SPI STUDY
GUIDE
ACE YOUR PHYSICS
Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
SonoStudy Hub
Sonostudy Hub |
, ✨ Welcome to SonoStudy Hub ✨
Your Trusted Guide for RVT Exam Success
Thank you for choosing SonoStudy Hub as part of your journey toward passing SPI Exam and
growing your career in diagnostic medical sonography. This study guide was carefully
crafted by a registered sonographer someone who understands the challenges of ultrasound
physics and what it takes to actually retain the material. You’ll find not just practice questions,
but clear explanations, helpful visuals, and practical strategies for mastering even the trickiest
topics.
Before You Dive In…
Whether you’re studying after a long shift or reviewing during a quiet moment,
know this: you’ve got this, and this guide has your back.
If you love this resource, don’t forget to share your success or tag us on social media
@SonoStudyHub. Your journey inspires others!
Wishing you confidence, clarity, and a passing score.
— Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Creator, SonoStudy Hub
This study guide covers the official SPI exam domains, providing detailed
content review, key formulas/tables, and practice questions.
Sonostudy Hub 1
,Table of Contents
ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Exam Study Guide ........................ 3
Overview of the SPI Exam Structure and Purpose ........................................................................ 3
Major Content Categories of the SPI Exam ................................................................................... 4
Imaging Instrumentation and Signal Processing.............................................................................................7
Ultrasound Image Artifacts .............................................................................................................................11
Doppler Principles and Hemodynamics .........................................................................................................14
Bioeffects and Safety ........................................................................................................................................17
Quality Assurance and Equipment Maintenance..........................................................................................19
Key Formulas and Definitions to Memorize ................................................................................. 22
Common Question Types and Test-Taking Tips .......................................................................... 24
Recommended Study Resources and Preparation Strategies ....................................................... 27
Recent Updates to the SPI Exam (ARDMS Guidelines) ............................................................... 31
Practice Exam............................................................................................................................... 34
Resources: .................................................................................................................................... 58
Books .................................................................................................................................................................58
Courses and Online Videos .............................................................................................................................58
Practice Exams and Question Banks ..............................................................................................................59
Flashcards and Apps ........................................................................................................................................59
Sonostudy Hub 2
, ARDMS Sonography Principles &
Instrumentation (SPI) Exam Study Guide
Overview of the SPI Exam Structure and Purpose
The Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam is a comprehensive physics and
instrumentation test required by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
(ARDMS) as a core component of ultrasound certification. It is typically the first step toward
earning ARDMS credentials, such as RDMS, RDCS, RVT, etc. The SPI assesses fundamental
knowledge of ultrasound physics and machine instrumentation across all specialties to ensure
sonographers can operate equipment safely and effectively.
Exam format: The SPI is a computer-based multiple-choice exam with 110 questions to be
completed in a 2-hour time limit. Questions are single-best-answer and cover a range of physics
and instrumentation topics (detailed in the content outline below). The exam is scored on a
scaled score from 300 to 700, with 555 being the minimum passing score. ARDMS uses scaled
scoring to account for slight differences in difficulty among exam versions, ensuring fairness in
the passing standard. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it’s advantageous to answer all
questions. Note: A small number of questions may be unscored pilot questions used for future
exam development (these do not count toward the score).
Who the SPI exam is for: The SPI exam is required for any sonography professional seeking
ARDMS certification in specialties like general, cardiac, vascular, or musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Sonography students or graduates typically take the SPI around the time of or after completing
an ultrasound physics course. Eligibility to sit for the SPI usually requires proof of a physics
education (e.g. a college physics course or approved ultrasound physics seminar). In other
certification pathways (CCI, ARRT), a physics component is integrated into their exams, but
ARDMS uses the standalone SPI to ensure all registrants meet a baseline of physics knowledge.
Exam delivery: The SPI can be taken year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers, and ARDMS
now offers a remote proctored option so you can take the exam securely from home. This
provides flexibility, though some test-takers report mixed experiences with the at-home option.
