Free practice test

Genetic Counselor Practice Test

Check what you know about the genetic counselor job with 15 free questions and instant explanations.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
About this practice test

15 multiple-choice questions on genetic counselor knowledge, safety and vocabulary. Submit to see your score and explanations, or open any question’s answer as you go. Nothing is saved or shared.

Question 1 of 15A pedigree is:
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Answer: A family tree of conditions. Family history chart.

Question 2 of 15VUS means:
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Answer: Variant of uncertain significance. Uncertain result.

Question 3 of 15A carrier:
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Answer: Has one copy of a gene change. Recessive conditions.

Question 4 of 15BRCA genes relate to:
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Answer: Breast and ovarian cancer. Cancer risk.

Question 5 of 15Cascade testing:
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Answer: Tests relatives. Family testing.

Question 6 of 15Which term matches this definition: “A family tree showing conditions.”
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Answer: Pedigree. Pedigree: A family tree showing conditions.

Question 7 of 15What does “Exome sequencing” mean?
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Answer: Testing protein-coding genes.. Exome sequencing: Testing protein-coding genes.

Question 8 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Has one copy of a gene change.”
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Answer: Carrier. Carrier: Has one copy of a gene change.

Question 9 of 15What does “Pathogenic” mean?
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Answer: Disease-causing.. Pathogenic: Disease-causing.

Question 10 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Inherited DNA.”
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Answer: Germline. Germline: Inherited DNA.

Question 11 of 15What does “Penetrance” mean?
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Answer: Chance a gene causes disease.. Penetrance: Chance a gene causes disease.

Question 12 of 15Which term matches this definition: “Two copies needed.”
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Answer: Autosomal recessive. Autosomal recessive: Two copies needed.

Question 13 of 15What does “Cascade testing” mean?
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Answer: Testing relatives.. Cascade testing: Testing relatives.

Question 14 of 15Which term matches this definition: “One copy causes the trait.”
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Answer: Autosomal dominant. Autosomal dominant: One copy causes the trait.

Question 15 of 15What does “VUS” mean?
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Answer: Variant of uncertain significance.. VUS: Variant of uncertain significance.

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