RBT Practice Exam | 2026/2027 | Verified Answers by Expert 75 Questions & Answers
RBT PRACTICE EXAM
75 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Updated Edition — Verified Answers by Expert
Aligned with the BACB RBT Task List (2nd Edition) & Ethics Code for RBTs
Total Questions 75 Multiple Choice
Sections 7 Domain Categories
Cognitive
35% Recall / 45% Application / 20% Analysis
Distribution
Question Style 70% Scenario-Based • 30% Direct Recall
BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code | HIPAA | Mandated Reporter
Aligned With
Standards
Section 1: Measurement
Continuous Measurement, Discontinuous Measurement, Data Graphing, & IOA (Q1-Q10)
[BACB Task List A-01: Continuous Measurement]
Q1: A behavior technician is measuring a client's hand-flapping behavior. The technician starts a stopwatch
when the hand-flapping begins and stops it when the behavior stops. At the end of the session, the technician
adds up the total time the behavior occurred. Which continuous measurement procedure is being used?
A. Frequency
B. Duration [CORRECT]
C. Latency
D. Inter-response time (IRT)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Duration measures the total time a behavior occurs from start to finish. The stopwatch method—starting when the
behavior begins and stopping when it ends, then summing the total time across occurrences—is the hallmark of duration recording
(BACB Task List A-01). Frequency (A) counts the number of occurrences regardless of how long each lasts. Latency (C)
measures the time between the presentation of a stimulus (SD) and the initiation of the response. IRT (D) measures the time
between consecutive responses. Duration is the appropriate procedure when the clinical concern is how LONG the behavior lasts
(e.g., tantrums, engagement, stereotypy).
[BACB Task List A-02: Discontinuous Measurement]
Q2: An RBT records whether a client is engaged in on-task behavior at the exact moment a timer goes off at
the end of each 10-second interval. The RBT does NOT record behavior that occurs during the rest of the
interval—only at the precise moment of the timer. Which discontinuous measurement procedure is this?
A. Partial interval recording
B. Whole interval recording
C. Momentary time sampling (MTS) [CORRECT]
D. Per occurrence recording
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 1
,RBT Practice Exam | 2026/2027 | Verified Answers by Expert 75 Questions & Answers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Momentary Time Sampling (MTS) records whether the behavior is occurring at the EXACT MOMENT the interval
ends (e.g., when the timer beeps). Behavior that occurs during the rest of the interval is not recorded (BACB Task List A-02).
Partial interval recording (A) marks an interval if the behavior occurred at ANY point during it (overestimates continuous
behavior). Whole interval recording (B) marks an interval only if the behavior occurred throughout the entire interval
(underestimates continuous behavior). MTS is appropriate for continuous behaviors that cannot be easily counted, such as on-task
engagement or stereotypy.
[BACB Task List A-04: IOA Calculation]
Q3: Two RBTs independently record the frequency of a client's vocalizations during a 30-minute session.
Observer 1 records 20 occurrences; Observer 2 records 25 occurrences. Using the total count method, what is
the interobserver agreement (IOA)?
A. 80% [CORRECT]
B. 83.3%
C. 88.9%
D. 90%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Total count IOA is calculated as: (smaller count / larger count) × 100. Here, () × 100 = 80%. IOA is a critical
indicator of measurement reliability and the RBT's adherence to the operational definition. A minimum IOA of 80% (some texts
require 90% for high-stakes behaviors) is generally considered acceptable. Option B (83.3%) would be (20/24) — not applicable.
Option C (88.9%) would be (16/18) — not applicable. Option D (90%) would require counts of 18 and 20, or 27 and 30. Always
use the SMALLER count as the numerator.
[BACB Task List A-03: Permanent Product]
Q4: A behavior technician is measuring how many math problems a client completes correctly on a worksheet.
After the session, the technician counts the number of correctly answered problems and the number of errors.
Which measurement procedure is being used?
