Educational research suggests that rate-building procedures produce superior academic performance and are preferred by participants when compared to traditional methods. However, these studies have not controlled for critical variables, such as practice, that might influence preference and performance. The current study compared two conditions using behavioral performance and preference measures; one condition had a correct response rate criterion and the other had an overall correct response criterion. Reinforcement and feedback were held constant across conditions. Most participants preferred the condition that did not have a rate criterion. Performance outcomes produced by the two conditions were not substantially different. This implies that outcomes produced by a rate criterion can be achieved using a similar, more preferred method
