Assessment vs intervention
Scenario decision point

BCBA assessment vs intervention questions: how to tell what the item is really asking

A common miss happens when a candidate chooses an intervention for a question that is still asking for assessment, data review, or treatment-integrity checks.

Assessment practiceIntervention practice

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Last reviewed June 2026
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Editorial policySourcesCorrections

Choose assessment when the problem is still unclear

If the stem gives mixed reports, thin data, unclear function, vague target behavior, or no direct observation, the best answer is often to define, observe, measure, or assess before selecting a treatment.

Choose intervention when assessment has already narrowed the decision

If function, baseline, risks, and constraints are already described, the item may be asking which procedure or replacement response best fits the case.

Choose integrity review when the plan exists but results look wrong

If a procedure is already in place and outcomes are poor, do not automatically change the plan. Check whether it was implemented correctly and whether the data are trustworthy.

Choose data review when the stem centers on trend, variability, overlap, or IOA

Some items look like intervention decisions but are actually measurement questions. If the key information is about graph patterns or reliability, solve that first.