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CSMLS MLA Certification Exam: Practice Test 2

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CSMLS MLA Certification Exam: Practice Test 2

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183
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About these practice questions

These practice questions will help you prepare for the CSMLS MLA exam.

This practice test contains 183 practice questions covering the eight sections of the CSMLS MLA exam:

  1. Safe Work Practices
  2. Data and Specimen Collection and Handling
  3. Pre-analytical Procedures
  4. Reagent Preparation
  5. Communication and Interaction
  6. Quality Management
  7. Professional Practice
  8. Critical Thinking

All questions have been carefully designed to reflect the questions on the real exam, to help you prepare and get a passing grade.

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Section 1: Safe Work Practices

1) Which class of dangerous goods includes infectious substances?
  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 5
  4. 6
    Class 6 is toxic and infectious substances.
2) Which of these items is NOT found in biohazard spill kits?
  1. Autoclavable waste bags
  2. Disinfectant
  3. Petri dishes
    Biohazard spill kits contain items for safely cleaning up and disposing of biohazardous materials. This typically includes absorbent material, disinfectant, autoclavable waste bags, gloves, and safety goggles.
  4. Safety goggles
3) What is the first step when cleaning up a blood spill?
  1. Pour disinfectant onto the spill
  2. Put on PPE
    The typical steps for cleaning up a blood spill are:
    1. Put on PPE such as gloves (this will protect you from contamination as you clean up the spill)
    2. Soak up as much of the spill as possible with disposable towels
    3. Apply the disinfectant to the spill and let it soak
    4. Clean the spill again with disposable towels
    5. Decontaminate any reusable equipment, such as dustpans and brushes
    6. Remove the PPE and wash your hands
  3. Record the incident in the incident book
  4. Wash your hands
4) After cleaning a biological spill, where should you place the waste cleaning materials?
  1. In a biohazard bag
    After cleaning a biological spill, place all waste cleaning materials (including used gloves and paper towels) into a designated biohazard bag and dispose of it as biohazardous waste.
  2. In a biosafety cabinet
  3. In a sharps container
  4. In the regular garbage
5) When does autoclave tape change colour?
  1. When organisms have been killed
  2. When sterilization has taken place
    Autoclave tape does not prove that sterilization was successful.
  3. When the autoclave is nearing the end of its warranty
  4. When the autoclave reaches a specific temperature
    Autoclave tape changes colour when the autoclave reaches a specific temperature. This tells you at a glance whether an item has been through an autoclave cycle.
6) Which type of fire are CO₂ fire extinguishers effective against?
  1. Flammable gas
  2. Flammable liquid
    CO₂ fire extinguishers are good at extinguishing fires involving flammable liquids and electricity. They are less effective at extinguishing fires involving solid materials, such as paper, wood, and metals. This is because these types of fires require a cooling agent to extinguish the fire, whereas a CO₂ fire extinguisher works by displacing oxygen instead of cooling. Therefore, a paper fire extinguished by a CO₂ fire extinguisher might rekindle if the paper is still hot.
  3. Paper
  4. Wood
7) A fire extinguisher has the following symbol: This fire extinguisher:
  1. can extinguish electrical fires
    The electrical symbol (lightning bolt) indicates that the extinguisher is safe for use on electrical fires.
  2. cannot be used on electrical equipment
  3. carries a risk of electric shock
  4. requires charging before use
8) Which term describes a chemical that damages or destroys human tissue on contact?
  1. Carcinogenic
  2. Combustible
  3. Corrosive
    Corrosive chemicals damage or destroy living tissue on contact. They can cause severe burns to the skin, eyes, and other tissues.
  4. Toxic
9) When handling strong acids in a laboratory:
  1. add water to acid when diluting
    Adding water to acid is dangerous because it can make the acid boil violently. Always add acid to water, not the other way around.
  2. wear eye protection
    Eye protection is crucial when working with strong acids, as acid splashes can cause severe and permanent eye damage.
  3. wear latex gloves
    Latex gloves do not offer adequate protection against strong acids. Chemical-resistant gloves should be worn instead.
  4. wear open-toed shoes
    Wearing open-toed shoes is a safety hazard in any laboratory setting, not just when handling acids.
10) Which of these can intensify a fire?
  1. Carcinogen
    Carcinogenic means something that causes cancer.
  2. Corrosive
    Corrosive (or caustic) chemicals burn or destroy tissue through chemical reactions.
  3. Oxidizer
    An oxidizer is a substance that releases oxygen or otherwise promotes combustion, causing fires to burn more intensely.
  4. Teratogen
    Teratogenic means something that causes birth defects.
11) Where should paraformaldehyde solutions be prepared?
  1. In a biological safety cabinet
  2. In a chemical fume hood
    Paraformaldehyde powder is a respiratory hazard because it releases toxic formaldehyde gas when heated and dissolved. Because of this inhalation hazard, it must be prepared inside a chemical fume hood.
  3. In the sink
  4. Under a laminar flow clean bench
12) What is the first action if someone inhales a hazardous chemical?
  1. Drink several glasses of water
  2. Induce vomiting
  3. Move to fresh air
    Your first action should be to leave the area and move to fresh air. You should then seek medical attention if the exposure is serious.
  4. Take several deep breaths
13) What term describes chemicals that cause birth defects?
  1. Carcinogens
  2. Corrosives
  3. Phenyls
  4. Teratogens
    Teratogens are chemicals that cause birth defects in developing embryos and fetuses.
14) Which of these chemicals is highly toxic?
  1. 10% ethanol
  2. Glycerol
  3. Hydrocortisone
  4. Phenol
    Phenol is highly toxic and can cause severe burns, systemic poisoning, and death.
15) What does mixing bleach with ammonia create?
  1. Chloramine
    Adding ammonia to bleach creates chloramine gas, which is toxic.
  2. Chlorine gas
  3. Chloroform
  4. Peroxyacetic acid
16) Which type of hazard do universal precautions apply to?
  1. Bloodborne pathogens
    Universal precautions are a standard set of guidelines to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
  2. Dangerous chemicals
  3. Environmental hazards
  4. Radiation
17) Which link in the chain of infection is a skin cut?
  1. Mode of transmission
  2. Portal of entry
    The portal of entry is the method a pathogen uses to enter a susceptible host. Examples include the respiratory tract, blood, mucous membranes, and broken skin.
  3. Reservoir
  4. Susceptible host
18) What is the pictogram for a pressurized gas?
  1. A flame
  2. A flame over a circle
  3. A gas cylinder
    The gas cylinder pictogram is a gas cylinder in a red diamond. This pictogram is for gases under pressure. Gases under pressure are dangerous because they can release large amounts of gas into the air quickly. The gas cylinder pictogram looks like this:
  4. An exploding test tube
19) What should you do before turning on a centrifuge?
  1. Ensure the centrifuge is balanced
    Always check that the centrifuge is balanced before turning it on. An unbalanced centrifuge can vibrate violently, damage equipment, and, in worst-case scenarios, cause injury or damage to the surrounding area.
  2. Open the cover
    The cover must be closed before starting the centrifuge.
  3. Place the centrifuge on a slanted surface
    Centrifuges should be on a flat surface, not a slanted surface.
  4. Uncover all liquid specimen tubes
    Tubes should stay capped to prevent spills and aerosols.
20) What does a biological safety cabinet protect against?
  1. Infectious aerosols
    Biological safety cabinets use HEPA filters and controlled laminar airflow to protect laboratory workers from infectious aerosols, which are microscopic particles that suspend viruses, bacteria, or fungi in the air.
  2. Thermal burn injuries
  3. UV radiation
  4. Volatile chemical vapours

