Written by
Laurie Bjerklie
Education Lead
If you've only been using it to take an occasional practice test, you may be missing some of its most valuable features. Once you understand everything the simulator offers, it becomes a much more effective study tool. This tool is genuinely one of the best study resources out there for ASCP board prep, and once you know all the ways to use it, it becomes way more powerful.
Let's walk through everything it can do for you.
First, a Quick Overview
The LabCE Exam Simulator (brought to you by MediaLab by Vastian) is built specifically around the ASCP Board of Certification exam guidelines. That means the question content, the subject breakdowns, and even the difficulty levels are modeled after the real thing. It covers all the major lab disciplines — blood bank, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, urinalysis, lab operations, and more — with over 5,000 questions, many of which include images and photomicrographs. The result is a study experience designed to closely reflect the certification exam.
Here's how to make the most of the simulator.
1. Focus Your Studying by Category or Discipline
One of the most underused features? The ability to study by subject area.
Instead of jumping into a full mixed exam, you can select a specific discipline — say, hematology or blood bank — and take questions just in that area. This is perfect when you're actively learning a subject in class, or when your practice scores are telling you that microbiology is your weak spot (no judgment, we've all been there).
Why this works: Targeted practice helps you build real understanding in one area before moving on. It's way more effective than bouncing between topics before you've actually nailed one.
Pro tip: After finishing a unit in class, jump into the simulator and knock out 20–30 questions on that topic while it's fresh. It reinforces what you just learned and shows you where the gaps are before your next exam.
2. Choose Your Mode: Review vs. Test
This is one of the most useful features that many students don't realize they can toggle between.
Review Mode
In review mode, you get immediate feedback after each question. You'll see whether you got it right or wrong, plus a detailed explanation of why, including why the wrong answer choices are incorrect. It turns every question into a mini lesson.
This is the mode to use when you're still actively learning material. Think of it as studying with a tutor who explains everything as you go.
Test Mode
In test mode, you answer all your questions first, and then see your results at the end. No peeking at the answers mid-exam. This mode is better once you feel more comfortable with the content and want to simulate what it's like to sit through an exam without a safety net.
The strategy: Use Review Mode early in your studying to build knowledge. Switch to Test Mode as your boards get closer to sharpen your test-taking endurance and confidence.
3. Simulate the Real ASCP Exam Experience
When you're getting close to your test date and want to do a full dress rehearsal, the Exam Simulator has you covered. You can set it up to mirror the actual ASCP board exam format — the same number of questions, similar time constraints, and a distribution of topics that reflects what you'll see on test day.
This matters more than people think. Sitting through a full-length, timed practice exam is very different from taking a quick 30-question quiz. You start to learn your pacing, figure out when you're running low on mental energy, and get comfortable with the exam-day feeling. The more familiar the format feels before the real deal, the less anxiety you'll carry into the testing center.
Keep in mind: Taking full-length practice exams can be exhausting, and that's actually the point. If you build up that stamina now, test day won't hit you as hard.
4. CAT Mode — The Simulator That Thinks With You
Okay, this one needs a little explanation because it's genuinely cool.
CAT stands for Computer Adaptive Testing, and it's how the real ASCP exam works. Here's the basic idea: the exam doesn't just give everyone the same questions. Instead, it adapts to your performance in real time.
- If you're answering questions correctly, the next question gets harder.
- If you miss a question, the next one might be a bit easier.
- The exam is constantly recalibrating to figure out your true competency level.
This approach is more efficient than a traditional static exam. It can measure your knowledge accurately with fewer questions because it's zeroing in on where your abilities actually sit.
The LabCE MLS/MLT Exam Simulator includes a CAT mode that works the same way. When you use it, you're not just getting practice, you're getting a realistic preview of how the ASCP exam will feel and behave. Questions won't come at you in a predictable pattern, and the difficulty will shift based on how well you're doing.
Why practice in CAT mode? Because the real exam can feel disorienting if you're not used to it. Some students get thrown off when they hit a string of harder questions and assume they're bombing — when, in fact, that might mean they're doing great. Getting comfortable with the adaptive format removes that mental hurdle.
5. Track Your Progress (Seriously, Use the Reports)
The Exam Simulator keeps detailed records of everything you do, and the reporting features are incredibly useful.
You can see:
- Your scores over time (is that upward trend happening? It will be!)
- Which subject areas are your strongest and weakest
- How your performance compares to other students using the simulator
This isn't just interesting data, it's your study roadmap. If chemistry is consistently your lowest-scoring area, you know where to focus your next study session. If blood bank is your strength, you can feel good about that and spend less time there.
You can also share your reports with your program director or instructors, which is great if you want feedback or if your school is tracking your progress as part of your preparation requirements.
6. Use It Anywhere, Anytime
One of the most practical things about the LabCE Exam Simulator is that it works on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. So whether you're at home at your desk, waiting between classes, or sitting in a coffee shop, you can squeeze in some practice questions.
Your subscription runs for a full year from the day you sign up, not tied to the calendar year, so you've got plenty of time to use it consistently rather than cramming at the last minute.
A Suggested Study Game Plan
Not sure how to put all this together? Here's a simple framework to get you started:
Early in your program (months out from boards):
- Use subject-specific mode to drill each discipline after covering it in class
- Stick to Review Mode so you're learning from every question
Midway through prep:
- Start mixing subjects to simulate a more realistic exam experience
- Toggle between Review and Test Mode depending on the topic
- Check your progress reports regularly and adjust where you're focusing
Final stretch (4–6 weeks out):
- Take full-length practice exams in Test Mode
- Use CAT Mode to get comfortable with adaptive testing
- Focus your remaining subject review on your consistently weaker areas
One More Thing: It's Not Just About Getting Questions Right
The goal of using the Exam Simulator isn't to memorize every question in the bank; it's to build genuine understanding and test-taking confidence. Read the feedback on the questions you missed. Try to understand why the correct answer is right, not just that it's right. That's what sticks.
Students who use the simulator consistently and thoughtfully — not just marathoning through questions — tend to walk into their ASCP exam feeling prepared and calm. And that confidence? It makes a real difference.
You've got this. Now go practice. 🔬
The LabCE Exam Simulator is available at labce.com for $99/year with unlimited practice tests. Access is available 24/7 from any internet-connected device.