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100+ Free CGC Practice Questions

Pass your Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CGC Exam

~200

Exam Questions

ABGC

4 hrs

Time Limit

ABGC

$400

Exam Fee

ABGC

~80-85%

First-Time Pass Rate

Estimated

5 yrs

Recertification Cycle

50 CEUs required

The CGC exam has approximately 200 questions with a 4-hour time limit. It covers genetic testing and genomics (25%), risk assessment and probability (20%), counseling skills and psychosocial support (20%), clinical genetics (25%), and ethics and professional practice (10%). A criterion-referenced scaled score is required to pass. Recertification requires 50 CEUs every 5 years.

About the CGC Exam

The CGC certification demonstrates expertise in genetic counseling including genetic testing interpretation, pedigree analysis, risk assessment, psychosocial counseling techniques, clinical genetics across prenatal, cancer, and pediatric specialties, variant interpretation, ethical issues in genomic medicine, and patient-centered care.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced scaled score

Exam Fee

$400 (ABGC (American Board of Genetic Counseling))

CGC Exam Content Outline

25%

Genetic Testing & Genomics

Test selection and interpretation, ACMG variant classification, NGS technologies, cytogenetics, pharmacogenomics, and emerging genomic tools

20%

Risk Assessment & Probability

Pedigree analysis, Bayesian calculations, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, polygenic risk scores, and risk communication strategies

20%

Counseling Skills & Psychosocial

Psychosocial counseling, empathic responding, nondirectiveness, cultural competence, motivational interviewing, and grief support

25%

Clinical Genetics

Prenatal genetics, cancer predisposition syndromes, pediatric genetics, adult-onset conditions, inheritance patterns, and reproductive options

10%

Ethics & Professional Practice

Informed consent, GINA, confidentiality, duty to warn, testing of minors, secondary findings, research ethics, and scope of practice

How to Pass the CGC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced scaled score
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours
  • Exam fee: $400

Keys to Passing

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

CGC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practice Bayesian risk calculations extensively — these probability questions appear frequently and require comfort with conditional probability and pedigree analysis
2Know the ACMG/AMP 5-tier variant classification system cold — understand the criteria for pathogenic, likely pathogenic, VUS, likely benign, and benign classifications
3Study cancer genetics syndromes thoroughly (HBOC/BRCA, Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni, Cowden) including inheritance, screening guidelines, and management recommendations
4Review psychosocial counseling frameworks — be prepared for questions about empathic responding, nondirectiveness, cultural competence, and handling emotional reactions
5Understand ethical issues including GINA limitations, testing of minors, duty to warn vs. confidentiality, and management of secondary findings from genomic sequencing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CGC certification?

The CGC (Certified Genetic Counselor) credential is awarded by the ABGC to genetic counselors who demonstrate competency in genetic counseling practice. It covers genetic testing interpretation, risk assessment using pedigree analysis and probability calculations, psychosocial counseling techniques, clinical genetics across multiple specialties, and ethical issues in genomic medicine. CGC certification is required for practice in most clinical settings.

How many questions are on the CGC exam?

The CGC certification exam contains approximately 200 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour time limit. The questions cover five content domains: genetic testing and genomics (25%), risk assessment and probability (20%), counseling skills and psychosocial issues (20%), clinical genetics (25%), and ethics and professional practice (10%). The exam uses a criterion-referenced passing standard.

What are the prerequisites for the CGC exam?

Candidates must hold a master's degree from an ACGC-accredited genetic counseling program. Programs include supervised clinical training with documented case experiences across multiple genetics specialties. The exam is typically taken within the first year after program completion. Currently, there are approximately 50 accredited programs in the United States and Canada.

How should I study for the CGC exam?

Effective CGC exam preparation includes reviewing clinical genetics across prenatal, cancer, pediatric, and adult specialties, practicing Bayesian risk calculations and pedigree analysis, studying ACMG variant classification criteria and testing methodologies, reviewing counseling skills frameworks, and understanding ethical and legal issues in genetic counseling. Most candidates study 3-6 months. Focus on clinical scenarios that integrate multiple content areas.