ASCP CG CERTIFICATION EXAM 200 Practice Questions with Correct
Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026 Edition – Based on ASCP BOC
Content Guidelines
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EXAM TYPE: Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) – ASCP Board of Certification
REGULATORY AUTHORITY: American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification
(BOC)
EXAM FORMAT: Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), 100 questions, 2 hours 30 minutes
EXAM FEE: $240 (plus $200 international fee where applicable)
CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE: 36 CMP points every 3 years
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IMPORTANT EXAM INFORMATION
| Item | Details |
|----------|-------------|
| Exam Name | Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) |
| Number of Questions | 100 (CAT format) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours 30 minutes |
,| Pass/Fail Notification | Unofficial results available at testing center; official results within 4
business days |
| Retake Policy | Must wait minimum 90 days |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree + cytogenetics program; or bachelor's + 1 year experience; or
graduate degree + 9 months experience |
---
SECTION 1: SPECIMEN PREPARATION, HARVEST & CULTURE (Questions 1-50)
This section comprises 20-25% of the exam content
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QUESTION 1
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures?
A) Penicillin-streptomycin
B) Amphotericin B
C) BM Cyclin
D) Gentamicin
ANSWER: C) BM Cyclin
RATIONALE: BM Cyclin is a combination of two antibiotics (tiamulin and minocycline) that
effectively targets mycoplasma growth . Mycoplasma is the most common contaminant
transmitted by a sick technician and can induce abnormalities in a sample .
,---
QUESTION 2
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should be evaluated by:
A) Testing on a control cell line
B) Comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
C) Measuring pH and temperature only
D) Consulting the manufacturer's certificate
ANSWER: B) Comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
RATIONALE: Hypotonic solutions are critical for proper cell swelling and chromosome spreading.
Each new batch must be compared to a previously validated lot to ensure consistent
performance .
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QUESTION 3
Collagenase, pronase, and trypsin are classified as:
A) Hypotonic solutions
B) Proteolytic enzymes
C) Fixatives
D) Mitotic inhibitors
, ANSWER: B) Proteolytic enzymes
RATIONALE: These enzymes break down tissues into single-cell suspensions. They are essential
for processing solid tissues and tumors for cytogenetic analysis .
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QUESTION 4
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, aseptic technique no longer matters following
incubation with:
A) Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)
B) Colcemid
C) Hypotonic solution
D) Fixative
ANSWER: B) Colcemid
RATIONALE: Colcemid is a mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase. After Colcemid
treatment, aseptic technique becomes less critical because the cells are no longer actively
dividing .
---
QUESTION 5
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be:
Answers & Detailed Rationales 2026 Edition – Based on ASCP BOC
Content Guidelines
---
EXAM TYPE: Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) – ASCP Board of Certification
REGULATORY AUTHORITY: American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification
(BOC)
EXAM FORMAT: Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), 100 questions, 2 hours 30 minutes
EXAM FEE: $240 (plus $200 international fee where applicable)
CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE: 36 CMP points every 3 years
---
IMPORTANT EXAM INFORMATION
| Item | Details |
|----------|-------------|
| Exam Name | Technologist in Cytogenetics (CG) |
| Number of Questions | 100 (CAT format) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours 30 minutes |
,| Pass/Fail Notification | Unofficial results available at testing center; official results within 4
business days |
| Retake Policy | Must wait minimum 90 days |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree + cytogenetics program; or bachelor's + 1 year experience; or
graduate degree + 9 months experience |
---
SECTION 1: SPECIMEN PREPARATION, HARVEST & CULTURE (Questions 1-50)
This section comprises 20-25% of the exam content
---
QUESTION 1
What is the best agent to use against mycoplasma contamination in cell cultures?
A) Penicillin-streptomycin
B) Amphotericin B
C) BM Cyclin
D) Gentamicin
ANSWER: C) BM Cyclin
RATIONALE: BM Cyclin is a combination of two antibiotics (tiamulin and minocycline) that
effectively targets mycoplasma growth . Mycoplasma is the most common contaminant
transmitted by a sick technician and can induce abnormalities in a sample .
,---
QUESTION 2
For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should be evaluated by:
A) Testing on a control cell line
B) Comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
C) Measuring pH and temperature only
D) Consulting the manufacturer's certificate
ANSWER: B) Comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
RATIONALE: Hypotonic solutions are critical for proper cell swelling and chromosome spreading.
Each new batch must be compared to a previously validated lot to ensure consistent
performance .
---
QUESTION 3
Collagenase, pronase, and trypsin are classified as:
A) Hypotonic solutions
B) Proteolytic enzymes
C) Fixatives
D) Mitotic inhibitors
, ANSWER: B) Proteolytic enzymes
RATIONALE: These enzymes break down tissues into single-cell suspensions. They are essential
for processing solid tissues and tumors for cytogenetic analysis .
---
QUESTION 4
When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, aseptic technique no longer matters following
incubation with:
A) Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)
B) Colcemid
C) Hypotonic solution
D) Fixative
ANSWER: B) Colcemid
RATIONALE: Colcemid is a mitotic spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase. After Colcemid
treatment, aseptic technique becomes less critical because the cells are no longer actively
dividing .
---
QUESTION 5
Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be:
