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Texas Genetic Counselor Licensing Exam –
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary role of a genetic counselor?
A. Perform gene-editing procedures
B. Provide nutritional counseling
C. Interpret genetic testing results and communicate risks
D. Prescribe pharmacologic treatments
Genetic counselors specialize in interpreting genetic tests and conveying risks,
options, and implications to patients.
2. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protects individuals
from:
A. All forms of genetic discrimination, including life insurance
B. Discrimination in education settings
C. Discrimination in health insurance and employment
D. Discrimination in auto insurance premiums
GINA prohibits genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, but
not in life, disability, or long-term care insurance.
3. Which of the following inheritance patterns is typical for cystic fibrosis?
,A. X-linked recessive
B. Autosomal recessive
C. Autosomal dominant
D. Mitochondrial
Cystic fibrosis follows an autosomal recessive inheritance, requiring two
pathogenic variants for disease expression.
4. A patient with a BRCA1 mutation has which of the following increased risks?
A. Colon cancer
B. Breast and ovarian cancer
C. Liver cancer
D. Lung cancer
BRCA1 mutations are associated primarily with elevated risks of breast and
ovarian cancers.
5. Which ethical principle is emphasized when ensuring patients voluntarily
consent to genetic testing?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Autonomy ensures that patients make informed decisions without coercion.
6. In pedigree analysis, a condition seen in every generation is most consistent
with:
A. Autosomal dominant inheritance
B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
C. X-linked recessive inheritance
, D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Autosomal dominant traits often appear in every generation.
7. A heterozygous carrier couple for sickle cell disease has what probability of
having an affected child?
A. 0%
B. 25% unaffected, 75% affected
C. 25% affected, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected
D. 50% affected, 50% unaffected
Mendelian ratios in autosomal recessive inheritance: 25% affected, 50% carriers,
25% unaffected.
8. Which test is most appropriate for diagnosing trisomy 21 in a newborn?
A. Whole-genome sequencing
B. Targeted mutation analysis
C. Karyotype analysis
D. PCR
Karyotype analysis is the standard diagnostic method for identifying
chromosomal aneuploidies such as trisomy 21.
9. The ACMG guidelines classify variants into how many categories?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, VUS, likely benign, benign)
D. Six
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics uses five categories for
variant interpretation.
Texas Genetic Counselor Licensing Exam –
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the primary role of a genetic counselor?
A. Perform gene-editing procedures
B. Provide nutritional counseling
C. Interpret genetic testing results and communicate risks
D. Prescribe pharmacologic treatments
Genetic counselors specialize in interpreting genetic tests and conveying risks,
options, and implications to patients.
2. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protects individuals
from:
A. All forms of genetic discrimination, including life insurance
B. Discrimination in education settings
C. Discrimination in health insurance and employment
D. Discrimination in auto insurance premiums
GINA prohibits genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, but
not in life, disability, or long-term care insurance.
3. Which of the following inheritance patterns is typical for cystic fibrosis?
,A. X-linked recessive
B. Autosomal recessive
C. Autosomal dominant
D. Mitochondrial
Cystic fibrosis follows an autosomal recessive inheritance, requiring two
pathogenic variants for disease expression.
4. A patient with a BRCA1 mutation has which of the following increased risks?
A. Colon cancer
B. Breast and ovarian cancer
C. Liver cancer
D. Lung cancer
BRCA1 mutations are associated primarily with elevated risks of breast and
ovarian cancers.
5. Which ethical principle is emphasized when ensuring patients voluntarily
consent to genetic testing?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Non-maleficence
Autonomy ensures that patients make informed decisions without coercion.
6. In pedigree analysis, a condition seen in every generation is most consistent
with:
A. Autosomal dominant inheritance
B. Autosomal recessive inheritance
C. X-linked recessive inheritance
, D. Mitochondrial inheritance
Autosomal dominant traits often appear in every generation.
7. A heterozygous carrier couple for sickle cell disease has what probability of
having an affected child?
A. 0%
B. 25% unaffected, 75% affected
C. 25% affected, 50% carrier, 25% unaffected
D. 50% affected, 50% unaffected
Mendelian ratios in autosomal recessive inheritance: 25% affected, 50% carriers,
25% unaffected.
8. Which test is most appropriate for diagnosing trisomy 21 in a newborn?
A. Whole-genome sequencing
B. Targeted mutation analysis
C. Karyotype analysis
D. PCR
Karyotype analysis is the standard diagnostic method for identifying
chromosomal aneuploidies such as trisomy 21.
9. The ACMG guidelines classify variants into how many categories?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, VUS, likely benign, benign)
D. Six
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics uses five categories for
variant interpretation.