A. Event recording (frequency)
B. Permanent product recording [CORRECT]
C. Duration recording
D. Interval recording
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Permanent product recording measures behavior by examining the tangible outcome or product left behind after the
behavior occurs (BACB Task List A-03). A completed worksheet is a permanent product—the technician measures the behavior
by counting the products (correct answers) rather than observing the behavior in real time. This is efficient for academic tasks
because the RBT can score after the session. Event recording (A) requires counting in real time as the behavior occurs. Duration
(C) measures time. Interval recording (D) divides time into intervals. Permanent products are appropriate when the behavior leaves
a measurable, lasting product.
[BACB Task List A-05: Data Graphing]
Q5: When graphing behavior data, which of the following is the correct convention for the X-axis (horizontal
axis)?
A. Plot the measure of behavior (frequency, duration, percentage) on the X-axis
B. Plot the passage of time (sessions, days, weeks) on the X-axis [CORRECT]
C. Plot the goal line on the X-axis
D. Plot the IOA percentage on the X-axis
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 2
, RBT Practice Exam | 2026/2027 | Verified Answers by Expert 75 Questions & Answers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In behavior-analytic graphing (equal-interval line graphs per BACB Task List A-05), the X-axis represents the passage
of time (e.g., session number, day, week). The Y-axis (vertical axis) represents the measure of behavior—frequency, duration,
percentage of intervals, etc. The graph also includes a phase change line (vertical line separating phases like baseline and
intervention), phase labels (above the graph), and a data path (line connecting data points). Option A is incorrect—the measure of
behavior goes on the Y-axis. Option C and D are incorrect—goal lines and IOA are not plotted on the X-axis.
[BACB Task List A-01: Latency Measurement]
Q6: A teacher gives a student the direction, "It's time to clean up." The RBT starts a stopwatch. The student
does not begin cleaning for 45 seconds. When the student begins cleaning, the RBT stops the stopwatch and
records 45 seconds. Which measurement procedure was used?
A. Duration
B. Latency [CORRECT]
C. Inter-response time (IRT)
D. Momentary time sampling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latency measures the time elapsed between the presentation of a stimulus (the SD or instruction) and the initiation of
the response (BACB Task List A-01). The RBT started the stopwatch when the teacher gave the direction and stopped it when the
student BEGAN the response—this is latency. Duration (A) measures how long the response itself lasts. IRT (C) measures the
time BETWEEN consecutive responses. MTS (D) is discontinuous and samples behavior at specific moments. Latency is useful
for measuring compliance, response to instructions, and transition times.
[BACB Task List A-02: Whole Interval Recording]
Q7: A behavior analyst wants to measure a client's sustained engagement with a toy during free play. The
RBT divides the session into 10-second intervals and records a "+" only if the client was engaged with the toy
for the ENTIRE 10-second interval. If the client disengages even briefly, the interval is recorded as "-".
Which discontinuous procedure is this?
A. Partial interval recording
B. Whole interval recording [CORRECT]
C. Momentary time sampling
D. Frequency count within intervals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Whole interval recording requires the behavior to occur throughout the ENTIRE interval to be recorded as a positive
(+) (BACB Task List A-02). If the behavior stops at any point during the interval, it is marked as negative (-). Whole interval
recording is appropriate for measuring sustained, continuous behaviors like engagement, attention, or play. It tends to
UNDERESTIMATE the true occurrence of the behavior because even brief disengagement disqualifies the interval. Partial
interval (A) marks the interval if the behavior occurs AT ANY POINT—tends to OVERESTIMATE. MTS (C) samples at the
moment the interval ends. The choice of procedure depends on whether you want to capture sustained engagement (whole) vs. any
occurrence (partial).
[BACB Task List A-02: Partial Interval vs. Whole Interval]
Q8: Which of the following best describes the difference between partial interval and whole interval
recording?
