The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) test is the final step to becoming certified in behavior analysis. Taking a RBT practice exam is the first step to preparing for this important test.
In order to qualify for the RBT test, you’ll have to undergo 40 hours of live training with a certified professional.
The following guide will provide some valuable preparation tips and link you to some amazing resources, including various RBT practice tests. You should take a free RBT practice exam regularly to help guide your studies.
Summary: Take a RBT practice exam to get a better idea of what will be on the actual test.
RBT Practice Exams
RBT test prep should always begin with a practice exam so that you know where to direct your studies. Use our RBT practice questions below to begin your preparation.
RBT Test Prep – Other Resources
Here are some free resources to kick off your studies and get in some good RBT exam practice!
| Resource | Notes | Provider |
| RBT Practice Questions 2 | Various practice questions for the RBT test. | Test-Questions |
| RBT Questions (Flashcard Style) | Review 75 different RBT exam questions in flashcard format. | Quizlet |
| RBT Study Guide (Flashcard Style) | Review 100 different terms and concepts in flashcard format. | Quizlet |
| RBT Exam Starter Kit | Start your studies with this starter kit from Hopebridge. | Hopebridge |
What is the RBT Exam?
RBT stands for Registered Behavior Technician and is a credential administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). A comprehensive test is given as the final step to becoming a RBT.
The RBT test is the foundational step to many career paths in the behavioral analysis field. It follows a 40-hour training program where you will be evaluated by a certified therapist in order to qualify for this test. So you’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain real-life experience before you sit down for the exam.
This test is provided by Pearson VUE all around the world in order to ensure security and integrity of certifications.
About RBT Practice Exams
One of the first things students can do to prepare is take a RBT practice test. This provides an excellent starting point for all studies moving forward by giving you a foundation for planning. By taking a practice exam, you’ll know the topics that require your focus so you can build a study schedule around that information.
With that said, let’s look at what you can expect to find on a RBT practice test. For starters, the real test consists of 85 multiple choice questions but since 10 of those are trial questions that are not scored, the content of a practice exam will be slightly different. We still highly recommend that you use practice tests with 85 questions in order to simulate the real testing environment as closely as possible.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect on a practice test.
Skill Acquisition (32% of Total Score)
This is the largest area that’s tested, spanning at least 24 questions. Individuals must be able to identify the essential components associated with creation and implementation of a skill acquisition plan. This plan includes various teaching processes that work for a client.
Behavior Reduction (16% of Total Score)
An EBT practice test will have at least 12 questions that test your understanding of behavior reduction practices. This includes understanding the context of common behavioral functions and using that information to implement interventions.
Professional Conduct (15% of Total Score)
Expect around 11 questions that showcase your ability to protect the dignity of clients, properly communicate with a client’s legal caregivers, and respond to feedback professionally. This includes understanding the regulations involved with sharing this information.
Measurement Data (13% of Total Score)
You can expect to see approximately 10 questions in this category. You’ll need to collect data from a number of sessions and then enter that data, update charts, and describe behaviors based on that information. This will be done in measurable terms.
Reporting and Documentation (13% of Total Score)
Expect approximately 10 questions on reporting and documentation. Certified RBT technicians must be able to communicate with supervisors and seek clinical direction while also complying with legal, ethical, and regulations that guide the industry. Questions on the exam will test your understanding of this information.
Assessment (11% of Total Score)
The assessment portion of the exam will have around 8 questions. RBTs must learn the skills associated with conducting preference assessments. This includes scheduling individualized procedures.
What Should I Study for the RBT Exam?
There are no concrete study methods shared by the BACB or Pearson VUE that detail how individuals should prepare for this exam. They put all of the pressure on candidates. Fortunately, we’ve put together some study tips that will help you ace this important exam.
One of your main focuses is to understand the RBT task list and its uses in real practice. You’ll get 40 hours of in-person experience to qualify for the RBT test so this will help you understand the context of this task list, but you’ll still need to memorize the information.
Your first step is to lay out a detailed study plan and allocate time to each of the topics listed in the previous section. We will lay them out again for your convenience:
- Skill Acquisition (32%)
- Behavior Reduction (16%)
- Professional Conduct (15%)
- Measurement Data (13%)
- Reporting and Documentation (13%)
- Assessment (11%)
RBT exam practice will give you a good indication of which area needs the most study focus. For instance, if you score high on the “Professional Conduct” section but score low on the “Assessment” section, then you know that you need to dedicate more time to studying “Assessment.”
With that said, areas that are weighed more heavily must also be a priority. For example, since “Skill Acquisition” accounts for 32% of your overall score, this area will be given more study time.
Here are some additional tips to make the most of your study time.
- Make your study sessions a priority. Dedicate time to yourself and let everyone know not to interrupt you.
- Have all study material prepared ahead of time so that you don’t waste precious study time searching for resources.
- Take a regular RBT practice test and adjust your study plan according to its results.
How to Mitigate the Stress of Testing
- Maintain a consistent study schedule. Allow enough time to study what’s needed but not so much time that it leads to burn out. Also don’t ever try to cram for the exam. Spread up studies evenly over the course of your prep time.
- Simulate the real testing environment as closely as possible when taking a practice exam. Set a time limit and mimic the physical environment. This prepares you for the real test.
How Long Does it Take to Study for the RBT Exam?
In reality, your studies should begin the moment you start your 40-hour training program. This is not only a requirement for taking the RBT test, it’s a great chance to gain a lot of valuable experience. Take notes and ask questions during this training period.
With that said, you should allow one to two months of preparation before taking the RBT test. This time period includes your 40 hours of live training too. That will give you approximately a week to dedicate to each topic and also provides you with a few days of downtime before the exam.
RBT Exam FAQs
Is the RBT test hard?
It’s considered a difficult exam, sure. But you’ll have amassed 40 hours of live training to even qualify to take this exam. Taking notes and asking questions during this training period significantly lessens the difficulty of the RBT test.
Adding additional focused study and regular practice tests removes most of the anxiety associated with this important test. Thus, you’ll mitigate its difficulty even further.
What happens if I fail the RBT test?
You get 8 attempts at passing the RBT test over the period of one year. So to answer the question, you can retake it. But each attempt requires additional retake fees so you should try and pass on the first attempt.
If the worst happens and you do need to retake the test, just wait 7 days and then find the retake application on your BACB account.
Is the RBT test multiple-choice?
Yes. The RBT test is comprised of 85 multiple-choice questions. Only 75 of them count toward scoring though since 10 are trial questions used to creating newer tests. Each question only has one correct answer.
How many questions do you have to get right on the RBT test?
The RBT test is scored using a scaling system with a rating from 0 to 250. In order to pass this exam, you must score at least 200 on this scale.
Since 75 of the 85 questions are counted toward this score, that means you must answer 60 questions correctly in order to pass. The trial questions do not count against this score. However, you won’t know which ones are trial questions since they are not marked.
Final Thoughts
The RBT test is difficult for those who come into it unprepared since the information contained within is based on a wide range of behavior concepts and tasks. Fortunately, that 40 hour live training program that’s required to qualify for the exam will provide context into the information you learn while studying.
Taking a RBT practice test and creating an efficient study plan will prepare you to ace this important exam.
