Key Highlights
- The BCBA exam and the bar exam are both challenging professional certifications, but they differ greatly in purpose and scope.
- The BCBA exam is a single-day, four-hour test with 185 multiple-choice questions focusing on applied behavior analysis.
- The bar exam is a multi-day test that varies by state, combining multiple-choice questions, essays, and performance tests on broad legal topics.
- The first-time pass rate for the BCBA exam was 54% in 2024, which is generally lower than the average first-time pass rate for the bar exam.
- Effective preparation for both requires significant time management, but the study strategies differ due to the distinct test content and exam questions.
- The Behavior Analyst Certification Board sets the standards for the BCBA exam, while individual state bars govern the bar exam.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered how the BCBA exam stacks up against other tough professional tests, like the bar exam? Both are known for being incredibly demanding and are crucial gateways to respected careers. If you’re on the path to becoming a behavior analyst or are just curious, comparing these two high-stakes tests can be enlightening. This guide will break down the similarities and differences between them, from their structure and content to the pass rates for taking them the first time.
Understanding the BCBA Exam and the Bar Exam
The BCBA exam is the final hurdle for individuals seeking to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Passing this test demonstrates your expertise in the principles of behavior analysis and your readiness to provide services as a certified behavior analyst. It’s a specialized exam focused on a single, comprehensive field of study.
On the other hand, the bar exam is the test aspiring lawyers must pass to be licensed to practice law in a specific state. After completing law school, candidates take this exam to prove they have the necessary legal knowledge and skills. We will explore key differences in their purpose, the careers they lead to, and who typically takes each exam.
Key Differences in Purpose and Scope
The most significant difference between the two exams lies in their purpose. The BCBA exam is designed to certify your competency specifically within the field of applied behavior analysis. Its scope is deep but narrow, focusing entirely on the principles, ethics, and practices related to understanding and changing behavior.
In contrast, the bar exam has a much broader scope. It assesses a wide range of legal subject matter, from constitutional law to contracts and criminal procedure. The goal is to ensure a candidate has a foundational knowledge across many areas of law to practice competently and ethically.
While both are professional gatekeepers, the BCBA exam tests for specialized expertise in one discipline, whereas the bar exam tests for generalist knowledge across a vast legal landscape. This fundamental difference in subject matter shapes every aspect of the exams, from study methods to question types.
Career Pathways and Professional Roles
Passing these exams opens doors to very different career paths. Earning your credentials as a behavior analyst by passing the BCBA exam allows you to work in various settings, including clinics, schools, and homes, helping individuals with autism and other developmental conditions. These professional certifications qualify you to design and oversee behavior-analytic interventions.
Graduates of law school who pass the bar exam become lawyers, which can lead to a multitude of roles. They might work in private practice, for a government agency, as in-house counsel for a corporation, or in public interest law. The legal profession is incredibly diverse, and passing the bar is the essential first step.
Ultimately, a behavior analyst applies scientific principles to improve socially significant behaviors, while a lawyer navigates the legal system to advocate for clients. Both roles require a high level of responsibility and are governed by strict ethical codes, but their daily functions and professional environments are worlds apart.
Who Takes Each Exam?
The candidates for each exam come from distinct educational backgrounds. Test takers for the BCBA exam are typically individuals who have completed a master’s degree or Ph.D. in behavior analysis, education, or psychology. In addition to their graduate coursework, they must complete a significant amount of supervised fieldwork experience before they are eligible to sit for the exam.
Conversely, the bar exam is taken by individuals who have earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school. The journey through law school is an intensive three-year program focused on legal theory, research, and argumentation. There is no fieldwork component required in the same way as for the BCBA exam.
This means that while both exams are for advanced professionals, the paths leading to them are quite different. The journey to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst involves a blend of academic learning and hands-on clinical practice, whereas the path to the bar exam is primarily rooted in academic legal studies.
Structure and Content of the BCBA Exam
The BCBA exam has a very clear and consistent structure. It is a computer-based test administered in a single four-hour session. To pass, you must achieve a minimum passing score determined by the certification board. The exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions, but don’t let that fool you; the exam questions are known for their complexity and clinical language.
Each question is carefully designed to test your deep understanding of the concepts, not just rote memorization. Now, let’s look closer at the specific format, the topics covered, and the common areas where test-takers find the most difficulty.
Exam Format and Types of Questions
The BCBA exam format is straightforward but demanding. You will have four hours to answer 185 multiple-choice questions. However, it’s important to know that 10 of these are unscored “pilot questions” used for developing future exams. You won’t know which ones are the pilot questions, so you must give every question your best effort to find the correct answer.
