ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines Per ASCP BOC
Are you trying to pass the CT or SCT ASCP certificate exams to get your ASCP license?
You must consider the ASCP cytology exam content guidelines per ASCP BOC to ace the exam successfully.
- The exam contnet for ASCP cytology includes 100 questions chosen from the cytology exam content including gynecological cytology, non-gynecological cytology (further categories are respiratory system, body cavity fluids, and genitourinary system), laboratory operation, and fine needle aspiration & others.
- Both exams are administrated by CAT: an exam system that is packed with a bundle of questions and shows a series of easy or difficult questions based on your answers.
- You have to complete all the questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes; you cannot skip any questions but you can change the answers of questions if you choose mistakenly, or you consider that you selected the incorrect option.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) conducts two exams in the cytology area: CT ASCP (Technologist in Cytology) and SCT ASCP (Specialist in Cytology).
For both exam preparations, the board presents ASCP cytology exam content guidelines; it is the same for both exams.
To overcome the exam, you must cover even a little piece of information from the BOC-determined syllabus.
This syllabus offers comprehensive details about the exam content area and the percentage of questions.
In this article, we are going to cover the ASCP cytology exam content per ASCP BOC guidelines.
Hopefully, you will pass the exam by covering the below-described CT/SCT exam content area.
Gynecological Cytology Of ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
The ASCP Board of Certification chooses 40-45% of exam questions for CT ASCP and 20-25% for SCT ASCP out of the total.
ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines for Gynecological Cytology:
The body site consists of Cervix, Endocervix, Endometrium/uterus, Fallopian tube, Ovary, Vagina, and Vulva.
Embryologic Origins, Physiology, and Anatomy
Normal Cellular Morphology and Histology
Biologic Behavior, Cytopathology, and Pathology
- Epithelial, nonepithelial, and malignant tumors
- Endocrinology/functional disorders
- Indeterminate lesions/premalignant epithelial/Atypical glandular cells/ASCUS
- Congenital anomalies
- Benign lesions/reactions: therapeutic regimens effects; contaminants and organisms; cysts, hyperplasias, and benign tumors; and Inflammation
Non-Gynecological Cytology Of ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
The exam content area offers 25-35% exam questions for CT ASCP and 5-10% for SCT ASCP.
Its classifications are the respiratory system, genitourinary system, and body cavity fluids.
Respiratory System
The sub-category of non-gynecological cytology presents 8-12% questions for the ASCP CT and 5-10% for the ASCP SCT exam.
The body site includes the upper and lower respiratory systems.
Embryologic Origins, Anatomy, and Physiology
Normal Cellular Morphology & Histology
Biologic Behavior, Pathology, and Cytopathology
- Endocrinology/functional disorders
- Epithelial, nonepithelial, and malignant tumors
- Benign lesions/reactions: therapeutic regimens effects; contaminants and organisms; cysts, hyperplasias, and benign tumors; and Inflammation
- Congenital anomalies
- Indeterminate lesions/premalignant epithelial/Atypical glandular cells/ASCUS
Genitourinary System: ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
It also provides 8-12% of questions for the CT ASCP and 5-10% for the SCT ASCP exam.
Its body site comprises the bladder, kidney, ureters, and urethra.
Anatomy, Embryologic Origins, and Physiology
Histology and Normal Cellular Morphology
Pathology, Biologic Behavior, and Cytopathology
- Congenital anomalies
- Endocrinology/functional disorders
- Epithelial, malignant tumors, and nonepithelial
- Benign lesions/reactions: contaminants and organisms; cysts, hyperplasias, and benign tumors; therapeutic regimens effects; and Inflammation
- Indeterminate lesions/Atypical glandular cells/ASCUS/premalignant epithelial/
Body Fluid Cavity
Like the other two sub-categories, it also offers 5-10% of questions for the ASCP specialist cytologist exam and 8-12% for the ASCP cytologist exam.
