According to the Behavior Analysis Certification Board Examination Pass Rates report, only 63% of first-time applicants passed the BCBA exam on their first attempt in 2019. This means 37% of applicants are repeat test takers and require additional attempts to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The good news is that the BACB requires 30-days elapse from the date of the prior exam and the next opportunity to test, which allows time to review skill areas and determine a test-taking strategy. The other good news? If an applicant does not pass the exam, they are given an examination report that highlights their performance in each task list area. These scores are given in the form of percentages, rather than specifics, but can be useful in reevaluating a test-taking strategy and identifying areas for review. Students tend to struggle the most on the application portions of the exam. According to the BACB, over 100 subject matter experts helped to compile exam questions for 2019 and 2020. This means that students who can apply content outside of one area of application may be more prepared for a wider range of test questions. Students should ensure they do their due diligence to receive exposure to a wide range of ABA constructs during their supervision, not just during test preparation sessions. The practice of Applied Behavior Analysis has many areas of study, not only as a therapy for individuals with Autism. The BCBA exam is comprised of 160 multiple choice questions covering content from the current BACB Task List. It is important to note that there may be more than one correct answer for a test question; however, there is always one best answer. All answer choices should be reviewed and incorrect answers ruled out by testers to increase the likelihood of selecting the best answer. While there are different versions of the exam given, no one version is more difficult or easier than another. Instead, test questions are evaluated and weighted so that exams are of a comparable level. When preparing for the next test attempt, the BACB recommends reviewing all areas, not just those with a lower percentage score on previous test attempts. Additionally, regular best practices for test prep apply to this exam. For example, complete practice tests to continue to monitor areas of strength and areas that require additional review. Another strategy is to identify how to use flags during the exam. Flags can be added to any question, with some test takers finding them helpful to identify questions that require additional review after all questions have been answered. Overall, having a timeline for review and a strategy for the day of the exam will make a difference. Follow any routines or rituals that provide calm and create a focused atmosphere, as this will be more likely to support a positive outcome. For example, if the student always eats oatmeal for breakfast or goes for a run, they should follow that routine on exam day. Routines can help to reduce test-taking anxiety. Additionally, biofeedback such as progressive muscle relaxation or diaphragmatic breathing has also been found to reduce test anxiety (Zargarzadeh & Shirazi, 2014). Practicing these methods before implementing them on test day is crucial. Most importantly, remember that many applicants fail the BCBA exam on their first attempt. Review the data and implement another intervention, as any BCBA would do. References Information about scoring. (2021, February 03). Retrieved February 07, 2021, from https://www.bacb.com/examination-information/information-about-scoring/ Debunking myths about BACB examinations. (2021, February 01). Retrieved February 07, 2021, from https://www.bacb.com/debunking-myths-about-bacb-examinations/ Zargarzadeh, M., & Shirazi, M. (2014). The effect of progressive muscle relaxation method on test anxiety in nursing students. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 19, 607-612.