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About the CSMLS MLA exam

What is the CSMLS MLA exam?

The CSMLS MLA Certification Exam is a national exam for medical laboratory assistants (MLAs) in Canada. It tests the basic knowledge and skills needed to work as an MLA.

If you pass the exam, you become certified by the CSMLS. This can help show employers that you have the knowledge to work as an MLA. The exam is not required by law, but many employers may ask for it or prefer it.

The exam is set by the CSMLS (Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science).

Who can take the CSMLS MLA exam?

There are four routes to qualify for the CSMLS MLA exam:

  1. Route 1 is for people who have completed a Canadian MLA educational program. This program must be EQual-accredited and you must take the CSMLS exam within twelve months of graduating from the program. If you graduated more than twelve months ago, then you will need to complete a prior learning assessment (PLA).
  2. Route 2 is for people who have completed the CSMLS prior learning assessment (PLA) process. The PLA process will assess your eligibility for the exam based on your education, clinical training, and work experience. For more details on the PLA process, go to the CSMLS website (www.csmls.org).
  3. Route 3 is for people who are already certified as MLAs in British Columbia by the BCSLS or in Ontario by the MLPAO. You must have been certified by BCSLS or MLPAO within the last 5 years.
  4. Route 4 is for certain internationally-educated General MLT candidates recognised by CSMLS or CAMLPR. These candidates must have tried an MLT route but failed the MLT exam.

You must take the CSMLS MLA exam in Canada, regardless of the eligibility route and testing method (in-person or remotely).

How do I apply for the CSMLS MLA exam?

To apply for the exam, you will need to fill out the exam application form on the CSMLS website.

The CSMLS MLA exam is held several times each year, typically in February, June, August, and October. The registration deadline is around two months before each exam. Check the current exam schedule on the CSMLS website at www.csmls.org.

How much does the CSMLS MLA exam cost?

For Canadian residents, the exam fee is:

  • $235 for CSMLS members
  • $435 for non-members

For non-Canadian residents, the exam fee is:

  • $315 for CSMLS members
  • $595 for non-members

(These fees are correct for the 2026 exams. See www.csmls.org for the latest fees.)

Note there is a late fee if you book the exam within the last two weeks of registration. The late fee is $140 for CSMLS members and $145 for non-members.

A CSMLS Student MLA Membership costs just $26 and reduces the cost of the CSMLS MLA exam by $200.

What is the format of the CSMLS MLA exam?

The CSMLS MLA exam is a computer-based test. It has a 10-minute introduction, followed by 103 minutes to answer the questions. There are 115 questions, which means you have less than a minute to answer each question.

You can take the exam either:

  • in-person at a test centre
  • remotely at home
Aim to spend about 50 seconds per question. If a question is taking too long, make your best choice and move on so you have time to answer the other questions.

What grade do I need to pass the CSMLS MLA exam?

The passing grade is usually 67–68% (see the following table). However, the passing grade differs from exam to exam depending on the difficulty of each exam. Therefore, there is no way to know the passing grade in advance.

Scores required to pass recent CSMLS MLA exams
Exam date Score needed to pass
February 2024 67.2%
June 2024 68.0%
August 2024 67.2%
October 2024 67.2%
February 2025 68.0%
June 2025 67.2%
August 2025 67.2%
October 2025 67.1%
February 2026 67.3%