100+ Free CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Practice Questions

Pass your Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling Certification Examination (CCGC / CGAC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

Not publicly released as a fixed rate Pass Rate

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Exam

~150 MCQs

Exam length

CBGC General Information

3 hours

Time limit

CBGC General Information

~70–75%

Typical passing range (Angoff)

CBGC General Information

CAD $850

Pathway A total fee (early bird $800)

CBGC Fees and Deadlines

CCGC / CGAC

Credential awarded

CBGC Certification

CBGC certification uses ~150 MCQs in 3 hours (Yardstick, EN/FR). Passing uses modified Angoff (often ~70–75%). Pathway A total fee is CAD $850 ($150 + $700; early bird $800). Content follows the 9-unit Exam Content Outline. Successful candidates use CCGC/CGAC and recertify on a 10-year cycle.

Sample CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a population at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of an autosomal recessive disease allele is 0.02. What is the expected carrier frequency among the population (approximate)?

A.About 1 in 25

B.About 1 in 50

C.About 1 in 2,500

D.About 1 in 100

Explanation: With q = 0.02, 2pq ≈ 2(0.98)(0.02) ≈ 0.039 (≈1/25). Disease frequency q² = 0.0004 (1/2,500).

2A rare autosomal recessive disorder has a markedly elevated carrier frequency in an isolated island population compared with surrounding regions. Which population-genetics process best explains this pattern?

A.Balancing selection only

B.Founder effect

C.Assortative mating for the phenotype

D.Horizontal gene transfer

Explanation: Founder effect occurs when a small founding group carries a disproportionate allele frequency that persists in descendants. Canadian examples include certain alleles enriched in French-Canadian and Ashkenazi populations.

3Different pathogenic variants in the same gene cause a clinically similar phenotype in unrelated families. Which term best describes this?

A.Locus heterogeneity

B.Phenocopy

C.Allelic heterogeneity

D.Anticipation

Explanation: Allelic heterogeneity means multiple alleles at one locus produce the same (or similar) phenotype. Locus heterogeneity means variants at different loci cause a similar phenotype.

4A disorder is expressed only when the pathogenic variant is inherited from the father, and methylation studies show parent-of-origin-specific silencing. Which inheritance mechanism is most consistent?

A.Mitochondrial inheritance

B.X-linked recessive inheritance

C.Y-linked inheritance

D.Genomic imprinting

Explanation: Genomic imprinting involves parent-of-origin-dependent gene expression via epigenetic marks. A phenotype that appears only when a pathogenic change is inherited from the father fits loss of a paternally expressed (maternally silenced) locus—e.g., Prader-Willi syndrome at 15q11-q13.

5A pathogenic autosomal dominant variant is present in multiple relatives, but some carriers never develop clinical features. What concept best explains this?

A.Incomplete penetrance

B.Variable expressivity only

C.Anticipation

D.Pseudodominance

Explanation: Incomplete penetrance means not all genotype-positive individuals show the phenotype. Variable expressivity refers to differences in severity/features among those who are affected.

6A screening test has sensitivity 99% and specificity 99% in a population where disease prevalence is 1/1,000. Approximately what is the positive predictive value (PPV)?

A.About 50%

B.About 9%

C.About 99%

D.About 1%

Explanation: In 100,000 people: ~100 true cases (99 true positives) and ~99,900 unaffected (~999 false positives). PPV ≈ 99/(99+999) ≈ 9%. High sensitivity/specificity still yield modest PPV when prevalence is low.

7During which process do homologous chromosomes segregate, reducing diploid germ-line precursors to haploid gametes?

A.Mitosis

B.Translation

C.Meiosis

D.DNA replication alone

Explanation: Meiosis produces haploid gametes and includes reductional division of homologs. Mitosis preserves chromosome number in somatic cell division.

8A congenital anomaly shows familial clustering without a single-gene pattern, higher concordance in monozygotic than dizygotic twins, and increased recurrence after one affected child. Which inheritance model best fits?

A.Strict autosomal dominant with complete penetrance

B.Strict mitochondrial inheritance

C.Y-linked inheritance

D.Multifactorial / complex inheritance with a threshold effect

Explanation: Multifactorial traits reflect combined genetic and environmental factors; empiric recurrence risks and twin concordance patterns are classic clues. Threshold models are often applied to congenital malformations.

9A pathogenic TP53 variant is found only in tumor tissue and is absent from leukocyte DNA. How should this finding be interpreted for hereditary cancer risk counseling of relatives?

A.It is consistent with a somatic tumor mutation and does not by itself establish a germline hereditary cancer predisposition

B.It proves Li-Fraumeni syndrome in all first-degree relatives

C.It means the patient cannot have cancer

D.It confirms every relative must undergo prophylactic surgery

Explanation: Tumor-only variants are often somatic. Germline predisposition requires confirmation in constitutional DNA. Relatives are not automatically high-risk based on a somatic finding alone.

