Comprehensive Certification Exam Review for Medical Laboratory
Assistants/Technicians
Studying for the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists (OSMT) and/or for the Canadian Society of Medical
Laboratory Science (CSMLS)’s Medical Laboratory Assistant/ Technician (MLA/T) certification exam can seem
intimidating, but starting your review early and working at it diligently will ensure that you are on your way to
success.
Preparation is the key component to achieving the best results in any challenge; the MLA-CER program is your
essential tool to exam preparation and studies.
Exam Preparation Tips:
Positive Attitude
Have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and focus on your SUCCESS.
Reward yourself for your good efforts while studying.
Approach this exam with confidence. View it as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge.
RELAX before the exam. Avoid interacting with students who are not prepared, are negative, or are doing
some last minute cramming; this can distract you.
Create a Study Plan
Start studying EARLY to prepare for your certification exam.
CREATE A STUDY PLAN and USE IT.
BUDGET your time realistically: divide your study time into several manageable study sessions.
Divide the course material into small segments and assign them to the study sessions.
Set clear and specific GOALS for the study sessions.
DON’T make the study sessions too long. Study sessions should have enough variety in terms of topics
and activities to prevent boredom and loss of effectiveness.
Take into account your familiarity with the material and the difficulty level: plan extra time to cover
CHALLENGING topics.
Start studying the topics you know the least, FIRST.
Don’t over study topics you are already know.
DON’T stress yourself if you stray from your study plan. Your study plan should be flexible enough to
accommodate unforeseeable events. RE-ORGANIZE and continue.
AVOID cramming right before the exam!
INCLUDE regular breaks into your study plan.
Stay Healthy
EXERCISE can sharpen the mind, so take breaks to stretch and keep active.
A good night's sleep will help you study better. Maintaining a well-balanced mind and body will result in
effective studying sessions and better retention of information.
EAT RIGHT: avoid an empty or too-full stomach when studying and especially when writing the final
exam. Fresh fruits and vegetables can reduce stress. Processed and heavy foods can build stress.
Get enough REST the night before your exam and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test.
Exam Day
Allow yourself PLENTY of time to get ready, gather what you need, and ARRIVE EARLY to your exam
location.
Choose a comfortable seat for taking the test. Pick a spot with good lighting and minimal distractions.
STAY RELAXED AND CONFIDENT. Keep a good attitude. Remind yourself that you are well-prepared
and are going to do great. If you find yourself anxious, take several slow, deep breaths to relax.
Make sure you have everything you are required to bring into the exam room (i.e. Identification,
registration letter, pencils, non-scientific calculator, etc.).
READ instructions carefully and ensure you UNDERSTAND the directions!
Tips on Writing the OSMT/CSMLS Exam
1) At your certification exam, you can expect to receive an examination booklet and a separate answer sheet on
which you record your answers. The exam protocol will explain how to mark your answers.
2) You will be told when to open the exam booklet and begin. On the answer sheet you will normally be required
to fill in the answer space with pencil. Press heavily and fill the space completely. Do not make stray pencil
marks anywhere on your answer sheet. It may be read as incorrect answers during the correction process
which is performed by an optical scanner. DO NOT write anything on the answer sheet unless told by the
invigilator.
3) If you are a fast reader, force yourself to slow down and READ EACH QUESTION THOROUGHLY. Read all
the words. This will ensure you catch questions with double negatives and questions asking for exceptions in
the answers.
4) THINK SHALLOW! Although you are reading very carefully, do not read more into a question than is there.
DO NOT agonize over each answer.
5) You may be allowed to write in your examination booklet. If so, you may underline important words in a
question; if this helps you focus on the question. Examples of words to underline may include ONLY,
EXCEPT, ALWAYS, NOT or other words which give special emphasis.
6) DO NOT spend too much time on one question. If you are not sure of an answer, mark your best guess on the
answer sheet then circle the question in your text booklet and move on. Return to it when you have finished
the others. This is better than skipping questions. If you skip a question, you may enter the answer to the
following question in the wrong space on the answer sheet.
7) DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE TIME LIMIT. You will normally have more than enough time to carefully read
and answer all the questions, even if you are a slow reader. However, be conscious of the time and pace
yourself accordingly.
8) DON’T worry if others around you appear to be moving through the test faster than you. THIS IS NOT A
RACE. TAKE YOUR TIME.
Please refer to the MLA/T Competency Guidelines on OSMT’s website at www.osmt.org or on the
CSMLS’s website at www.csmls.org
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