Pediatric Sonography (PS) Specialty Exam Prep

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.

What the PS Exam Covers

The Pediatric Sonography registration is a 170-question, 3-hour examination administered by the ARDMS. Work through every content domain in proportion to its published weight rather than reviewing only familiar topics.

Who This Exam Is For

The PS credential suits both sonography students sitting for their first registration and practicing sonographers adding a new specialty. The outline covers material that may not come up in every clinical setting. Mapping each study block to a specific domain helps you review the published scope.

Exam Facts

• Credential earned: RDMS
• Exam format: 170-question, 3-hour examination
• Passing score: 555/700

2025 Pass Rates

First-time candidates: 71%; repeat candidates: 44%; overall: 65%. This 27-percentage-point difference compares separate candidate groups; it does not measure changes in exam difficulty or the effectiveness of a study strategy.

For repeat candidates, the 2024 report listed 57% versus 44% in 2025. These are different groups; the reports do not explain the change.

Source: ARDMS/APCA Global Exam Performance Summary Report, 2025; 2024 report for the comparison.

High-Yield Focus Areas

• Neonatal brain anatomy and pathology
• Pediatric abdominal pathology
• Hip dysplasia assessment
• Pyloric stenosis evaluation
• Pediatric renal and urinary tract anomalies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Misidentifying grades of intraventricular hemorrhage
• Confusing normal neonatal anatomy with pathology
• Incorrect measurement technique for pyloric stenosis
• Missing subtle hip dysplasia on dynamic examination
• Overlooking pediatric-specific normal variants

Study Tips

• Study neonatal cranial anatomy thoroughly using coronal and sagittal fontanelle approaches
• Learn the grading systems: IVH grades I-IV, hydronephrosis grading, and hip dysplasia classification
• Master the pyloric stenosis measurements: muscle thickness >3mm, channel length >15mm
• Review pediatric-specific pathology that differs from adult presentations
• Practice with age-appropriate normal measurements and developmental milestones

Sample Question Types

Illustrative prompts, not actual registry questions.

• What grade of IVH involves blood within the ventricle with ventricular dilation?
• What is the normal upper limit for pyloric muscle thickness?
• In the Graf classification, what alpha angle indicates a mature hip?
• A neonate presents with a bulging fontanelle. What is the most appropriate first imaging study?

Key Topics

• Neonatal cranial ultrasound
• Intraventricular hemorrhage
• Periventricular leukomalacia
• Pyloric stenosis
• Intussusception
• Hip dysplasia
• Pediatric kidneys
• Appendicitis in children
• Neonatal spine
• Congenital anomalies
• Pediatric liver pathology
• Developmental hip assessment

How to Prepare

Take specialty quizzes or a timed exam and review missed concepts using domain-level analytics. Platform question-bank inventory and mock exams are separate from official exam-format facts.

Related Specialties & Resources

Explore these related specialties when planning another registration:

• Abdomen (AB) exam prep — PS vs AB comparison
• Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) exam prep — PS vs OB/GYN comparison
• Fetal Echocardiography (FE) exam prep — PS vs FE comparison

Browse the seven ARDMS specialties we cover, weigh your options on the specialty comparison hub, or read study guides on the Ultrasound Analytics blog.