10In a very small isolated population, allele frequencies of a neutral variant fluctuate substantially across generations without selection. Which process is primarily responsible?

A.Directional selection

B.Genetic drift

C.Gene conversion exclusively

D.Horizontal transfer from bacteria

Explanation: Genetic drift is random change in allele frequency, strongest in small populations. Selection implies fitness differences; drift does not require them.

About the CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Exam

The CBGC certification examination awards the Canadian Certified Genetic Counsellor (CCGC) credential and French equivalent CGAC. It is a ~150-item, 3-hour computer-based MCQ exam hosted by Yardstick, available in English and French, written from a Canadian practice perspective and linked to the Exam Content Outline (formerly Knowledge-Based Competencies).

Assessment

Computer-based MCQ; English/French toggle on one platform; pedigrees/graphics enlargeable; no scheduled break

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Modified Angoff (typically about 70–75%)

Exam Fee

CAD $850 Pathway A total ($150 application + $700 admin/exam; early bird $800) (Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC) / Yardstick Inc.)

CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Exam Content Outline

~10%

Epidemiology, Population, and Basic Human Genetics

Inheritance models, population genetics, statistics (sensitivity/specificity/PPV), research appraisal

~16%

Clinical Genetics

Genetic conditions, Bayesian/Mendelian/empiric risk, consanguinity, dysmorphology, RPL workup

~12%

Molecular Genetics

NGS/panels/exome, MLPA, variant classification, VUS, mosaicism, pseudogenes

~10%

Cytogenetics

Karyotype/FISH/CMA, aneuploidy, translocations, microdeletions, ISCN, polymorphisms (e.g., 1qh+)

~8%

Biochemical Genetics

Pathway blocks, aminoacidopathies, FAO, urea cycle, LSD, biochemical testing

~12%

Cancer Genetics

HBOC, Lynch, LFS, FAP, VHL, MEN2, testing risks/benefits, cascade testing

~8%

Genetic Screening

NBS, prenatal and population screening principles, screening statistics, ethics

~12%

Prenatal Diagnosis

CVS/amnio, NIPT PPV, teratogens, soft markers, ART/PGT, embryology, pregnancy options

~12%

Genetic Counselling

Ethics, contracting, psychosocial skills, grief, culture, privacy, Canadian discrimination context

How to Pass the CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Modified Angoff (typically about 70–75%)
Assessment: Computer-based MCQ; English/French toggle on one platform; pedigrees/graphics enlargeable; no scheduled break
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: CAD $850 Pathway A total ($150 application + $700 admin/exam; early bird $800)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CBGC Genetic Counselling Certification (CCGC) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download the official Exam Content Outline PDF and map every study block to Units 1–9

2Practice Bayesian carrier-risk and empiric recurrence calculations until timing is automatic

3Review Canadian-relevant counselling themes: bilingual care context, privacy, and genetic discrimination discussions

4Drill hereditary cancer red flags and cascade-testing communication

5Know NIPT as screening (PPV depends on prior risk) versus CVS/amnio as diagnostic

6Memorize classic cytogenetic counselling pitfalls such as 1qh+ polymorphisms vs pathogenic CNVs

7Rehearse contracting, non-directive shared decision-making, and grief responses for vignette items

8Use timed 150-question stamina sets (3 hours) before exam day

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CBGC certification exam?

It is the Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling examination required for the CCGC (Canadian Certified Genetic Counsellor) credential and French equivalent CGAC. Questions are linked to the Exam Content Outline and written from a Canadian perspective.

How many questions and how long is the CBGC exam?

The exam consists of approximately 150 multiple-choice questions over 3 hours with no scheduled break. It is computer-based via Yardstick, with English and French available on one platform.

What is the CBGC passing score?

The passing score is set with a modified Angoff method and reviewed with post-exam psychometrics. CBGC states passing scores typically range from about 70–75%. There is no penalty for wrong answers.

How much does CBGC certification cost?

Pathway A total is CAD $850 ($150 application + $700 administration/examination), with early-bird total CAD $800. Pathway B application is CAD $300 (total CAD $1,000; early bird CAD $950). Rewrite is CAD $700 (early bird CAD $650). Fees are subject to change on the CBGC Fees page.

What topics are on the CBGC exam?

Content follows the Exam Content Outline (formerly Knowledge-Based Competencies): epidemiology/basic genetics, clinical genetics, molecular genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical genetics, cancer genetics, genetic screening, prenatal diagnosis, and genetic counselling/ethics. Exact public percentage weights are not published; items are practice-weighted.

Who is eligible for the CBGC exam?

Candidates apply through Pathways A–D (ACGC-accredited Master's graduates, non-ACGC international graduates, pre-approved Canadian programs, or internationally certified counsellors) plus re-examination and recertification-by-exam routes. Confirm current pathway rules and documents on the CBGC site.