How to Study for the BCBA Exam?

The exam consists of 185 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 175 are scored and 10 are unscored pilot questions.

You will have four hours to complete the exam.

Questions cover the BACB Task List, including foundational principles, assessment, intervention, and ethical considerations.

Understanding the exam format allows you to tailor your preparation and manage time effectively on test day.

A master’s degree in behavior analysis, psychology, or education from an accredited institution.

Completion of approved ABA coursework.

A minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervision.

• Begin reviewing the BCBA Task List to identify areas of strength and weakness.
• Gather study materials, including textbooks, study guides, and flashcards.
• Create a study schedule that includes daily or weekly goals.

• Start taking practice exams to gauge your progress.
• Focus on weak areas, so strengthen your understanding of these areas.

• More practice tests and timed quizzes.
• Review ethical guidelines and commonly misunderstood concepts.
• Mentally prepared, so try not to get stressed out, stay the course.

Assign specific topics to each week, such as focusing on one major task list area, like assessment or intervention. This approach helps you build a deep understanding of each topic.

Dedicate specific time slots each day to studying, ensuring consistent progress. For instance, you might spend mornings reviewing flashcards and evenings taking practice quizzes.

By setting clear goals, you create a roadmap that keeps you accountable and ensures steady progress toward exam readiness.

Invest in a reputable guide like The BCBA Exam Prep Manual or Cooper, Heron, and Heward’s Applied Behavior Analysis. These resources provide comprehensive coverage of the exam’s content.

Utilize platforms like Pass the Big ABA Exam for access to mock exams, video tutorials, and breakdowns of complex concepts.

Create or purchase flashcards to review key terms, ethical guidelines, and foundational principles. Apps like Quizlet can help you practice on the go.

Incorporate ABA podcasts or YouTube videos into your routine for a more engaging way to reinforce concepts.

Using multiple resources ensures you’re exposed to varied explanations and applications of ABA principles, deepening your understanding.

Set aside 30–60 minutes each day to answer practice questions. This helps reinforce what you’ve studied and familiarizes you with the exam format.

Take at least one full-length mock exam each month leading up to your test date. This not only assesses your knowledge but also builds the stamina needed for a four-hour exam.

After each practice session, review incorrect answers and understand the reasoning behind the correct choices. Use this feedback to adjust your study focus.

Practicing regularly trains your brain to retrieve information quickly and accurately under pressure.

Periodically evaluate your knowledge of each BCBA Task List area. Highlight strengths and weaknesses to prioritize study efforts.

Use a spreadsheet or app to log your practice test scores and track improvement over time.

At the end of each week, review what you’ve accomplished and identify areas needing more focus. 

Tracking progress gives you a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated throughout your preparation journey.

Collaborating with peers can add value to your preparation. Join a BCBA study group to discuss difficult concepts, share resources, and exchange strategies. Studying in a group also provides accountability and diverse insights that can clarify challenging topics.

Use the skills learned in assessments to conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) in real-world settings.

Reflect on ethical dilemmas encountered during your fieldwork and discuss how BACB guidelines would apply.

Applying concepts to real-life situations enhances understanding and retention while preparing you for scenario-based questions on the exam.

• Cooper, Heron, and Heward’s Applied Behavior Analysis
• BCBA Exam Study Prep Crash Course by Linda Cooper

• Pass the Big ABA Exam [Website]
• Study Notes ABA [YouTube channel]

• Quizlet (for flashcards)
• BCBA Exam Prep by TPN.health

A proven technique to build fluency in critical concepts. Write terms on one side of a card and definitions or examples on the other, then practice recalling them rapidly.

Use flowcharts, diagrams, and mnemonic devices to organize information. For example, create a chart to distinguish between reinforcement and punishment types.

Apply key concepts during fieldwork or case studies to strengthen your understanding and recall.

Waiting too long to start studying can leave you unprepared. Stick to your schedule and start early.

Using too many study materials can be overwhelming. Focus on a few trusted sources.

Ethical guidelines make up a significant portion of the exam. Don’t underestimate their importance.

Practice exams are vital for identifying gaps in knowledge and building test-taking stamina.

• Maintain a regular routine to increase your confidence level so that you avoid last-minute cramming.
• Introduce some relaxation techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation.
• Simulate the actual exam conditions by practicing the timed versions of the exams to get rid of any anxiety, and get accustomed to the format and the overall examination process.

• Go early in the day to calm down, re-read essential concepts, and settle into the environment.
• Maintain pacing; mark difficult questions and continue to build momentum.
• Take deep breaths for short intervals to revitalize and solve the following question with clear thinking.
• Combine preparation with anxiety-reduction techniques for a positive approach to the BCBA exam.

Break your study targets into small, attainable milestones, which means you set sub-targets instead of big ones. For instance, do a chapter or pass a mock test as a mini-milestone. The award may be an ice cream, a movie, dinner outside, or time off at work.

Get support and encouragement from other people to have appropriate time management and a fresh look. Joining a group will also motivate you as well as give you a different view of the tough issues at hand. A study group is also a source of support from other people who understand what you are undergoing.

You can make it a habit to sometimes read through the reasons that motivate you to accomplish the BCBA certification and help the field. Visualization is one good way of keeping your eye on the prize and maintaining motivation while in the process of preparation for the exam.