The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists does not test the entire curriculum you studied at college. It focuses on the skills and knowledge you need to perform the tasks of a staff radiologist. This means that certain sections of a radiology curriculum, such as history, are not likely to appear in the exam. The content of ARRT examinations are based on content specifications for each radiology specialty, and these determine the questions chosen from each category. You can see an up-to-date list of content specifications at ARRT's website. For instance, the content specifications for the radiography exam specify that of the 200 questions in the exam, 45 are on radiation protection, 22 in equipment operation and quality control, 45 in image acquisition and evaluation, 58 in image procedures and 30 in patient care and education. Knowing this can help you focus your energy and time more efficiently.
The statistics of previous radiography exams are published by the ARRT on its website. These statistics point out the subject categories exam questions tested and their results. Besides providing an insight into the performance of students from previous years, these statistics will help you target your review time on the more difficult subjects or on those more likely to appear in the exam.
The Minnesota legislature ratified a new law on the subversion of examinations, also known as cheating, on April 1, 2010. The law makes the removing of materials from an examination room, copying from another exam taker, carrying textbooks and notes into the examination room, and other forms of cheating, a criminal offense. Since the American Register of Radiologic Technologists is based in Minnesota, all applicants are bound by this law.