How hard is it to pass the SPI exam? That question may be on your mind if you are an ultrasound tech looking to get certified. You may have even found this article by searching that question on Google. It’s a reasonable question to entertain going into the ARDMS exam.
Passing the exam is a significant milestone, and there may be pressure for you to pass it as soon as possible. This can naturally lead to some test anxiety. We will try to answer the question in as straightforward a manner as possible. However, the answer will vary depending on a couple of factors.
Here is a better question to help gauge your chances of success: Can I use the physics principles of sound to solve problems?
If the answer is yes, great! You will likely not find the SPI exam hard to pass. If you aren’t sure, let’s break it down so you can get a better idea of what is needed to pass the ARDMS SPI exam.
How Well Do You Know Ultrasound Physics?
This is not most people’s favorite subject, but the answer can tell you a lot about how you will fare when you take a registry exam. So what does it mean to ‘know’ ultrasound physics? Basically, you need to know the vocabulary, relationships, and principles. This primarily involves some memorization. However, memorization is not enough to pass in itself. In fact, if that is all you have, it will likely be hard to pass the SPI exam. The other key is understanding how to use what you have learned in order to solve problems.
Let’s illustrate this fact:
Imagine you have just learned two phrases, two basic principles: (1) Summer is hot, (2) Winter is cold. Okay, so let’s use the information to answer a couple of questions:
- Which season is hot?
- Which season requires that people wear warm clothing?
Here we have two types of questions that involve varying degrees of problem-solving. The first one is direct, and you can get the answer from the statement from the first statement – Summer is hot – so the answer to question 1 is Summer.
Now the second question is a little different. First, it is not that direct – it uses none of the words found in our statements. It doesn’t say summer or winter or hot or cold. So how would you go about answering the question?
You need to really know what it means to be hot and what it means to be cold. Then you can use that information to answer the question. People wear warmer clothing when it’s cold outside. That helps us come to the correct answer: Winter.
Now if I asked you if these questions were challenging, what would you say? Probably, you feel they were pretty easy. Well, this is how the ARDMS SPI exam is. If you really understand the information, it won’t be that hard. If you do not understand the concepts, the SPI will likely prove a bit more challenging. Additionally, you do need to employ some problem-solving techniques that often go beyond a direct question.
How Hard Is It to Pass Our SPI Course?
If you feel you could use some help really understanding and effectively utilizing the ultrasound physics principles you are learning, feel free to contact us or enroll in one of our online courses. Our online registry review courses are designed to fit into your busy schedule. And don’t worry – if you have trouble passing a lesson exam and moving on to the following video, we’re always here to help!