The New SPI Outline: 3 Months Later

Read the full article here.

On September 1st, 2023, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) changed the content outline for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination.?

It has been about three months since the new SPI test was introduced, and we have been scouring the internet to see what people are saying about the changes.

We have compiled some great feedback from those who have already taken the test, and we want to share some tips with you that we think will be helpful for your upcoming SPI exam. We aim to ensure that you succeed and achieve your goals.

SPI Exam Content Outline: Navigating the 5 Domains

One of the really cool things ARDMS does to help applicants is to give us a roadmap to what is on the test.?

This is called the SPI content outline.?

The SPI test is divided into five domains, each accounting for a specific percentage of the test. These domains are:

1. Perform Ultrasound Examinations (23% – approximately 25 questions)
2. Manage Ultrasound Transducers (7% – approximately 8 questions)
3. Optimize Sonographic Images (26% – approximately 29 questions)
4. Apply Doppler Concepts (34% – approximately 37 questions)
5. Provide Clinical Safety & Quality Assurance (10% – approximately 11 questions)

Each domain involves various tasks, knowledge, skills, and abilities that may be included in the test. The current SPI content outline might look very different from the previous one. Still, we noticed that the difference is more a reorganization and renaming of material versus adding too many new topics.

When we compare the new SPI content outline to the previous one, we notice some significant changes, including:

• Domain #1 has been renamed. It now includes the actual performance of an ultrasound exam AND all the core physics concepts like parameters, attenuation, etc.
• Domain #3 has been renamed. This section now really emphasizes the application of physics.
• The percentage of questions for Domain #2 has significantly reduced. We suspect it’s much more about why you choose a certain transducer and how the transducers do what they do than knowing about outdated technology.
• There has been a slight increase in question percentage for Domain #4. You have to know Doppler concepts. There just isn’t an easy way around it.

For more information about the SPI, a recap of what social media is saying, and some tips, read the full article on our site: https://esp-inc.com/3-months-later-the-new-spi-outline/