The exam interface allows you to flag questions, review, and change answers within the 2-hour
Sonostudy Hub 3
GUIDE
ACE YOUR PHYSICS
Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
SonoStudy Hub
Sonostudy Hub |
, ✨ Welcome to SonoStudy Hub ✨
Your Trusted Guide for RVT Exam Success
Thank you for choosing SonoStudy Hub as part of your journey toward passing SPI Exam and
growing your career in diagnostic medical sonography. This study guide was carefully
crafted by a registered sonographer someone who understands the challenges of ultrasound
physics and what it takes to actually retain the material. You’ll find not just practice questions,
but clear explanations, helpful visuals, and practical strategies for mastering even the trickiest
topics.
Before You Dive In…
Whether you’re studying after a long shift or reviewing during a quiet moment,
know this: you’ve got this, and this guide has your back.
If you love this resource, don’t forget to share your success or tag us on social media
@SonoStudyHub. Your journey inspires others!
Wishing you confidence, clarity, and a passing score.
— Letty Shubin, MHA, RDMS, RVT
Creator, SonoStudy Hub
This study guide covers the official SPI exam domains, providing detailed
content review, key formulas/tables, and practice questions.
Sonostudy Hub 1
,Table of Contents
ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Exam Study Guide ........................ 3
Overview of the SPI Exam Structure and Purpose ........................................................................ 3
Major Content Categories of the SPI Exam ................................................................................... 4
Imaging Instrumentation and Signal Processing.............................................................................................7
Ultrasound Image Artifacts .............................................................................................................................11
Doppler Principles and Hemodynamics .........................................................................................................14
Bioeffects and Safety ........................................................................................................................................17
Quality Assurance and Equipment Maintenance..........................................................................................19
Key Formulas and Definitions to Memorize ................................................................................. 22
Common Question Types and Test-Taking Tips .......................................................................... 24
Recommended Study Resources and Preparation Strategies ....................................................... 27
Recent Updates to the SPI Exam (ARDMS Guidelines) ............................................................... 31
Practice Exam............................................................................................................................... 34
Resources: .................................................................................................................................... 58
Books .................................................................................................................................................................58
Courses and Online Videos .............................................................................................................................58
Practice Exams and Question Banks ..............................................................................................................59
Flashcards and Apps ........................................................................................................................................59
Sonostudy Hub 2
, ARDMS Sonography Principles &
Instrumentation (SPI) Exam Study Guide
Overview of the SPI Exam Structure and Purpose
The Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam is a comprehensive physics and
instrumentation test required by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
(ARDMS) as a core component of ultrasound certification. It is typically the first step toward
earning ARDMS credentials, such as RDMS, RDCS, RVT, etc. The SPI assesses fundamental
knowledge of ultrasound physics and machine instrumentation across all specialties to ensure
sonographers can operate equipment safely and effectively.
Exam format: The SPI is a computer-based multiple-choice exam with 110 questions to be
completed in a 2-hour time limit. Questions are single-best-answer and cover a range of physics
and instrumentation topics (detailed in the content outline below). The exam is scored on a
scaled score from 300 to 700, with 555 being the minimum passing score. ARDMS uses scaled
scoring to account for slight differences in difficulty among exam versions, ensuring fairness in
the passing standard. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it’s advantageous to answer all
questions. Note: A small number of questions may be unscored pilot questions used for future
exam development (these do not count toward the score).
Who the SPI exam is for: The SPI exam is required for any sonography professional seeking
ARDMS certification in specialties like general, cardiac, vascular, or musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Sonography students or graduates typically take the SPI around the time of or after completing
an ultrasound physics course. Eligibility to sit for the SPI usually requires proof of a physics
education (e.g. a college physics course or approved ultrasound physics seminar). In other
certification pathways (CCI, ARRT), a physics component is integrated into their exams, but
ARDMS uses the standalone SPI to ensure all registrants meet a baseline of physics knowledge.
Exam delivery: The SPI can be taken year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers, and ARDMS
now offers a remote proctored option so you can take the exam securely from home. This
provides flexibility, though some test-takers report mixed experiences with the at-home option.
The exam interface allows you to flag questions, review, and change answers within the 2-hour
Sonostudy Hub 3
