Domain F
BCBA assessment practice questions for functional and skill-assessment decisions
Assessment questions often test the step before intervention: what information is missing, what method fits the question, and whether the data support a defensible plan.
Assessment decision routine
- 1Operationally define the target behavior before selecting a procedure.
- 2Separate descriptive assessment, functional analysis, preference assessment, and skill assessment decisions.
- 3Check whether the item is asking what to do before intervention, not which intervention sounds familiar.
- 4Use assessment results to choose a replacement response or next data-collection step.
Assessment questions to review first
Review methodRelevant record and history review: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis.
A referral describes dropping to the floor when demands are presented, but the team has mixed information from caregiver notes plus one direct observation. Which assessment step best fits relevant record and history review? The case file includes 9 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis
Cultural variables in assessment: Internal validity and confounds.
Before selecting a goal for adult client, the BCBA needs information related to cultural variables in assessment. What should happen next? The case file includes 10 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Internal validity and confounds
Skill-strength and needs assessments: Preference and skill assessment.
A referral describes grabbing preferred items, but the team has mixed information from ABC data from three outings. Which assessment step best fits skill-strength and needs assessments? The case file includes 11 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Preference and skill assessment
Preference assessments: Preference and skill assessment.
Before selecting a goal for client, the BCBA needs information related to preference assessments. What should happen next? The case file includes 12 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Preference and skill assessment
Descriptive assessments: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis.
A referral describes leaving the instructional area, but the team has mixed information from four sessions of stable baseline data followed by two overlapping intervention points. Which assessment step best fits descriptive assessments? The case file includes 2 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis
Functional analyses: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis.
Before selecting a goal for student, the BCBA needs information related to functional analyses. What should happen next? The case file includes 3 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Descriptive assessment and functional analysis
Assessment-data interpretation for services or referral: Visual analysis and data-based decisions.
A referral describes dropping to the floor when demands are presented, but the team has mixed information from caregiver notes plus one direct observation. Which assessment step best fits assessment-data interpretation for services or referral? The case file includes 4 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Visual analysis and data-based decisions
Assessment-data interpretation for socially significant goals: Visual analysis and data-based decisions.
Before selecting a goal for adult client, the BCBA needs information related to assessment-data interpretation for socially significant goals. What should happen next? The case file includes 5 recent sessions, 2 implementers, and 2 settings.
Review focus: Visual analysis and data-based decisions