Q: How long does a DNA test take?

Most DNA tests can take between 2-6 weeks to get your results. The time it takes is usually relative to how detailed your report is, so the lengthier your report, the longer you’re waiting. Sometimes it can even take up to 8 weeks. The only real exception is STD tests. These usually send your results in a matter of days, and in some cases, less than 24 hours. That means you can get the treatment you need sooner rather than later.

Q: Does 23andMe have a sale?

Not at the moment but regular deals often become available throughout the year . Keep an eye on this page for the latest 23andMe deals.

Q: Which is the best ethnicity test: AncestryDNA, or 23andMe?

Each company’s ethnicity estimate is different because of their unique approaches towards calculating your results. There are particular regions a company can specialize in over others or features that no other service offers to help you with genealogy research. Deciding on a test is an important choice that largely depends on your ancestry and what you want out of an ethnicity estimate. Our best overall ethnicity estimate pick is Ancestry for the way it presents your ethnicity estimate, the standards it uses to determine your results, and the affordable cost. If you’re still not sure, why not read our comparison? We’ve looked at and compared each test in detail to help you make the right choice.

Q: How accurate is ethnic DNA testing?

The accuracy of your ancestry ethnicity estimate can vary between different companies. This largely depends on your ancestral background and the reference populations available. A reference population represents a group of actual living individuals (from a single location) who’ve submitted ethnicity genetic tests to a company. Their results greatly impact the results in your ethnicity estimate, as companies compare your DNA to its reference populations. You should aim to test with companies (when possible) that cover reference populations most closely related to your known ancestry.

Q: Why are the DNA tests in this article cheaper than others?

The DNA tests in this list offer the best value-for-money when compared to others in the same category , as they: Offer DNA tests in different categories for an affordable price. Provide a wealth of information from your DNA sample. Offer an interesting and insightful report with the most accurate information possible. You may find companies that have cheaper DNA tests, but beware, as they may be too good to be true. It’s likely they provide insufficient and inaccurate information.

Question 1

How long does a DNA test take?

Accepted Answer

Most DNA tests can take between 2-6 weeks to get your results. The time it takes is usually relative to how detailed your report is, so the lengthier your report, the longer you’re waiting. Sometimes it can even take up to 8 weeks.

The only real exception is STD tests. These usually send your results in a matter of days, and in some cases, less than 24 hours. That means you can get the treatment you need sooner rather than later.

Question 2

Does AncestryDNA have any deals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AncestryDNA is only offering pre-Black Friday deals at the moment, but you can still grab a great discount. You can save $100 on Ancestry’s 6-month subscriptions with its latest deal.

Question 3

Does 23andMe have a sale?

Accepted Answer

Not at the moment but regular deals often become available throughout the year. Keep an eye on this page for the latest 23andMe deals.

Question 4

What is the most accurate DNA test available?

Accepted Answer

No test is 100% accurate, so it’s important to remember that you could always get some inaccuracies. However, every test we recommend has at least 99% accuracy, so it’s very rare. Our top choice is AncestryDNA because it surpassed our expectations in our testing review, and it has some of the best testing kits around. If you want to check it out for yourself before you buy, read our detailed AncestryDNA review.

Question 5

How do you read an ethnicity estimate?

Accepted Answer

While DNA testing companies use complex algorithms to calculate your ethnicity estimate, reading your report is a straightforward process..

Most companies let you select an ethnicity and highlight where that region is on a map — in some cases, they also provide relevant information in a text box about your ancestral origins. In certain cases, you might submit multiple test kits with a single company, in which case you may be able to toggle between your different ethnicity estimates.

Question 6

What does an ethnicity estimate mean?

Accepted Answer

Not only can you take a DNA test to see what race you are, but you can also find out how much of your DNA comes from specific regions. The ethnicity estimate is the feature that makes this possible.

Part of what makes the process unique is that your results are always changing. As companies test more customers, your regional percentages can change as a result of improvements. Instead of your results coming to you listed out in a static report, it’s available on a dynamic webpage in your account that updates automatically. Plus, there are useful tools built in to the report that you can use to discover more about your ancestry.

Question 7

Which is the best ethnicity test: AncestryDNA, or 23andMe?

Accepted Answer

Each company’s ethnicity estimate is different because of their unique approaches towards calculating your results. There are particular regions a company can specialize in over others or features that no other service offers to help you with genealogy research. Deciding on a test is an important choice that largely depends on your ancestry and what you want out of an ethnicity estimate.

Our best overall ethnicity estimate pick is Ancestry for the way it presents your ethnicity estimate, the standards it uses to determine your results, and the affordable cost.

If you’re still not sure, why not read our comparison? We’ve looked at and compared each test in detail to help you make the right choice.

Question 8

How accurate is ethnic DNA testing?

Accepted Answer

The accuracy of your ancestry ethnicity estimate can vary between different companies. This largely depends on your ancestral background and the reference populations available.

A reference population represents a group of actual living individuals (from a single location) who’ve submitted ethnicity genetic tests to a company. Their results greatly impact the results in your ethnicity estimate, as companies compare your DNA to its reference populations. You should aim to test with companies (when possible) that cover reference populations most closely related to your known ancestry.

Question 9

Which DNA test kit offers the most detailed ancestry DNA test?

Accepted Answer

The amount of detail that a company’s ethnicity estimate can have may depend on your ancestral background. For example, if you have European or British ancestry, your results with Living DNA will likely contain more details considering that it has an extensive collection of European historical records. AncestryDNA has more reference populations[/affiliate-link] which might find you a more likely match.

Question 10

Why are the DNA tests in this article cheaper than others?

Accepted Answer

The DNA tests in this list offer the best value-for-money when compared to others in the same category, as they:

Offer DNA tests in different categories for an affordable price.
Provide a wealth of information from your DNA sample.
Offer an interesting and insightful report with the most accurate information possible.

You may find companies that have cheaper DNA tests, but beware, as they may be too good to be true. It’s likely they provide insufficient and inaccurate information.

Question 11

Is there a free DNA test?

Accepted Answer

There are no free DNA tests. However, there are some companies that allow you to upload your raw DNA data from a different provider and receive some additional information for free.

Living DNA allows you to upload DNA from 23andMe, and AncestryDNA to get a free report.

Question 12

Which affordable DNA test has the largest database?

Accepted Answer

The DNA test with the largest DNA database is currently AncestryDNA with 18 million samples. Yes, these numbers are impressive, but completely meaningless if the DNA test doesn’t provide the information you are looking for. So, before purchasing your DNA test, check the features thoroughly.

Question 13

Can I take the DNA test results to a doctor?

Accepted Answer

Of course, you can and you should! Your doctor has the professional knowledge to interpret your DNA results and recommend any lifestyle changes or provide treatment, based on your genetics.

Question 14

How long does an affordable DNA test take?

Accepted Answer

The turnaround time of your DNA test will vary from company to company and may be influenced by workload. Usually, it takes between 4-8 weeks to produce your report.

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