Wisconsin Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Board
Certified Behavior Analyst Practice Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Verified & Reliable
1.
A behavior analyst defines “task refusal” as pushing
instructional materials more than 15 cm away, turning the head
away from the instructor for at least 3 seconds, or saying “no”
following presentation of an instructional demand. Which
measurement feature is most directly improved by this
definition?
A. Reactivity
B. Social validity
C. Objectivity
D. Experimental control
Rationale: Objectivity is improved when a definition specifies
observable and measurable features of behavior so that
independent observers can identify occurrences consistently.
The definition avoids inferred states such as “being
,unmotivated” or “not wanting to work.” Social validity concerns
the acceptability and importance of goals and procedures,
whereas experimental control concerns the demonstration of a
functional relation.
2.
A client receives a token after every fifth correct response, and
the token can later be exchanged for a preferred activity.
Which schedule is being used for delivery of the token?
A. Fixed-interval 5
B. Variable-ratio 5
C. Fixed-ratio 5
D. Variable-interval 5
Rationale: A fixed-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a
predictable number of responses. Here, exactly five correct
responses produce a token. Interval schedules depend on the
passage of time, whereas variable schedules involve an
unpredictable requirement or interval.
3.
,During a functional analysis, aggression occurs at substantially
higher rates in the attention condition than in the other
conditions. Which conclusion is most directly supported?
A. Aggression is maintained by automatic reinforcement
B. Attention is correlated with aggression but cannot function
as reinforcement
C. The results provide experimental evidence that social
attention functions as a reinforcer for aggression
D. Aggression will occur whenever attention is unavailable
Rationale: A higher rate of aggression in the attention
condition, relative to appropriate control conditions, supports a
functional relation between attention and aggression. The
result indicates that attention likely reinforces the behavior
under the assessment conditions. It does not establish that
aggression will occur in every situation in which attention is
absent.
4.
A teacher wants to compare the effects of three prompting
procedures on acquisition of the same skill. Each session
contains trials with all three procedures, and the procedures
are rotated across sessions. Which single-case design is most
appropriate?
, A. Multiple-baseline design
B. Changing-criterion design
C. Reversal design
D. Multielement design
Rationale: A multielement, or alternating-treatments, design
rapidly compares two or more conditions by alternating them
across sessions or trials. A multiple-baseline design staggers
intervention across behaviors, settings, or participants; a
changing-criterion design systematically changes performance
criteria; and a reversal design withdraws and reinstates an
intervention.
5.
A learner correctly labels a picture of a dog when asked, “What
is it?” but does not label the same picture when it is presented
without the verbal question. Which concept best describes the
problem?
A. Response generalization
B. Stimulus generalization
C. Stimulus control
D. Behavioral contrast
Rationale: The learner’s responding is controlled by the
presence of a particular antecedent, the verbal question.
Certified Behavior Analyst Practice Exam
2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style Questions
with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Verified & Reliable
1.
A behavior analyst defines “task refusal” as pushing
instructional materials more than 15 cm away, turning the head
away from the instructor for at least 3 seconds, or saying “no”
following presentation of an instructional demand. Which
measurement feature is most directly improved by this
definition?
A. Reactivity
B. Social validity
C. Objectivity
D. Experimental control
Rationale: Objectivity is improved when a definition specifies
observable and measurable features of behavior so that
independent observers can identify occurrences consistently.
The definition avoids inferred states such as “being
,unmotivated” or “not wanting to work.” Social validity concerns
the acceptability and importance of goals and procedures,
whereas experimental control concerns the demonstration of a
functional relation.
2.
A client receives a token after every fifth correct response, and
the token can later be exchanged for a preferred activity.
Which schedule is being used for delivery of the token?
A. Fixed-interval 5
B. Variable-ratio 5
C. Fixed-ratio 5
D. Variable-interval 5
Rationale: A fixed-ratio schedule provides reinforcement after a
predictable number of responses. Here, exactly five correct
responses produce a token. Interval schedules depend on the
passage of time, whereas variable schedules involve an
unpredictable requirement or interval.
3.
,During a functional analysis, aggression occurs at substantially
higher rates in the attention condition than in the other
conditions. Which conclusion is most directly supported?
A. Aggression is maintained by automatic reinforcement
B. Attention is correlated with aggression but cannot function
as reinforcement
C. The results provide experimental evidence that social
attention functions as a reinforcer for aggression
D. Aggression will occur whenever attention is unavailable
Rationale: A higher rate of aggression in the attention
condition, relative to appropriate control conditions, supports a
functional relation between attention and aggression. The
result indicates that attention likely reinforces the behavior
under the assessment conditions. It does not establish that
aggression will occur in every situation in which attention is
absent.
4.
A teacher wants to compare the effects of three prompting
procedures on acquisition of the same skill. Each session
contains trials with all three procedures, and the procedures
are rotated across sessions. Which single-case design is most
appropriate?
, A. Multiple-baseline design
B. Changing-criterion design
C. Reversal design
D. Multielement design
Rationale: A multielement, or alternating-treatments, design
rapidly compares two or more conditions by alternating them
across sessions or trials. A multiple-baseline design staggers
intervention across behaviors, settings, or participants; a
changing-criterion design systematically changes performance
criteria; and a reversal design withdraws and reinstates an
intervention.
5.
A learner correctly labels a picture of a dog when asked, “What
is it?” but does not label the same picture when it is presented
without the verbal question. Which concept best describes the
problem?
A. Response generalization
B. Stimulus generalization
C. Stimulus control
D. Behavioral contrast
Rationale: The learner’s responding is controlled by the
presence of a particular antecedent, the verbal question.
