To the ABGC Board of Directors,

In conjunction with the recently released open letter to the ABGC Board of Directors, we the undersigned board exam candidates and imminent graduates, write to you with deep concern and urgency.

The February 2025 administration of the ABGC certification exam yielded an inconceivably low pass rate of only 48% and a first-time taker pass rate of just 54%. 

These figures are not only unprecedented — they are unacceptable, and they demand immediate explanation and corrective action.

The outcomes of this exam cycle are wholly unrepresentative of the competence, preparation, and dedication of the individuals who sat for it. This cohort comprises highly trained professionals who have completed rigorous, accredited graduate programs, fulfilled extensive clinical requirements, and invested years of their lives and significant financial resources into the pursuit of a vital and demanding profession.

Many of us have made profound personal sacrifices in pursuit of a calling that demands competence, compassion, and scientific rigor. To suggest that such a large proportion of these individuals were unfit to enter the profession calls into question not their abilities — but the validity, reliability, and fairness of the exam itself.

The magnitude of this failure rate is unacceptable and constitutes an egregious injustice to those who have devoted themselves to this profession.

We therefore submit this petition to demand the following immediate actions from the ABGC:

1. A full internal investigation into the February 2025 examination process, including:

• A detailed psychometric analysis,
• A comprehensive review of test items and scoring methodology,
• An evaluation of alignment with current practice-based competencies.

2. Public disclosure of the exam development and review process, including:

• How item quality and fairness were ensured,
• Whether questions were out of scope, poorly constructed, or otherwise flawed.

3. Prompt review and appropriate adjustment of scores from the February 2025 exam cycle based on the findings of this investigation.

4. Financial relief for affected candidates, though:

• A waiver of the retake fee, or
• A substantial discount of the exam retake fee for February 2025 examinees.

5. Clear, timely communication to all affected candidates regarding:

• The steps being taken,
• The anticipated timeline for investigation and response,
• The remedies being offered.

As the profession’s credentialing body, the ABGC bears a responsibility not only to uphold standards, but also to safeguard the integrity, equity, and trustworthiness of the certification process. It is incumbent upon the Board to investigate thoroughly, communicate transparently, and respond with both accountability and compassion.

We respectfully urge you to act swiftly to restore the confidence of current and future genetic counselors in the fairness of the certification process and in the leadership of the ABGC.

Sincerely,

Gravely Concerned Candidates