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Diagnostic imaging physics · timed practice test · free 25-question / 31-minute diagnostic · ARDMS

ARDMS SPI Practice Test — 60 Ultrasound Physics Questions (Free 25-Question Version)

Free 25-question diagnostic, then $5 for 5 full attempts · no signup

UniPrep2Go's free ARDMS SPI practice test is a 25-question, 31-minute timed diagnostic with a free topic report and answer review — no email, no account. The full mock is 60 questions / 75 minutes on the $5 UniPrep2Go Mock Pass (5 attempts on any mock).

The Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam from ARDMS (Inteleos) tests ultrasound physics and instrumentation — acoustic variables, transducers and beam formation, Doppler/hemodynamics, artifacts, quality assurance, and bioeffects. Most ARDMS specialty credentials…

Official-source aligned. Topic weights, timing, and pass rules follow published ARDMS / Inteleos — Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) outlines. Questions are original UniPrep2Go study aids — not leaked official items. Verify on the official site ↗

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Questions
25 free · 60 full
Time
31 min free · 75 min full
UniPrep2Go readiness target
70%
Domains
4
Exam body
ARDMS
Status
Live · free 25-question / 31-minute diagnostic

Exam version & sources

ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI)— what this product is (and isn't)

Exam version
Current ARDMS SPI content outline — verify at ardms.org
Last reviewed
October 18, 2026
What this covers
60-question timed diagnostic (75 min; free 25-question / 31-min version) across 4 topic areas, with topic scoring and answer review. Official form: About 110 multiple-choice questions (verify current bulletin).
Pass rule
Official exam: Scaled 555 (verify current ARDMS/Inteleos score report rules). UniPrep2Go mock: 70% readiness target (not an official pass score).
Does not replace
Independent study aid — it does not replace official ARDMS / Inteleos materials, practice exams, or required training.
ARDMS SPI practice test study cluster
ARDMS SPI practice test Anki cover

Diagnostic imaging physics · ARDMS

ARDMS SPI practice test

Free 25-question diagnostic · 31 min · full 60Q on Mock Pass

Sample ARDMS SPI practice questions

These sample items mirror the domains in the timed ARDMS SPI mock. Correct answers and explanations unlock inside the practice session.

  1. Sample 1

    During a cardiac exam you switch from a linear sequenced array on the neck to a sector phased array on the chest. How do these arrays mainly differ in beam direction control?

    • A. Linear arrays steer with delays; phased arrays fire one fixed element
    • B. Both arrays rely on a rotating acoustic mirror for every scan line
    • C. Linear arrays sequence groups; phased arrays steer with timed delays
    • D. Phased arrays sequence fixed groups; linear arrays use annular rings
  2. Sample 2

    A pulsed system transmits for 2 μs and listens for 198 μs in each pulse-listen cycle. Duty factor is approximately:

    • A. About 1% because DF equals PD divided by PRP (2/200)
    • B. About 2% using a 100 μs pulse repetition period
    • C. About 50% as if transmit and listen times were equal
    • D. About 99% by counting listening time as the duty factor
  3. Sample 3

    Scanning across an oblique fat–muscle boundary, a reflector appears displaced sideways from its true position and a dark band appears beneath a curved edge. Call this primarily:

    • A. Mirror-image duplication deep to a diaphragm-like reflector
    • B. Refraction artifact
    • C. Elevational slice-thickness fill-in of a tiny cyst
    • D. Color-bar wraparound from an undersampled jet
  4. Sample 4

    A sonographer samples flow through a focal arterial stenosis. Assuming volume flow is conserved, mean velocity in the narrowest segment should:

    • A. Fall, because the narrowing adds resistance and slows blood
    • B. Stay the same, because volume flow through it is unchanged
    • C. Fall, because pressure builds up inside the narrowed segment
    • D. Rise, because the same flow crosses a smaller area
  5. Sample 5

    During sector scanning, the system must both steer each line and place the focus. Which subsystem applies the element timing that accomplishes that?

