Preparing for the CGC Exam — Considering Your Unique Learning Needs & Abilities

Every candidate for the ABGC Certification Examination has their own learning style and educational needs. As someone who is neurodivergent, I know that those with learning disabilities have often already developed their unique ways of studying throughout college and grad school.

Many of these unique strategies will apply to studying for the certification exam, and for the most part, the first few steps to studying are the same for all. These include familiarizing yourself with exam content and assessing which areas are strengths and which areas are weaknesses. ABGC has a complimentary practice exam available for candidates to test their knowledge of exam concepts, which are described in the updated exam content outline.

Once you have gone over these initial strategies, you can begin to develop your unique study plan. Some candidates, like those planning to practice clinically in Pennsylvania, are required to take the earliest possible exam due to state-specific licensure requirements. Others may have more flexibility. Deciding when to take the exam is a personal choice; considering how much time you need to best prepare is an important factor in making that decision.

In this article, I share four overarching study strategies to consider — and a few tips within — that will help all CGC candidates, including people with learning disabilities, prepare well.

4 Study Considerations for CGC Candidates With Learning Disabilities

1.  Develop a Solid Study Plan

As you lead up to taking the exam, it’s helpful to develop a study schedule to prioritize your time. Here are a few tips:

• Identify the time it will take to study for each topic and acquire resources. When developing your schedule, go over any study resources you have gathered. Such resources may include practice exam questions, trivia nights, class notes from your graduate program, study guides and so on.
• Look into available scholarships. While both free and paid study resources exist, paying for study materials is not necessary to succeed on the exam. If you have already begun working, your employer may provide reimbursement for exam-related costs, including study materials and/or the cost to register for the test itself. Scholarship funding may also exist for members of certain professional groups, such as the Indigenous genetic counseling graduates section of the CAGC.
• Pool your resources. Ask your friends, classmates and coworkers for advice and materials such as study guides or study timelines.

2. Prioritize Your Learning Style

Further advice for studying depends on your specific needs and learning style. For those who work well in study groups, it can be helpful to have a dedicated weekly time to meet with fellow candidates. Members of my graduate program organized a weekly Zoom session, where each week focused on a given area of genetics. Two different classmates were assigned to summarize exam content and presented it with a PowerPoint each week. The remainder of the session was spent reviewing practice questions assigned the week before.

As someone with ADHD, the accountability and routine imposed by a set study group was immensely helpful for structuring my study time. Even if this type of study group format isn’t traditionally helpful for you, it is worth considering working with others. Having a dedicated time to meet with friends and study (whether that’s together or silently side-by-side) can keep you on track as you prepare for the test.

3. Prepare Any Necessary Exam Accommodations

For many candidates, developing a study timeline, gathering study resources and leaning on friends and coworkers for support will set them up for success on exam day. For candidates with disabilities, there are additional considerations. ABGC and Prometric offer exam accommodations, which you’ll want to register for at least 45 days in advance of the test. It’s a good idea to start the accommodations request process early; you’ll need to complete some paperwork (pages 12 and 13 of the Exam Candidate Guide). The first form is a request for specific accommodation, which requires a signature from a diagnosing professional. The second form is documentation of disability-related needs, which must be completed by an educational, health or mental health professional. This form also requires written documentation of your disability that is not older than when you entered your undergraduate program.

Beyond accommodations, there are many other ways that disabled exam takers can set themselves up for success. Honor your own needs — studying may take longer than your peers. Consider extending your study timeline by either starting earlier or taking a later exam date if your situation (such as your employer or state law) allows. While studying, I required more repetition on certain topics than my neurotypical peers. It was helpful to study in a group, but then go back to difficult topics on my own when I could better direct my focus.

4. Maximize the Big Day

Set aside time to take the exam. If you’re working, you might want the full day off of work to schedule some last-minute studying or decompress once the test is over. You’ll also want to schedule your exam on a day that doesn’t conflict with major job responsibilities.

No matter how prepared you are, it is normal to feel nervous the day of the test. General test-taking tips apply to the board exam — show up well rested, plan your meals ahead of time, bring water and any medication you may need. Plan in advance how you’ll arrive at the testing center. Or, if taking the exam virtually, optimize your exam environment. Afterward, try and plan something fun (or restful)! Once you’ve completed the exam, dwelling on the content won’t change the outcome. Focus instead on learning all you can as a new graduate, which is crucial for your success whether you’ve passed or will need to retake the exam in the future. And be sure to congratulate yourself — you did something really hard!

The study tips mentioned in this article are neither exhaustive nor absolutely necessary to follow in order to pass the exam. As a master’s-level graduate (and soon-to-be genetic counselor), you’re a lifelong learner! Use study tips and advice to your advantage. What helped your coworker or friend may not be helpful for you. What’s important is setting yourself up for success on the big day.