ASCP CG CERTIFICATION ACTUAL EXAM
SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should
be evaluated by: Answer: comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
◉ Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer: Proteolytic enzymes -
break down tissues into single-cell suspensions
◉ When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no
longer matters following incubation with: Answer: Colcemid - mitotic
spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
◉ Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer:
Logged in to the system
◉ Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? Answer: T-cell lymphocytes
,◉ To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging
a culture failure, what is the MOST important to document? Answer:
Expiration dates of reagents used
◉ Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Dissection
◉ Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Decidua (maternal tissue)
◉ When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of
cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most likely cause?
Answer: innappropriate slide drying time
◉ What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? Answer: Asceptic technique
◉ When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? Answer: prepare additional
slides from any remaining sample
◉ When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are
very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the issue? Answer:
Increading the drying time by using warm slides
,◉ What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer: the objectives are
beneath the stage
◉ High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
Answer: DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of 22q11, also called
velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip
indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
◉ When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic analysis,
what is the MOST important data to accompany the specimen? Answer:
Reason for referral
◉ Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? Answer: Heparinized peripheral blood
stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
◉ A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a malignancy
only if: Answer: Dividing leukemic cells are present in circulation
, ◉ All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the problem?
Answer: Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
◉ The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: Answer: Slide drying after the
cells have been dropped
◉ What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell)
for a Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer: 45
◉ What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and
abnormality detection in spontaneous abortion miscarriages? Answer:
Chorionic villi
◉ What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper
temperature? Answer: The door does not seal properly
◉ If a tech with a cold and sneezing does not take proper precautions
while setting up amniotic fluid samples, the specimen could become
contaminated with: Answer: Mycoplasma
SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ For successful harvest, each new batch of hypotonic solution should
be evaluated by: Answer: comparing the new lot to a lot already in use
◉ Colagenase, pronase, and trypsin are: Answer: Proteolytic enzymes -
break down tissues into single-cell suspensions
◉ When harvesting peripheral blood cultures, asceptic technique no
longer matters following incubation with: Answer: Colcemid - mitotic
spindle poison that halts cells at metaphase
◉ Samples that arrive at the cytogenetics lab should first be: Answer:
Logged in to the system
◉ Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates which type of cells into
division? Answer: T-cell lymphocytes
,◉ To avoid culture failure, monitoring reagents is crucial. When logging
a culture failure, what is the MOST important to document? Answer:
Expiration dates of reagents used
◉ Which type of microscope is used when cleaning a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Dissection
◉ Which cell type is most problematic if found in a CVS (chorionic
villus) sample? Answer: Decidua (maternal tissue)
◉ When looking at a slide under a phase contrast scope and a lot of
cytoplasm is still seen around the mets, what is the most likely cause?
Answer: innappropriate slide drying time
◉ What will help prevent microbial contamination and cross
contamination of cultures? Answer: Asceptic technique
◉ When there are not enough mets to complete the study of a
patient/case, what needs to be done next? Answer: prepare additional
slides from any remaining sample
◉ When looking at a dropped slide under a phase scope and mets are
very spread out and sparse, what could help fix the issue? Answer:
Increading the drying time by using warm slides
,◉ What is true of an inverted microscope? Answer: the objectives are
beneath the stage
◉ High-resolution banding is indicated for a possible diagnosis of:
Answer: DiGenorge syndrome -- microdeletion of 22q11, also called
velocardiofacial syndrome
"velo" - soft palette,
"cardio" - congenital heart defects,
"facial" - unique abnormal facial features, short philtrum (upper lip
indent), tubular nose, wide spread eyes, etc
◉ When verifying if a specimen is appropriate for cytogenetic analysis,
what is the MOST important data to accompany the specimen? Answer:
Reason for referral
◉ Which type of specimen should be requested for a cytogenetic
analysis for turner syndrome? Answer: Heparinized peripheral blood
stored at room temperature
(NOT FROZEN)
◉ A blood sample can be used to study the cytogenetics of a malignancy
only if: Answer: Dividing leukemic cells are present in circulation
, ◉ All of the cultures in a CO2 incubator failed, what aspects of the
incubator are important to monitor to assess the source of the problem?
Answer: Temperature,
CO2 level, and
Humidity level
◉ The most important factor affecting the quality of chromosomes
viewed under a phase contrast scope is: Answer: Slide drying after the
cells have been dropped
◉ What is the modal number (default number of chromosomes in a cell)
for a Down syndrome translocation carrier? Answer: 45
◉ What is the best tissue to use for both a good success rate and
abnormality detection in spontaneous abortion miscarriages? Answer:
Chorionic villi
◉ What is a possible cause for a drying oven to not maintain a proper
temperature? Answer: The door does not seal properly
◉ If a tech with a cold and sneezing does not take proper precautions
while setting up amniotic fluid samples, the specimen could become
contaminated with: Answer: Mycoplasma
