ASCP Exam Content Guidelines: Syllabus to Study
The ASCP exam content guidelines are the syllabus that the BOC determines for ASCP Certification preparation.
The ASCP exam content guidelines contain
- All the subjects that you have to cover regarding your certificate exam.
- Relevant main/key topics
- Subtopics
- Percentage of Question
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) conducts its exam around the world every year.
For exam preparation, the board offers complete information about the exam syllabus in the ASCP exam content guidelines.
After getting the exam syllabus from there, you can show better performance in the exam.
Your certification success depends on your preparation; therefore, always focus on understanding the exam syllabus to pass the ASCP exam.
Here, we will offer precise instructions about comprehending the ASCP exam content and tips on how you can achieve the certificate after passing the ASCP.
Understanding the ASCP Exam
The ASCP Board of Certification conducts its exam for the entire team of clinical pathology and lab medicine.
This team includes technologists, specialists, technicians, pathologists, and scientists.
The following are all the certificates that ASCP BOC presents:
For Scientist
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS ASCP)
For Technologist
- MB ASCP (Technologist in Molecular Biology)
- CTASCP (Cytologist)
- HTL ASCP (Histotechnologist)
- MLS ASCP (Medical lab Scientist)
- C ASCP (Technologist in Chemistry)
- HT ASCP ( Technologist in Hematology)
- BB ASCP (Technologist in Blood Banking)
- CG ASCP (Technologist in Cytogenetics)
- M ASCP (Technologist in Microbiology)
- CTgyn ASCP (International Gynecologic Cytologist)
For Specialist
- SBB ASCP ( Specialist in Blood Banking)
- SMB ASCP (Specialist in Molecular Biology)
- SCYM ASCP (Specialist in Cytometry)
- SCT ASCP (Specialist in Cytology)
- SH ASCP (Specialist in Hematology)
- SM ASCP (Specialist in Microbiology)
- SC ASCP (Specialist in Chemistry)
For Technician
- PBT ASCP (Phlebotomy Technician)
- MLA ASCP (Medical Laboratory Assistant) (only for U.S.)
- HT ASCP (Histotechnician)
- MLT ASCP (Medical Laboratory Technician)
For Pathologist
- PA ASCP (Pathologist Assistant)
ASCP Certification Importance
- You will get a work license that makes you confident enough to do a job at any hospital.
- The ASCP comes with incredible career development and career advancement opportunities.
- Network opportunities spread your connection throughout the entire world.
- You get career satisfaction with many skill-enhancing programs.
- Adds latest technologies to your profile
- Support you to live a luxurious life with higher salaries.
Key Components of the ASCP Exam
The Board of Certification is a gold standard for offering all the requirements that professionals need to overcome the exam.
Regarding the ASCP exam content, the ASCP presents comprehensive details.
Following is the ASCP exam content for each certificate:
For MLS ASCP
The MLS ASCP exam content are:
- Blood Banking
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Lab Operation
- All Body fluids, including Blood
ASCP Exam Syllabus for Technologist
For BB ASCP
- Blood Products
- Blood Group Systems
- Immunology and Physiology
- Serologic and Molecular Testing
- Transfusion Practice
- Laboratory Operations
For C ASCP
- Chemistry
- General Chemistry
- Proteins and Enzymes
- Acid-Base, Blood Gases, and Electrolytes
- Special Chemistry
- Laboratory Operations
For CG ASCP
- Specimen Preparation, Culture, and Harvest
- Molecular Cytogenetic Testing
- Chromosome Analysis and Imaging
- Laboratory Operations.
For CT ASCP
- Gynecological Cytology
- NonGynecological Cytology (subdivided into Genitourinary System, Respiratory System, and Body Cavity Fluids)
- Fine Needle Aspiration and Other
- Laboratory Operations
For H ASCP
- Hematology Physiology
- Hematology Disease States
- Hematology Laboratory Testing
- Hemostasis
- Laboratory Operations
For HTL ASCP
- Fixation
- Processing,
- Embedding/Microtomy
- Staining
- Laboratory Operations
For M ASCP
- Preanalytic Procedures
- Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology
- Analytic Procedures for Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology
- Laboratory Operations
For MB ASCP
- Molecular Science
- Molecular Techniques
- Laboratory Operations
- Applications of Molecular Testing
ASCP Exam Content Area for Specialist Certification
For SBB ASCP
- Blood Products
- Immunology and Physiology
- Blood Group Systems
- Laboratory Operations
- Serologic and Molecular Testing
- Transfusion Practice
For SC ASCP
- Chemistry
- Proteins and Enzymes
- General Chemistry
- Special Chemistry
- Acid-Base, Blood Gases, and Electrolytes
- Laboratory Operations
For SCT ASCP
- Gynecological Cytology
- Fine Needle Aspiration and Other
- NonGynecological Cytology (subdivided into Genitourinary System, Respiratory System, and Body Cavity Fluids)
- Laboratory Operations
For SCYM
- Instrumentation
- Panel/Experiment Design
- Applications
- Data
- Laboratory Operations
For SH ASCP
- Hematology Disease States
- Hematology Physiology
- Hematology Laboratory Testing
- Laboratory Operations
- Hemostasis
For SM ASCP
- Preanalytic Procedures
- Analytic Procedures for Mycobacteriology, Virology, Parasitology, and Mycology
- Analytic Procedures for Bacteriology
- Laboratory Operations
For SMB ASCP
- Molecular Science
- Molecular Techniques
- Laboratory Operations
- Applications of Molecular Testing
ASCP Exam Content Area for Technician
For MLT ASCP
- Lab Operation
- Hematology
- Blood Banking
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Blood and Other Body Fluids
- Immunology
For HT ASCP
- Fixation
- Staining
- Processing
- Lab Operation
- Embedding and Microtomy
For PBT ASCP
- Circulatory System
- Specimen Collection
- Laboratory Operation
- Non-blood Specimen
- Specimen Handling, Processing, and Transport
- Waived and Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)
For MLA ASCP
- Support for Clinical Testing
- Patient Registration and Specimen Collection
- Specimen Preparation and Processing
- Waived and Point-of-Care Testing
- Laboratory Operations
Preparing for the ASCP Exam
The ASCP exam is very challenging, it is a common thing among all the professionals who have passed the ASCP and who are going to take it.