A. Partial interval records the behavior if it occurs at any point during the interval; whole interval records the
behavior only if it occurs throughout the entire interval [CORRECT]
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 3
RBT PRACTICE EXAM
75 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Updated Edition — Verified Answers by Expert
Aligned with the BACB RBT Task List (2nd Edition) & Ethics Code for RBTs
Total Questions 75 Multiple Choice
Sections 7 Domain Categories
Cognitive
35% Recall / 45% Application / 20% Analysis
Distribution
Question Style 70% Scenario-Based • 30% Direct Recall
BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code | HIPAA | Mandated Reporter
Aligned With
Standards
Section 1: Measurement
Continuous Measurement, Discontinuous Measurement, Data Graphing, & IOA (Q1-Q10)
[BACB Task List A-01: Continuous Measurement]
Q1: A behavior technician is measuring a client's hand-flapping behavior. The technician starts a stopwatch
when the hand-flapping begins and stops it when the behavior stops. At the end of the session, the technician
adds up the total time the behavior occurred. Which continuous measurement procedure is being used?
A. Frequency
B. Duration [CORRECT]
C. Latency
D. Inter-response time (IRT)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Duration measures the total time a behavior occurs from start to finish. The stopwatch method—starting when the
behavior begins and stopping when it ends, then summing the total time across occurrences—is the hallmark of duration recording
(BACB Task List A-01). Frequency (A) counts the number of occurrences regardless of how long each lasts. Latency (C)
measures the time between the presentation of a stimulus (SD) and the initiation of the response. IRT (D) measures the time
between consecutive responses. Duration is the appropriate procedure when the clinical concern is how LONG the behavior lasts
(e.g., tantrums, engagement, stereotypy).
[BACB Task List A-02: Discontinuous Measurement]
Q2: An RBT records whether a client is engaged in on-task behavior at the exact moment a timer goes off at
the end of each 10-second interval. The RBT does NOT record behavior that occurs during the rest of the
interval—only at the precise moment of the timer. Which discontinuous measurement procedure is this?
A. Partial interval recording
B. Whole interval recording
C. Momentary time sampling (MTS) [CORRECT]
D. Per occurrence recording
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 1
,RBT Practice Exam | 2026/2027 | Verified Answers by Expert 75 Questions & Answers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Momentary Time Sampling (MTS) records whether the behavior is occurring at the EXACT MOMENT the interval
ends (e.g., when the timer beeps). Behavior that occurs during the rest of the interval is not recorded (BACB Task List A-02).
Partial interval recording (A) marks an interval if the behavior occurred at ANY point during it (overestimates continuous
behavior). Whole interval recording (B) marks an interval only if the behavior occurred throughout the entire interval
(underestimates continuous behavior). MTS is appropriate for continuous behaviors that cannot be easily counted, such as on-task
engagement or stereotypy.
[BACB Task List A-04: IOA Calculation]
Q3: Two RBTs independently record the frequency of a client's vocalizations during a 30-minute session.
Observer 1 records 20 occurrences; Observer 2 records 25 occurrences. Using the total count method, what is
the interobserver agreement (IOA)?
A. 80% [CORRECT]
B. 83.3%
C. 88.9%
D. 90%
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Total count IOA is calculated as: (smaller count / larger count) × 100. Here, () × 100 = 80%. IOA is a critical
indicator of measurement reliability and the RBT's adherence to the operational definition. A minimum IOA of 80% (some texts
require 90% for high-stakes behaviors) is generally considered acceptable. Option B (83.3%) would be (20/24) — not applicable.
Option C (88.9%) would be (16/18) — not applicable. Option D (90%) would require counts of 18 and 20, or 27 and 30. Always
use the SMALLER count as the numerator.
[BACB Task List A-03: Permanent Product]
Q4: A behavior technician is measuring how many math problems a client completes correctly on a worksheet.
After the session, the technician counts the number of correctly answered problems and the number of errors.
Which measurement procedure is being used?
