Studying for the BCBA exam can sometimes feel like stuffing an overpacked suitcase—no matter how much you cram, something important always seems to fall out. With so many terms, definitions, acronyms, and subtle distinctions to remember, even motivated test-takers can hit a wall when it comes to retention.

Luckily, memory isn’t just about brute force—it’s about technique. And if you’ve been highlighting your notes into a rainbow-colored blur, it might be time to trade that highlighter for something a bit more...strategic.

The good news? You don’t need a photographic memory to pass. What you do need are study tools that actually work. Tools that are backed by how the brain processes information, and easy enough to slip into your daily routine.

One of the best ways to boost memory is to actively engage with the material you’re learning. This is why many BCBA candidates rely on resources like ABA Study Guide exam questions to practice recall in real time. But beyond practice questions, there are several other techniques that can make studying feel more effective—and even fun.

Let’s break them down.

Use Mnemonics (But Make Them Ridiculous)

Mnemonic devices are old-school, but they stick for a reason. Our brains are wired to remember stories, associations, and oddities way more easily than dry definitions.

Take for example the behavioral functions: Attention, Escape, Tangible, and Sensory. You could drill those four words into your head the traditional way… or you could just remember the phrase “All Elephants Take Showers.” It sounds silly. That’s the point. The weirder and more vivid the image, the better your recall.

Here’s how to make your mnemonics memorable:

1. Use rhyme, rhythm, or alliteration.
2. Link boring concepts to absurd visuals.
3. Try to incorporate humor, surprise, or emotion.

A simple list might fade. But picturing a giraffe using a token economy to buy bubble tea? That’s the kind of memory that sticks.

Chunk Concepts Into Mini-Lessons

Ever hear the phrase “don’t bite off more than you can chew”? That applies directly to study sessions. Trying to memorize all 7 dimensions of ABA in one go is a recipe for frustration.

Instead, break topics into “chunks” or themed sets. Focus on one cluster at a time:

1. One function of behavior.
2. One type of reinforcement.
3. One ethical code section.

Our working memory can only juggle a few items at once. When you group related ideas together and revisit them regularly, they’re more likely to move into long-term storage.

Bonus: This approach makes it easier to revisit older chunks and keep the momentum going without starting from zero.

Get Visual: Map It, Draw It, Color It

If you’re a visual learner (or even just bored of staring at text), this tip is for you.

Turn abstract ideas into pictures. Create flowcharts for processes like shaping or extinction. Use color-coded concept maps to organize terms like SDs, motivating operations, and consequences.

Drawing, sketching, and color-tagging content helps anchor it in your mind in a more dynamic way. And it doesn’t need to be art-class perfect—just clear enough for your brain to build connections.

Here are a few simple tools you can try:

1. Use sticky notes for categorization and sorting.
2. Sketch timelines or sequences on a whiteboard.
3. Use apps like Miro or Notability for digital mind mapping.

Even basic doodles can reinforce understanding in ways that plain text won’t.

Say It Out Loud (Yes, Really)

Silent reading isn’t as powerful as we think. When you say concepts out loud—even if you're just repeating terms or summarizing definitions—you’re activating auditory pathways and reinforcing the information from a second angle.

You don’t need a study group to do this (though those help too). Try:

1. Teaching the concept to your cat.
2. Recording yourself explaining a topic and replaying it on walks.
3. Making voice memos of flashcards and listening during errands.

If you can explain it clearly without looking at your notes, you’ve probably got it down.

Build a Memory Palace (Or Just a Memory Room)

This trick sounds fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy—and effective. A memory palace is a mental structure (like your home or a familiar place) where you store ideas in specific “locations.” The key is assigning each memory to a visualized spot.

For example, imagine walking through your living room:

1. On the couch: Positive reinforcement, visualized as a gold star.
2. On the table: Negative punishment, maybe a toy being taken away.
3. By the lamp: A discriminative stimulus, like a green light turning on.

By mentally walking through this space during recall, you cue up the concepts in a specific order. It’s a powerful brain hack with roots in ancient memory techniques.

If your imagination needs help, try drawing your palace on paper and labeling the spots.

Make Spaced Repetition Your Superpower

Reviewing the same material over and over may sound dull, but how you space out your reviews is the game-changer.

Spaced repetition means revisiting information just before you're likely to forget it. Apps like Anki and Quizlet use algorithms to track how well you know each concept and schedule reviews accordingly.

Instead of rereading notes every day, you might review term A after 1 day, term B after 3 days, term C after a week—and keep adjusting based on your memory.

This technique helps prevent the “I studied this once and forgot it two weeks later” trap.

Pair Terms With Real-Life Examples

Some BCBA concepts can feel abstract until you bring them into the real world. When you attach a technical term to something you’ve seen in daily life, it’s easier to remember—and easier to explain on the exam.

For instance:

1. Differential reinforcement → praising your dog only when it sits, not when it barks.
2. Extinction burst → when your sibling yells louder after you stop responding to them.
3. Positive punishment → getting a parking ticket after leaving your car in a tow-away zone.

If you’ve lived it, you’re more likely to recall it. And those examples make great practice for real exam questions, where applied understanding is key.

Test Yourself (Don’t Just Review)

Rereading isn’t remembering. If you really want to know if something’s stuck, try pulling it from your brain without looking first.

Flashcards, self-made quizzes, and—most importantly—practice exams are where your memory gets tested. This is why many students swear by mock questions from study platforms. The repetition of retrieval helps you identify gaps and reinforce recall.

Mixing in [ABA Study Guide exam questions] during your sessions not only simulates test conditions—it also helps you get comfortable with how content is framed. That reduces anxiety and boosts your recall when it really counts.

Set “Trigger Cues” in Your Environment

Here’s a sneakier tip: place study reminders in places you naturally visit during your day.

For example:

1. A whiteboard in the bathroom with 3 key terms.
2. A flashcard near your phone charger.
3. A sticky note on the fridge with a practice question.

These environmental cues act as micro-prompts. They jog your memory passively, without adding more to your schedule. Over time, these mini-moments add up to big wins in retention.

Don’t Sleep on Sleep

Okay, this one's not exactly a “study trick,” but it might be the most important one here.

Sleep is when your brain consolidates what you’ve learned. Pulling all-nighters might feel productive, but they’re actually counterproductive for long-term memory.

Want your studying to stick? Prioritize good sleep hygiene:

1. Review material before bed (a prime consolidation window).
2. Avoid caffeine late in the day.
3. Protect 7–9 hours of shut-eye, especially leading up to the exam.

The clearest mind is a rested one. Don’t sabotage your prep by burning out right before it matters most.

Final Thoughts: Make Your Brain Your Study Partner

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to BCBA exam prep, but there are techniques that make remembering what you study so much easier. By using tools that align with how your brain actually stores information—visuals, repetition, chunking, associations—you reduce the effort and maximize your results.

You don’t need to memorize everything in one go. But you can study in a way that feels less like a grind and more like a process with actual progress markers.

So, pick one hack and try it today. Add another next week. And watch your confidence grow right along with your memory.