AB vs BR: ARDMS Exam Comparison
This page compares the ARDMS Abdomen (AB) and Breast (BR) exams side by side. Both are ARDMS-administered specialty examinations, but 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 | 170 | 170 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| 2025 first-time pass rate | 73% | 77% |
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.
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.
Both credentials are valuable additions to a multi-specialty credential portfolio. The 2025 first-time pass rates — 73% for AB and 77% for BR — underscore the importance of structured, domain-aligned preparation for whichever exam you choose first.
Dig Deeper Into Each Specialty
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