Your molecular biology study plan must be an organized study schedule that motivates you to stay on track and hit your targets.
No doubt, having good study materials and attending classes is critical to passing the ASCP, but organizing all the commitments besides studying is a positive move to get a great score without any stress.
ASCP Molecular Biology Plan
Help you keep a balance between life activities and study
Help you understand what you should do next
Make you a punctual student
Help you cover your entire syllabus step-by-step
Assist you utilize all the study material accurately.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) conducting exams for MB ASCP technologist and SMB ASCP specialist in molecular biology. Both are so complicated and cannot be passed without 100% preparation.
The candidates who come to the final version by testing their knowledge with the different processes, they get it; lack of preparation is nothing more than a waste of time and money.
If you want to get the ASCP certification, the only thing that will streamline your journey is your study plan.
Here we are going to highlight some practical tips and strategies that offer you the best results if you implement them in your ASCP molecular biology study plan.
Understanding the ASCP Molecular Biology Certification
The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) presents two certificates for the molecular biology field: ASCP MB and ASCP SMB
Understanding the certification distribution is necessary so that you can know which one is relevant for you.
The ASCP molecular biology certification is classified due to professional status.
If you are a molecular biology technologist, you should get information for MB ASCP, but if you are a specialist, you must go for SMB ASCP.
These certifications are also separate due to your residence: If you belong to the U.S., your certification is MB/SMB ASCP, but if you are an international candidate, go for MB/SMB ASCPi.
Schedule Your Timetable
The best study schedule is an open book that guides you toward your next objective.
Therefore, you must schedule it carefully and accurately.
Consider your intelligence level and your capacity to consume the information per day.
5-6 hours of study daily are effective to cover the MB/ SMB ASCP exam syllabus.
Determine subjects’ difficulty level and distribute the time according to it.
Use the formula of when, which, how, and how long to establish for each subject
You also fix time to take a little break during your study session
Essential Topics to Cover
You must check the ASCP-recommended syllabus before scheduling your ASCP molecular biology study plan.
Following are the outlines of important topics that the board determines:
Molecular Science
Nucleic acid chemistry
Basic molecular theory
Microbial genetics
Biochemical reagents
Human genetics
Molecular Techniques
Isolation of nucleic acid
Amplification of nucleic acid
DNA Manipulation
Sequencing
Detection & Partition
RNA Manipulation
Laboratory Operation
Contamination
Guidelines & Regulations
Continuing education
Competency
Safety
Quality control
Results (interpretation, results, and reporting)
Assays (troubleshooting, validation, and performance)
Instrumentation & Equipment
Selection of storage, reagents & preparation (storage, documentation, disposal, and preparation)
Application of Molecular Testing
Infectious disease
Pharmacogenomics
Genetic disorders
Genetic disorders
Engraftment
Utilize the Best Study Material and Resources
Which study materials you should implement into your study plan is a very important concern.
You can get preparation products from the ASCP BOC store.
But here is one problem the study tools that you get from the Board of Certification, you have to cover on your own.
Therefore, you should subscribe to an online preparation course like MLSIAcademy.com, which not only presents you with study materials but also provides support to navigate the ASCP exam content area.
Here you will find an interactive environment like traditional classes.
You can clear up any confusion by asking questions from professors.
These live video classes cover the entire content area with a proper plan.
Recordings of Live Video Classes
The MLSIA comes with alternative options so that its students do not miss a single piece of information.
For instance, the academy records all the live lectures for those students who missed the class due to any reason or want to watch it again for deep comprehension.
MLSIA ASCP Molecular Biology Study Guide
The MLSIAcademy study guide is a complete source for MB/SMB exam preparation because it is an all-in-one study option.
All-in-One: The MLISA study guide consumes all the BOC-recommended study books for preparation.
Following are some books that are summarized in the MLSIA ASCP molecular biology study guide:
Diagnostic Molecular Pathology: A Guide to Applied Molecular Testing (2nd edition)
DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg’s Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology: Primer of the Molecular Biology of Cancer (3rd edition).