Its body sites are the pericardial, central nervous system, pleural cavities, peritoneal, and others.
Physiology, Anatomy, and Embryologic Origins
Histology & Normal Cellular Morphology
Cytopathology, Pathology, & Biologic Behavior
- Endocrinology/functional disorders
- Malignant tumors, Epithelial & nonepithelial
- Benign lesions/reactions: cysts, benign tumors, and hyperplasias; contaminants and organisms; Inflammation; and therapeutic regimens effects
- Congenital anomalies
- ASCUS/Indeterminate lesions/premalignant epithelial/Atypical glandular cells
Fine Needle Aspiration and Other Of ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
10-15% of exam questions are obtained for the ASCP CT exam and 15-25% for the SCT ASCP exam.
The body site for this part is the lung, breast, adrenal glands, thyroid gland, salivary glands, lymph nodes, soft tissues, pancreas, kidney, liver, bone, and other FNA types (ovary, biliary tract, eye, GI tract, anal PAP, and skin)
FNA, EUS/EBUS
Triage of FNA and Rapid Onsite Evaluation
Physiology, Embryologic Origins, & Anatomy
Histology & Normal Cellular Morphology
Pathology, Cytopathology, & Biologic Behavior
- Epithelial, nonepithelial, and Malignant tumors
- Endocrinology/functional diseases
- Benign reactions/lesions: contaminants & organisms; Inflammation; hyperplasias, cysts, benign tumors; and therapeutic regimens effects
- Congenital anomalies
- Indeterminate lesions/ASCUS/Atypical glandular cells/premalignant epithelial
Lab Operation Of ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
The ASCP BOC selects 35-40% of exam questions for the specialist in cytology (SCT) exam and 15-20% for cytologist (CT) exam.
It is divided into quality management, instrumentation/cytopreparation techniques (processing, collection, and special techniques), compliance, infection control and safety (NIOSH, NFPA, SDS, OSHA, etc), companion diagnostics, Management (for SCT only) and Education & Training (SCT only).
Quality Management
- Risk management
- Quality control ‘
- Quality assessment tools and methodology
Instrumentation/Cytopreparation Techniques (Processing, Collection, and Special Techniques)
- Troubleshooting
- Procedures
- Validation
- Routine stains and fixatives
- Principles
Infection Control and Safety (NIOSH, NFPA, SDS, OSHA, etc.)
- Lab accreditation (e.g., The Joint Commission, CAP)
- Federal requirements (e.g., HIPAA, CLIA)
Companion Diagnostics
- Special stains (PAS, AFB, GMS, etc.,)
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular (for instance, HPV)
- FISH/CISH
Management (SCT ASCP Only)
- Communication
- Personnel management: competency assessment, performance standards, job descriptions, supervision principles, counseling/discipline/motivation, selection/interviewing/hiring, and evaluation.
- Financial management: accounting principles (depreciation, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow), capital budget, and operating budget.
- Procedures and policies: Clinical & Lab Standards Institute Guidelines, manuals operations, accreditation, and quality assurance plan.
- Information technology/Lab information systems
- Productivity, scheduling, and workflow
Education & Training (SCT ASCP only)
- Education principles
- Employee orientation (new)
- In-service training
- CT programs accreditation standards and guidelines
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FAQs for ASCP Cytology Exam Content Guidelines
How many exams is the BOC present in the cytology field?
The ASCP Board of Certification conducts two exams in the cytology field: CT ASCP and SCT ASCP.
What is the difference between the CT and SCT ASCP exams?
CT ASCP is a certificate for cytology technologists, while SCT ASCP is a credential for cytology specialists.
What is the application fee for CT/SCT ASCP?
The application fee for CT ASCP is $250 and it is $300 for SCT ASCP.
What is the meaning of the ASCP cytology exam content guidelines?
It is an exam syllabus that you have to cover to pass the cytologist (CT) and specialist in cytology (SCT) exams.
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.
Resources: ASCP BOC.