Practice Test Geeks(BCG) Board for the Certification of Genealogists Practice Test
← All BCG Flashcard Decks

BCG DNA & Genetic Genealogy Flashcards

6 cards from real BCG practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 BCG DNA & Genetic Genealogy flashcards as text

  1. Which type of DNA test is most useful for tracing a direct paternal line in genealogical research?

    Answer: Y-DNA

    Y-DNA is passed almost unchanged from father to son, making it ideal for tracing direct paternal lineage.

  2. What does the term 'segment triangulation' refer to in genetic genealogy?

    Answer: Confirming that three or more matches share identical DNA segments on the same chromosome region from a common ancestor

    Segment triangulation confirms a shared DNA segment among three or more testers traces back to the same ancestral source.

  3. Which BCG standard requires that DNA evidence be corroborated by documentary evidence when making identity claims?

    Answer: The Genealogical Proof Standard

    The Genealogical Proof Standard requires that all evidence, including DNA, be corroborated and conflicts resolved before conclusions are accepted.

  4. What is a 'centimorgan' (cM) used to measure in genetic genealogy?

    Answer: The length of shared DNA segments between two individuals

    A centimorgan measures the length of shared DNA segments, with higher values generally indicating a closer relationship.

  5. Which DNA testing company database is the largest, providing the most matches for genealogical research as of recent years?

    Answer: AncestryDNA

    AncestryDNA has the largest consumer DNA database, offering the greatest number of potential matches for genealogical research.

  6. In BCG-level research, how should a genealogist handle a DNA match that contradicts documented pedigree relationships?

    Answer: Analyze both sources, resolve the conflict using additional evidence, and document the reasoning

    BCG standards require resolving conflicting evidence by gathering additional sources and documenting the analytical process transparently.

How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. bcgcertification.org — Exam format, eligibility, fees, late registration, passing score, renewal, retake fee, retake policy, score release, score validity · verified Oct 2026