FDC Practice Test

The Forensic DNA Certification (FDC) is taken by DNA analysts who work in a forensic science service provider. This page gives you free practice sets by topic, worked explanations for sample questions, a study plan, and a plain summary of the format, fees, eligibility and retake rules published by the American Board of Criminalistics.

FDC Exam at a Glance

What changed for FDC in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to In person at specified testing sites; no remote proctoring (previously In person at hosted sites, electronic format; no remote proctoring).^[6]
• Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to Bachelor's in natural/forensic science; working at an FSSP in DNA analysis; ≥1 year authorized for DNA casework (previously Bachelor's in natural/forensic science + currently at an FSSP doing DNA analysis, ≥1 year authorized for DNA casework).^[7]
• Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to $250 exam sitting fee + $75 application fee (previously $250 exam sitting fee (plus $75 non-refundable application fee)).^[2]
• Oct 25, 2026: Number of questions changed to 75 questions plus 15 pilot questions (previously 75 scored questions + 15 unscored pilot questions).^[1]
• Oct 25, 2026: Passing score changed to Not disclosed (previously Not disclosed (set per exam during development)).^[3]

What the FDC is and how it works

According to American Board of Criminalistics, “The examination consists of 75 questions, plus 15 pilot questions.”^[1]

The FDC is offered by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC). It is meant for people who do DNA casework in a forensic science service provider (FSSP), and it is delivered in person at specified testing sites. There is no remote proctoring.

To apply, you need a bachelor's degree in a natural or forensic science, and you must be working at an FSSP in DNA analysis. You must also have been authorized by that FSSP to perform DNA casework for a minimum of 1 year, full-time or equivalent.

The exam has 75 questions plus 15 pilot questions. The exam sitting fee is $250, and there is a $75 application fee. The ABC does not disclose the passing score, so there is no number to aim for. Aim for solid understanding across every content area instead. Results should arrive within 30 days of your exam date.

If you do not pass, you must wait 60 days before another attempt. You can sit the same exam no more than 3 times within 24 months, and no more than 6 times in total. Once earned, the certification is valid for 5 years.

Fees, seat offerings and policies can change, so check the ABC website before you apply. Our practice questions are written by us with AI tools. They are not real exam questions and do not predict what will appear on your exam.

FDC content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official FDC content outline published by American Board of Criminalistics. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through FDC questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: Which control confirms that the PCR amplification process worked correctly?

1. Negative amplification control
2. Positive amplification control
3. Reagent blank
4. Internal size standard

Answer: B. Positive amplification control

Explanation:

The correct answer is the positive amplification control. It contains a known DNA template, so if the PCR worked, the expected profile appears. If it fails, you know the amplification itself, not your sample, was the problem.

The negative amplification control is wrong because it holds no template and is there to show contamination, not successful amplification. The reagent blank is wrong because it follows the sample through extraction to show whether reagents or handling introduced DNA. The internal size standard is wrong because it is used to size fragments in each injection, and it says nothing about whether the target loci amplified.

Rule to remember: ask what each control is designed to detect. A positive control shows the process can work, and negative controls and blanks show contamination.

Example 2

Question: Which statement about electronic documentation in Forensic DNA Certification practice is MOST accurate?

1. Electronic records are less valid than paper
2. Electronic documentation must meet the same standards as paper records
3. Electronic records don't require backup
4. Any format of electronic storage is acceptable

Answer: B. Electronic documentation must meet the same standards as paper records

Explanation:

The correct answer is that electronic documentation must meet the same standards as paper records. A record is judged on whether it is accurate, complete, attributable and secure, not on the medium it is kept in.

The claim that electronic records are less valid than paper is wrong, because a properly controlled electronic record carries the same weight. The claim that electronic records do not require backup is wrong, since a record that can be lost is not secure. The claim that any storage format is acceptable is wrong, because storage must keep the record intact, protected from unauthorized change and retrievable.

Rule to remember: the standard follows the record, not the format. Whatever you would require of a paper file, you require of an electronic one, plus controls for access and backup.

Example 3

Question: What is the PRIMARY reason for regulatory compliance in the Forensic DNA Certification profession?

1. To avoid penalties and fines only
2. To protect public safety, ensure quality, and maintain professional integrity
3. To create additional paperwork
4. To justify higher service fees

Answer: B. To protect public safety, ensure quality, and maintain professional integrity

Explanation:

The correct answer is that regulatory compliance exists to protect public safety, ensure quality and maintain professional integrity. Rules in a forensic setting are there so that courts, the people affected and the public can rely on the results.

Avoiding penalties and fines only is wrong because penalties are a consequence of non-compliance, not the purpose of the rules. Creating additional paperwork is wrong because documentation is a means of showing that work was done properly, not a goal in itself. Justifying higher service fees is wrong because compliance is about the reliability of the work, not about pricing.

Rule to remember: when a question asks for the primary reason behind a standard, choose the answer about protecting the integrity of the work and the people who depend on it, not the answer about cost or convenience.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the ABC certification scheme for the Forensic DNA Certification and the content areas it lists, then mark the areas where you feel least certain. Because the passing score is not disclosed, treat every area as worth covering rather than aiming for a target mark.

Next, work through our practice sets one topic at a time. After each set, review every question you missed and every one you guessed right. Write one sentence in your own words for each, stating the rule behind the answer. That is more useful than re-reading the answer key.

Give extra time to the sets that match your weaker areas, such as statistical analysis and population genetics if your daily work is mostly bench-side, or laboratory procedures and quality assurance if your work is mostly interpretation. Return to missed questions after a few days and see whether you can explain them without looking.

In the final days, switch from learning new material to review. Reread your own notes, redo the questions you missed, and check the ABC website for current details on your testing site, since the exam is in person only. Remember that our questions are practice material written by us, not real exam items.

Sources & last verified

1. American Board of Criminalistics — number of questions (official source). “The examination consists of 75 questions, plus 15 pilot questions.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
2. American Board of Criminalistics — exam fee (official source). “The Examination Sitting Fee is $250 per examination.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
3. American Board of Criminalistics — passing score (official source). “For confidentiality reasons, these passing scores are not provided to the test taker.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
4. American Board of Criminalistics — retake policy, score release (official source). “You cannot take the same certification exam more than three times within a 24-month period, or more than six times total.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
5. American Board of Criminalistics — validity (official source). “ABC certificates expire on the fifth anniversary of certification.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
6. American Board of Criminalistics — delivery (official source). “The American Board of Criminalistics examinations are only offered in-person at specified testing locations.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 18, 2026.
7. American Board of Criminalistics — eligibility (official source). “Applicant must have been authorized for a minimum of one year, full-time or equivalent, to perform forensic casework in the field of DNA Analysis. Authorization…” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
8. American Board of Criminalistics — other (official source). “communication” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.