PEARSON RBT EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. Which of the following is an example of continuous measurement?
A) Recording the number of times a behavior occurs during a session
B) Recording whether a behavior occurred or not in a fixed interval
C) Recording the percentage of intervals in which a behavior occurs
D) Recording behavior only at the end of a session
Answer: A) Recording the number of times a behavior occurs during a session
Rationale: Continuous measurement involves recording every
instance of a behavior during the observation period, such as
frequency or duration. Options B and C describe discontinuous
measurement (partial interval and whole interval), and D is vague and
less specific.
,2. What is the primary purpose of conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment
(FBA)?
A) To develop a treatment plan based on skill acquisition
B) To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining
problem behavior
C) To test the effectiveness of reinforcement procedures
D) To teach replacement behaviors
Answer: B) To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining problem
behavior
Rationale: The FBA is conducted to understand why a behavior is
occurring by identifying antecedents and consequences, which help in
designing effective behavior interventions.
3. When implementing discrete trial teaching (DTT), what should the RBT do
immediately after delivering the instruction?
A) Wait for the learner’s response
B) Deliver reinforcement before the learner responds
C) Record the behavior only if correct
D) Ignore any errors made
Answer: A) Wait for the learner’s response
Rationale: In DTT, the instruction is given, then the RBT waits for the
learner’s response before delivering reinforcement or correction.
4. Which of the following is an example of an operational definition for
“aggression”?
A) Acts of aggression by the client
B) Any behavior that looks aggressive
C) Hitting, kicking, or biting others with an open hand or closed fist
D) Aggressive behavior observed during therapy
,Answer: C) Hitting, kicking, or biting others with an open hand or closed fist
Rationale: Operational definitions describe specific, observable, and
measurable behaviors to ensure clarity and consistency across
observers.
5. If a behavior occurs at a high frequency, which of the following data
collection methods would be most efficient?
A) Frequency recording
B) Duration recording
C) Whole interval recording
D) Partial interval recording
Answer: D) Partial interval recording
Rationale: Partial interval recording is efficient for high-frequency
behaviors because it records whether the behavior occurred at any
time during an interval, reducing data collection burden.
6. What is the best example of a reinforcer?
A) Removing a demand after a tantrum
B) Adding a preferred toy after completing a task
C) Giving a timeout after hitting
D) Ignoring a behavior
Answer: B) Adding a preferred toy after completing a task
Rationale: A reinforcer increases the likelihood of a behavior
occurring again, often by adding something desirable immediately
after the behavior.
7. Which is the best way to maintain client dignity when collecting data?
, A) Collect data discreetly and respectfully
B) Announce every data point loudly
C) Avoid collecting data when the client is present
D) Ask the client to record their own data
Answer: A) Collect data discreetly and respectfully
Rationale: Maintaining client dignity means being unobtrusive and
respectful while collecting data, especially in natural environments.
8. Which principle describes the reduction in behavior when reinforcement is no
longer delivered?
A) Shaping
B) Extinction
C) Generalization
D) Prompting
Answer: B) Extinction
Rationale: Extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior
decreases because reinforcement is withheld.
9. When should an RBT share confidential client information?
A) When discussing with a colleague about treatment planning
B) When reporting suspected abuse as required by law
C) During a casual conversation outside of work
D) When posting on social media about client progress
Answer: B) When reporting suspected abuse as required by law
Rationale: Confidentiality is critical; client info is only shared for legal
reasons, such as mandatory reporting of abuse.
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. Which of the following is an example of continuous measurement?
A) Recording the number of times a behavior occurs during a session
B) Recording whether a behavior occurred or not in a fixed interval
C) Recording the percentage of intervals in which a behavior occurs
D) Recording behavior only at the end of a session
Answer: A) Recording the number of times a behavior occurs during a session
Rationale: Continuous measurement involves recording every
instance of a behavior during the observation period, such as
frequency or duration. Options B and C describe discontinuous
measurement (partial interval and whole interval), and D is vague and
less specific.
,2. What is the primary purpose of conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment
(FBA)?
A) To develop a treatment plan based on skill acquisition
B) To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining
problem behavior
C) To test the effectiveness of reinforcement procedures
D) To teach replacement behaviors
Answer: B) To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining problem
behavior
Rationale: The FBA is conducted to understand why a behavior is
occurring by identifying antecedents and consequences, which help in
designing effective behavior interventions.
3. When implementing discrete trial teaching (DTT), what should the RBT do
immediately after delivering the instruction?
A) Wait for the learner’s response
B) Deliver reinforcement before the learner responds
C) Record the behavior only if correct
D) Ignore any errors made
Answer: A) Wait for the learner’s response
Rationale: In DTT, the instruction is given, then the RBT waits for the
learner’s response before delivering reinforcement or correction.
4. Which of the following is an example of an operational definition for
“aggression”?
A) Acts of aggression by the client
B) Any behavior that looks aggressive
C) Hitting, kicking, or biting others with an open hand or closed fist
D) Aggressive behavior observed during therapy
,Answer: C) Hitting, kicking, or biting others with an open hand or closed fist
Rationale: Operational definitions describe specific, observable, and
measurable behaviors to ensure clarity and consistency across
observers.
5. If a behavior occurs at a high frequency, which of the following data
collection methods would be most efficient?
A) Frequency recording
B) Duration recording
C) Whole interval recording
D) Partial interval recording
Answer: D) Partial interval recording
Rationale: Partial interval recording is efficient for high-frequency
behaviors because it records whether the behavior occurred at any
time during an interval, reducing data collection burden.
6. What is the best example of a reinforcer?
A) Removing a demand after a tantrum
B) Adding a preferred toy after completing a task
C) Giving a timeout after hitting
D) Ignoring a behavior
Answer: B) Adding a preferred toy after completing a task
Rationale: A reinforcer increases the likelihood of a behavior
occurring again, often by adding something desirable immediately
after the behavior.
7. Which is the best way to maintain client dignity when collecting data?
, A) Collect data discreetly and respectfully
B) Announce every data point loudly
C) Avoid collecting data when the client is present
D) Ask the client to record their own data
Answer: A) Collect data discreetly and respectfully
Rationale: Maintaining client dignity means being unobtrusive and
respectful while collecting data, especially in natural environments.
8. Which principle describes the reduction in behavior when reinforcement is no
longer delivered?
A) Shaping
B) Extinction
C) Generalization
D) Prompting
Answer: B) Extinction
Rationale: Extinction occurs when a previously reinforced behavior
decreases because reinforcement is withheld.
9. When should an RBT share confidential client information?
A) When discussing with a colleague about treatment planning
B) When reporting suspected abuse as required by law
C) During a casual conversation outside of work
D) When posting on social media about client progress
Answer: B) When reporting suspected abuse as required by law
Rationale: Confidentiality is critical; client info is only shared for legal
reasons, such as mandatory reporting of abuse.
