BCBA Certification Practice Exam

BCBA Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is an example of positive reinforcement?
• Taking away a child’s toy for misbehavior
• Giving a child a sticker for completing homework
• Ignoring a tantrum
• Removing a task demand when a child cries
• Giving a child a sticker for completing homework

Rationale: Positive reinforcement occurs when a stimulus is presented

following a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring in the future.

• Which of the following best defines extinction?
• Reinforcing an alternative behavior
• Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior 1 / 4

• Providing negative consequences for behavior
• Punishing behavior
• Withholding reinforcement for a previously reinforced behavior

Rationale: Extinction involves the discontinuation of reinforcement for a

behavior, which leads to a decrease in the behavior over time.

• Which of the following is an example of negative reinforcement?
• Spanking a child for hitting
• Removing chores when a child completes homework
• Giving candy for good behavior
• Taking away a toy for misbehavior
• Removing chores when a child completes homework

Rationale: Negative reinforcement occurs when a stimulus is removed

following a behavior, increasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again.

• Which schedule of reinforcement produces the highest rates of

responding?

• Fixed Ratio
• Variable Ratio
• Fixed Interval
• Variable Interval
• Variable Ratio

Rationale: Variable ratio schedules produce high and steady rates of 2 / 4

responding because reinforcement is unpredictable and dependent on the number of responses.

• Which term describes the process of reinforcing successive

approximations toward a target behavior?

• Shaping
• Chaining
• Fading
• Prompting
• Shaping

Rationale: Shaping involves reinforcing behaviors that gradually resemble

the target behavior more closely.

• Which of the following is a primary reinforcer?
• Praise
• Money
• Food
• Token
• Food

Rationale: Primary reinforcers are inherently reinforcing and do not

require learning, such as food, water, and sleep.

• Which type of prompt involves a physical guide?
• Gestural prompt
• Model prompt 3 / 4

• Physical prompt
• Verbal prompt
• Physical prompt

Rationale: Physical prompts involve physically guiding the learner to

perform the target behavior.

• What is the main purpose of a functional behavior assessment (FBA)?
• To punish inappropriate behavior
• To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining behavior
• To provide reinforcement for compliance
• To teach new skills
• To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining behavior

Rationale: An FBA is conducted to determine the function of a behavior,

helping guide effective intervention planning.

• Which of the following is an example of escape-maintained behavior?
• A child screams to get a toy
• A child runs away to avoid a demand
• A child waves to get attention
• A child claps after receiving praise
• A child runs away to avoid a demand

Rationale: Escape-maintained behavior occurs when a behavior allows an

individual to remove or avoid an aversive stimulus.

• / 4