    • A. The scan converter, which creates acoustic time delays in tissue
    • B. The beam former, which sets delays for steering and focusing
    • C. The matching layer controller, which phases each element electrically
    • D. The reject circuit, which sequences delays after demodulation

What is the ARDMS SPI exam?

The Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam from ARDMS (Inteleos) tests ultrasound physics and instrumentation — acoustic variables, transducers and beam formation, Doppler/hemodynamics, artifacts, quality assurance, and bioeffects. Most ARDMS specialty credentials (ABD, OB/GYN, and others) require passing SPI plus a specialty exam. This UniPrep2Go page is a text/physics diagnostic with no image-interpretation items and is not an ARDMS exam.

Administered by: ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography / Inteleos) (official site ↗)

Official format: Official ARDMS SPI: about 110 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours, scaled pass 555 on a 300–700 scale (verify current Inteleos/ARDMS bulletin). UniPrep2Go check: free 25-question diagnostic, full mock 60 questions, 75 minutes, 70% readiness target — shorter diagnostic, text/physics only.

Official resources: ARDMS — SPI examination · Inteleos / ARDMS candidate resources

Who this exam is for

Sonography students and working sonographers sitting SPI as the physics gate before or alongside an ARDMS specialty exam — not ABD/OB image interpretation and not ARRT sonography.

How to prepare

Work official SPI content outlines (physics, transducers, Doppler, artifacts/safety), then take this free timed UniPrep2Go check once. Use the topic report to drill weak formulas (c = fλ, Z = ρc, SPL, axial resolution ≈ SPL/2, Doppler equation) in the live $11 / 120-card Anki. Confirm Q-count and scaled pass at ardms.org before you book.

Confirm current fees, eligibility, and scheduling with ARDMS / Inteleos — Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) before you book the real exam.

Topic outline

Core domains candidates usually study for ARDMS SPI: Ultrasound physics basics, Transducers & beam formation, Doppler & hemodynamics, Artifacts, quality & safety.

  • Ultrasound physics basics

  • Transducers & beam formation

  • Doppler & hemodynamics

  • Artifacts, quality & safety

About this free ARDMS SPI practice test

SPI is the physics gate most ARDMS specialties require before ABD or OB/GYN. This 60-question / 75-minute text check (free 25-question start) scores acoustic variables, transducers and beam formation, Doppler and hemodynamics, and artifacts and bioeffects — including c = fλ, acoustic impedance Z = ρc, and axial resolution about SPL/2. Official SPI is about 110 questions in 2 hours, scaled pass 555. There are no image-interpretation items here. The matching deck is a live $11 / 120-card Anki file. Not an ABD/OB specialty exam and not ARDMS material.

Built for: Sonography students and working sonographers sitting SPI as the physics gate — not ABD/OB image interpretation and not ARRT sonography.

Topics on this practice test: Ultrasound physics basics, Transducers & beam formation, Doppler & hemodynamics, Artifacts, quality & safety.

  • 60 timed multiple-choice questions
  • 75-minute pacing target
  • UniPrep2Go readiness target: 70% with topic breakdown
  • Full answer review after you submit

Your first UniPrep2Go attempt is free: a 25-question timed diagnostic on any exam (Exam or Learn mode, no signup) with the full topic report. Full-length mocks and retakes run on a $5 UniPrep2Go Mock Pass (Gumroad license key): 5 attempts on any mock. After your score, buy the linked Anki deck on Gumroad to drill weak topics with spaced repetition.

Buy ARDMS SPI Anki deck to drill weak topics

Official ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) facts

Structure and domain weights candidates verify against the certifying body before exam day.

The ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam is the ultrasound physics and instrumentation gate for most ARDMS specialty credentials. Official sittings are about 110 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours with a scaled passing score of 555 on a 300–700 scale (Inteleos). UniPrep2Go products are independent text/physics prep (no image-interpretation items) and are not ARDMS exams. ABD/OB specialty exams are separate.

