Motivation, setting, and anything that affected responding
How to fill it in
1
Response and Prompt Key
What each code and prompt level looks like for this learner.
More guidance
Describe what each code looks like for this learner, and use the blank rows for the prompt levels your team uses, such as full physical, partial physical, model, gestural or verbal. The description column prevents drift between therapists. Go through the key with every new team member before they record.
2
Targets
Each target's exact instruction, materials and mastery criterion from the plan.
More guidance
List each target with the exact instruction, the materials, and the mastery criterion from the treatment plan. Keeping the instruction identical across trials and therapists makes the data reliable; vary it only when the plan calls for generalisation, and note the variation.
3
Trial Record
One code per trial, in order, with the independent total over trials.
More guidance
Mark each trial in order with a code from the key, writing the prompt code for prompted trials. Count independent correct trials and write them over the total, such as 7/10. If a trial was interrupted or not presented, leave the box blank and note why rather than marking it incorrect.
4
Mastery and Next Steps
Today's independent total, sessions at criterion, and the decision for next time.
More guidance
After the session, note today's independent total for each target, how many consecutive sessions have met the criterion, and the decision for next time. Decisions follow rules agreed in the plan, such as probing for mastery after two sessions at criterion or raising a target at supervision when it has not changed for several sessions.
5
Session Notes
Anything that may have affected responding, such as sleep or a new room.
More guidance
Record anything that may have affected responding: sleep, illness, a new room, a change in reinforcer, a long gap since the last session. These notes help the supervising clinician decide whether a dip in the data reflects learning or circumstances.
Trial by trial data sheet with example entries: filled sample
Fictional entries, initials only, showing the level of detail to aim for. Impression and summary sections are left for the treating clinician.
Response and Prompt Key
G (gestural): therapist points toward the correct card without touching it. M (model): therapist touches the correct card, then repeats the instruction.
Targets
Target: receptive identification, “touch cup”. Materials: cup, spoon and plate on a mat. Mastery: 9 of 10 independent across two sessions with two different therapists.
Trial Record
Touch cup: + + G + − + + G + + (7/10 independent).
Mastery and Next Steps
Touch cup: 7/10 today; 0 sessions at criterion. Decision: fade the gestural prompt by waiting two seconds before giving it.
Session Notes
Session moved to the small room because of painting work. Took ten minutes to settle; responding improved after the second break.
Trial-by-trial vs cold probe data
Trial-by-trial
Cold probe (first trial)
What is recorded
Every trial in the teaching block
Only the first trial of the session, before any teaching
Detail
Shows prompt levels and error patterns
Shows whether the skill is there at the start of the day
Time to record
More, through the whole block
Less, one mark per target
Best for
New skills, prompt fading and troubleshooting
Checking retention and making mastery decisions
Common use
Early in teaching a target
Once responding is consistent, often alongside trial data
Tips and mistakes to avoid
Do
Write each code before you give the next instruction.
Keep the sheet on a clipboard so recording does not slow the pace of teaching.
If you teach in more than one language, note the language of each instruction.
Graph independent totals after each session to see a trend early.
healhab's free session data tracker counts correct, incorrect and prompted trials on a phone.
Avoid
Coding a prompted response as correct.
Changing the wording of the instruction between trials without noting it.
Pushing through extra trials when the learner is tired or upset.
Keeping a target unchanged for weeks instead of raising it at supervision.
About this data sheet
A trial by trial data sheet records every response in a discrete trial teaching (DTT) block as independent correct, prompted with the prompt level, incorrect, or no response. Totals show how often the learner responded independently, and a mastery table tracks progress toward criterion across sessions. This sheet has room for four targets of ten trials each.
During discrete trial teaching at the table
When a new skill needs prompt and error detail
When several therapists teach the same target
Before a mastery decision
Read more
Trial-by-trial recording is the standard way to measure learning in discrete trial teaching: give an instruction, mark the response, then run the next trial. Over several sessions it shows whether prompts can be faded.
Agree the codes in advance so data from different therapists can be combined. Use all ten columns, or only the first for a cold probe. US sites list it among their behavior data sheets.
Questions
What is trial by trial data in ABA?+
A record of each response in a teaching block, marked as independent correct, prompted, incorrect or no response. It shows how a learner responds across trials and how much help they still need.
How do you calculate independent responding?+
Count the trials marked independent correct and write them over the total presented, for example 7 out of 10. Prompted trials are counted as prompted, never as independent.
What are prompt levels?+
Levels of help, from most to least support, such as full physical, partial physical, model, gestural and verbal. Your team decides which levels to use and records them in the key.
How many trials should a block have?+
It depends on the target and the learner. Ten is a common block size, but some targets suit five and others more. Follow the treatment plan.
Is a discrete trial data sheet the same as a trial by trial data sheet?+
Usually, yes. Both record each discrete trial. Some clinics use “discrete trial data sheet” for the programme sheet and “trial by trial” for the recording method.
Is there a filled trial by trial data sheet example?+
Each section guide shows a fictional example entry, such as a ten-trial block for “touch cup” with prompt codes. You can add or remove trial columns in the editor and download a PDF for printing.
Should I record trials during natural environment teaching too?+
You can, but NET opportunities come from play and routines rather than a planned block. Count each opportunity as it happens and note the activity. Many therapists keep DTT targets on this sheet and record NET in the session note.
