Question
Difficulty: medium. Skill: apply. Type: applied scenario.
Before selecting a goal for student, the BCBA needs information related to preference assessments. What should happen next? The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings.
AContinue unchanged and ignore the new contextual information
BAssess current preferences and skills, then verify whether selected consequences function as reinforcers in relation to student's calling out during independent workCorrect answer
CAdd a punishment procedure before clarifying function, risk, or feasibility
DUse the descriptive label as the explanation and treatment target
Explanation
Answer BThe clue is the combination of frequency data that vary from 3 to 11 responses per session, calling out during independent work, and the required task: Preference assessments. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings. Assess current preferences and skills, then verify whether selected consequences function as reinforcers in relation to student's calling out during independent work is best because it answers that clue through preference and skill assessment instead of treating the scenario as a generic behavior problem. On exam items like this, name the decision point first, then eliminate options that rely on one report, a label, a familiar protocol, or an action that skips the relevant data check.
Why this question is hard
ClueKey scenario clueThe clue is the combination of frequency data that vary from 3 to 11 responses per session, calling out during independent work, and the required task: Preference assessments. The case file includes 6 recent sessions, 1 implementer, and 4 settings.
TrapCommon trapIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
NextIf you missed it, review Preference and skill assessmentThen answer a few related scenarios before moving back to broad practice.
Why the other choices are weaker
AChoice AIgnoring relevant data or context prevents a defensible behavior-analytic decision.
CChoice CA punishment-first response is weaker when less intrusive, function-based, or assessment steps have not been addressed.
DChoice DA label is not enough; the decision should be based on observable behavior and relevant variables.
Study tags
Preference and skill assessmentPreference assessmentspreference assessmentskill assessment
Related concept pages
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