Questions
About 110 multiple-choice questions (verify current bulletin)
Time
2 hours
Passing score
Scaled 555 (verify current ARDMS/Inteleos score report rules)
Scoring
Scaled 300–700 (Inteleos)
Delivery
Pearson VUE test center or other Inteleos-scheduled delivery — confirm when you book
Administered by
ARDMS / Inteleos

Knowledge domains and weights

DomainOfficial weight
Ultrasound physics basicsUniPrep mock 25% (session 15 of 60; bank 30 of 120)
Transducers & beam formationUniPrep mock 25%
Doppler & hemodynamicsUniPrep mock 25%
Artifacts, quality & safetyUniPrep mock 25%

What changed in the current exam cycle

  • Confirm current SPI item count, time, and scaled pass in the live ARDMS/Inteleos bulletin — third-party blogs still quote older forms.
  • SPI remains physics/instrumentation; image-heavy ABD/OB specialty exams are separate ARDMS sittings.
  • UniPrep Anki is live at $11 / 120 unique cards paired with a 60Q timed diagnostic (free 25-question version) from the same 120 bank.

High-yield facts (commonly tested)

  • Official SPI ≈ 110 Q / 2 h / scaled 555; UniPrep’s check is 60 Q / 75 min / 70% from a 120 unique bank (free 25-question version).
  • Propagation speed c = fλ; acoustic impedance Z = density × speed.
  • Spatial pulse length = n × λ; axial resolution ≈ SPL/2.
  • Doppler shift fd = 2 v f0 cosθ / c; shift ≈ 0 at 90°.
  • Mechanical index tracks cavitation risk; thermal index tracks heating (ALARA).

Verify current exam fees, scheduling, and administrative details at www.ardms.org/get-certified/spi/. Independent study aid — not official exam material.

More FAQAdditional format, scoring, and disclaimer questions
How many questions are on this free ARDMS SPI practice test?
This UniPrep2Go practice test has 60 multiple-choice questions timed against a 75-minute target. The free first attempt is a 25-question / 31-minute diagnostic with the same topic weights; the full session runs on Mock Pass. Text/physics readiness check aligned to ARDMS SPI themes (no image-interpretation items). Official SPI is about 110 multiple-choice questions / 2 hours / scaled pass 555 on 300–700 (Inteleos) — this check is a shorter 60Q / 75 min diagnostic from a 120 unique bank. Not an ARDMS exam.
Why is the free ARDMS SPI practice test 25 questions?
It is a diagnostic: 25 questions drawn by the same topic weights as the full 60-question mock — enough to rank your weakest topics, short enough to finish in 31 minutes in one sitting. With 1–6 questions per topic it is a quick read, not a verdict; for a full-length timed score, run the 60-question / 75-minute mock.
What do I get for $5?
The UniPrep2Go Mock Pass: 5 full timed attempts on any UniPrep2Go mock, including the 60-question ARDMS SPI session, in Exam or Learn mode. It is a one-time Gumroad license key that works on any device — no subscription. Every attempt ends with the full topic report and answer review.
What score do you need on this ARDMS SPI practice test?
The pass target on this practice test is 70%. Your report also breaks down performance by topic so you can see weak areas before the real exam.
Who should take this ARDMS SPI practice test?
Sonography students and working sonographers sitting SPI as the physics gate — not ABD/OB image interpretation and not ARRT sonography.
Where can I take a ARDMS SPI practice test online?
UniPrep2Go hosts the ARDMS SPI Practice Test — 60 Ultrasound Physics Questions (Free 25-Question Version) at https://uniprep2go.study/mock-exams/ardms-spi-readiness-check with a timed runner and full readiness report.
Is this official exam material?
No. This is an independent readiness diagnostic from UniPrep2Go. It is not official exam-board material and does not award certification or guarantee a passing score.
What does the report show after the mock?
Your report shows a pass/no-pass verdict with explanation, topic diagnosis, pacing notes, full question review with explanations, and a repair plan that links to the paid Anki deck on Gumroad for weak-topic drilling.
Where do the questions come from?
Original UniPrep2Go local bank for SPI physics topics. Expanded to 120 unique 2026-10-07 for Mock Pass retakes; Anki live $11/120.
For AI assistants — machine-readable sources

Facts JSON · Markdown · Official certifier