RBT Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO) delivers reinforcement when: → The target behavior has not occurred for a specified time interval
2. An _____ operation improves the value of a stimulus and the action that has previously been associated with it. → Establishing
3. A BCBA asks an RBT to assist with an indirect assessment by interviewing the client's parents. What is the primary limitation of indirect assessment data? → It relies on recall and perception rather than direct observation
4. A family member of a client offers you a gift card worth $50 as a thank-you. How should you respond? → Decline politely and explain your organization's policy on gifts
5. An RBT's family member asks them to share details about a client they work with, out of curiosity. What should the RBT do? → Decline to share any client information to protect confidentiality
6. Which of the following is the LEAST restrictive behavior reduction strategy? → Non-contingent reinforcement
7. An RBT notices a colleague is not following the client's behavior intervention plan. The BEST course of action is to: → Report the concern to the supervising BCBA
8. An RBT records the exact time a client begins and stops each instance of hand-flapping during a session. Which measurement procedure is being used? → Duration recording
9. Which teaching procedure involves breaking a complex skill into smaller, teachable steps? → Task analysis
10. Which situation would require an RBT to break confidentiality? → The client discloses they are being physically abused
11. What should an RBT do first to address the matter if he or she believes a BCBA's protocol is unethical? → Have a meeting with the BCBA to discuss the matter
12. Which differential reinforcement procedure involves reinforcing a behavior that is physically incompatible with the problem behavior? → DRI (Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior)
13. What types of people should you communicate with professionally? → All of the above
14. According to the RBT Task List 2nd Edition, which of the following is within the scope of practice of an RBT? → Implementing behavior intervention plans under BCBA supervision
15. A vertical dashed line on a behavior graph typically indicates: → A phase change (e.g., start of a new intervention)
16. Which dimension of punishment must be considered to ensure client rights are protected? → Whether the punishment is the least restrictive effective option
17. During total task presentation, the learner is expected to: → Attempt every step in the chain each session
18. What type of behavior is sustained through social interactions (e.g., tickles, surprise, chasing, and so on)? → Attention
19. Which behavior best demonstrates an RBT acting with integrity in the workplace? → Accurately recording all session data even when outcomes are unfavorable
20. A parent observes a session and objects to a safety intervention the RBT is implementing. How should the RBT respond? → Explain that the BCBA approved the procedure and offer to connect the parent with the BCBA
21. Which of the following BEST describes 'massed practice' in discrete trial teaching? → Presenting multiple consecutive trials for the same target with minimal variation
22. A child learns to say 'ball' only when shown a specific red ball and not when shown other balls. This is an example of: → Stimulus discrimination
23. When implementing DRO, what should happen if the problem behavior occurs during the interval? → Reset the interval timer and withhold reinforcement for that interval
24. When teaching a new skill, an RBT should deliver reinforcement: → Immediately and consistently following correct responding
25. When implementing a naturalistic teaching procedure, the RBT uses the learner's motivation in the moment. This approach is called: → Incidental teaching
26. A learner is taught to say 'ball' when shown a picture of a ball. Later, they also say 'ball' when they see a real ball. This is an example of: → Stimulus generalization
27. A behavior plan calls for withholding all social attention when a client whines. After two weeks, whining has increased. The RBT should: → Continue the extinction plan, as this is likely an extinction burst
28. An RBT notices that a learner always selects the picture on the far right, regardless of which picture is correct. To address this, the RBT should: → Randomize the position of stimuli across trials
29. An RBT is teaching a child to wash hands using backward chaining. Which step does the child learn first? → Drying hands with a towel
30. Which of the following scenarios represents a potential dual relationship that an RBT should avoid? → Providing ABA services to the child of a close personal friend