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Exam Review

Key Facts: ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology Exam

100

Subspecialty Exam Items

ABMGG MGP Blueprint

2 hrs

Total Exam Time

ABMGG Testing Process page

$1,950

Total First-Time Cost

ABMGG 2026 Bulletin (review + specialty)

12 mo

Required Fellowship

ACGME MGP Program Requirements

Aug 12-15

2026 Exam Dates

ABMGG Dates & Fees page

6 years

Board Eligibility Window

ABMGG Board Eligibility Policy

ABMGG lists Molecular Genetic Pathology as a 100-item subspecialty exam delivered in two 60-minute blocks. The 2026 first-time fees are approximately $1,950 ($775 application review + $1,175 specialty exam). The exam is co-sponsored with ABPath and uses identical content for both pathways. Candidates need primary ABMGG or ABPath certification plus completion of an ACGME-accredited 12-month MGP fellowship. Exams are offered August 12-15, 2026 at Pearson VUE centers worldwide.

Sample ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which enzyme is essential for primer extension during PCR amplification and is heat-stable to survive the denaturation step?

A.Taq DNA polymerase

B.T4 DNA ligase

C.RNase H

D.Klenow fragment

Explanation: Taq DNA polymerase, isolated from Thermus aquaticus, is the prototypical thermostable polymerase used in PCR. It tolerates the 95 degrees C denaturation step and extends primers at ~72 degrees C. Klenow lacks heat stability, T4 ligase joins fragments rather than extending them, and RNase H degrades RNA in DNA-RNA hybrids.

2In quantitative real-time PCR, the cycle threshold (Ct) value is BEST defined as:

A.The cycle at which fluorescence crosses a defined threshold above background

B.The maximum number of cycles allowed before plateau

C.The cycle at which primer-dimer signal equals target signal

D.The cycle at which DNA polymerase becomes saturated

Explanation: The Ct (or Cq) value is the fractional cycle number at which the amplification curve crosses a fluorescence threshold significantly above background. Lower Ct values indicate higher starting template concentration. Each one-cycle decrease in Ct represents an approximate doubling of starting template under ideal (100% efficient) conditions.

3Sanger sequencing relies on which key reagent class to terminate chain elongation?

A.Dideoxynucleotide triphosphates (ddNTPs)

B.Restriction endonucleases

C.RNA primers

D.DNA gyrase inhibitors

Explanation: Sanger (dideoxy) sequencing uses fluorescently labeled ddNTPs that lack the 3' hydroxyl group needed for further phosphodiester bond formation. Random incorporation of ddNTPs creates fragments terminating at every nucleotide position, which are then resolved by capillary electrophoresis to produce a sequence trace.

4What is the typical analytical sensitivity (limit of detection for variant allele fraction) of routine Sanger sequencing for somatic mutation detection?

A.Approximately 0.1%

B.Approximately 1%

C.Approximately 15-20%

D.Approximately 50%

Explanation: Sanger sequencing reliably detects variants present at approximately 15-20% variant allele fraction (VAF) and above. This limited sensitivity is the major reason Sanger has been replaced by NGS for tumor profiling and minimal residual disease applications, where subclonal variants may be present at <5% VAF.

5Which next-generation sequencing chemistry is used by the Illumina platform?

A.Pyrosequencing

B.Sequencing by synthesis with reversible terminators

C.Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing

D.Ion semiconductor (pH detection)

Explanation: Illumina platforms use sequencing by synthesis with fluorescently labeled, reversible terminator nucleotides. After each cycle, the fluorophore is imaged, then the terminator and dye are cleaved to allow extension to the next base. Pyrosequencing is the 454 chemistry, SMRT is PacBio, and pH detection is Ion Torrent.

6A long-read sequencing platform (such as Oxford Nanopore or PacBio) is MOST useful for which clinical application compared to short-read NGS?

A.Detection of single-nucleotide variants in coding regions

B.Resolving structural variants and repeat expansions

C.Routine targeted oncology hotspot panels

D.Detection of low-VAF somatic mutations

Explanation: Long-read platforms generate reads of 10-100+ kb, enabling resolution of structural variants, large insertions/deletions, repeat expansions (e.g., FMR1, RFC1), and complex genomic regions that short reads (150-300 bp) cannot span. Short-read NGS remains preferred for SNV detection and low-VAF somatic calling because of higher per-base accuracy.

7Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the optimal molecular method for detecting which of the following?

A.Single-nucleotide variants below 1% VAF

B.BCR-ABL1 fusion in chronic myeloid leukemia metaphases

C.Copy-number variants smaller than 50 bp

D.Methylation status at imprinted loci

Explanation: FISH provides single-cell resolution of structural rearrangements such as the BCR-ABL1 t(9;22) fusion seen in CML. Dual-color, dual-fusion probes give a characteristic signal pattern. FISH cannot detect SNVs, methylation, or sub-resolution CNVs (limit ~3-5 Mb depending on probe).

8A chromosomal microarray (SNP array) detects a 2.5 Mb deletion of 22q11.2 in a child with congenital heart disease. This finding is BEST described as:

A.Variant of uncertain significance

B.A pathogenic copy-number variant consistent with DiGeorge/22q11.2 deletion syndrome

C.A normal benign polymorphism

D.A balanced translocation

Explanation: A typical 2.5-3 Mb deletion at 22q11.2 encompasses the TBX1 gene and ~30-40 other genes, producing 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge/velocardiofacial) syndrome. This is a well-established pathogenic CNV. Microarrays cannot detect balanced rearrangements because no gene-dosage change occurs.

9Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) is MOST useful for detecting:

A.Single-nucleotide substitutions

B.Exon-level deletions and duplications in defined target genes

C.Whole-genome copy-number changes

D.Aneuploidy at the chromosome level

Explanation: MLPA quantifies copy number for up to ~50 individual exons or loci using probe pairs that are ligated only when bound to target. It is a workhorse for detecting single-exon deletions/duplications missed by sequencing, such as in DMD, BRCA1/2, and SMN1. Karyotype or array is preferred for whole-genome views.

10Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) provides which key analytical advantage over standard qPCR?

A.Absolute quantification without a standard curve

B.Higher multiplexing of >100 targets

C.Resolution of variants in repetitive regions

D.Ability to detect methylation status directly

Explanation: ddPCR partitions a sample into thousands of droplets, each with 0 or 1+ template molecules; counting positive droplets and applying Poisson statistics yields absolute target concentration without a calibration curve. ddPCR also has excellent precision at low VAF and is valuable for MRD and copy-number measurements.

About the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology Exam

The ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology subspecialty exam is a 100-item, 2-hour computer-based test co-sponsored with ABPath. It certifies laboratory expertise across molecular diagnostics including nucleic acid biochemistry, PCR/NGS workflows, ACMG/AMP variant interpretation, hematologic and solid tumor profiling, inherited disease genetics, HLA and transplantation testing, infectious disease molecular assays, pharmacogenomics, prenatal testing, and CLIA/CAP regulatory practice.

Exam sponsor: ABMGG / ABPath / Pearson VUE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced (content-expert standard)

Exam / Certification Fees

~$1,950 (review $775 + specialty $1,175)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly released. ABMGG/ABPath do not publish pass rates by subspecialty Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

18%

Molecular Techniques

PCR, qPCR, Sanger sequencing, NGS (short and long-read), FISH, microarrays (CGH/SNP), MLPA, methylation assays, and digital droplet PCR fundamentals

14%

Bioinformatics and Variant Interpretation

ACMG/AMP germline classification (PVS1-PP5/BS1-BA1), AMP/ASCO/CAP somatic tiers, pipeline QC, read alignment, variant calling, annotation, and population databases (gnomAD)

13%

Solid Tumor Molecular Profiling

Lung (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS G12C, MET), colon (RAS, BRAF, MSI/MMR), melanoma (BRAF V600), breast (HER2, BRCA1/2), TMB, MSI-H, and fusion detection

12%

Hematologic Malignancy Diagnostics

BCR-ABL1, FLT3-ITD/TKD, NPM1, CEBPA, JAK2 V617F, CALR, MPL, IGH/TCR clonality, MRD monitoring, and WHO/ICC classification

