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Cheat sheet

RBT Cheat Sheet

Practice QuestionsStudy Guide

Data Collection + Graphing

17%of exam

Continuous MeasuresDiscontinuous MeasuresPermanent ProductGraphsObservable Terms

Behavior Assessment

11%of exam

PreferenceSkill AssessmentFunctional AssessmentAssessment Role

Behavior Acquisition

25%of exam

ReinforcementDTTNETChainingPromptsGeneralization

Behavior Reduction

19%of exam

FunctionsAntecedentsDifferential ReinforcementExtinctionPunishmentCrisis

Documentation + Reporting

13%of exam

Supervisor UpdatesObjective NotesVariablesChain of Command

Ethics

15%of exam

CompetenceSupervisionConfidentialityPublic StatementsBoundariesCulture

Quick Facts

Exam
RBT
Role
Supervised technician
Questions
85 total
Scored
75 items
Pilot
10 items
Time
90 minutes
Format
4 choices
Result
Pass/fail
Fees
$65 + $45
Blueprint
TCO3 2026

Data Quality

Define, measure, graph, question fidelity.

DefineMeasureGraphFidelity

Frequency vs Rate

Frequency

  • Raw count
  • Same session length
  • No time denominator

Rate

  • Count per time
  • Compare durations
  • Needs denominator

Count vs count/time

Measurement Picker

  1. Countable event→Frequency
  2. Sessions vary→Rate
  3. Behavior lasts→Duration
  4. After instruction→Latency
  5. Between responses→IRT
  6. Outcome remains→Permanent product

Exam Format

Total
85 questions
Scored
75 questions
Unscored
10 pilot
Time
90 minutes
Options
4 choices
Result
Pass/fail
Attempts
8 maximum
Retake wait
7 days

Latency vs IRT

Latency

  • Cue to response
  • One response start
  • Instruction matters

IRT

  • Response to response
  • Between occurrences
  • Spacing matters

After cue vs between

Measurement

Frequency
Count responses
Rate
Count per time
Duration
How long
Latency
Cue to response
IRT
Between responses
Permanent product
Count outcomes
Trials
Attempts to criterion
Percentage
Part over whole

Sampling + Graphs

Partial interval
Occurred anytime
Whole interval
Occurred throughout
MTS
Instant check
Level
Data height
Trend
Data direction
Variability
Data spread
Phase line
Condition change
Fidelity
Procedure accuracy

Descriptive vs FA

Descriptive

  • Natural observation
  • No manipulation
  • Correlational clues

FA

  • Manipulates variables
  • Tests function
  • Supervisor directed

Observe vs test

Assessment Tools

Preference
Find reinforcers
MSWO
Rank without replacement
Paired stimulus
Choose between two
Free operant
Observe free access
Skill assessment
Strengths and deficits
Descriptive
Observe naturally
FA
Manipulate variables
ABC
Antecedent behavior consequence

DTT vs NET

DTT

  • Structured trials
  • Clear SD
  • Planned materials

NET

  • Natural setting
  • Learner motivation
  • Flexible materials

Structured vs natural

Teaching Picker

  1. Clear trial format→DTT
  2. Natural motivation→NET
  3. Multi-step skill→Chaining
  4. New response form→Shaping
  5. Wrong stimulus response→Discrimination
  6. Across people/settings→Generalization

Reinforcement

Positive
Add stimulus
Negative
Remove stimulus
Reinforcement
Behavior increases
Primary
Unlearned value
Conditioned
Learned value
Continuous
Every response
Intermittent
Some responses
Magnitude
Reinforcer amount

Acquisition vs Maintenance

Acquisition

  • New skill
  • More prompts
  • Dense reinforcement

Maintenance

  • Known skill
  • Less support
  • Durable performance

Learn vs keep

Teaching

DTT
Structured trials
SD
Signals availability
Response
Learner action
Consequence
Follows response
NET
Natural context
Incidental
Learner initiates
Discrimination
Respond by stimulus
Generalization
Across examples

Prompts + Chains

Prompt
Extra help
Fading
Remove help
Errorless
Prevent errors
Time delay
Wait before prompt
Forward chain
Teach first step
Backward chain
Teach last step
Total task
Teach all steps
Shaping
Approximation reinforcement

Four Functions

SEAT explains common functions.

