WGU C215 Operations Management Study Pack – 150
Practice Questions with Detailed Explanations for OA
Success
1. A student frequently calls out in class to get the teacher's attention. The teacher decides
to ignore the calling out and only provide attention when the student raises their hand.
What ABA technique is being used?
A. Punishment
B. Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
C. Response Cost
D. Negative Reinforcement
Explanation: DRA involves reinforcing a specific desirable alternative behavior
(hand raising) while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior (calling out).
2. Which document is required to be developed after a Functional Behavior Assessment
(FBA) determines that a student’s behavior interferes with their learning or the learning
of others?
A. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
B. Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
C. 504 Plan
D. Summary of Performance
Explanation: A BIP is the formal plan that takes the data from the FBA and
outlines specific strategies, interventions, and support systems to address the behavior.
3. In the ABC model of behavior, a loud noise occurs (A), a student covers their ears (B),
and the sound is muffled (C). The student is now more likely to cover their ears when
they hear a loud noise. This is an example of:
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Positive Punishment
D. Negative Punishment
Explanation: Negative Reinforcement occurs when a stimulus (the loud noise) is
removed or avoided following a behavior, which increases the future frequency of that
behavior.
,4. A teacher is using "Time-Out" by removing a student from a reinforcing environment for
a brief period following a disruptive act. This is categorized as:
A. Positive Punishment
B. Negative Punishment
C. Extinction
D. Shaping
Explanation: Negative Punishment involves the removal of a preferred stimulus
or environment to decrease the occurrence of a behavior.
5. Which of the following is considered an "Antecedent" strategy?
A. Giving a sticker for good work
B. Using a visual schedule to transition between subjects
C. Sending a student to the office
D. Losing five minutes of recess
Explanation: Antecedent strategies are proactive changes made to the
environment or routine to prevent a behavior from occurring before it starts.
6. What is the primary purpose of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)?
A. To determine a medical diagnosis
B. To identify the underlying purpose or "why" of a behavior
C. To provide a reason for suspension
D. To rank a student’s behavior against peers
Explanation: The goal of an FBA is to identify the function of the behavior—
usually classified as escape, attention, tangible, or sensory.
7. A student is taught to use a "break card" instead of throwing their book when they are
frustrated with a math assignment. What is the function of the throwing behavior?
A. Attention
B. Escape/Avoidance
C. Sensory Stimulation
D. Tangible
Explanation: Since the student is frustrated with the task, the behavior is likely
used to Escape the academic demand; providing a break card offers a functional
replacement.
8. When a teacher provides a reward only after a student completes a specific number of
tasks (e.g., every 5 problems), what reinforcement schedule is being used?
, A. Variable Interval
B. Fixed Ratio
C. Fixed Interval
D. Continuous Reinforcement
Explanation: A Fixed Ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a set,
predictable number of responses.
9. Which term describes the process of breaking down a complex skill into smaller,
teachable steps?
A. Generalization
B. Task Analysis
C. Prompting
D. Fading
Explanation: Task Analysis is a foundational ABA component used to teach
complex chains of behavior by mastering one small step at a time.
10. A teacher notices a student is tapping their pencil rhythmically during a quiet test. The
student appears focused and does not stop when others look at them. What is the likely
function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Sensory/Automatic
D. Tangible
Explanation: Sensory functions (or automatic reinforcement) occur because the
behavior itself feels good or provides internal stimulation, independent of social
consequences.
11. A teacher uses a "First/Then" board to help a student complete a non-preferred
math task before getting to play with a tablet. This is an application of:
A. The Premack Principle
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Extinction
D. Response Cost
Explanation: The Premack Principle states that a high-probability behavior
(playing on a tablet) can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior (doing math).
, 12. Within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, which tier represents
intensive, individualized interventions for a small percentage of students?
A. Tier 1
B. Tier 2
C. Tier 3
D. Tier 4
Explanation: Tier 3 provides the most intensive level of support, often involving
one-on-one interventions and formal FBAs.
13. A student is learning to stay in their seat during a 20-minute lesson. The teacher initially
rewards the student for staying seated for 2 minutes, then 5, then 10. This is called:
A. Modeling
B. Shaping
C. Fading
D. Chaining
Explanation: Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target
behavior until the final desired behavior is achieved.
14. Which ethical guideline is most important when implementing a Behavior Intervention
Plan (BIP) that includes a restrictive procedure?
A. Use the least restrictive alternative
B. Ensure the student likes the teacher
C. Use the most powerful punishment first
D. Only implement the plan during recess
Explanation: Ethical ABA practice requires using the least restrictive and most
positive interventions possible before moving to more intrusive measures.
15. A student who has mastered a social skill in the special education classroom is now
able to use that same skill on the playground. This is an example of:
A. Maintenance
B. Discrimination
C. Generalization
D. Acquisition
Explanation: Generalization occurs when a student applies a learned skill across
different settings, people, or materials.