The choice questions are known for being tricky. They often present clinical scenarios where multiple answer options seem plausible. Absolute clarity and a precise understanding of the test content are necessary to distinguish the best possible answer from the distractors. The difficulty often lies in the nuanced wording of the exam questions and the detailed scenarios presented.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the format:
- Number of questions: 185 multiple-choice questions
- Scored Questions: 175
- Unscored Pilot Questions: 10
- Time Limit: 4 hours
- Format: Computer-based test
Domains Covered in the BCBA Test
The content of the BCBA exam is guided by the 6th Edition Test Content Outline (TCO), which is a comprehensive task list of everything a competent behavior analyst should know. This document is your roadmap for what to study. The TCO is organized into specific domains that cover the full scope of behavior analysis.
The exam questions are distributed across these domains, with some areas carrying more weight than others. The BACB handbook provides a detailed breakdown of how many questions correspond to each of the TCO domains. In addition to the task list, a significant part of the exam covers the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, which is a known problem area for many.
The primary domains from the edition test content outline include:
- Philosophical Underpinnings
- Concepts and Principles
- Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation
- Experimental Design
- Ethics
Common Areas Where Test-Takers Struggle
Many test takers find the BCBA exam challenging for several key reasons. One of the biggest hurdles is the gap between academic coursework and the specific language used on the test. The exam questions are written in a precise, clinical manner that may not reflect day-to-day experiences, requiring a deep, foundational knowledge.
Time management is another significant challenge. Answering 185 questions in four hours requires a steady pace and the ability not to get stuck on any single question. Furthermore, many students struggle with the ethics portion of the exam, which demands a nuanced understanding and application of the professional code. Relying on mock exams can help you prepare for these challenges before exam day.
Common struggles include:
- Complex clinical language in exam questions
- Inadequate preparation from coursework alone
- Poor time management during the four-hour test
- Difficulty with the ethics domain
- Failing to study the entire Test Content Outline after a failed attempt
Structure and Content of the Bar Exam
Unlike the nationally standardized BCBA exam, the bar exam is not a single test. Its structure and content vary significantly depending on the state where you plan to practice law. Most state bar exams are multi-day affairs, typically lasting two or even three days. They are designed to be a comprehensive assessment of the legal knowledge you gained in law school.
Most states use a combination of national and state-specific components, such as the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE). For example, the New York bar has its own unique elements. Let’s examine how state differences, question styles, and other factors contribute to the bar exam’s notorious difficulty.
State Differences in the Bar Exam
One of the most complex aspects of the bar exam is that each state sets its own rules. While many states have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) to standardize scores, others, like California and Louisiana, maintain unique tests. California’s bar exam is famously difficult, partly due to its historically high passing score, known as the “cut score.”
Louisiana’s exam is another outlier, as its legal system is based on civil law rather than the English common law used in other states. This means the material is unique, and you typically need to attend law school in Louisiana to be adequately prepared. New York also has a reputation for a challenging exam that tests New York-specific laws extensively.
These variations mean that the difficulty of the bar exam can depend heavily on where you take it.
| State | First-Time Bar Exam Pass Rate | Overall Bar Exam Pass Rate | Length |
| California | 68% | 54% | Two Days |
| New York | 79% | 69% | Two Days |
| Louisiana | 75% | 66% | Three Days |
Major Sections and Question Styles
Most state bar exams are composed of three main parts. The first is the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), which is a standardized, 200-item multiple-choice test covering broad legal principles like constitutional law, contracts, and torts. This is the “choice questions” portion of the bar.
The second part typically consists of essay questions. These can include questions from the Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) or state-specific essays that test your knowledge of local laws and your ability to construct a coherent legal argument. The final component is the Multistate Performance Test (MPT), which simulates a real-world legal assignment, like drafting a memo or a brief based on a provided case file.
The major sections are:
- The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE)
- The Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) or state-specific essays
- The Multistate Performance Test (MPT)
Factors That Influence Bar Exam Difficulty
Several factors contribute to how hard the bar exam is in any given state. The most obvious is the state-mandated cut score, which determines what is needed to pass. States with higher cut scores naturally have lower bar exam pass rates. The length of the exam is also a factor; a three-day exam like Louisiana’s is a marathon of endurance compared to a two-day test.
The sheer volume of material is another major hurdle. Unlike the BCBA exam’s focus on a single day test and subject, the bar requires you to recall information from dozens of legal subjects learned over three years of law school. Effective time management during the exam is critical, as you must balance speed and accuracy across different formats, from multiple-choice to long-form essays.
This combination of a high-stakes environment, vast subject matter, and grueling length makes the bar exam a formidable challenge recognized by the American Bar Association and law graduates everywhere.