SensoryEscapeAttentionTangible

DRA vs DRI

DRA

  • Alternative behavior
  • Same function
  • Can co-occur

DRI

  • Incompatible behavior
  • Cannot co-occur
  • Physical mismatch

Alternative vs incompatible

Reduction Basics

Function
Maintaining reason
Attention
Social access
Escape
Demand removal
Tangible
Item access
Automatic
Sensory consequence
Antecedent
Before behavior
NCR
Time-based reinforcer
High-p
Easy request sequence

DR + Extinction

DRA
Alternative reinforced
DRI
Incompatible reinforced
DRO
Absence reinforced
DRL
Lower rate reinforced
FCT
Communication reinforced
Extinction
Reinforcer withheld
Burst
Temporary increase
Resurgence
Old behavior returns

Scope Stop

No plan, no independent change.

No planAsk supervisorDocument facts

Report vs Interpret

Report

  • Objective facts
  • Session variables
  • Timely supervisor update

Interpret

  • Clinical conclusion
  • Function statement
  • Plan redesign

RBT reports facts

Documentation

Session note
Objective record
Concern
Tell supervisor
Suggestion
Route upward
Variable
Affects progress
Illness
Document context
Medication
Report change
Data issue
Report promptly
Chain
Follow policy

RBT Role

Implement, record, report, ask.

ImplementRecordReportAsk

Scope Picker

  1. Written plan exists→Implement
  2. Plan unclear→Ask supervisor
  3. Caregiver requests change→Report request
  4. Safety issue→Crisis protocol
  5. Data sheet missing→Seek direction
  6. Confidential question→Do not disclose

Eligibility

Age
18+
Education
High school
Background
180-day check
Abuse registry
180-day check
Training
40 hours
Training span
5-180 days
Competency
After training
Assessment age
Within 90 days

BST Steps

I model; you rehearse; feedback follows.

InstructionModelingRehearsalFeedback

Ethics + Supervision

Benefit
Protect clients
Dignity
Respect people
Integrity
Act honestly
Competence
Demonstrated skills
Supervision
Ongoing oversight
BST
Instructions modeling rehearsal feedback
Confidentiality
Protect information
Public statements
No misrepresentation
Gifts
Follow BACB code
Culture
Humility responsiveness

Common Traps

RBT Role

Implements plans ≠ Designs plans

Function Claim

Reports ABC data ≠ Declares function

Confidentiality

No client confirmation ≠ Harmless confirmation

Extinction

Withhold reinforcer ≠ Ignore all behavior

Punishment

Behavior decreases ≠ Stimulus feels bad

Negative Reinforcement

Removal increases behavior ≠ Punishment by removal

Interval Data

Estimates occurrence ≠ Exact frequency

Supervisor Status

Listed before practice ≠ Certified means active

Last Minute

  1. 1.RBT implements written plans
  2. 2.Supervisor directs clinical changes
  3. 3.85 total; 75 scored
  4. 4.90 minutes includes tutorial
  5. 5.Frequency equals count
  6. 6.Rate equals count/time
  7. 7.Latency follows cue
  8. 8.IRT sits between responses
  9. 9.DRA alternative; DRI incompatible
  10. 10.Extinction withholds maintaining reinforcer
  11. 11.Document variables affecting progress
  12. 12.Never confirm client identity
  13. 13.Competence before service delivery
  14. 14.Inactive RBT cannot practice

RBT Registered Behavior Technician

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RBT Study Guide 2026-2027: Complete Review + 1275 Questions and Detailed Answer Explanations for the Registered Behavior Technician Exam (15 Full-Length Exams)

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