Practice Questions with Detailed Explanations for OA
Success
1. A student frequently calls out in class to get the teacher's attention. The teacher decides
to ignore the calling out and only provide attention when the student raises their hand.
What ABA technique is being used?
A. Punishment
B. Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
C. Response Cost
D. Negative Reinforcement
Explanation: DRA involves reinforcing a specific desirable alternative behavior
(hand raising) while withholding reinforcement for the problem behavior (calling out).
2. Which document is required to be developed after a Functional Behavior Assessment
(FBA) determines that a student’s behavior interferes with their learning or the learning
of others?
A. Individualized Education Program (IEP)
B. Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
C. 504 Plan
D. Summary of Performance
Explanation: A BIP is the formal plan that takes the data from the FBA and
outlines specific strategies, interventions, and support systems to address the behavior.
3. In the ABC model of behavior, a loud noise occurs (A), a student covers their ears (B),
and the sound is muffled (C). The student is now more likely to cover their ears when
they hear a loud noise. This is an example of:
A. Positive Reinforcement
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Positive Punishment
D. Negative Punishment
Explanation: Negative Reinforcement occurs when a stimulus (the loud noise) is
removed or avoided following a behavior, which increases the future frequency of that
behavior.
,4. A teacher is using "Time-Out" by removing a student from a reinforcing environment for
a brief period following a disruptive act. This is categorized as:
A. Positive Punishment
B. Negative Punishment
C. Extinction
D. Shaping
Explanation: Negative Punishment involves the removal of a preferred stimulus
or environment to decrease the occurrence of a behavior.
5. Which of the following is considered an "Antecedent" strategy?
A. Giving a sticker for good work
B. Using a visual schedule to transition between subjects
C. Sending a student to the office
D. Losing five minutes of recess
Explanation: Antecedent strategies are proactive changes made to the
environment or routine to prevent a behavior from occurring before it starts.
6. What is the primary purpose of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)?
A. To determine a medical diagnosis
B. To identify the underlying purpose or "why" of a behavior
C. To provide a reason for suspension
D. To rank a student’s behavior against peers
Explanation: The goal of an FBA is to identify the function of the behavior—
usually classified as escape, attention, tangible, or sensory.
7. A student is taught to use a "break card" instead of throwing their book when they are
frustrated with a math assignment. What is the function of the throwing behavior?
A. Attention
B. Escape/Avoidance
C. Sensory Stimulation
D. Tangible
Explanation: Since the student is frustrated with the task, the behavior is likely
used to Escape the academic demand; providing a break card offers a functional
replacement.
8. When a teacher provides a reward only after a student completes a specific number of
tasks (e.g., every 5 problems), what reinforcement schedule is being used?
, A. Variable Interval
B. Fixed Ratio
C. Fixed Interval
D. Continuous Reinforcement
Explanation: A Fixed Ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a set,
predictable number of responses.
9. Which term describes the process of breaking down a complex skill into smaller,
teachable steps?
A. Generalization
B. Task Analysis
C. Prompting
D. Fading
Explanation: Task Analysis is a foundational ABA component used to teach
complex chains of behavior by mastering one small step at a time.
10. A teacher notices a student is tapping their pencil rhythmically during a quiet test. The
student appears focused and does not stop when others look at them. What is the likely
function?
A. Attention
B. Escape
C. Sensory/Automatic
D. Tangible
Explanation: Sensory functions (or automatic reinforcement) occur because the
behavior itself feels good or provides internal stimulation, independent of social
consequences.
11. A teacher uses a "First/Then" board to help a student complete a non-preferred
math task before getting to play with a tablet. This is an application of:
A. The Premack Principle
B. Negative Reinforcement
C. Extinction
D. Response Cost
Explanation: The Premack Principle states that a high-probability behavior
(playing on a tablet) can be used to reinforce a low-probability behavior (doing math).
, 12. Within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, which tier represents
intensive, individualized interventions for a small percentage of students?
A. Tier 1
B. Tier 2
C. Tier 3
D. Tier 4
Explanation: Tier 3 provides the most intensive level of support, often involving
one-on-one interventions and formal FBAs.
13. A student is learning to stay in their seat during a 20-minute lesson. The teacher initially
rewards the student for staying seated for 2 minutes, then 5, then 10. This is called:
A. Modeling
B. Shaping
C. Fading
D. Chaining
Explanation: Shaping involves reinforcing successive approximations of a target
behavior until the final desired behavior is achieved.
14. Which ethical guideline is most important when implementing a Behavior Intervention
Plan (BIP) that includes a restrictive procedure?
A. Use the least restrictive alternative
B. Ensure the student likes the teacher
C. Use the most powerful punishment first
D. Only implement the plan during recess
Explanation: Ethical ABA practice requires using the least restrictive and most
positive interventions possible before moving to more intrusive measures.
15. A student who has mastered a social skill in the special education classroom is now
able to use that same skill on the playground. This is an example of:
A. Maintenance
B. Discrimination
C. Generalization
D. Acquisition
Explanation: Generalization occurs when a student applies a learned skill across
different settings, people, or materials.
