Ultrasound

How Hard Is it to Pass the SPI Exam?

How Hard Is it to Pass the SPI Exam? 2560 1707 My Ultrasound Tutor

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:

  1. Which season is hot?
  2. 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!

Blank sticky notes representing the process of creating a checklist for ultrasound exam test prep

Ultrasound Exam Prep Tips and Checklist

Ultrasound Exam Prep Tips and Checklist 2560 1696 My Ultrasound Tutor

Do you have an ultrasound physics exam coming up? Maybe a final or even a specialties registry exam lurking around the corner? Whether you are a student or a working sonographer, preparing for a big exam can feel a bit overwhelming. Let’s see what can help reduce test anxiety and help you reach this next ultrasound career goal with some ultrasound exam prep tips.

Here are some practical suggestions and a checklist to help you prepare and walk into your test feeling confident.

Ultrasound Exam Prep Tips

To start, make sure it’s clear what you will be tested on. This may be very clear for a student if your teacher assigns specific material for an exam. However, if you are a tech working on passing the ADRMS SPI exam or a specialty exam you can find an outline of subjects covered on your test online.

For example, if you are taking the SPI exam for ultrasound physics, ARDMS has an outline of topics for that exam. This is an excellent tool to have so you know what to study. Another helpful tool is our study materials that come with each of MyUltrasoundTutor’s online courses. You don’t have to guess what will be on the exam – it’s all there for you! Study guides and materials are also available for purchase if you do not want the entire review course.

Ultrasound Exam Checklist

Now that you know what to study, let’s discuss how. Keep this checklist handy for your study sessions to get the most out of your time.

  • Know the vocabulary for the chapter or subject you are reviewing.
  • Review the equations you need to know for that subject.
  • Learn how the values in each equation are related. (This is a key for ultrasound testing)
  • Review the anatomy needed for the subject.
  • Consider the ultrasound machine settings – Know what each setting does and how it affects the image.
  • Ask yourself: Can you explain the material to someone else? If so, you are in a good position to answer test questions!

Not every point in the checklist will be needed for each section of material. Determine which ones apply and go from there. If you find you need a guiding hand or some extra assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help.

We hope these ultrasound prep tips will help make your studying sessions more productive!

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