10%

Inherited Disease Genetics

Single-gene disorders, mitochondrial heteroplasmy, imprinting/UPD, trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, and expanded carrier screening

Infectious Disease Molecular Diagnostics

HIV-1 viral load and resistance, HCV/HBV quantification, HPV high-risk genotyping, M. tuberculosis testing, respiratory pathogen panels, and antimicrobial resistance markers

Lab Management, QA, and Regulatory

CLIA high-complexity testing, CAP molecular checklist, FDA oversight of LDTs (2024 final rule), assay validation, QC, proficiency testing, and report content

HLA Typing and Transplantation

HLA class I/II SBT and NGS typing, engraftment chimerism testing, donor-recipient matching for HSCT and solid organ, and HLA-disease/drug associations

Pharmacogenomics

CYP2D6/2C19/2C9, TPMT, DPYD, UGT1A1, HLA-B*57:01/HLA-B*15:02, CPIC clinical guidelines, and PGx report interpretation

Prenatal and Preimplantation Testing

NIPT (cfDNA), amniocentesis/CVS, PGT-A/M/SR, confined placental mosaicism, and follow-up confirmatory testing algorithms

Preparing for the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced (content-expert standard)
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: ~$1,950 (review $775 + specialty $1,175) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prioritize bioinformatics and ACMG/AMP variant interpretation early — these concepts thread through every section, from inherited disease to tumor profiling

2Memorize key oncology biomarkers by tumor: lung (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS G12C), colon (RAS, BRAF V600, MSI, MMR), melanoma (BRAF), and breast (HER2, BRCA1/2) with their FDA-approved targeted therapies

3Master MRD monitoring assays and quantitative PCR principles for BCR-ABL1 (IS scale, MR4.5), JAK2 V617F allele burden, and FLT3-ITD ratios

4Know the 2024 FDA LDT final rule phase-out timeline, CLIA high-complexity validation requirements, and CAP molecular pathology checklist essentials

5Practice interpreting NGS QC metrics: coverage depth, uniformity, on-target rate, duplication rate, and variant allele fraction thresholds for somatic vs germline calls

6Build pattern recognition for HLA-disease associations (HLA-B*57:01/abacavir, HLA-B*15:02/carbamazepine) and CPIC pharmacogenomic guidelines for CYP2D6, CYP2C19, TPMT, and DPYD

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam?

The ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology subspecialty exam contains 100 multiple-choice items delivered in two 60-minute blocks (50 items each). The exam is identical to the ABPath MGP exam since both boards co-sponsor the certification.

Who can sit for the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam?

Candidates must hold primary ABMGG certification (Clinical Genetics, Laboratory Genetics, or Biochemical Genetics) or primary ABPath certification (AP, CP, or AP/CP), plus completion of an ACGME-accredited 12-month Molecular Genetic Pathology fellowship.

How much does the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam cost in 2026?

For 2026 first-time candidates through ABMGG: approximately $1,950 total ($775 application review fee + $1,175 specialty exam fee). A $400 late fee applies after the January 15 deadline. ABPath candidates pay through ABPath's separate fee structure.

What score do I need to pass the ABMGG MGP exam?

ABMGG uses a criterion-referenced passing standard set by content experts who define minimum competency. There is no fixed percentage or scaled score threshold published; the cut score is established via standard-setting after each administration.

What topics are tested on the ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam?

The blueprint emphasizes molecular techniques (PCR/NGS/FISH), bioinformatics with ACMG/AMP variant interpretation, hematologic and solid tumor profiling, inherited disease genetics, infectious disease molecular diagnostics, HLA typing, pharmacogenomics, prenatal testing, and CLIA/CAP lab management.

Is the ABMGG MGP exam the same as the ABPath MGP exam?

Yes. Molecular Genetic Pathology is a co-sponsored ABMS subspecialty between ABMGG and ABPath. The exam content is identical; candidates apply through whichever board issued their primary certification (ABMGG genetics pathway or ABPath pathology pathway).

When is the 2026 ABMGG Molecular Genetic Pathology exam offered?

The 2026 ABMGG certification exams (including MGP) are offered August 12-15, 2026, at Pearson VUE test centers worldwide. ABPath candidates schedule through Pearson VUE on a separate published date.