ABGC BOARDS EXAM |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
In a genetic counseling session, why is it important to establish a "contract" with the
individual or family?
A) To outline the financial costs associated with the genetic testing process.
B) To define the roles and responsibilities of both the genetic counselor and the client during
the session.
C) To ensure the individual or family follows a strict medical regimen after the session.
D) To discuss potential side effects of genetic testing and treatment options in detail.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) To define the roles and responsibilities of both the genetic counselor and the client
during the session.
Question 2
A 30 year old man is being seen in cardiac genetics clinic because his 6 year old daughter
recently survived a near drowning. After this incident she had genetic testing that revealed
that she has Long QT syndrome. The father states that he assumes that he passed this
condition on to his daughter because he had a brother that drowned when he was 8 years
old. He is very concerned about how this diagnosis will change his lifestyle. What is the
BEST response by the genetic counselor to respond to his concerns?
A) Everyone passes something along to their children.
B) It will take time to adjust to this new diagnosis.
C) Long QT is a manageable condition.
D) You are lucky that your daughter did not drown and that she is receiving good care.
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@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
B) It will take time to adjust to this new diagnosis.
Question 3
A father brings his 10-year-old son to a genetics appointment due to concerns about the
boy's delayed speech development and fine motor skills. The father appears reluctant to
be at the appointment and dismisses the idea that his son has any developmental issues.
What is the best approach to emphasize the importance of the appointment and guide
decision making?
A) Compare the boy's development and skills to those of other children to demonstrate the
delays.
B) Focus solely on the medical perspective to convince the father of his son's condition.
C) Accept the father's resistance and move forward with the session as originally planned.
D) Utilize open-ended questions to understand the father's concerns and reasons for denial,
facilitating a productive discussion.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Utilize open-ended questions to understand the father's concerns and reasons for
denial, facilitating a productive discussion.
Question 4
A 40 year old woman was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is struggling to
decide whether she should move forward with genetic testing in the form of a high
risk/moderate risk breast cancer panel. While taking the family history, it becomes clear
that she is from a large family that is extremely close-knit. She frequently turns to them
for support. She does not have a partner or children. What is the best approach to
facilitate decision making?
A) Discuss the pros and cons of testing.
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@THE STUDY VAULT
,B) Point out the potential risk to her family members.
C) Offer to schedule a follow up appointment for her and any of her selected family
members.
D) Discuss how a positive test result impacts medical management.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Offer to schedule a follow up appointment for her and any of her selected family
members.
Question 5
A mother has a child with microcephaly and developmental delay. The child has been
referred to genetics for evaluation and genetic testing. The mother is unhappy to be at the
appointment and denies that there are concerns for the child. What is the best approach
to show the utility of the appointment and facilitate decision making?
A) To prove that the child has microcephaly and is delayed, compare the child's development
and head size to the metrics of other children.
B) Ask open-ended questions geared towards learning about the reason for her unhappiness
and denial.
C) There is no need to try to engage the mother further. She has made up her mind. Move
forward with the session as planned.
D) Assume the reason is cultural and ask her about her beliefs and traditions.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Ask open-ended questions geared towards learning about the reason for her
unhappiness and denial.
Question 6
Which of the following is a potential strength of telephone-based genetic counseling in
comparison to video-based counseling?
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, A) Enhanced ability to establish trust and rapport between patients and counselors.
B) More efficient use of counseling session time due to lack of visual distractions.
C) Greater potential for accommodating patients with hearing impairments.
D) Improved accuracy in conveying complex genetic information.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) More efficient use of counseling session time due to lack of visual distractions.
Question 7
What is a strength of in-person genetic counseling as compared to other service delivery
models?
A) It offers greater convenience and flexibility for patients.
B) It allows for direct face-to-face interaction between the counselor and patient.
C) It eliminates the need for patients to have access to technology.
D) It is more cost-effective and widely accessible.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) It allows for direct face-to-face interaction between the counselor and patient.
Question 8
What is a strength of video-based genetic counseling in comparison to in-person
counseling?
A) It eliminates the need for patients to provide a detailed medical history.
B) It ensures a higher level of patient confidentiality and data security.
C) It provides a similar level of personal connection as face-to-face interactions.
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
In a genetic counseling session, why is it important to establish a "contract" with the
individual or family?
