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. An ABA therapist uses a prompt hierarchy moving from most-to-least intrusive prompts. Which sequence correctly represents this hierarchy? → Physical → model → verbal → gesture
4. Percentage of intervals is calculated from interval recording data by: → Dividing intervals with behavior recorded by total intervals, multiplied by 100
5. In total task chaining, the instructor: → Prompts and reinforces every step of the chain during each teaching trial
6. The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) was developed by: → Mark Sundberg
7. In Skinner's verbal behavior framework, 'listener behavior' refers to: → Behavior controlled by verbal stimuli produced by a speaker
8. Activity schedules as antecedent interventions are most effective for reducing problem behavior during: → Unstructured or transitional periods
9. Which condition is MOST likely to interfere with successful prompt fading? → Inconsistent fading steps across trainers
10. The term 'theory of mind' deficit in individuals with ASD refers to difficulty with: → Understanding that others have beliefs, desires, and perspectives different from one's own
11. When implementing a behavior reduction plan, which factor is MOST critical to consider before selecting a punishment procedure? → The function of the behavior as identified through functional assessment
12. Which reinforcement schedule typically produces the greatest resistance to extinction once the behavior is no longer reinforced? → Variable ratio (VR)
13. Which data collection method records whether a target behavior occurred at least once during a specific time interval? → Partial-interval recording
14. 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
15. Which of the following best describes 'stimulus fading'? → Changing a physical dimension of the SD so the learner responds without extraneous help
16. Which term describes a stimulus that acquires reinforcing properties by being paired with an already established reinforcer? → Conditioned reinforcer
17. Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) reduces problem behavior primarily through: → Abolishing the motivating operation for the behavior
18. When is it appropriate to terminate ABA services? → When goals are achieved or progress stalls
19. Which of the following is an example of a conditioned reinforcer? → Money
20. 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
21. Which antecedent strategy involves embedding low-effort tasks before a high-effort demand to build behavioral momentum? → High-probability request sequence
22. Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) as an antecedent-based intervention works primarily by: → Abolishing the motivating operation for problem behavior
23. 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
24. B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior categorizes verbal behavior into classes called: → Verbal operants (mand, tact, echoic, intraverbal, textual, transcriptive)
25. Compared to massed practice, distributed practice trials are generally associated with: → Better generalization and long-term maintenance of skills
26. What is 'response maintenance failure'? → A skill that was mastered but no longer occurs consistently after training ends
27. A graph shows high variability throughout both baseline and intervention phases with no clear trend. The analyst should: → Continue data collection to identify sources of variability before drawing conclusions
28. In forward chaining, the practitioner: → Teaches the first step first and adds subsequent steps sequentially
29. Which prompting system presents the most intrusive prompt first and systematically moves to less intrusive prompts? → Most-to-least prompting
30. In a reversal (ABA) design, why is returning to baseline (the second A phase) important for data analysis? → It demonstrates experimental control by showing behavior reverts without the intervention