100+ Free KMLTTB Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: KMLTTB Exam

50%

Pass Mark

KMLTTB Rules

Kshs 4.7K+

Exam & License Fee

KMLTTB Portal

6 Sections

Syllabus Areas

Board Syllabus

Bi-Annual

Exam Frequency

Board Schedule

Required

Internship Logbook

Board Eligibility

100%

Mandatory for Practice

Kenya Law

The KMLTTB licensure exam requires a 50% pass mark. It tests Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Transfusion Science, and Histopathology. Candidates must submit their student index card and stamped clinical attachment logbook via the eCitizen portal. Success grants KMLTTB registration and a license to practice clinical diagnostics in Kenya.

Sample KMLTTB Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your KMLTTB exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A clinical chemistry technologist measures the absorbance of a patient specimen as 0.400 and the absorbance of a 100 mg/dL urea standard as 0.200. Using the Beer-Lambert law, what is the concentration of urea in the patient's specimen?

A.50 mg/dL

B.100 mg/dL

C.150 mg/dL

D.200 mg/dL

Explanation: According to the Beer-Lambert law, absorbance is directly proportional to concentration. The calculation is (Absorbance of Unknown / Absorbance of Standard) * Concentration of Standard. Substituting the values gives (0.400 / 0.200) * 100 mg/dL = 2 * 100 = 200 mg/dL.

2The Jaffe reaction is a colorimetric assay widely used in medical laboratories to estimate serum creatinine levels. Which of the following reagents is mixed with the specimen to produce the characteristic red-orange chromogen in this reaction?

A.Alkaline picrate

B.Acidic picrate

C.Alkaline copper sulfate

D.Acidic sodium nitroprusside

Explanation: The Jaffe reaction relies on the reaction of creatinine with alkaline picrate (picric acid in an alkaline medium, typically sodium hydroxide) to form a red-orange Janovski complex, which is measured spectrophotometrically at 490-500 nm.

3A patient presents with yellow discoloration of the sclera. Laboratory analysis reveals a total bilirubin of 6.5 mg/dL, a direct bilirubin of 0.5 mg/dL, and elevated urine urobilinogen. Which type of jaundice is most consistent with these findings?

A.Obstructive (post-hepatic) jaundice

B.Hepatocellular jaundice

C.Hemolytic (pre-hepatic) jaundice

D.Neonatal physiological jaundice

Explanation: The high total bilirubin combined with a normal direct (conjugated) bilirubin indicates that the elevation is primarily in indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin (6.5 - 0.5 = 6.0 mg/dL). This unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, coupled with increased urine urobilinogen, points to excessive red blood cell destruction, characteristic of hemolytic (pre-hepatic) jaundice.

4An arterial blood gas (ABG) specimen displays the following parameters: pH 7.28, pCO2 30 mmHg, and HCO3- 14 mmol/L. How should this acid-base disturbance be classified?

A.Uncompensated metabolic acidosis

B.Partially compensated metabolic acidosis

C.Fully compensated respiratory acidosis

D.Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis

Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The bicarbonate (HCO3-) level is low (14 mmol/L, reference 22-26), indicating a metabolic origin. The pCO2 is also low (30 mmHg, reference 35-45), indicating that the respiratory system is attempting to compensate by hyperventilating (blowing off CO2). Since the pH has not yet returned to the normal reference range (7.35-7.45), compensation is partial.

5A clinician requests a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test for a patient with diabetes mellitus. What physiological time frame does the HbA1c level reflect for glucose control?

A.The preceding 24 to 48 hours

B.The preceding 1 to 2 weeks

C.The preceding 8 to 12 weeks

D.The preceding 24 to 28 weeks

Explanation: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is formed when glucose non-enzymatically binds to hemoglobin inside red blood cells. Because the average lifespan of a red blood cell is approximately 120 days (17 weeks), the percentage of HbA1c reflects the mean blood glucose level over the preceding 8 to 12 weeks (2 to 3 months).

6A patient's laboratory values are: Sodium = 140 mmol/L, Glucose = 90 mg/dL, and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) = 14 mg/dL. Calculate the estimated serum osmolality using the standard formula: Osmolality = 2[Na+] + (Glucose/18) + (BUN/2.8).

A.280 mOsm/kg

B.290 mOsm/kg

C.300 mOsm/kg

D.310 mOsm/kg

Explanation: Using the formula: Osmolality = 2(140) + (90/18) + (14/2.8) = 280 + 5 + 5 = 290 mOsm/kg. This value falls within the normal physiological reference range of 275-295 mOsm/kg.

7To calculate a patient's creatinine clearance, a 24-hour urine collection is completed. The patient's serum creatinine is 1.0 mg/dL, urine creatinine is 100 mg/dL, and the total urine volume collected over 24 hours is 1,440 mL. What is the calculated creatinine clearance in mL/min?