Preparing for the BCBA Versus Bar Exam
While both the BCBA and bar exams demand rigorous preparation, your approach to studying will look quite different for each. Success on exam day hinges on creating a dedicated study schedule and using the right resources. Proper time management is essential, whether you’re mastering behavior-analytic principles or memorizing legal statutes.
However, the specific study methods, time commitment, and strategies for overcoming challenges are tailored to the unique format and content of each test. Let’s compare what it takes to get ready for these high-stakes professional certifications and achieve a passing score.
Recommended Study Methods for Each Exam
For the BCBA exam, the most effective study strategy involves mastering the entire Test Content Outline (TCO). A common mistake is to only review low-scoring areas after a failed attempt. Instead, experts recommend studying everything to understand how the domains connect. High-quality exam prep materials from certified BCBAs and practice exams are crucial.
For the bar exam, preparation often involves enrolling in a comprehensive bar review course. These courses provide structured lectures, outlines, and thousands of practice questions. Study groups can also be beneficial for discussing complex topics and staying motivated during the long months of preparation.
Effective study methods for either exam often include:
- Developing a detailed study schedule.
- Taking numerous practice exams and mock tests.
- Using high-quality, reputable exam prep materials.
- Focusing on understanding concepts, not just rote memorization.
- Joining study groups for accountability and support.
Time Commitment and Preparation Resources
Preparing for either of these exams is not a sprint; it’s a marathon that requires a significant time commitment. For the BCBA exam, many successful candidates begin their dedicated study plan at least six months before their test date. This ensures they have enough time to cover all TCO domains thoroughly without cramming.
Bar exam prep is similarly intense, with most graduates studying full-time for 8-10 weeks after graduation. Resources for the bar are plentiful, including large commercial prep courses, private tutors, and extensive banks of practice exams. For the BCBA exam, resources like the PTB Roadmap to Exam Day can help structure your study plan.
Key resources include:
- BCBA Exam: The BACB Test Content Outline, high-quality exam prep from BCBAs, and mock exams.
- Bar Exam: Commercial bar review courses (e.g., Barbri, Themis), private tutors, and official practice questions.
Strategies to Overcome Common Challenges
For BCBA test takers, a winning strategy is to treat your preparation like you’re learning the material for the first time, even if you’re retaking the exam. As PTB founder Dana Meller recommends, ignore your previous score report and study the entire TCO. Using mock exams to simulate the exam day experience is far more effective than using the actual BCBA exam as a “practice run.”
For the bar exam, a key strategy is breaking down the massive amount of information into manageable chunks and using active recall techniques. Managing test anxiety over a multi-day exam is also critical. Practice under timed conditions helps build the stamina and confidence needed to perform well when it counts.
Strategies to succeed include:
- Studying the entire content outline, not just weak areas.
- Using mock exams to rehearse the test-taking process.
- Creating and sticking to a realistic study schedule.
- Focusing on building fluency with the concepts.
- Prioritizing self-care to avoid burnout before exam day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, comparing the BCBA exam to the bar exam reveals distinct challenges and pathways related to each. Both exams require diligent preparation and an understanding of their unique structures. While the BCBA test focuses on behavioral analysis, the bar exam encompasses a broader legal framework. Recognizing your career goals and the specific demands of each exam can significantly impact your study strategies and overall success. Whether you are pursuing a career in ABA or law, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right resources and techniques.
At Little Champs ABA, we not only provide compassionate ABA therapy in Utah and Colorado for children with autism but also support professionals and educators in their certification journey. Comparing the BCBA exam to the bar exam highlights the unique challenges of each path. Success requires preparation, focus, and the right resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BCBA exam pass rate higher or lower than the bar exam pass rate?
The first-time BCBA exam pass rate is generally lower than the average first-time bar exam pass rate. In 2024, the BCBA exam pass rate was 54% for first-timers. While bar exam pass rates vary by state, the national average for first-time takers is often higher, around 79%.
Do ABA professionals find the BCBA test harder than expected?
Yes, many test-takers find the BCBA exam more difficult than they anticipated. The specific clinical language and scenario-based questions often go beyond what is covered in coursework or day-to-day work as a behavior analyst. This makes a deep understanding of the test content in applied behavior analysis essential for passing.
Has the BCBA exam become more difficult in recent years?
The data suggests it has become more challenging to pass. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s annual report shows a decline in first-time pass rates since 2020. The BACB Board of Directors approves the passing score, which is determined using the modified Angoff method to ensure the BCBA exam maintains its high standards.
SOURCE:
https://www.ncbex.org/exams/mee
https://www.barbri.com/resources/what-is-the-mee
https://jdadvising.com/what-is-the-multistate-essay-exam-mee/
https://www.reddit.com/r/ABA/comments/1fbfw4i/i_passed_the_bcba_exam/
https://passthebigabaexam.com/what-is-the-bcba-exam-pass-rate/