Molecular Genetic Pathology
Molecular Genetic Pathology Exam Description
The examination in molecular genetic pathology is a one-day, computer-based examination consisting of combined Written and Practical questions in each section of the examination. It is administered as follows:
| Molecular Genetic Pathology Exam | Total Number of Questions | Total Time |
| Written/Practical Sections | 245 | 6 Hrs. 34 Mins |
A candidate must pass both written and practical portions of the examination in the same administration in order to pass the examination. All questions are multiple-choice and in the one-best answer format. The questions are designed to measure the candidate’s body of knowledge and problem-solving ability. Questions may include karyotypes, sequencing or array data, graphs, pedigrees, or other images.
Subject areas covered include, but are not limited to:
- Normal structure/function, basic molecular techniques/methods, human genetic principles including DNA/RNA structure, transcription/translation, types of mutation and their detection, mutation nomenclature, gene structure and function, population and risk calculation
- Quality improvement, quality control, quality assurance and ethical, legal, and regulatory issues relating to molecular genetic laboratory testing
- Inherited disorders of single and multiple genes and genes of mitochondrial origin
- Neoplastic diseases and other acquired disorders
- Infectious diseases
- Identity testing, histocompatibility, immunologic diseases, and forensic testing
Codon Table and Amino Acids and their Abbreviations
