Free Practice Questions for QIHC
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Key Facts: QIHC Exam
50
Total Items
ASCP BOC QIHC topic outline, January 22, 2026
90 min
Exam Time
ASCP BOC
$260
Exam Fee
ASCP QIHC credential page
400
Passing Scaled Score
ASCP BOC About the Examination
QIHC is a 50-item, 90-minute, $260 ASCP BOC qualification taken on your own computer. Scores use a 100-999 scale with a 400 passing standard. Study detection chemistry, formalin preanalytics, HIER versus enzymatic retrieval, staining patterns, and CAP 2024 analytic validation (10 positive/10 negative nonpredictive; 20/20 predictive).
Sample QIHC Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the QIHC exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 150+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is the gold-standard fixative for routine immunohistochemistry?
2For breast ER, PR, and HER2 testing, what formalin-fixation interval is specified by ASCO/CAP guidance?
3Cold ischemia time refers to:
4Which clearing agent is most commonly used during routine paraffin tissue processing?
5Standard section thickness for IHC is:
6Which slide type is preferred for IHC to ensure tissue adhesion through retrieval and washes?
7What is the general rule for setting the flotation-bath temperature for paraffin sections?
8The chemical mechanism of formalin fixation is:
9Heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER) primarily reverses:
10Citrate buffer used for HIER typically has a pH of:
About the QIHC Exam
ASCP BOC Qualification in Immunohistochemistry for professionals who perform, train, or supervise IHC. The January 22, 2026 topic outline covers detection systems, specimen handling, epitope enhancement, staining (the largest area at 30-40%), and laboratory operations.
Exam sponsor: ASCP BOC. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
50 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
400
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
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.
Detection Systems
IF and IHC/ISH enzymes, chromogens, blocking, polymer/multimer detection, amplification
Specimen Handling
Fixation, processing, microtomy, cytology, IF specimens, frozen sections
Epitope Enhancement (Antigen Retrieval)
HIER, enzymatic retrieval, combined heat and enzyme methods
Staining
Immunology, methods, tissue staining patterns, reagents, troubleshooting, mounting, screening
Laboratory Operations
QC/QA, validation, safety, lab math, equipment, CLIA/CAP/OSHA
Preparing for the QIHC Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 400
- Exam length: 50 questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Exam / certification fees: $260 Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 150 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
QIHC: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What antigen retrieval should I use?
Most FFPE IHC uses heat-induced epitope retrieval (HIER). Citrate buffer near pH 6.0 is a common starting point; EDTA or Tris-EDTA near pH 8-9 is often used for nuclear epitopes masked by formalin cross-links. Enzymatic retrieval (trypsin, pepsin, or proteinase K) is reserved for selected antibodies. Follow the validated protocol for that clone and platform.
How is HER2 IHC scored in breast cancer?
ASCO/CAP breast HER2 IHC uses 0, 1+, 2+, and 3+. Score 3+ is complete, intense membrane staining in more than 10% of invasive tumor cells (HER2-positive). Score 2+ is equivocal and requires reflex ISH on the same specimen. Score 1+ is incomplete faint membrane staining in more than 10% of cells. Score 0 is no staining, or incomplete faint staining in 10% or fewer cells.
What is CAP analytic validation for IHC in 2024?
The CAP 2024 Goldsmith update recommends at least 90% overall concordance. Nonpredictive laboratory-developed assays should start with at least 10 positive and 10 negative tissues. Predictive laboratory-developed assays should start with at least 20 positive and 20 negative tissues. Distinct scoring systems such as HER2 or PD-L1 need separate 20/20 validation for each assay-scoring combination. A new lot of a validated antibody needs at least one positive and one negative confirmation.
How should I study for ASCP QIHC?
Plan 30-50 hours. Staining is 30-40% of the January 22, 2026 topic outline, so spend the most time on methods, expected patterns, and troubleshooting. Detection systems are 20-25%. Laboratory operations, including CAP validation and safety, are 15-20%. Specimen handling and epitope enhancement are 10-15% each.