SPI Required?
Application Window
Year-Round
Exam Fee
$300 USD
Exam Window
Year-Round
The BR exam will test your knowledge of breast tissue.
Overview
The exam assesses the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by sonography professionals for breast screening and diagnostic mammography.
Topics and Anatomy
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathology
- Integration of Data
- Protocols
- Ultrasound Physics
- Emerging Technology and Treatment
BR is a qualified specialty for RDMS certification. The SPI exam is also required. You must pass both exams within five years of each other, in any order.
Practice Analysis
Quality exams start with a simple purpose: reflect real-world care. We routinely evaluate and update the BR exam to ensure that it captures the requirements of today’s practice.
Question format & scoring
The BR exam covers approximately 150 multiple choice questions over three hours.
- Multiple choice
- Hotspot questions: answer questions about individual images by marking directly on them
- Watch ARDMS Presents: How to Answer a Hotspot Question.
- 3-minute survey
Scoring
You will receive your score report at the test center after completing your exam, and it will also be available in your Pearson account. Your results will be posted to your Inteleos portal within one week.
- Pass/fail score
- Point scale 300 to 700 (555 or better passes; not percentage or curve-based)
If you do not pass, you can reapply after three days. However, you must wait 60 days before retaking the exam.
Statistics
ARDMS exams assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice each specialty. Student pass rates vary.
| 2023 First-time takers: 78% Overall: 74% |
2022 First-time takers: 78% Overall: 73% |
2021 First-time takers: 80% Overall: 76% |
| 2020 First-time takers: 78% Overall: 76% |
2019 First-time takers: 81% Overall: 78% |
2018 First-time takers: 83% Overall: 79% |
| 2017 First-time takers: 79% Overall: 76% |
2016 First-time takers: 81% Overall: 77% |
2015 First-time takers: 80% Overall: 77% |
| 2014 First-time takers: 80% Overall: 77% |
2013 First-time takers: 79% Overall: 75% |
Content Outline
Attention test takers: a new content outline for the BR exam will be going live December 16, 2026.
To access the content outline for exams delivered prior to December 16, 2026: Click here
To access the content outline for exams delivered on or after December 16, 2026: Click here
Associated Certifications
The BR exam is a qualifying specialty exam for RDMS certification. The SPI exam is also required. Take these exams in any order.
RDMS®
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
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