ABPath Clinical Pathology study guide
ABPath Clinical Pathology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The American Board of Pathology (ABPath) is the certifying body whose examinations recognize pathologists who have demonstrated the knowledge, judgment, and skills expected in their area of practice, as determined by nationally recognized experts. ABPath describes its mission as promoting and contributing to the delivery of the highest quality of patient care through the practice of board-certified pathologists, and it also administers a Continuing Certification Program that helps diplomates maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers. The ABPath Clinical Pathology study guide has 6 sections and about 1,668 words.
01Clinical Chemistry
Clinical chemistry questions reward a disciplined approach: know the analyte, its pre-analytic pitfalls, and the physiologic logic behind its change. Master acid–base interpretation (Henderson–Hasselbalch, anion gap, delta gap, Winter's formula for expected pCO2), electrolyte disorders (corrected sodium for hyperglycemia, osmolar gap), and the urea/creatinine relationship in prerenal azotemia.
279 words, about 1 min02Hematology
Hematology questions test morphologic reasoning plus numeric interpretation. Know the complete blood count indices and their derivations (MCV, MCH, RDW), the reticulocyte index as a measure of marrow response, and the anemia classification by MCV and reticulocyte count.
301 words, about 2 min03Microbiology
Microbiology questions blend organism identification, specimen selection, and antimicrobial logic. Know the Gram stain and colony morphology of major pathogens, the meaning of catalase and coagulase tests, and the biochemical panels used for Enterobacterales.
276 words, about 1 min04Immunopathology and Immunohematology (Blood Banking)
This domain spans immune mechanisms and transfusion medicine. Know hypersensitivity types (I–IV), autoantibody patterns (ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith), complement pathways, and the principles of immunoassays (ELISA, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry).
285 words, about 1 min05Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics
Molecular questions test the central dogma in diagnostic terms: DNA/RNA structure, replication, transcription, and translation, plus the technologies that exploit them (PCR, RT-PCR, Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, FISH, karyotyping, microarray). Know the difference between germline and somatic variants, variant classification (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, VUS, likely benign, benign), and the meaning of variant allele fraction.
267 words, about 1 min06Laboratory Management and Informatics
This domain covers the operational and regulatory side of the laboratory. Know quality management systems: quality control (Levey-Jennings charts, Westgard rules), proficiency testing, and the difference between accuracy and precision.
260 words, about 1 min