100+ Free MDT Practice Questions
Pass your AMT Molecular Diagnostics Technologist exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Which collection tube is preferred for whole-blood specimens used in HIV viral load and other molecular infectious disease assays?
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Key Facts: MDT Exam
200
Total Items
AMT MDT
3 hrs
Exam Time
AMT
$210
Application Fee
AMT
1 yr
Molecular Experience
Or approved program
AMT MDT is the molecular diagnostics technologist credential. 200 items, 3 hours, $210. Master PCR thermal profile (denat 94-95°C / anneal 50-65°C / extend 72°C), qPCR Ct interpretation, Sanger ddNTP chain termination, NGS workflow, FISH for HER2/BCR-ABL, CPIC pharmacogenomics (CYP2D6 codeine, HLA-B*5701 abacavir), and SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR targets.
Sample MDT Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your MDT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which biosafety level (BSL) is appropriate for routine clinical molecular diagnostic work involving extracted nucleic acids from low-risk specimens?
2What is the PRIMARY purpose of physically separating pre-PCR and post-PCR work areas in a molecular diagnostics laboratory?
3A technologist notices unexpected amplification in a no-template control (NTC). What is the MOST likely cause?
4Which decontaminant is MOST effective for destroying residual DNA on bench surfaces in a molecular laboratory?
5What is the purpose of UV irradiation of a PCR setup hood between runs?
6Which PPE is REQUIRED at minimum when handling patient blood specimens for nucleic acid extraction?
7What is the recommended workflow direction in a molecular diagnostics laboratory to minimize contamination?
8Which control is included in a PCR run to demonstrate that reagents and instrument are functioning properly?
9A lab implements aerosol-resistant (filter) pipette tips. What is their primary benefit?
10What is the MAIN reason for using uracil-DNA glycosylase (UNG/UDG) with dUTP in clinical PCR assays?
About the MDT Exam
AMT specialty credential for molecular diagnostics laboratory professionals. Covers molecular biology theory (DNA/RNA, central dogma), lab procedures (extraction, PCR, qPCR, NGS library prep, gel electrophoresis), genetic diagnostic methods (cytogenetics, FISH, microarray, Sanger), oncology biomarkers (HER2, BCR-ABL, EGFR, BRCA, MSI/TMB, ctDNA), pharmacogenomics (CYP2D6/2C19, TPMT, DPYD, HLA-B*5701), and infectious disease molecular testing (HIV/HCV/HPV/TB/SARS-CoV-2).
Questions
200 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
Scaled (AMT-set)
Exam Fee
$210 (AMT)
MDT Exam Content Outline
Molecular Theory
DNA/RNA structure, central dogma, gene expression, base pairing (A-T 2H, G-C 3H)
General Lab Practice
Pre/post-PCR separation, BSL, contamination control, PPE, decontamination
Lab Procedures
Extraction (silica, magnetic beads, Trizol), PCR/qPCR, primer design, gel, NGS library prep
Genetic Diagnostic Methods
Cytogenetics, FISH (HER2, BCR-ABL), microarray, Sanger, NGS bioinformatics
Oncology Diagnostic Methods
Solid tumor + heme malignancy panels, MSI, TMB, MRD, CTC, ctDNA, BRCA, EGFR
Infectious Disease Molecular
HIV viral load, HCV genotype, HPV high-risk, TB GeneXpert, SARS-CoV-2, multiplex panels
Pharmacogenomics
CYP2D6 (codeine), CYP2C19 (clopidogrel), TPMT (azathioprine), DPYD (5-FU), HLA-B*5701 (abacavir)
How to Pass the MDT Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled (AMT-set)
- Exam length: 200 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: $210
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
MDT Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three steps of PCR?
PCR cycles three temperature steps: (1) Denaturation at 94-95°C — separates DNA strands. (2) Annealing at 50-65°C (depends on primer Tm = 4×(G+C) + 2×(A+T) approximation) — primers bind template. (3) Extension at 72°C — Taq polymerase synthesizes new strand. Repeat 25-40 cycles for exponential amplification. qPCR adds fluorescent detection (SYBR Green non-specific OR TaqMan probe specific) with Ct value inversely proportional to template.
What is the difference between FISH and Sanger sequencing?
FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) uses fluorescent DNA probes to detect chromosomal translocations, copy number changes, and gene rearrangements at the cellular level (e.g., BCR-ABL in CML, HER2 amplification in breast cancer). Sanger sequencing uses chain-termination ddNTPs to read nucleotide sequence base-by-base — gold standard for confirming variants identified by NGS or for short defined regions.
Which pharmacogenomic markers affect clinical drug selection?
CPIC actionable: CYP2D6 (poor metabolizers — codeine ineffective; tramadol; some antidepressants); CYP2C19 (clopidogrel reduced effect in PMs); TPMT/NUDT15 (azathioprine/6-MP — toxicity risk requires dose reduction); DPYD (5-FU/capecitabine toxicity); UGT1A1*28 (irinotecan); HLA-B*5701 (abacavir hypersensitivity — TEST BEFORE prescribing); HLA-B*1502 (carbamazepine SJS in Asian populations).
How should I study for AMT MDT?
Plan 100-180 hours over 14-18 weeks. Focus on PCR/qPCR mechanics (thermal profile, primer design, Ct interpretation), pre/post-PCR contamination control, and the major diagnostic platforms (FISH, microarray, Sanger, NGS). Memorize CPIC actionable pharmacogenomic markers and infectious disease molecular targets (HIV viral load, HCV genotype, SARS-CoV-2 N/ORF1ab/S genes).