Unit B: Assessment is one of the most essential sections in the RBT Task List. It teaches Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) how to assist in identifying the strengths, preferences, and support needs of clients using behavioral assessment techniques. Accurate and ethical assessment practices guide behavior plans and skill-building strategies, making this unit crucial for effective ABA intervention.
This guide explores everything you need to know in Unit B to succeed on your RBT exam and perform confidently in real-world sessions. If you’ve already reviewed Unit A: Measurement, you’re ready to move into the practical application of assessment techniques.
Let’s dive into the major concepts, key skills, and how you can study smarter using resources like the RBT Practice Exams 1 through 5.
Why Assessment Skills Matter for RBTs
As an RBT, you work under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Your job is to support the assessment process by collecting data, conducting preference assessments, and observing clients. Your input directly influences the design of behavior plans and teaching protocols.
Without proper assessment, intervention plans can be ineffective—or worse, harmful. That’s why RBTs must be fluent in observing behavior, reporting accurately, and following protocols consistently.
What You’ll Learn in Unit B: Assessment
Unit B includes three primary focus areas:
- Conducting preference assessments
- Assisting with individual assessments (e.g., skills assessments, curriculum-based)
- Assisting with functional assessments
Each of these involves specific steps, tools, and ethical considerations. Below, we break each one down in detail.
1. Conducting Preference Assessments
Preference assessments help identify items or activities that may function as reinforcers. Knowing what motivates a client is essential for teaching new behaviors and maintaining engagement. As an RBT, you’ll be responsible for running these assessments according to your supervisor’s instructions.
Types of Preference Assessments
- Single Stimulus: Present one item at a time. Record whether the client engages with it.
- Paired Choice: Present two items and observe which one the client selects. Repeat with different combinations.
- Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement (MSWO): Present multiple items and remove selected ones after each trial.
- Free Operant: Allow access to a range of items and record what the client interacts with and for how long.
Example:
If a child consistently chooses a toy car over crayons, you can assume the toy car may be a stronger reinforcer during skill training.
Tip: These questions often appear in RBT Practice Exam 1, asking you to choose the correct assessment method based on the client scenario.
2. Assisting with Skill Assessments
Skill assessments measure a client’s current abilities in various developmental areas, such as communication, motor skills, and social interaction. As an RBT, you may help collect data or observe while the BCBA administers these tools.
Common Skill Assessments:
- VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program)
- ABLLS-R (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills – Revised)
- AFLS (Assessment of Functional Living Skills)
You won’t be responsible for interpreting these assessments but must follow protocols precisely and provide honest, accurate data about the client’s responses.
Example:
You might be asked to note whether a client responds correctly to a verbal cue, points to the correct object, or completes a gross motor task.
Tip: RBT Practice Exam 2 includes questions that test your ability to follow directions during skill assessments and differentiate between types of data collected.
3. Assisting with Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)
Functional Behavior Assessment is used to determine the purpose or function of challenging behaviors. Knowing the function helps the BCBA design a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that addresses the root cause.
Four Common Behavior Functions:
- Attention – The behavior gains social interaction
- Escape – The behavior helps avoid a task or demand
- Access to Tangibles – The behavior gains an item or activity
- Sensory (Automatic) – The behavior feels good or meets an internal need
Your Role as an RBT:
- Record Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (ABC) data
- Observe the environment and events leading to behavior
- Follow instructions for trial-based or descriptive assessments
Example:
If a child throws toys when asked to clean up and consistently avoids doing so, the function might be escape.
Tip: RBT Practice Exam 3 includes ABC data recording examples and scenarios where you must identify the function of behavior based on observations.
Ethical Considerations in Assessment
Always conduct assessments under the direction of your supervising BCBA. RBTs must not make diagnostic decisions or interpret assessment results independently. Maintain professional boundaries and respect client dignity during all procedures.
Other ethical principles include:
- Avoiding bias or assumptions
- Being honest about observations
- Following written protocols precisely
- Respecting confidentiality at all times
These issues are explored further in Unit F: Professional Conduct, which connects closely with how assessments should be carried out in ethical, objective ways.
How Unit B Connects with the Other RBT Units
- Unit A: Measurement: You’ll use measurement methods (frequency, duration, etc.) during assessments.
- Unit C: Skill Acquisition: Preference and skill assessments determine what and how to teach.
- Unit D: Behavior Reduction: Functional assessments guide intervention plans for challenging behaviors.
- Unit E: Documentation: You’ll record session notes and summarize assessment results.
- Unit F: Professional Conduct: Ethical boundaries and accuracy are critical throughout assessment activities.
Assessment is not a standalone process—it is a starting point that feeds into all other responsibilities you’ll perform as an RBT.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Guessing or assuming client preferences: Always test systematically.
- Recording vague data: Be objective and specific in observations.
- Skipping steps in protocols: Follow your supervisor’s instructions to the letter.
- Providing prompts during assessment: Only prompt if the protocol allows it.
- Drawing conclusions: That’s your supervisor’s job. Your job is to collect and report accurately.
Tips for Studying Unit B Effectively
- Use visuals: Diagrams of preference assessment types can help clarify procedures.
- Watch videos: Many training platforms include examples of skill assessments and ABC data collection.
- Role-play scenarios: Practice with classmates or coworkers to simulate assessments.
- Use flashcards: Review definitions and key steps for each assessment type.
- Take quizzes: Reinforce your knowledge through repetition and feedback.
Reinforce Learning with RBT Practice Exams
Assessment is heavily covered in the RBT certification test. To prepare effectively, take the full set of RBT practice exams. Each one includes questions related to Unit B concepts and integrates assessment skills with other units.
- RBT Practice Exam 1: Basics of preference assessments
- RBT Practice Exam 2: Following protocols for curriculum assessments
- RBT Practice Exam 3: Functional behavior observation scenarios
- RBT Practice Exam 4: Ethics and assessment integration
- RBT Practice Exam 5: Realistic case-based questions across all assessment domains
Using these exams not only tests your recall, but they also reveals which parts of Unit B you understand well and where more study is needed.
Conclusion: Mastering Assessment Builds a Strong RBT Foundation
Unit B gives you the tools to identify what motivates your clients, how they learn, and why they behave the way they do. With this knowledge, you can support the BCBA in crafting effective, personalized intervention strategies.
Assessment is a skill that combines careful observation, structured procedures, and professional integrity. When mastered, it allows you to contribute meaningfully to your client’s progress and success.
Build your knowledge step by step, connect each unit, and test often. With this approach, you’re not just preparing for an exam—you’re preparing to become an effective and ethical Registered Behavior Technician.