Passing the ASCP is not an easy task, you have to put in an all-out effort to navigate it.
Following are a few tips that will help you prepare for the ASCP exam:
ASCP Exam Content
- The ASCP BOC presents a wide syllabus for all its certifications; make sure to understand it clearly.
- Try to cover each subject with main and sub-topics
Depend on Comprehensive Study Material
Always choose study material that covers the entire ASCP exam content.
The Board presents many study materials with other preparation resources in its reading list.
Here are two problems, you cannot get information from all the study guides and it is also difficult to choose the perfect one from many.
The ASCP BOC permits you to choose alternative resources, so you can purchase the best study material online.
When it comes to getting online resources, there is no alternative to the MLSiAcademy ASCP exam study guide.
- It covers the entire syllabus of the ASCP
- Digest all reading list resources into one unified study source
- Use visual illustrations and simple vocabulary to make the content easy.
- Always available in an updated version
- Designed by ASCP-certified experts
Subscribe to the Online Course
To ensure your success, you must get the services of an online course.
Make sure to get the MLSIA online preparation bundle, which is available for all certification preparation.
MLSIA ASCP preparation courses comprise
- Online classes via Zoom (A link is provided after subscription)
- Recording of classes
- Study Guide (Cover the ASCP exam content + Reading list resources)
- Practice Questions and Answers
Set a Study Schedule
- A study plan helps you cover the ASCP exam content before the final day if you make and follow it properly.
- Choose the best time for study, which may be late at night or early in the morning.
- Divide your time wisely between difficult and easy subjects
- Fix time for revision
ASCP Exam Registration and Requirements
The ASCP BOC only allows candidates to sit the exam who meet the eligibility requirements that are mentioned in eligibility routes.
The board determines many routes for all certifications and meet at least one route is vital.
The eligibility requirements for all certifications may be different but the following are the few documents that you need for all certifications.
- Bachelor, doctorate, or master’s degree in your area of specialization.
- Clinical experience that must be obtained in the required timeframe and recommended agencies
- Training experience in your relevant area
- Letter of authenticity must be enclosed with clinical and training experience.
- Academic transcript
- Foreign transcript evaluation must be acceptable ( it is required for study outside of the United States and Canada).
ASCP Exam Registration
- First, you need to choose your certificate type and eligibility route.
- Create an ASCP account if you do not have one, but if you already have one, login to open it.
- Add all required information, including your name, ID number, email address, etc.
- Choose the category of your certificate and the eligibility route.
- Verify your content information and complete the application form.
- Pay application fee
- Your academic institution must send your official transcript to BOC directly.
- Make sure to check your application status
- After approval of the application, you can schedule your exam within three months.
Test-Taking Strategies for ASCP Exam
- You must practice for the final exam by participating in the practice exam (MLSiAcademy.com presents a bundle of practice exams).
- Reach the exam center at least half an hour before
- Follow the instructions of the exam center.
- The format of the ASCP exam is CAT (Computer Adaptive Testing) which shows the next question by analyzing the answer to your previous question.
- Read the question carefully and offer your best answer.
- Once you have completed your test, go back and check it again.
- Make sure to complete your test a few minutes before your end time so that you can revise it.
After the ASCP Exam: What Comes Next?
Your pass or fail result will promptly show on your computer screen.
If you have passed the exam, your score report will be received within four business days.
This score report comprises your credential number and your certification expiration date.
Be attentive to getting your score report, because you are not certified until you receive it.
You will receive your score report via email notification, so make sure to use your current and active email address.
But, if you have failed your exam, never apply for a retake exam until you receive an email notification from the BOC to login to your ASCP account to monitor your score report.
After receiving this email notification, you can apply for the exam after three months of your first exam.
The purpose of this time limit is that you can consider your weak points and get a command of all those shortcomings that push you toward failure on your first attempt.
Final Thought for ASCP Exam Content
Understanding the ASCP exam content is the best technique to show better performance in your final exam.
You can only ace the ASCP exam with extreme preparation because here your imagination does not work.
Put your full attention on comprehending and overcoming the ASCP exam syllabus.
You must rely on the Ascp-recommended preparation resources if you have abundant time for preparation.
But, if you have little time, choose the MLSIA preparation bundle that comes with a guarantee of 100% success in the shortest time.
ASCP Exam Content Area FAQs
Does the ASCP BOC determine any specific ASCP exam content for certification?
Yes, of course, The ASCP BOC offers a specific exam syllabus for all certifications that are necessary to cover.
Can I use any alternative resource than ASCP for exam preparation?
Yes, of course, the resources that the ASCP BOC presents for preparation are only a partial source, so you can choose online resources like MLSi Academy preparation bundle.
Abdelhalim Elshawadfy is an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS ASCP), Specialist in Microbiology (SM ASCP), and Molecular Biology Technologist (MB ASCP) with a distinguished career marked by expertise, continuous learning, and a commitment to elevating the standards of clinical laboratory science. As an ASCP Certification Expert and American Board Certification Expert, Abdelhalim Elshawadfy continues to make invaluable contributions to the field, leaving a lasting impact on the medical community.