The 7 Best ABA Study Guides for the BCBA Exam
Looking for the best ABA study guide to pass the BCBA exam? The go-to resources include the ABA Wizard app, the BAS Task List Study Guide, free community groups on Facebook, StudyNotesABA, Pass The Big ABA Exam, the FIT Mock Exam, and Cooper’s Applied Behavior Analysis textbook. Each one serves a different learning style, and most are surprisingly affordable.
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst is a serious goal with a serious payoff. But getting through the BCBA exam? That’s its own challenge entirely. Your graduate program gives you the clinical foundation. What it doesn’t always prepare you for is the test-taking strategy and the sheer volume of material you need to recall on exam day.
That’s where a solid ABA study guide makes all the difference. Whether you’re still in school and want to get ahead or you’re deep in exam prep mode, the tools below cover every learning style and most budgets. Here’s what’s worth your time.
1. Study on the Go With The ABA Wizard App
2. Review the BAS Task List Study Guide
3. Join The “ABA Study Group” on Facebook
4. Have Fun and Learn With StudyNotesABA
5. Get Focused With Pass The Big ABA Exam
1. Study on the Go With The ABA Wizard App
If you’re going to spend time studying, it might as well fit into your life. That’s exactly what ABA Wizard does — a portable, affordable app built specifically for BCBA exam prep.
At around $10 (pricing subject to change), it covers a significant amount of territory without putting a dent in your wallet. The app walks through the content areas aligned with the current BCBA Test Content Outline with over 1,400 practice questions. When you get something wrong, you don’t just see a red X. The app explains the mistake so you’re less likely to make it again. That kind of immediate feedback is what makes practice actually stick.
Available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, you can grab a version for any device.
2. Review the BAS Task List Study Guide
The Behavior Analyst Supervisor website offers structured exam prep resources for the BCBA, and their Task List Study Guide is one of the more comprehensive options available.
The core offering includes 14 hours of video training and a downloadable 100+ page study guide to work through at your own pace. Beyond the guide, BAS offers mini mock exams with 25 questions each — quick, targeted sessions that focus on individual content areas, with about 400 total questions across all the minis. When you’re ready for a full run-through, their 160-question full mock exam simulates the real experience as closely as any third-party resource can.
Pricing is flexible, with packages ranging from single-exam access to 30-day access covering two full mock exams and all mini-exams (pricing subject to change — check the site for current rates). It’s a solid option if you want structure and variety in one place.
3. Join the “ABA Study Group” on Facebook
There’s no resource quite like other people pushing toward the same goal. The Facebook ABA Study Group is an independent peer community — not affiliated with the BACB — but it’s one of the most active and useful free resources available for exam prep.
It’s a private group that helps keep the focus on people who are serious about the exam. With more than 45,000 members, you’ve got access to a wide range of experience — students at every stage of their programs alongside working BCBAs who’ve already been through the process.
Some of the mock exams posted in the group are genuinely impressive, and the cost is nothing beyond your own willingness to contribute when others need support.
4. Have Fun and Learn With StudyNotesABA
Even the most disciplined exam-taker needs a change of pace. StudyNotesABA takes a different approach — irreverent, entertaining, but substantively useful.
The resources are designed to be real and relatable. Offerings include workbooks, full mock exams with 160 questions, live video reviews with BCBAs, and one-on-one tutoring for those who want a personal touch. Pricing varies by product, so check the site for current rates. It’s a different kind of study experience, and one that works well for people who find traditional prep materials tough to stay engaged with.
5. Get Focused With Pass The Big ABA Exam
Among candidates preparing for the BCBA exam, you don’t even have to name it specifically. It’s just “The Big ABA Exam.” Pass The Big ABA Exam built its entire brand around that reality.
PTBAE offers downloadable study guides and online mock exams alongside their flagship product: the BIG Exam Prep Workshop. It’s a multi-week, guided live course that works through content aligned with the current BCBA Test Content Outline (6th Edition), per current BACB standards. The format includes oversized flashcards, structured homework, and weekly live Q&A sessions with instructors — essentially a focused prep course built entirely around getting you through the exam. Check the site for current pricing and availability.
6. Take the FIT Mock Exam
The BCBA exam is the same no matter where you plan to practice. The Florida Institute of Technology offers several mock exam versions online, and they’re worth knowing about regardless of where you’re based.
Each version covers the content areas in the BCBA Test Content Outline (6th Edition), per current BACB standards. You can review your scoring by content area as you go, which makes it easier to identify exactly where to focus your remaining study time. The exams are untimed, which takes some pressure off before you face the real thing — 175 scored questions plus 10 unscored pilot questions, all within a 4-hour time limit. Practicing without a clock is a useful stepping stone. Check the FIT site for current pricing and available versions.
7. Dig Into the Cooper Book
No list of BCBA exam prep resources is complete without mentioning Applied Behavior Analysis, Second Edition by John Cooper, Timothy Heron, and William Heward. Among candidates and practitioners alike, it’s widely considered the foundational content reference for the exam.
Many people pick it up on their own, even when it’s not assigned, because the depth it provides on core ABA concepts is hard to match. If the textbook isn’t in your budget, the authors and publisher have made supplementary materials available online at no cost. Those include chapter summaries and objectives, multiple-choice and essay self-assessments, guided lecture notes, instructions for creating behavioral graphs, and links to additional research resources.
It’s not a quick read. But for candidates who want a strong conceptual foundation to go alongside their practice exams, the Cooper Book remains a reliable reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best ABA study guide for the BCBA exam?
The best option depends on how you learn. The Cooper Book is the gold standard for content depth, while the BAS Task List Study Guide and Pass The Big ABA Exam offer structured practice with mock exams. If you’re on a budget, the free Facebook ABA Study Group is a strong starting point.
How long should I study for the BCBA exam?
Most candidates study for three to six months before the exam, though timelines vary based on your familiarity with the material and how recently you completed your coursework. Using a mix of a strong ABA study guide, practice exams, and peer support tends to produce the best results.
Are free BCBA exam prep resources worth using?
Absolutely. The Facebook ABA Study Group has tens of thousands of members, including working BCBAs who share mock exams and study strategies. The Cooper Book’s supplementary materials are also available at no cost. These can serve as solid primary resources or a strong complement to paid tools.
What is the BCBA Test Content Outline, and why does it matter?
The BCBA Test Content Outline (6th Edition), published by the BACB, defines the skills and knowledge areas covered on the exam. Every question maps back to it. The strongest study tools — including ABA Wizard, BAS, and PTBAE — are aligned to the current Test Content Outline, so building your prep around it is the most direct path to passing.
What is the format of the BCBA exam?
The BCBA exam includes 175 scored questions plus 10 unscored pilot questions, for a total of 185 items. You have 4 hours to complete it. Questions are drawn from the content areas in the current BCBA Test Content Outline (6th Edition), per current BACB standards.
Key Takeaways
- Dedicated prep matters — The BCBA exam requires focused study beyond what most graduate programs cover, and a targeted ABA study guide is essential.
- ABA Wizard — A low-cost mobile option that covers content aligned with the current BCBA Test Content Outline with 1,400+ practice questions (pricing subject to change).
- BAS and PTBAE — Both offer structured mock exams and guided study at different price points; check each site for current pricing.
- Facebook ABA Study Group — An independent peer community with real BCBAs actively sharing study materials and support, at no cost.
- The Cooper Book — The content foundation for serious exam prep, with free supplementary materials available online.
- Combine your tools — Most successful candidates use at least two resources: one for content review, one for realistic timed practice.
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