Failing the BCBA exam hurts. You studied for months, spent the money, and hoped for the best, only for the world to fall apart on your screen. But guess what: many successful BCBAs didn’t get it on their first try! Retaking is more popular than you might believe.
What counts now is how you prepare differently. The solution is not more work; it’s smarter work. In this guide, we’re going to cover how to make the most out of your first attempt, recover from the hit to your confidence, and create a study plan that optimizes your chances to pass on your next try.
Face the Emotions First
Before you open another book, take a breath. It is alright to feel frustrated, embarrassed, or even fearful to try again. These emotions have the power to hinder your concentration when left unacknowledged.
Strategies to help deal with the emotional side:
- Space out your studying: don’t return to it the next day. Taking a break can reset your mindset.
- Talk it out: Vent to colleagues or supervisors. You’ll discover that many of them once failed, too.
- Reframe the way you think about failure: Rather than say, “I failed,” tell yourself, “I now know exactly what to expect on test day.”
Use Your Score Report as a Map
First-timers don’t get to lean on this cushion, but you do. The BACB wires a score report that indicates which content areas you struggled with the most. This is your roadmap:
- Circle your lowest sections.
- Pair them with the BACB 6th Edition Task List.
- Plan your next study cycle to start with these areas.
Don’t Repeat the Same Study Routine
If you studied the same way again, you’d probably get the same result. Instead, change your approach:
- Less reading, more practice. Swap some reading sessions for quizzes or mock exams.
- Apply, don’t memorize. Practice explaining concepts out loud or solving scenarios.
- Study in smaller chunks. Use focused 25–30 minute sessions instead of marathon study days.
Reuse What You Already Know
One mistake retakers make is starting over completely. That wastes time. Instead:
- Keep the notes you already made.
- Focus only on concepts you struggled with.
- Use old flashcards to test yourself, but pay extra attention to the ones you always miss.
This isn’t about learning everything again. It’s about sharpening the areas that made you lose points the first time.
Make Ethics Part of Every Study Week
Ethics questions are heavily tested. Many retakers admit they left ethics until the end, and it cost them. This time:
- Do a few ethics questions in every study session.
- Discuss ethical dilemmas with peers to see different perspectives.
- Connect ethics to real cases you’ve seen in practice.
Use the Path 2 Pass BCBA Study Manual Differently
The Path 2 Pass Manual isn’t just a prep book. For retakers, it can fix the exact problems that led to failure:
- Structure: It follows the Task List step by step, so you won’t miss key areas.
- Feedback: Quizzes after each section show right away if you’ve improved.
- Application: Assignments push you to apply, not just memorize.
- Simulation: Two 185-question mock exams prepare you for test-day pacing and stamina.
If your first attempt felt scattered, the manual gives you focus.
Unsure if it’s right for you? Read Is the BCBA Exam 6th Edition Study Guide Worth It?.
Build a Retake-Friendly Study Plan
A retake plan looks different from a first-timer’s. Here’s an example:
- Weeks 1–2: Review weakest Task List sections (use quizzes).
- Weeks 3–4: Cycle through stronger areas + add ethics every day.
- Week 5: Take Mock Exam 1, review every mistake, and return to weak spots.
- Week 6: Take Mock Exam 2 as a final rehearsal.
For scheduling tips, check Top 5 Study Strategies to Pass the BCBA Exam.
Prepare for Test Day with Confidence
Walking into the test center a second time can feel harder. But you’re more prepared now than before.
- Rehearse test day. Try a full mock exam at the same time of day as your scheduled test.
- Plan logistics. Know your route, bring your ID, and arrive early.
- Use calm strategies. Deep breathing, grounding, or stretching can keep nerves in check.
Related: How the BCBA Exam Works: Format and Tips.
You did not fail if you have to retake the BCBA exam. It means you have now been through the experience that most people taking the test for the first time will not have had. Think of your score report as a map. Change how you study, and practice smarter, not harder.
The Path 2 Pass BCBA Study Manual can guide your second attempt, giving you structure, practice, and confidence.
This time, you’re not starting from zero. You’re building from experience. And with the right approach, that next try can be the one that makes you a BCBA.
Ready to study smarter? Buy the Path 2 Pass BCBA Study Manual today.
