Page 1 of 99
ABGC Genetic Counselor Certification Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The ABGC exam broadly tests:
• Genetic science fundamentals (DNA, mutations, inheritance)
• Clinical genetics (prenatal, pediatric, adult disorders)
• Testing & interpretation (lab methods, variant analysis)
• Risk calculation (probability, Bayesian reasoning)
• Counseling skills (communication, psychosocial care)
• Ethics & law (consent, privacy, discrimination)
• Professional practice (documentation, teamwork)
✅ MCQs (1–50)
, Page 2 of 99
1.
A 32-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer asks about her inherited risk. Which gene is
most commonly associated with hereditary breast cancer?
A. APC
B. BRCA1
C. CFTR
D. FMR1
Answer: B
Rationale: BRCA1 mutations significantly increase hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk.
2.
A couple has a child with cystic fibrosis and asks about recurrence risk. What is the probability their next
child will also be affected?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%
Answer: A
Rationale: CF is autosomal recessive; recurrence risk is 25%.
, Page 3 of 99
3.
A pedigree shows only males affected across generations through carrier females. What inheritance
pattern is most likely?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Answer: C
Rationale: X-linked recessive disorders affect males and pass through carrier females.
4.
A variant is identified but lacks sufficient evidence for classification. How should it be reported?
A. Pathogenic
B. Likely benign
C. Variant of uncertain significance
D. Negative
Answer: C
Rationale: Insufficient evidence leads to classification as VUS.
5.
, Page 4 of 99
A patient receives a positive NIPT result for trisomy 21. What is the next recommended step?
A. Immediate termination discussion
B. Confirmatory diagnostic testing
C. Repeat NIPT
D. No further action
Answer: B
Rationale: NIPT is a screening test; diagnostic confirmation is required.
6.
A counselor explains recurrence risk using prior probability and new test results. What statistical method
is being used?
A. Hardy-Weinberg
B. Bayesian analysis
C. Regression
D. Chi-square
Answer: B
Rationale: Bayesian analysis updates probability based on new evidence.
7.
A patient refuses genetic testing despite high risk. What is the most appropriate counselor response?
ABGC Genetic Counselor Certification Exam ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE
The ABGC exam broadly tests:
• Genetic science fundamentals (DNA, mutations, inheritance)
• Clinical genetics (prenatal, pediatric, adult disorders)
• Testing & interpretation (lab methods, variant analysis)
• Risk calculation (probability, Bayesian reasoning)
• Counseling skills (communication, psychosocial care)
• Ethics & law (consent, privacy, discrimination)
• Professional practice (documentation, teamwork)
✅ MCQs (1–50)
, Page 2 of 99
1.
A 32-year-old woman with a family history of breast cancer asks about her inherited risk. Which gene is
most commonly associated with hereditary breast cancer?
A. APC
B. BRCA1
C. CFTR
D. FMR1
Answer: B
Rationale: BRCA1 mutations significantly increase hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk.
2.
A couple has a child with cystic fibrosis and asks about recurrence risk. What is the probability their next
child will also be affected?
A. 25%
B. 50%
C. 75%
D. 100%
Answer: A
Rationale: CF is autosomal recessive; recurrence risk is 25%.
, Page 3 of 99
3.
A pedigree shows only males affected across generations through carrier females. What inheritance
pattern is most likely?
A. Autosomal dominant
B. Autosomal recessive
C. X-linked recessive
D. Mitochondrial
Answer: C
Rationale: X-linked recessive disorders affect males and pass through carrier females.
4.
A variant is identified but lacks sufficient evidence for classification. How should it be reported?
A. Pathogenic
B. Likely benign
C. Variant of uncertain significance
D. Negative
Answer: C
Rationale: Insufficient evidence leads to classification as VUS.
5.
, Page 4 of 99
A patient receives a positive NIPT result for trisomy 21. What is the next recommended step?
A. Immediate termination discussion
B. Confirmatory diagnostic testing
C. Repeat NIPT
D. No further action
Answer: B
Rationale: NIPT is a screening test; diagnostic confirmation is required.
6.
A counselor explains recurrence risk using prior probability and new test results. What statistical method
is being used?
A. Hardy-Weinberg
B. Bayesian analysis
C. Regression
D. Chi-square
Answer: B
Rationale: Bayesian analysis updates probability based on new evidence.
7.
A patient refuses genetic testing despite high risk. What is the most appropriate counselor response?
