ABGC Certification Examination (CGC credential) study guide
CGC · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CGC credential is a certification mark awarded by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) to individuals who pass the ABGC Examination. ABGC describes its work as promoting high standards in genetic counseling certification, and the CGC mark may only be used by someone holding a valid, current credential conferred after passing that exam. The credential is aimed at genetic counselors who have completed the ABGC application process, paid examination fees, and scheduled an appointment to test. ABGC publishes its exam resources separately from the credential pages: a Candidate Guide covering application, fees, and scheduling; a Content Outline describing what the exam covers; a Study Guide; a Practice Exam designed to mimic the real test; Exam Advice From CGCs; an Exam References list; and a Student Webinar. Because ABGC hosts the authoritative Content Outline and Candidate Guide as downloadable documents, candidates should build their study plan from those documents rather than from third-party summaries, and should check the site for current details. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by ABGC; ABGC states that it does not endorse, sponsor, affiliate with, or approve any outside exam preparation products or courses. Topics on this exam: Genetic Counseling Practice (official content outline not retrieved; domain names unavailable from source). The CGC study guide has 1 section and about 425 words.
01Genetic Counseling Practice
The CGC exam's Genetic Counseling Practice domain tests whether you can move from a clinical question to a defensible risk estimate and a counseling plan. Items combine pedigree analysis, inheritance logic, test selection, result interpretation, and psychosocial/ethical judgment. Expect vignettes with incomplete information; the task is to identify what is known, what must be asked, and which test or referral actually changes management. Build a three-generation pedigree with standardized symbols; record ages, ancestry, consanguinity, affected status, carrier testing, and variants with classification.
425 words, about 2 minMore study resources for CGC
- Practice questionsA couple of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is seen for preconception counseling.
- FlashcardsProband. The first person in a family through whom a genetic disorder comes to medical attention; marked with an arrow on a pedigree and used as the starting point for risk analysis.
- Cheat sheetInformed consent for genetic testing requires disclosure of test purpose, limitations (variant of uncertain significance, incidental findings), storage and secondary use of samples, and policies on disclosure to relatives.
- Key termsInformed consent. The process of explaining the purpose, benefits, risks, limitations, and alternatives of testing or research so a patient can voluntarily decide whether to proceed, documented in the record.
- Study planMap the entire Genetic Counseling Practice domain into a concept outline that lists every major subarea (risk assessment, pedigree analysis, counseling process, genetic testing, ethical/legal issues) and note your confidence level for each.
- Common mistakesThe 25% figure is memorized as a reflex during prenatal and preconception questions, so candidates stop reading for partner status, consanguinity, or de novo status.
- Exam-day guideBring the original, unexpired ID in the name you used to register.