AB vs BR: ARDMS Exam Comparison
This page compares the ARDMS Abdomen (AB) and Breast (BR) exams side by side. They differ in clinical scope, content focus, career setting, and 2025 pass-rate data.
AB vs BR: Exam Comparison
| Factor | Abdomen (AB) | Breast (BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Credential earned | RDMS | RDMS |
| Question count | 165 | 150 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Passing score | 555/700 | 555/700 |
| 2025 first-time pass rate | 73% | 77% |
| 2025 repeat pass rate | 45% | 49% |
| 2025 overall pass rate | 67% | 71% |
| Difficulty level | Moderate | Moderate |
Source: ARDMS/APCA Global Exam Performance Summary Report, 2025. First-time and repeat rates describe different candidate groups and do not by themselves establish exam difficulty.
About the Abdomen (AB) Exam
The ARDMS Abdomen (AB) specialty exam covers the liver, gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, retroperitoneum, and abdominal vasculature. It is one of the most commonly pursued RDMS specialty registrations and rewards systematic, organ-by-organ preparation aligned to the official content outline.
About the Breast (BR) Exam
The ARDMS Breast (BR) specialty exam covers breast anatomy, the ACR BI-RADS lexicon, benign and malignant pathology patterns, image-guided procedures, and supplemental screening. The BI-RADS framework is the organizational backbone of the entire exam and must be understood at a category-by-category level.
Key Topics Compared
AB Key Topics
- Liver segmental anatomy
- Hepatic pathology
- Biliary system
- Gallbladder disease
- Pancreatic anatomy
- Splenic pathology
- Renal anatomy
- Urinary system
- Retroperitoneal structures
- Abdominal vasculature
- GI tract sonography
- Thyroid and neck structures
- Scrotum and testes
BR Key Topics
- Breast anatomy
- BI-RADS classification
- Cystic lesions
- Solid masses
- Fibroadenoma
- Breast carcinoma
- Ductal pathology
- Lymph node assessment
- Breast implant evaluation
- Interventional procedures
- Elastography
- Male breast pathology
Among 2025 candidates, AB first-time and repeat pass rates were 73% and 45% (a 28-point gap); BR rates were 77% and 49% (a 28-point gap). These are separate groups, not a measure of individual improvement.
Which Exam Should You Take First?
The right choice depends on your clinical background, your current employer's needs, and your long-term career goals. Sonographers with strong clinical experience in abdomen imaging should consider the AB exam first, as applied clinical knowledge transfers directly to board performance. Similarly, those working predominantly in breast settings will find the BR exam more immediately supported by their daily practice.
- Career goals: The RDMS (AB) and RDMS (BR) serve different clinical roles. Consider which aligns better with your desired work environment.
- Pass rate confidence: With a 77% first-time pass rate, BR may be a confidence-building first exam if you are early in your career. These rates compare separate candidate groups, not the inherent difficulty of an exam.
- Clinical experience: Take the exam that aligns with your strongest clinical rotations or work experience. Hands-on scanning experience impacts exam readiness.
- Prerequisite: Both specialty credentials require a passing SPI score. If you haven't taken the SPI yet, that should be your first priority regardless of specialty choice.
Both exams reward structured, domain-aligned preparation. The AB first-time pass rate is 73% compared with 77% for BR; use these cohort results as context rather than a prediction of your individual outcome.