ABA THERAPIST CERTIFICATION EXAM
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS – FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT
1. The primary goal of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is to:
A. Explain behavior using hypothetical constructs
B. Produce socially significant behavior change through systematic
application of behavioral principles
C. Diagnose psychological disorders
D. Eliminate all maladaptive behaviors
Italicized rationale: ABA is defined by its focus on socially significant
behavior change using empirically validated behavioral principles, not
diagnosis or theoretical explanation.
2. Which of the following best defines behavior in ABA?
A. Any internal cognitive process
B. Observable and measurable actions of an organism
C. Thoughts and feelings reported by an individual
D. Personality traits
Italicized rationale: Behavior in ABA is operationally defined as observable
and measurable actions.
3. A therapist records the number of times a client hits others during a session.
This is an example of:
A. Interval recording
B. Duration recording
, C. Frequency (event) recording
D. Latency recording
Italicized rationale: Frequency recording measures the number of
occurrences of a discrete behavior.
4. Which dimension of ABA ensures interventions are based on scientific
research?
A. Technological
B. Analytic
C. Applied
D. Conceptually systematic
Italicized rationale: The analytic dimension requires demonstration of a
functional relationship supported by data.
5. A behavior analyst defines “aggression” as “hitting, kicking, or biting
another person with sufficient force to make contact.” This is an example of:
A. Subjective description
B. Operational definition
C. Hypothetical construct
D. Mentalistic explanation
Italicized rationale: Operational definitions are objective, clear, and
measurable.
6. Which measurement system is most appropriate for behaviors with unclear
beginnings and endings, such as engagement?
A. Frequency
B. Latency
C. Interval recording
D. Rate
, Italicized rationale: Interval recording is suited for continuous behaviors
without discrete start/stop points.
7. Interobserver agreement (IOA) is important because it:
A. Ensures ethical compliance
B. Demonstrates reliability of data collection
C. Increases client motivation
D. Confirms treatment effectiveness
Italicized rationale: High IOA indicates that data are collected consistently
and reliably.
8. Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the highest response rate?
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable interval
C. Fixed ratio
D. Variable ratio
Italicized rationale: Variable ratio schedules produce high, steady rates of
responding.
9. A child receives a token after completing five tasks. This is an example of:
A. Continuous reinforcement
B. Fixed ratio schedule
C. Variable ratio schedule
D. Fixed interval schedule
Italicized rationale: A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a set
number of responses.
10.Which principle explains why behavior occurs more often when followed by
a preferred consequence?
A. Extinction
B. Punishment
, C. Reinforcement
D. Generalization
Italicized rationale: Reinforcement increases the future likelihood of
behavior.
11.Negative reinforcement involves:
A. Delivering an aversive stimulus
B. Removing a preferred stimulus
C. Removing an aversive stimulus following behavior
D. Ignoring behavior
Italicized rationale: Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by
removing something aversive.
12.A therapist stops giving attention when a client tantrums, resulting in a
decrease in tantrums. This procedure is:
A. Punishment
B. Extinction
C. Negative reinforcement
D. Differential reinforcement
Italicized rationale: Extinction involves discontinuing reinforcement that
previously maintained behavior.
13.Which is an example of positive punishment?
A. Removing a toy after hitting
B. Adding extra chores following rule-breaking
C. Ignoring inappropriate language
D. Allowing escape from demands
Italicized rationale: Positive punishment adds an aversive stimulus to
decrease behavior.
ACTUAL PREP QUESTIONS AND WELL
REVISED ANSWERS - LATEST AND COMPLETE
UPDATE WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS –
ASSURES PASS – FULL-LENGTH PRACTICE
ASSESSMENT
1. The primary goal of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is to:
A. Explain behavior using hypothetical constructs
B. Produce socially significant behavior change through systematic
application of behavioral principles
C. Diagnose psychological disorders
D. Eliminate all maladaptive behaviors
Italicized rationale: ABA is defined by its focus on socially significant
behavior change using empirically validated behavioral principles, not
diagnosis or theoretical explanation.
2. Which of the following best defines behavior in ABA?
A. Any internal cognitive process
B. Observable and measurable actions of an organism
C. Thoughts and feelings reported by an individual
D. Personality traits
Italicized rationale: Behavior in ABA is operationally defined as observable
and measurable actions.
3. A therapist records the number of times a client hits others during a session.
This is an example of:
A. Interval recording
B. Duration recording
, C. Frequency (event) recording
D. Latency recording
Italicized rationale: Frequency recording measures the number of
occurrences of a discrete behavior.
4. Which dimension of ABA ensures interventions are based on scientific
research?
A. Technological
B. Analytic
C. Applied
D. Conceptually systematic
Italicized rationale: The analytic dimension requires demonstration of a
functional relationship supported by data.
5. A behavior analyst defines “aggression” as “hitting, kicking, or biting
another person with sufficient force to make contact.” This is an example of:
A. Subjective description
B. Operational definition
C. Hypothetical construct
D. Mentalistic explanation
Italicized rationale: Operational definitions are objective, clear, and
measurable.
6. Which measurement system is most appropriate for behaviors with unclear
beginnings and endings, such as engagement?
A. Frequency
B. Latency
C. Interval recording
D. Rate
, Italicized rationale: Interval recording is suited for continuous behaviors
without discrete start/stop points.
7. Interobserver agreement (IOA) is important because it:
A. Ensures ethical compliance
B. Demonstrates reliability of data collection
C. Increases client motivation
D. Confirms treatment effectiveness
Italicized rationale: High IOA indicates that data are collected consistently
and reliably.
8. Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the highest response rate?
A. Fixed interval
B. Variable interval
C. Fixed ratio
D. Variable ratio
Italicized rationale: Variable ratio schedules produce high, steady rates of
responding.
9. A child receives a token after completing five tasks. This is an example of:
A. Continuous reinforcement
B. Fixed ratio schedule
C. Variable ratio schedule
D. Fixed interval schedule
Italicized rationale: A fixed ratio schedule delivers reinforcement after a set
number of responses.
10.Which principle explains why behavior occurs more often when followed by
a preferred consequence?
A. Extinction
B. Punishment
, C. Reinforcement
D. Generalization
Italicized rationale: Reinforcement increases the future likelihood of
behavior.
11.Negative reinforcement involves:
A. Delivering an aversive stimulus
B. Removing a preferred stimulus
C. Removing an aversive stimulus following behavior
D. Ignoring behavior
Italicized rationale: Negative reinforcement strengthens behavior by
removing something aversive.
12.A therapist stops giving attention when a client tantrums, resulting in a
decrease in tantrums. This procedure is:
A. Punishment
B. Extinction
C. Negative reinforcement
D. Differential reinforcement
Italicized rationale: Extinction involves discontinuing reinforcement that
previously maintained behavior.
13.Which is an example of positive punishment?
A. Removing a toy after hitting
B. Adding extra chores following rule-breaking
C. Ignoring inappropriate language
D. Allowing escape from demands
Italicized rationale: Positive punishment adds an aversive stimulus to
decrease behavior.