A) To outline the financial costs associated with the genetic testing process.
B) To define the roles and responsibilities of both the genetic counselor and the client during
the session.
C) To ensure the individual or family follows a strict medical regimen after the session.
D) To discuss potential side effects of genetic testing and treatment options in detail.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) To define the roles and responsibilities of both the genetic counselor and the client
during the session.
Question 2
A 30 year old man is being seen in cardiac genetics clinic because his 6 year old daughter
recently survived a near drowning. After this incident she had genetic testing that revealed
that she has Long QT syndrome. The father states that he assumes that he passed this
condition on to his daughter because he had a brother that drowned when he was 8 years
old. He is very concerned about how this diagnosis will change his lifestyle. What is the
BEST response by the genetic counselor to respond to his concerns?
A) Everyone passes something along to their children.
B) It will take time to adjust to this new diagnosis.
C) Long QT is a manageable condition.
D) You are lucky that your daughter did not drown and that she is receiving good care.
1
@THE STUDY VAULT
,CORRECT ANSWER
B) It will take time to adjust to this new diagnosis.
Question 3
A father brings his 10-year-old son to a genetics appointment due to concerns about the
boy's delayed speech development and fine motor skills. The father appears reluctant to
be at the appointment and dismisses the idea that his son has any developmental issues.
What is the best approach to emphasize the importance of the appointment and guide
decision making?
A) Compare the boy's development and skills to those of other children to demonstrate the
delays.
B) Focus solely on the medical perspective to convince the father of his son's condition.
C) Accept the father's resistance and move forward with the session as originally planned.
D) Utilize open-ended questions to understand the father's concerns and reasons for denial,
facilitating a productive discussion.
CORRECT ANSWER
D) Utilize open-ended questions to understand the father's concerns and reasons for
denial, facilitating a productive discussion.
Question 4
A 40 year old woman was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is struggling to
decide whether she should move forward with genetic testing in the form of a high
risk/moderate risk breast cancer panel. While taking the family history, it becomes clear
that she is from a large family that is extremely close-knit. She frequently turns to them
for support. She does not have a partner or children. What is the best approach to
facilitate decision making?
A) Discuss the pros and cons of testing.
2
@THE STUDY VAULT
,B) Point out the potential risk to her family members.
C) Offer to schedule a follow up appointment for her and any of her selected family
members.
D) Discuss how a positive test result impacts medical management.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Offer to schedule a follow up appointment for her and any of her selected family
members.
Question 5
A mother has a child with microcephaly and developmental delay. The child has been
referred to genetics for evaluation and genetic testing. The mother is unhappy to be at the
appointment and denies that there are concerns for the child. What is the best approach
to show the utility of the appointment and facilitate decision making?
A) To prove that the child has microcephaly and is delayed, compare the child's development
and head size to the metrics of other children.
B) Ask open-ended questions geared towards learning about the reason for her unhappiness
and denial.
C) There is no need to try to engage the mother further. She has made up her mind. Move
forward with the session as planned.
D) Assume the reason is cultural and ask her about her beliefs and traditions.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Ask open-ended questions geared towards learning about the reason for her
unhappiness and denial.
Question 6
Which of the following is a potential strength of telephone-based genetic counseling in
comparison to video-based counseling?
3
@THE STUDY VAULT
, A) Enhanced ability to establish trust and rapport between patients and counselors.
B) More efficient use of counseling session time due to lack of visual distractions.
C) Greater potential for accommodating patients with hearing impairments.
D) Improved accuracy in conveying complex genetic information.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) More efficient use of counseling session time due to lack of visual distractions.
Question 7
What is a strength of in-person genetic counseling as compared to other service delivery
models?
A) It offers greater convenience and flexibility for patients.
B) It allows for direct face-to-face interaction between the counselor and patient.
C) It eliminates the need for patients to have access to technology.
D) It is more cost-effective and widely accessible.
CORRECT ANSWER
B) It allows for direct face-to-face interaction between the counselor and patient.
Question 8
What is a strength of video-based genetic counseling in comparison to in-person
counseling?
A) It eliminates the need for patients to provide a detailed medical history.
B) It ensures a higher level of patient confidentiality and data security.
C) It provides a similar level of personal connection as face-to-face interactions.
4
@THE STUDY VAULT
