ABAT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ABAT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. To assess whether a learner has developed prompt dependency, a clinician should conduct: → Probe trials without prompts
2. Stimulus generalization has occurred when a learned behavior: → Occurs in the presence of novel stimuli not used during training
3. Percentage of intervals is calculated from interval recording data by: → Dividing intervals with behavior recorded by total intervals, multiplied by 100
4. The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) was developed by: → Mark Sundberg
5. In Skinner's verbal behavior framework, 'listener behavior' refers to: → Behavior controlled by verbal stimuli produced by a speaker
6. Activity schedules as antecedent interventions are most effective for reducing problem behavior during: → Unstructured or transitional periods
7. Which condition is MOST likely to interfere with successful prompt fading? → Inconsistent fading steps across trainers
8. Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the greatest resistance to extinction once the behavior is no longer reinforced? → Variable ratio (VR)
9. Which data collection method records whether a target behavior occurred at least once during a specific time interval? → Partial-interval recording
10. Offering a learner choices among tasks or activities functions as an antecedent intervention primarily by: → Reducing the aversiveness of demands and decreasing escape-motivated behavior
11. Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) reduces problem behavior primarily through: → Abolishing the motivating operation for the behavior
12. When is it appropriate to terminate ABA services? → When goals are achieved or progress stalls
13. Which of the following is an example of a conditioned reinforcer? → Money
14. Differential reinforcement of low rates of behavior (DRL) is most appropriate when the goal is to: → Reduce the frequency of the behavior to a socially acceptable level
15. Which antecedent strategy involves embedding low-effort tasks before a high-effort demand to build behavioral momentum? → High-probability request sequence
16. Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) as an antecedent-based intervention works primarily by: → Abolishing the motivating operation for problem behavior
17. A child typically screams to get their parent's attention. The parent decides to stop responding to the screaming. The principle being applied is known as: → Extinction
18. B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior categorizes verbal behavior into classes called: → Verbal operants (mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal, textual, transcriptive)
19. What is 'response maintenance failure'? → A skill that was mastered but no longer occurs consistently after training ends
20. In forward chaining, the practitioner: → Teaches the first step first and adds subsequent steps sequentially
21. Which prompting system presents the most intrusive prompt first and systematically moves to less intrusive prompts? → Most-to-least prompting
22. The reported male-to-female ratio in ASD diagnoses is approximately: → 4:1 — four times as many males diagnosed
23. By placing a limited hold on intervals of reinforcement the following is possible: → The rate will increase
24. In a token economy, the 'backup reinforcer' refers to: → The item or activity exchanged for tokens
25. In 'constant time delay,' the delay interval is: → The same across all trials after the initial zero-delay phase
26. A therapist demonstrates washing hands step-by-step and the learner then performs the same sequence. The therapist used which type of prompt? → Model prompt
27. A BCBA is designing a behavior intervention plan for a client from a different cultural background. What does ethical cultural competence require? → Consider cultural values and practices when designing and implementing interventions
28. In backward chaining, the learner first learns: → The last step of the task analysis
29. Instructions may be more effective when combined with other procedures such as modeling, rehearsal and: → Prompting
30. In a behavioral chain, each intermediate step functions as: → A conditioned reinforcer for the preceding response and an SD for the next response