A.70 mL/min

B.100 mL/min

C.120 mL/min

D.144 mL/min

Explanation: Creatinine clearance is calculated using the formula: (U * V) / S, where U is urine creatinine (100 mg/dL), S is serum creatinine (1.0 mg/dL), and V is the urine flow rate in mL/min. V is calculated as total volume divided by total minutes: 1,440 mL / (24 hours * 60 minutes) = 1,440 / 1,440 = 1.0 mL/min. Therefore, Creatinine Clearance = (100 * 1.0) / 1.0 = 100 mL/min.

8Ion-selective electrode (ISE) technology is the gold standard for electrolyte analysis in modern clinical chemistry analyzers. What is the basic measurement principle underlying ISE systems?

A.Measurement of electrical current flow at a constant voltage (amperometry)

B.Measurement of electrical potential difference across a selective membrane (potentiometry)

C.Measurement of electrical resistance across a path of electrolyte solution (conductometry)

D.Measurement of light emitted when atoms return to ground state (flame photometry)

Explanation: Ion-selective electrodes utilize potentiometry, which measures the electrical potential difference (voltage) between a reference electrode and an indicator electrode across a selective membrane. This potential difference is proportional to the logarithm of the activity of the analyzed ion, as described by the Nernst equation.

9A patient with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is admitted to the emergency department. Which cardiac biomarker is expected to rise first within 3 to 6 hours, peak at 12 to 24 hours, and return to baseline within 48 to 72 hours?

A.Myoglobin

B.Troponin I

C.Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)

D.Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

Explanation: Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB) starts rising 3 to 6 hours after myocardial damage, peaks at 12 to 24 hours, and returns to baseline in 48 to 72 hours (2 to 3 days). Troponin I also rises early but remains elevated for up to 7 to 10 days, while myoglobin rises faster (1 to 3 hours) but returns to baseline within 24 hours.

10A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemistry panel reveals a markedly elevated protein level, a significantly decreased glucose level (relative to simultaneous plasma glucose), and an elevated lactate level. What type of meningitis do these chemical findings support?

A.Viral (aseptic) meningitis

B.Bacterial meningitis

C.Fungal meningitis

D.Tuberculous meningitis

Explanation: Bacterial meningitis is chemically characterized by a markedly elevated CSF protein (due to blood-CSF barrier disruption), a severely decreased CSF glucose (<40% of blood glucose, consumed by bacteria and neutrophils), and high lactate levels (anaerobic metabolism). Viral meningitis typically presents with normal glucose and only mildly elevated protein.

About the KMLTTB Exam

Mandatory licensure and registration exam for medical laboratory professionals in Kenya.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours per written paper

Passing Score

50%

Exam Fee

Kshs. 4,750 - 6,050 (Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB))

KMLTTB Exam Content Outline

20%

Clinical Chemistry

Organ profiles, enzymology, instrumentation, and quality control

20%

Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science

Cell morphology, coagulation, blood grouping, cross-matching, and donor care

20%

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Bacteriology culture/sensitivity, virology, mycology, serological diagnostics

15%

Parasitology and Medical Entomology

Blood parasites (malaria), helminths, protozoa, and vector identification

15%

Histopathology and Cytopathology

Tissue processing, microtomy, H&E staining, and cytology screening

10%

Laboratory Practice, Safety, Ethics, and Quality Assurance

Waste disposal, ethical codes, safety rules, and quality control systems

How to Pass the KMLTTB Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours per written paper
Exam fee: Kshs. 4,750 - 6,050

Keys to Passing

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

KMLTTB Study Tips from Top Performers

1Dedicate balanced study time to all 6 core laboratory disciplines

2Revise basic math for chemistry calculations (dilutions, clearance, Beer's law) and hematology indices

3Review clinical rotation notes - practical questions often test specific steps in stains and diagnostic tests

4Familiarize yourself with laboratory safety policies, waste categorization, and quality control charts (Levey-Jennings)

5Take timed mock tests to improve your pacing for written MCQ papers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pass mark for the KMLTTB exam?

The official pass mark for the KMLTTB licensure examination is 50% in both written and practical/viva evaluations. Candidates must demonstrate competence across all core medical laboratory sections.

How do I apply for the KMLTTB licensure exam?

Applications are completed online through the official eCitizen platform under the KMLTTB services portal. You must upload Form KMLTTB/APL/01 along with academic transcripts, your student index card, National ID, and your stamped clinical rotation logbook.

What is the cost of the KMLTTB registration exam?

The combined registration and initial practicing license fee is Kshs. 4,750 for Diploma holders and Kshs. 6,050 for Degree graduates. A non-refundable application fee of Kshs. 1,000–2,000 may also apply.

Which subjects are tested in the KMLTTB written exam?

The written exams test six core modules: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology & Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Parasitology & Entomology, Histopathology & Cytopathology, and Laboratory Practice/Ethics/Safety.

What happens if I fail the KMLTTB licensure exam?

Candidates who fail to achieve the 50% pass mark must re-register and pay the retake fees. Re-sittings are scheduled in the subsequent examination series, which usually runs bi-annually.