supervising BCBA. Using physical prompts without approval can be unethical or even harmful. You should not confront the other staff member directly or take over. Follow the chain of command and protect the learner’s safety through appropriate reporting.
Question 8
During a preference assessment, your client selects a toy truck repeatedly but throws it once obtained. What should you consider?
A
The truck is clearly reinforcing
B
The client has low motor imitation
C
The preference assessment may not reflect actual reinforcers
D
Throwing the item shows strong engagement
Question 8 Explanation: 
Just because an item is selected during a preference assessment does not guarantee it’s reinforcing. RBTs must differentiate between preference and reinforcement. If the item is thrown repeatedly, it may signal aversive reaction, escape function, or simply lack of functional use. Report to your BCBA to adjust reinforcer validation.
Question 9
Your client is learning to request help. During a task, she says “help” only when crying. You reinforce her by assisting. After 4 sessions, crying increases but mands decrease. What’s likely happening?
A
The learner is shaping her own responses
B
You’ve unintentionally reinforced problem behavior
C
Crying is under extinction
D
Task difficulty is too low
Question 9 Explanation: 
By reinforcing help only when paired with crying, you’ve likely reinforced the crying, not the mand. This is a common real-world error: when behaviors co-occur, reinforcement can shift to the undesired one. Your BCBA needs to separate the mand from problem behavior, possibly using differential reinforcement or prompted functional communication to strengthen help-seeking without crying.
Question 10
Your BCBA asks you to probe for generalization of a skill in a new environment. The client fails to demonstrate the skill, even though it’s mastered elsewhere. What does this indicate?
A
The skill is not generalized
B
The client is regressing
C
The probe was invalid
D
The BCBA taught the skill incorrectly
Question 10 Explanation: 
Mastery in one setting does not equal generalization. Generalization refers to the ability to perform a skill across people, settings, and stimuli. Probes test that flexibility. Failure here shows stimulus control has not transferred, which is common. You must document it and report to your BCBA to modify the plan with programming for generalization.
Question 11
You’re taking interval data on a client’s head-banging. During an interval, the client hits their head repeatedly and then stops before the time ends. What do you record for partial interval?
A
Mark “No” because it didn’t last the whole interval
B
Mark “Yes” because it occurred at any point in the interval
C
Mark “No” and describe intensity in notes
D
Skip the interval
Question 11 Explanation: 
Partial interval recording requires marking “yes” if the target behavior occurred at all, regardless of intensity or duration. This method tends to overestimate behavior, so it’s important the BCBA selects it intentionally. You may take note of intensity separately, but the interval must be scored “yes.”
Question 12
You observe your client complying with 5 demands in a row. The plan says to deliver a reinforcer after every third correct response. What should you do?
A
Reinforce now since it’s been 5 responses
B
Wait until the 6th response
C
Reinforce after the 3rd, then after the 6th
D
Switch to variable ratio reinforcement
Question 12 Explanation: 
The BCBA has implemented a Fixed Ratio 3 (FR-3) schedule — reinforce every 3rd correct response. That means you should reinforce after 3, 6, 9, etc. Reinforcing at 5 breaks the schedule. Keeping consistent with programmed reinforcement ensures data integrity and learner motivation remains predictable.
Question 13
You’re implementing a task analysis (TA) for handwashing using backward chaining. Which step should you prompt and reinforce?
A
The first step (turn on faucet)
B
Only the error step
C
All steps equally
D
The final step of the chain
Question 13 Explanation: 
In backward chaining, the RBT performs all steps except the final one, which the learner attempts independently. Reinforcement is delivered after the final step is completed correctly, building momentum backward. This method gives immediate contact with reinforcement, helping strengthen learning for terminal behaviors first.
Question 14
Your BCBA asks you to graph data. You’re unsure how and consider copying from another client’s chart. What ethical principle does this violate?
A
Integrity
B
Dual relationships
C
Competence
D
Consent
Question 14 Explanation: 
Copying data, even visually, is a serious breach of integrity. RBTs must honestly report what they know and can do, and ask for help when unsure. Creating fake or misleading data — even if intentions are harmless — violates the BACB Code. Data errors should be addressed transparently through supervision.
Question 15
A client shows signs of being ill (coughing, fever, low energy), but the caregiver insists you continue therapy. What should you do?
A
Continue if the client is still responsive
B
Stop and document the session as incomplete
C
Contact the BCBA and follow company illness policy
D
Ask the caregiver to observe and take over
Question 15 Explanation: 
Illness can impact safety, learning, and data validity. RBTs must never work when it’s unsafe or unethical. Even with caregiver insistence, the BCBA and clinic policies guide action. Sessions during illness may yield unreliable data or exacerbate symptoms. Always prioritize client well-being and follow your company’s health protocol.
Question 16
You’re taking duration data for task engagement. During the 10-minute session, the client works for 4 minutes, stops for 2, then resumes for 3 minutes. What’s the correct recorded duration?
A
4 minutes
B
7 minutes
C
10 minutes
D
6 minutes
Question 16 Explanation: 
Duration data involves measuring total time the behavior occurs. If the client was engaged for 4 minutes, paused for 2, then engaged for 3 more, the total is 7 minutes. You must measure from start to stop of each instance and sum them to report total engagement time.
Question 17
You notice a client's behavior plan contains outdated goals and discontinued interventions. What is your responsibility?
A
Keep following the plan until someone changes it
B
Update the plan yourself
C
Notify the BCBA and document inconsistencies
D
Only use what works and ignore the rest
Question 17 Explanation: 
RBTs are not permitted to write or alter behavior plans — but they’re required to report inconsistencies and ensure only current plans are implemented. An outdated plan may violate ethics, endanger the client, or yield invalid data. Documentation and supervisor notification are non-negotiable.
Question 18

A client begins scripting aggressively after being reinforced with a video clip. The plan doesn’t address scripting. What’s your move?

A
Redirect scripting silently and change reinforcer
B
Punish scripting to reduce risk
C
Add scripting reduction to the data sheet yourself
D
Document the behavior and notify BCBA immediately
Question 18 Explanation: 
New behaviors — especially potentially disruptive ones like scripting — must be documented immediately and sent to the BCBA. RBTs do not modify intervention plans or targets independently. Your responsibility is to observe, take ABC data if needed, and alert the team. Behavior change often reveals new topographies — that’s your job to catch.
Question 19
Your client is on a fixed-ratio reinforcement schedule for independently completing academic tasks. Recently, task refusal has increased specifically during transitions between preferred and non-preferred activities. Simultaneously, you notice that reinforcement delivery is delayed due to caregiver interruptions. The client has started scripting during the transitions, throwing materials during independent work, and requesting breaks every 3–4 minutes.
A
Reinforcement delay and increased response effort are creating escape-maintained behavior, possibly magnified by abolishing operations
B
The fixed-ratio schedule is too dense and needs to become variable to decrease scripting
C
The scripting is automatically reinforced and unrelated to the delay or transitions
D
The problem behavior is due to lack of task variety and token economy issues
Question 19 Explanation: 
The increased task refusal during transitions suggests an escape-maintained behavior, likely triggered by the transition from preferred to non-preferred tasks — a common EO (establishing operation).
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