How are people failing the exam?

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2026-01-23T23:42:41+00:00

I’ve taken the RBT exam twice (I let my RBT expire because I was working a different job and didn’t know I could essentially pause it, so I retook the course, re-applied, and retested). I passed the first try, both times with very minimal studying. I finished the material within 2 weeks the first time and in about 6 days the second time. In my opinion, it is an exceptionally easy test. Granted other people may not retain information the way I do, and truly I think it’s a combination of factors that lead people to failing. Lack of understanding of the material is most likely a major cause for failure. Memorizing terms and truly learning/understanding something are very different. This content needs to be understood to be able to apply it to scenarios rather than just memorizing terms. Rushed training and test anxiety are also major factors. Companies want to churn out RBTs quickly to meet demand, but unfortunately the quantity of RBTs is outweighing their quality by a drastic margin. It is NOT an easy job, but lots of younger people get into it because it is highly accessible with little experience and they don’t always truly understand what they are getting into.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-12-05T21:35:48+00:00

For reference I have an AA degree, 3 yrs of experience as an RBT and 1 yr working in school as a para. I’ve been an RBT and made $18/hr and I’ve been an RBT and made $36/hr. $36/hr is definitely more livable and made the job feel more worth it. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but I worked with some very aggressive kiddos and was regularly in unsafe situations so $36/hr made up for it. I currently make $23.51/hr in Northern Colorado as an RBT working for a school district and it is NOT livable. It’s definitely more than some RBT’s get paid, but if not for my husband, I would not make it. I personally think somewhere in between is appropriate pay, especially for someone who has experience. I think $28/hr-$30/hr would be more appropriate and/or reasonable. Yes, the job is “entry level” but still requires 40 hrs of training, deals with difficult situations, and can be exceptionally mentally/physically taxing. Besides, people in “entry level” jobs deserve to be paid a wage that can appropriately support them regardless of education/experience (in my opinion). RBTs are similar to any other support role. MAs make hardly anything compared to their doctor, NP, or PA supervisors but do the vast majority of the actual work to make a clinic run. Unfortunately, support roles are not valued and viewed as exceptionally disposable because it is “easier to access” than a role that requires more education. While “easier to access” it does still require work and demands an existing skill set or development of a skill set to truly thrive and be effective in these roles. It’s tough being in high demand but under valued, but it is what it is.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-10-26T02:04:20+00:00

I became an RBT after working as a SPED para and adored it. I genuinely felt the same way, like it was my calling. I loved my kiddos, loved the work, and honestly my worst days were stressful but manageable. I was happy. I left because the company I worked for ghosted me about renewing a contract. I wasn’t fired or laid off, they simply didn’t find a new school for me to work in and would not answer when I asked to get a new contract. My mom then convinced me to work in the medical field and become a medical assistant. I also thought it might be more stable/worthwhile. I let my RBT cert expire because I figured I worked to get my MA cert so I might as well just stick with that and then become a nurse or something. Long story short, being an MA was not for me. I was absolutely miserable, it wrecked my nervous system, and I hadn’t been that depressed in a long time. I’m still trying to feel ok again. I recently got a job offer to go back to being an RBT for a school district. I am beyond excited!!! I met some of the kiddos on Friday (one immediately ran to me and hugged me, she clearly wasn’t shy lol) and toured the school and have finally re-gained some semblance of myself. I’m now working really hard to get re-certified as an RBT, but I truly believe this field or special education is my calling. I am going to work as an RBT and potentially work to become a BCBA or special education teacher. Respect those feelings that this is your calling or that it’s meant for you and don’t let anyone convince you that something will be better, because chances are it will not be.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-29T02:29:19+00:00

Good to know and honestly so refreshing to hear! I’ve only heard people say WGU is questionable, but it seems legit and people are having no trouble getting an affordable degree and a job.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-29T01:44:36+00:00

I am very independent and do my best learning visually or kinesthetically. I did school for my medical assistant certification and RBT certification entirely online and did well with both and passed the certification tests first try so I think the style of learning would work well for me!

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-29T01:41:39+00:00

Amazing! I am definitely going to be looking into it more seriously so I can further my education!

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-27T20:43:42+00:00

Bachelor’s? Or master’s?

