AB vs PS: ARDMS Exam Comparison

This page compares the ARDMS Abdomen (AB) and Pediatric Sonography (PS) 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 PS: Exam Comparison

Factor	Abdomen (AB)	Pediatric Sonography (PS)
Credential earned	RDMS	RDMS
Question count	170	170
Exam duration	3 hours	3 hours
2025 first-time pass rate	73%	71%

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 Pediatric Sonography (PS) Exam

The ARDMS Pediatric Sonography (PS) specialty exam tests age-specific anatomy, neonatal pathology, and clinical skills that differ fundamentally from adult sonography. Key content areas include neonatal cranial ultrasound, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), pyloric stenosis, and the spectrum of pediatric abdominal and genitourinary pathology.

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 pediatric sonography settings will find the PS 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 71% for PS — underscore the importance of structured, domain-aligned preparation for whichever exam you choose first.

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