Before Exam Day
Proper preparation in the days leading up to your BCBA exam is just as important as the weeks of studying. Here is what to do in the final days before your exam.
One Week Before
- Confirm your testing center location, date, and time. Visit the testing center in advance if possible to familiarize yourself with the route and parking.
- Review the BACB's candidate handbook for current exam policies, including what you can and cannot bring to the testing center.
- Shift from intensive studying to light review. Focus on areas where you still feel less confident, but avoid cramming new material.
The Night Before
- Get a full night of sleep. Sleep is critical for memory consolidation and cognitive performance.
- Prepare everything you will need: valid government-issued photo identification, your confirmation email or scheduling number, and any other items specified by your testing center.
- Set multiple alarms to ensure you wake up with plenty of time.
- Avoid studying intensely. If you feel the need to review, do a light pass through your flashcards or a brief review of key concepts. Trust the preparation you have done.
Arriving at the Testing Center
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Late arrivals may not be admitted, and you could forfeit your exam fee.
At check-in, you will:
- Present your valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID (the name must match your BACB account exactly)
- Store personal belongings in a locker (phones, watches, wallets, and other items are not allowed in the testing room)
- Have your photograph taken and, in some cases, provide a biometric scan
- Receive scratch paper or a dry-erase board and marker for notes during the exam
During the Exam
The Exam Format
The BCBA exam contains 185 multiple-choice questions. You have 4 hours to complete the exam. Of the 185 questions, 160 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot items. You will not know which questions are pilot items, so treat every question as if it counts.
Time Management
With 185 questions and 240 minutes, you have approximately 1 minute and 18 seconds per question. Here is a recommended approach:
- First pass (approximately 2.5 hours): Work through all 185 questions at a steady pace. For questions you are confident about, select your answer and move on. For questions you are uncertain about, make your best selection, flag the question for review, and move on. Do not spend more than 2 minutes on any single question during this pass.
- Second pass (approximately 1-1.5 hours): Return to flagged questions and give them additional consideration. Read the question and all answer options again carefully. Change your answer only if you are confident the new answer is correct.
Question-Answering Strategies
- Read the entire question and all answer options before selecting your response. The first answer that seems correct may not be the best answer.
- Eliminate clearly wrong answers first. If you can eliminate two options, your odds improve significantly.
- Watch for qualifiers like "always," "never," "first," "best," and "most." These words change the meaning of the question and guide you toward the correct answer.
- When two answers seem correct, choose the one that is most directly supported by the principles of ABA and the BACB Ethics Code. The best answer is often the most behavior-analytic answer.
- For ethics questions, choose the answer that protects the client's welfare, follows the Ethics Code, and represents the least restrictive effective option.
Managing Test Anxiety
Some anxiety is normal and can actually improve performance by increasing focus and alertness. However, excessive anxiety can impair your ability to think clearly. Strategies for managing anxiety during the exam:
- Take slow, deep breaths if you feel overwhelmed
- If you encounter a difficult question, remind yourself that you can flag it and return later
- Remember that you do not need to answer every question correctly. You need a scaled score of 400 out of 500.
- Take your optional break if you need it. Stepping away for a few minutes can help reset your focus.
After the Exam
You will receive a preliminary pass/fail result on your screen immediately after completing the exam. Official results are sent by the BACB within a few weeks.
If you pass, congratulations! You will receive instructions for completing the remaining certification requirements. If you do not pass, the BACB will provide a breakdown of your performance by content area to help guide your preparation for a retake.
Regardless of the outcome, be proud of the effort you put into preparing. The BCBA exam is one of the most rigorous certification exams in the behavioral sciences, and sitting for it is an achievement in itself.