ARDMS: Abdomen Sonography Specialty Examination Practice Test

To be eligible, you must first pass the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination. You must also meet one of three professional pathways: 1) Completion of an accredited general sonography or radiography program, 2) Possession of a relevant allied health credential (e.g., RT, PA) with clinical experience, or 3) For current students, enrollment in a CAAHEP-accredited program. Full details, including required documentation, are available on the official ARDMS website under the Prerequisites section.

The Content Outline (Blueprint) is your essential roadmap. Allocate your study time proportionally to the percentage weight of each domain. Focus heavily on areas like Liver (20-26%), Biliary System (15-21%), and Urinary System (15-21%). For each sub-topic, ensure you can define normal anatomy and sonographic appearance, identify pathological conditions, describe appropriate scanning techniques and protocols, and recognize associated clinical signs, symptoms, and lab correlations. Incorporate image recognition practice and case study reviews.

The exam is computer-based and consists of approximately 170 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored. You will have 3 hours to complete it. The questions are primarily single best answer, but may include image-based interpretation, drag-and-drop, and multiple-select items. The scaled scoring system ranges from 300 to 700, with a passing score of 555. This scaled score is not a percentage but a standardized measure of performance against the exam's established standard.

Maintaining your RDMS credential through the ARDMS Continuing Medical Education (CME) program ensures your knowledge remains current with evolving technology and clinical guidelines. This commitment to lifelong learning is crucial for career advancement, job security, and maintaining the high standard of care required in modern diagnostic imaging. Many employers link credential maintenance to pay scales, leadership opportunities, and scope of practice.

No. The prestigious RDMS credential is awarded only after you have successfully passed both the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination and at least one specialty examination, such as Abdomen (AB). Once both components are completed, you will be credentialed as an RDMS with an AB specialty, which you can denote as RDMS (AB).