A lot of things can go wrong during an exam. The pressure can easily get to you, and you can mix up answers that you know by heart and soul.
So, when the stake’s high, like when sitting for an acclaimed RBT exam, you need to double down on your preparatory phase. It’s not just about reading and memorizing the hundreds of ABA data charts, intervention tactics, code of ethics, etc., anymore.
Alongside book knowledge, it’s important to be as strategic as possible. In an exam where you get approximately a minute to answer a question, there’s no room for hesitation or time mismanagement.
In today’s write-up, we’re going to talk about the top 7 RBT exam mistakes you should avoid as an aspiring candidate. We’ll hand out essential tips and tricks to ace the exam on your first try.
Remember – only a handful of the retakers get to pass the exam and become certified behavior technicians. Hence, you need to give your best shot the first time around!
Common RBT Exam Mistakes To Watch Out For!
According to the 2024 BABC Annual Data Report, a total of 90,741 candidates sat for the RBT exam for the first time. 46,988 candidates sat for retakes in the same year. 73% of the first-timers and only 36% of the retakers passed the exam in 2024.
This goes to show that if you don’t crack the exam on the first try, it’ll only get increasingly difficult to crack it the next time around. So, here’s a brief overview of the 7 Common RBT exam mistakes that you, as a candidate, should watch out for –
1. Not Completing The Mandatory 40-Hour RBT Course
First off the bat, you need to complete the mandatory 40-hour online RBT course and complete all the lessons to sit for the exam. You cannot fall asleep or doze through this course. Every lesson is integral for the exam and hence, you must complete it sincerely.
2. Not Completing The Competency Assessment
Alongside the 40-hour RBT course, you need to complete the competency assessment as well. This assessment includes a background check and competency evaluation.
For the competency assessment, you need to sign up with a company that provides a BABC compliant client. Furthermore, the assessment needs to be conducted by a BCBA i.e a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst. So, choose a company that comes with an approved BCBA.
3. Not Following The RBT Task List
Break down the complex topics such as measurement, assessment, ethical codes, intervention tactics, etc. into short and easy-to-handle chunks. Finish one small chunk at a time instead of trying to cover the whole thing in a day. Make flashcards to remember everything!
4. Not Sitting For Practice Exams
It’s not enough to follow the Task List to the T. After the general prep, you need to sit for practice exams on a regular basis. Firstly, it’ll give you confidence about the upcoming exam. You’ll get familiar with the question patterns and RBT jargon in no time.
And secondly, it’ll give you a sense of time management during the exam. By practicing more and more, you’ll be able to answer all 85 questions within the timeframe.
Practice exams also help you to improve your knowledge base.
For instance – if you’re weak at the measurement and data part of the test, you can take domain-specific tests to increase your proficiency in that area.
Start practicing the RBT flashcards for free
5. Not Completing Admin Steps
Before the exam, you’ll need to submit proof of 40-hour RBT course completion and competency assessment before the board. Forgetting about these steps will result in disqualification later on even if you score the highest in the exam.
You’ll need to showcase your government ID and secondary ID before entering the hall. Additionally, you’ll need to sign an NDA for full discretion. Being aware of these steps will help you to avoid unnecessary time-consuming activities before the exam starts.
6. Not Interpreting Behavioral Metrics Correctly
While skimming the questions, it’s easy to misread or misinterpret the phrasing. Hence, it’s important to double check the wording and answer wisely.
And it’s highly recommended to pay extra attention to data-collection scenarios and graph charts as most candidates answer wrongly in these cases. Normally, in an RBT exam graph, the x-axis refers to the time while the y-axis refers to the behavior. So, in the case of unusual or reverse labeling, the answer will be different than the normal one.
Again, terms like frequency and rate aren’t interchangeable. Frequency refers to the number of times a certain behavior takes place while rate refers to the frequency of this behavior in a particular time period. So, during the exam, double-check the terms before answering.
7. Not Managing Your Time Efficiently
You’ll get a little over a minute to complete a question during the RBT exam. Although all of them will be MCQs, there will be graphs to analyze, charts to break down, and scenario quizzes to decipher. Hence, you’ll need to manage your time accordingly.
We’d recommend taking some extra time for the logistics-based questions to get them right. But don’t go over the two-minute mark. If needed, you can keep them aside and come back to them once you’ve completed answering the rest of the script.
Need a study guide for RBT? Explore our RBT study guide for free!
Final Words
As people say, if you prepare for the worst possible outcomes, you can tackle pretty much anything that comes your way. Similarly, if you can internalize the mistakes that can possibly happen on exam day, you can figure out how to get around them easily.
Hopefully, today’s article on the top 7 RBT exam mistakes helped you to understand the perils that most candidates fall victim to unwillingly. So, follow the guide and avoid the distractions completely to achieve a satisfactory performance.
Make sure to work according to the study guide and sit for regular practice RBT test sessions to experience in real life how you perform under pressure.
And yes, don’t forget about the measurement metrics and logistics part of the exam. To manage your time efficiently, memorize the data wisely. If you cannot figure out the answer to a question, don’t spend more than a minute on it.
Leave it and come back once you’ve completed the other questions within the timeframe.
All in all, always prioritize your task list. As the idiom goes – a stitch in time saves nine. In the case of an RBT exam, it’s best to sacrifice one question i.e. one mark over nine other questions i.e. nine whole marks. So, don’t lose your cool and simply move on with other questions.
We wish you all the best for the upcoming RBT tests! Contact us anytime if you need help with exam materials or practice tests. We’ll be happy to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete The RBT exam?
You’ll get around 90 minutes to complete the RBT exam under the supervision of a qualified Behavioral Analyst.
How many questions are there on the RBT exam?
There are a total of 85 MCQ-format questions on the RBT exam.
How much do I need to score to pass the RBT exam?
You need to score 80% to pass the RBT exam. That means, you need to get a minimum of 68 questions correct out of 85 questions to pass the exam.
How long does it take to know the results of the RBT exam?
As it’s an MCQ-based exam, you can know the results immediately i.e. once the OMR machine has processed the exam copies.
What is the usual pass rate of the RBT exam?
The usual pass rate of the RBT exam stands at around 70-80%. That is, only 7-8 candidates out of every 10 crack it on their first try.
Can I sit for the RBT exam more than once?
Yes, if you cannot crack the RBT code on the first try, you can sit for the exam again!
Ohita Salam
Ohita Salam is a lead content author at Autivic, where she specializes in curating research-driven, clear, and pragmatic educational resources and blogs to assist aspiring RBTs i.e. Registered Behavior Technicians in learning ABA principles, key RBT concepts, and their practical applications efficiently.
- Ohita Salam
- Ohita Salam
- Ohita Salam
- Ohita Salam