Medical Genetics (6th edition)
Clinical Genomics: A Guide to Clinical Next Generation Sequencing.
Molecular Microbiology: Diagnostic Principles and Practice (3rd edition)
Fundamental Laboratory Mathematics: Required Calculations for the Medical Laboratory Professional.
Mathematics for the Clinical Laboratory (4th edition)
Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide to Mathematics in the Laboratory (3rd edition).
Conclusive: Do you consider the size of this study guide after consuming the bundle of books? Do not worry; it is conclusive. This study guide only focuses on the necessary ones and removes any fluff.
Experience of Experts: This book is the experience of ASCP-certified experts.
Easy-to-understand: It explains the content with visual illustrations, simple words, Q&A, and many other ways.
Update content: It is always available in updated edition.
MLSIA ASCP Molecular Biology QBanks
MLSIA offers all the necessary tools for preparation; therefore, students get and test knowledge by utilizing all tools.
QBank: The MLSIA presents the topic-specific, chapter-specific, subject-specific, and entire-syllabus-specific QBanks.
Mock Version: It is similar to the ASCP final exam, which tests and tracks your progress.
CAT Version: The MLSIA also conducts the CAT exam for its students so that they can taste the real exam before sitting in it.
Effective Study Techniques for ASCP MB/SMB Exam
If you implement effective study techniques with study tools in your ASCP molecular biology study plan, you can get the ASCP certification with great scores.
Some of these techniques are:
Practice Your Learning
There are three main techniques that help you to become an ASCP expert: Practice, Practice, and Practice.
If you practice your learning continually, you can get a full command of all exam content areas.
You must use the MLSIA ASCP flashcards, Q&A, QBank, and mock test to practice.
Interact with Experts
Before going for the final exam, you must interact with the ASCP experts who have already passed it.
You can get the best advice from them because they know all about the exam, including the important topics, exam format, and effective strategies to ace the ASCP.
For this, you must join the “ASCP Certification Prep,” where you meet with ASCP experts across the world.
Book the Exam
The right time to apply for the ASCP is when you have covered the 99% exam content area.
After approval of your application, you only have three months to schedule and take the exam.
Take Care of Yourself
Your health should be a priority.
Whether you want to cover the ASCP exam content area or the ASCP exam, you must be fit physically and mentally.
You can only compete with ASCP challenges with a healthy mind and body.
Tips for the Day Before and Day of the Exam
You must change your ASCP molecular biology study plan one week before the final exam.
During this time, you must participate in the MLSIA practice exam that is offered subject-wise.
Attend practice tests for all the subjects, monitor your position, and review your weaknesses.
A day before the exam, you must review your weak points and make sure to attend the MLSIA CAT test that depicts a clear image of the ASCP actual exam.
You must continue to review your weak points until the exam last night.
On this night, say goodbye to your studies and get a good sleep to refresh your mind for the next day.
Get up early on exam day, take a shower, and eat good food.
You should not use any sedatives on exam day.
Make sure to reach the exam center one hour before to start of the exam.
Following the rules and regulations of the exam center is your duty, your misbehavior can disqualify you from the exam.
After the Exam: What Next?
You pass/ fail ASCP, it will promptly pop up on the computer screen after you finish the exam.
If you have passed it successfully, your score report will be acquired after four business days.
Be cautious about getting it, because you are not a certified professional until you get it.
This report describes your score in exam content areas and certificate expiration date.
But if you have failed the exam, never hurry to apply to retake it.
Wait for your email notification to log in to view your score report.
Check it clearly to know where you need improvements.
FAQs for the ASCP molecular biology study plan?
What should I implement in my ASCP molecular biology study plan?
You must use effective study tools and strategies in your ASCP molecular biology study plan, if you cannot do this, make sure to subscribe to the MLSIA ASCP molecular biology course that does all for you.
Which certificates are included in the ASCP molecular biology certificate?
Two certificates are included in the ASCP molecular biology certification: MB ASCP/ASCPi and SMB ASCP/ASCPi.
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.
