ABA Exam CoachLessons · G. Behavior-Change Procedures
G.13 · Trial-based vs. free-operant procedures
Your learner gets 100% at the table, but in the classroom they barely keep up. What happened? The answer depends on one question: who controls the chances to respond?
Key takeaway
In a trial-based procedure, the instructor presents each opportunity to respond, so percentage correct and trials to criterion fit. In a free-operant procedure, the learner can respond at any time, so rate (count per unit of time) and celeration are the core measures. Choose the measure that matches the procedure. High accuracy in trials doesn't show that the learner is fluent, starts the skill on their own, or uses it in new settings.
In a trial-based procedure, the instructor presents each opportunity to respond, so percentage correct and trials to criterion fit. In a free-operant procedure, the learner can respond at any time, so rate (count per unit of time) and celeration are the core measures. Choose the measure that matches the procedure. High accuracy in trials doesn't show that the learner is fluent, starts the skill on their own, or uses it in new settings.
Members get the full lesson video, notes and a 5-question test
The video walks through the idea, worked examples, the trap people fall into and an exam-style question. The notes and the checkpoint come with it, and your results feed your Where to focus plan.