Understanding the 6th Edition Test Content Outline (TCO) Updates

In the Field: The ABA Podcast

Episode Summary

In this episode, we dive into the significant updates from the 5th Edition Task List to the 6th Edition Test Content Outline (TCO) for the BCBA exam. We discuss what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how these updates impact both trainees and supervisors in the field of ABA.

Whether you're preparing for the exam or supporting trainees, this episode will help clarify key shifts, including new terminology, changes in task weighting, and the growing emphasis on cultural responsiveness, ethical considerations, and applied assessment practices.
Key Topics Discussed

✅ Task List → Test Content Outline (TCO): Understanding the name change and its implications
✅ Structural Updates: Sections are now called Domains (A-I) with minor category refinements
✅ Exam Weighting Adjustments: Changes in emphasis on key areas, including ethics, behavior assessment, and supervision
✅ New & Expanded Content Areas:

• Ethical & Professional Issues: More focus on cultural humility, bias, and professional risks
• Concepts & Principles: Additions like behavioral momentum, multiple control in verbal behavior, and matching law
• Assessment & Measurement: Emphasizing environmental constraints and procedural integrity
• Supervision & Management: Explicit focus on promoting equity and effective supervision

✅ How These Changes Affect Supervisors & Trainees: Practical strategies for integrating these updates into training and study plans
Resources Mentioned

📌 Sidekick Learning’s 6th Edition Crosswalk – Download the breakdown of changes at www.sidekicklearning.net
📌 February 2022 BACB Newsletter – Official source announcing these updates
📌 Sidekick Learning’s Supervision Curriculum & Mock Exams – Designed to align with the new TCO

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