A. Event recording (frequency)
B. Permanent product recording [CORRECT]
C. Duration recording
D. Interval recording
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Permanent product recording measures behavior by examining the tangible outcome or product left behind after the
behavior occurs (BACB Task List A-03). A completed worksheet is a permanent product—the technician measures the behavior
by counting the products (correct answers) rather than observing the behavior in real time. This is efficient for academic tasks
because the RBT can score after the session. Event recording (A) requires counting in real time as the behavior occurs. Duration
(C) measures time. Interval recording (D) divides time into intervals. Permanent products are appropriate when the behavior leaves
a measurable, lasting product.
[BACB Task List A-05: Data Graphing]
Q5: When graphing behavior data, which of the following is the correct convention for the X-axis (horizontal
axis)?
A. Plot the measure of behavior (frequency, duration, percentage) on the X-axis
B. Plot the passage of time (sessions, days, weeks) on the X-axis [CORRECT]
C. Plot the goal line on the X-axis
D. Plot the IOA percentage on the X-axis
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 2
, RBT Practice Exam | 2026/2027 | Verified Answers by Expert 75 Questions & Answers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In behavior-analytic graphing (equal-interval line graphs per BACB Task List A-05), the X-axis represents the passage
of time (e.g., session number, day, week). The Y-axis (vertical axis) represents the measure of behavior—frequency, duration,
percentage of intervals, etc. The graph also includes a phase change line (vertical line separating phases like baseline and
intervention), phase labels (above the graph), and a data path (line connecting data points). Option A is incorrect—the measure of
behavior goes on the Y-axis. Option C and D are incorrect—goal lines and IOA are not plotted on the X-axis.
[BACB Task List A-01: Latency Measurement]
Q6: A teacher gives a student the direction, "It's time to clean up." The RBT starts a stopwatch. The student
does not begin cleaning for 45 seconds. When the student begins cleaning, the RBT stops the stopwatch and
records 45 seconds. Which measurement procedure was used?
A. Duration
B. Latency [CORRECT]
C. Inter-response time (IRT)
D. Momentary time sampling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Latency measures the time elapsed between the presentation of a stimulus (the SD or instruction) and the initiation of
the response (BACB Task List A-01). The RBT started the stopwatch when the teacher gave the direction and stopped it when the
student BEGAN the response—this is latency. Duration (A) measures how long the response itself lasts. IRT (C) measures the
time BETWEEN consecutive responses. MTS (D) is discontinuous and samples behavior at specific moments. Latency is useful
for measuring compliance, response to instructions, and transition times.
[BACB Task List A-02: Whole Interval Recording]
Q7: A behavior analyst wants to measure a client's sustained engagement with a toy during free play. The
RBT divides the session into 10-second intervals and records a "+" only if the client was engaged with the toy
for the ENTIRE 10-second interval. If the client disengages even briefly, the interval is recorded as "-".
Which discontinuous procedure is this?
A. Partial interval recording
B. Whole interval recording [CORRECT]
C. Momentary time sampling
D. Frequency count within intervals
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Whole interval recording requires the behavior to occur throughout the ENTIRE interval to be recorded as a positive
(+) (BACB Task List A-02). If the behavior stops at any point during the interval, it is marked as negative (-). Whole interval
recording is appropriate for measuring sustained, continuous behaviors like engagement, attention, or play. It tends to
UNDERESTIMATE the true occurrence of the behavior because even brief disengagement disqualifies the interval. Partial
interval (A) marks the interval if the behavior occurs AT ANY POINT—tends to OVERESTIMATE. MTS (C) samples at the
moment the interval ends. The choice of procedure depends on whether you want to capture sustained engagement (whole) vs. any
occurrence (partial).
[BACB Task List A-02: Partial Interval vs. Whole Interval]
Q8: Which of the following best describes the difference between partial interval and whole interval
recording?
A. Partial interval records the behavior if it occurs at any point during the interval; whole interval records the
behavior only if it occurs throughout the entire interval [CORRECT]
Aligned with BACB RBT Task List (2nd Ed.) | Ethics Code Page 3
