BCBA Plan

Behavior Assessment: practice questions

2 original questions · 2 editor-approved · every choice explained.

Practice this topic

Blueprint-mapped questions with full rationales for every choice.

Start practice
Behavior AssessmentDifficulty 3/5

A functional analysis shows elevated responding in the attention condition and near-zero responding in demand, tangible and alone conditions. What does this support?

  1. AEscape from demands, since responding ends task presentation
  2. BAn undifferentiated pattern across conditions that requires modified analysis conditions
  3. CAutomatic reinforcement, since responding persists without any social consequence
  4. DSocially mediated positive reinforcement in the form of attention
Show answer and rationale

Correct: D. Differentiated elevation in the attention condition alone indicates behavior maintained by socially mediated positive reinforcement (attention). Automatic reinforcement typically shows persistent responding in the alone condition.

  • C — Automatic reinforcement usually produces high responding when alone.
  • A — Escape would elevate the demand condition.
  • B — The pattern is clearly differentiated.
Behavior AssessmentDifficulty 2/5

What is the main limitation of relying on descriptive ABC data to identify the function of problem behavior?

  1. AIt shows correlation between events and behavior but does not demonstrate a causal contingency
  2. BIt requires specialised software and training that most teams do not have
  3. CIt can only be used with verbal clients who can report their own antecedents
  4. DIt cannot be collected in natural settings where the behavior actually occurs
Show answer and rationale

Correct: A. Descriptive assessment records naturally occurring sequences without manipulating conditions, so frequently co-occurring consequences may not be the maintaining ones. A functional analysis manipulates conditions to test causal relations.

  • D — Natural settings are exactly where descriptive data are collected.
  • B — Paper recording is sufficient.
  • C — Verbal ability is irrelevant to ABC recording.

Primary references

  1. BCBA Test Content Outline (6th ed.), in effect since 2025 — Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) · primary · retrieved 2026-09-22, verified 2026-09-22