In 2026, failing the AB-Abdomen exam still means paying the registration fee all over again. A ExamCost practice package with 165 up-to-date ARDMS Abdomen Sonography Examination questions costs far less than a single retake.

ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam Syllabus Topics:

Section	Weight	Objectives
Topic 1: Clinical Care, Practice, and Quality Assurance	20%	- Measurement and quantification 1. Standard measurement techniques and normal reference ranges - Clinical data integration 1. Correlate findings with patient history, lab results, and clinical indications - Adherence to clinical standards and protocols 1. Safety, infection control, and patient care 2. Examination protocols, documentation, and reporting - Procedural support 1. Assistance with ultrasound-guided procedures
Topic 2: Anatomy, Perfusion, and Function	30%	- Assessment of perfusion and function of anatomic structures 1. Organ-specific function evaluation 2. Vascular hemodynamics and Doppler assessment - Assessment of physical characteristics of anatomic structures 1. Spleen 2. Pancreas 3. Superficial structures (thyroid, parathyroid, scrotum, prostate, etc.) 4. Biliary system 5. Peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall 6. Liver 7. Retroperitoneum and great vessels 8. Urinary system
Topic 3: Pathology, Vascular Abnormalities, Trauma, and Postoperative Anatomy	42%	- Postoperative anatomy and findings 1. Post-surgical changes, complications, and follow-up - Vascular abnormalities 1. Portal hypertension and collateral circulation 2. Aneurysms, stenosis, occlusion, and thrombosis 3. Arteriovenous malformations and shunts - Trauma-related abnormalities 1. Organ injury, hemorrhage, and fluid collections - Pathology assessment of abdominal structures 1. Cystic, neoplastic, inflammatory, and infectious conditions 2. Diffuse and focal diseases of solid organs 3. Congenital anomalies and variants
Topic 4: Abdominal Physics	8%	- Equipment operation and image optimization 1. Transducer selection, frequency, and gain settings 2. Depth, focus, and time-gain compensation - Imaging artifacts and correction 1. Common artifacts and their causes 2. Techniques to minimize or eliminate artifacts - Doppler physics and applications 1. Principles of Doppler, spectral, and color flow imaging

Everything You Want to Know About the ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam

What is the ARDMS AB-Abdomen exam?

The AB-Abdomen exam (Abdomen Sonography Examination) is the official ARDMS exam that leads to the RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) – Abdomen Specialty certification, a credential at the Professional level. Related certifications include ARDMS SPI (Sonography Principles and Instrumentation), RDMS – Breast, RDMS – Obstetrics and Gynecology, RDMS – Pediatric Sonography. ExamCost provides 165 practice questions to help you prepare for it with confidence.

How many questions are on the AB-Abdomen exam and how long does it take?

The AB-Abdomen exam contains Approx. 165 questions and gives you 180 minutes to finish them. Before exam day, divide the total time by the question count so you know the pace you need to keep, and flag difficult items instead of getting stuck on them. Running at least one full timed session in the ExamCost test engine is the best way to make that time pressure feel familiar.

What score do I need to pass AB-Abdomen, and what does the exam cost?

You need 555 (scaled score, range 300–700) to pass, and the official registration fee is $300 USD. Keep in mind that a failed attempt means paying that fee in full again, so it pays to test yourself first. When your scores on the ExamCost timed practice tests stay consistently above the passing line, you are ready to book the exam.

Are there any prerequisites for the AB-Abdomen exam?

Must pass ARDMS SPI exam first or within 5 years of passing AB exam; meet education and clinical experience requirements per ARDMS prerequisites Requirements can change over time, so always double-check the latest eligibility rules before you register on the official ARDMS exam page.

How do I register for the AB-Abdomen exam?

You can book your exam through the official registration channels:

The exam is delivered in the following way: In-person at Pearson VUE test centers or online proctored exam.

What official training is recommended for AB-Abdomen?

ARDMS recommends the following training options for this exam:

Official courses build the foundation, and the AB-Abdomen practice questions from ExamCost help you turn that knowledge into exam-day performance.

Can I try the AB-Abdomen practice material before I buy?

Yes. ExamCost offers a free AB-Abdomen PDF demo so you can check the quality of the practice questions before purchasing. After you buy, your product comes with 365 days of free updates, and if it expires you can renew the update service at a 50% discount from your member zone.

What if I fail the AB-Abdomen exam, and how is my order delivered?

Your purchase is protected by our 100% Money Back Guarantee. If you take the corresponding AB-Abdomen exam within 60 days of purchase and do not pass, send us a scan of your enrollment slip and the official Score Report PDF within two days of the exam, and the full refund will be processed within seven days. The candidate name must match the payer name; exams taken within three days of purchase, free materials, and expired orders are not eligible. If you would rather not refund, you can exchange your product for two free products of equal value and keep the update service on your original purchase. Delivery itself is instant: your material is available for download and is emailed to you within one minute of payment. If nothing arrives within two hours, contact our support team. There is no limit on how many computers you may install it on.

What topics are covered in the AB-Abdomen exam?

The AB-Abdomen syllabus is organized into 4 exam domains. Among the first three are Abdominal Physics (8%), Anatomy, Perfusion, and Function (30%), Pathology, Vascular Abnormalities, Trauma, and Postoperative Anatomy (42%). For the complete breakdown of topics and subtopics, see the Exam Topics section above.