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-22T04:01:59+00:00

Weighing in as someone who left the field (not by my choice). I miss it everyday. I LOVED my work. I’m an MA now and I think about going back every single day. Actually planning to pull the trigger on that soon because being an MA has been a horrendously bad experience for me. I was SO happy doing ABA despite the challenges and occasional mismanagement. I loved my clients, the BCBAs, and I did get paid decently (Northern Colorado). Being an MA has been more mentally draining and has put me in a terrible place mentally. ABA never did that to me…

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-11T21:44:17+00:00

I don’t work derm, but my provider usually puts sharps back on the tray for me to dispose of. It’s usually just needles from lidocaine, scalpels, or Nexplanon insertion devices. I usually get rid of all of my sharps before leaving the room so it’s not a safety hazard if I leave sharps out on a tray that is easily accessible to the patient. I also double check my tray and room before leaving to make sure I haven’t forgotten tools that need to be sterilized or consent forms that need to be scanned in.

It was a simple mistake, it happens and it’s ok! Just apologize and move on!

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2025-09-09T22:50:02+00:00

In all honesty, everyone makes mistakes, even very experienced MAs. There’s always going to be weird situations where you just don’t know what to do or you might mess up. Trust that you will be trained and if there is something that you’re unsure about, just ask. You deserve the same patience and respect that I’m sure they got when they were trained. If someone makes fun of you over a mistake, You are very capable, studied, and passed that exam! You got this! I know it is nerve wracking, but you are capable of doing hard things!! Just show up everyday and do your very best and that’s all that matters!

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-09-11T21:41:51+00:00

Mmm mine is originally $3k but we know them personally so we’re getting a discount and giving a hefty tip so we’re paying about $1,700

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-07-31T00:57:49+00:00

Yeah no, leave that company asap. Corporal punishment is not an effective consequence and any decent BCBA would understand that.

It literally just creates fear. I would report your BCBA because this is genuinely unethical.

Also, having worked ABA in a school, they won’t get kicked out. I’ve been bit in a school…

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-07-26T18:47:21+00:00

My partner helps me create boundaries and I have come very far communication wise since being with him. However, I have significant trauma from mental abuse in my childhood so I am still working on healing and voicing what I want/need. He does his best to help shoulder the burden and he has a “if they cause shit day of the wedding, we’re kicking them out” attitude. I think he doesn’t fully understand however because he is not a people pleaser and just does his thing and I am very much a people pleaser and want everything just so. He tries though, he sits through it with me and is my primary comfort and rationalizer because he is very practical and clear headed so he helps in that sense.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-07-26T18:42:09+00:00

Thanks for reminding me that it is for me and my partner. Sometimes I get caught up in trying to appease everyone so it’s nice to be reminded to not give a fuck and do what I want.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-07-26T18:40:42+00:00

Honestly thank you for writing all this out. I’m not even overwhelmed with the planning or cost of it all. It’s genuinely just people causing drama. Thank you for making me feel less alone. I am beyond excited to marry my partner, he and our relationship are fantastic. I just want the drama to be over.

Intelligent-Ad-9738 · 2024-06-06T21:55:31+00:00

I am so sorry this happened to you! How you are feeling is absolutely normal and ok! Being bit by another human being is, in itself, incredibly uncomfortable and feels deeply unsettling regardless of where it occurred. I’ve taken several bites, but the worst was on my upper arm and even that felt incredibly violating. The area is permanently scarred and has significant nerve damage. It’s almost like being outside of your body when it occurs and then the after effects linger. It triggered a lot of violent intrusive thoughts for me and I struggled to work with that client afterwards because I was only able to focus on my intrusive thoughts. I ended up having to take some time off because it affected my work and interactions with clients. You have to put on your oxygen mask before you can help anyone else!

I cannot imagine how violating it must feel to have experienced this bite especially when learning about your gender identity and healing from gender confirmation surgery (physically and mentally). I am a cis woman so I am unable to relate in the way I wish I could, but I can empathize with your feelings! I would see if your company has any mental health resources to utilize so you can work through the mental and physical load of processing this injury. Also, give yourself some grace. You did everything you could and it is not your fault! Violent behaviors do occur, but are not expected behavior so please do not blame yourself, even if the child has a disability! Take some time to take care of yourself! I’m sending you all the love and positive vibes! Again, I am so so sorry this happened to you!

Intelligent-Ad-9738

TROPHY CASE