New Physics exam starting April 2009?

So do you all think this test will be harder than the old exam? Ive already failed physics twice. I just dont get it. I've gone to Edelman and Pegasus. I will be going to Edelman again in Feb in Alabama because he is supposed to be reviewing the new exAM. I personally think that the new exam will be harder because now we have to know cardiovascular physics along with a few other things. I hope that I can take the first exam offered with this new physics before they start modifying it and making it harder than it already will be

Personally, I hope the exam is more difficult to weed out some of the chaff and have the certiication hold more prestige.

I take it that u have passed ur registry. I am one that can scan (7yrs) but I am not the greatest test taker.therefore, I am not. Hoping or the test to be harder. U have those that can pass the test right out if school and can't scan..it would be nice to hear from those that have taken the pilot exam

They have added doppler to the exam. This is important in all modalities not just CV. You really should know the basic physics and how the machine works to be a good scanner. It is a fair exam. If you went to pegasus, they guarantee you to pass. Why not go back to them

Its been about 5 years since I took the Pegasus class. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask if I could take the class again, free :-)

I have taken the pilot. There are two versions. You really need to know resolution in all shapes in forms. Axial, spatial, etc. there is more doppler on it , but not too bad. The cardio and vascular specialty exams will be harder.That is where they are putting the major physics onto. But the pilot physics was not too bad.

daydream in Covington, Georgia said: So do you all think this test will be harder than the old exam? Ive already failed physics twice. I just dont get it. I've gone to Edelman and Pegasus. I will be going to Edelman again in Feb in Alabama because he is supposed to be reviewing the new exAM. I personally think that the new exam will be harder because now we have to know cardiovascular physics along with a few other things. I hope that I can take the first exam offered with this new physics before they start modifying it and making it harder than it already will be

SPI EXAM IS VERY EASY.
JUST STUDY PHYSICS TEXT BOOK BY FREDERICK W. KREMKAU, 7TH EDITION, CHAPTERS 2,3,4,5 AND 9. sTUDY ALL HIGH LIGHTS, DEFINITIONS, SUMMARY, ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER, AT THE END THE COMPREHENSIVE WUESTIONS, MEMORIZE THE EQUATIONS. THE MOMENT YOU GET READY TO TAKE THE TEST, WRITE DOWN ALL THE EQUATIONS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE EQUATION. THIS IS THE BEST METHOD, PRACTICE FROM THE BEGINNING FORM A HABIT OF STUDYING THIS WAY AND YOU WILL SCORE CLOSE TO 700. I DID SO YOU CAN

daydream in Covington, Georgia said: So do you all think this test will be harder than the old exam? Ive already failed physics twice. I just dont get it. I've gone to Edelman and Pegasus. I will be going to Edelman again in Feb in Alabama because he is supposed to be reviewing the new exAM. I personally think that the new exam will be harder because now we have to know cardiovascular physics along with a few other things. I hope that I can take the first exam offered with this new physics before they start modifying it and making it harder than it already will be

SPI EXAM IS EASY!!! STUDY CHAPTER 2,3,4,5,9 FROM FREDERICK W. KREMKAU , 7TH EDITION. THIS BOOK IS WRITTEN WELL AND INCLUDES THE LECTURES OF BEST TEACHERS IN SONOGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTATION PHYSICS.
I SUGGEST YOU FIRST DIGEST THIS TEXT BOOK:EQUATIONS (MEMORIZE!!!),ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE EQUATIONS. YOU WILL FIND CORRECT ANSWER IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE EQUATION FOR CH 2,3,4,5. STUDY THE CONCEPTS WELL. STUSY ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS, CHAPTER NOTES AT THE END, AND QUESTIONS. STUDY COMPREHENSIVE AT THE END OF THE BOOK. FOR CHAPTER 9, YOU MAY READ FROM EDLEMAN. BUT FIRST STUDY FROM KERMKAU. STUDY COLOR DOPPLER DIAGRAMS. THERE ARE ABOUT 10 IMAGES. DON'T ALLOW FEAR TACTICS OF THE TIMID PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SELF DISCIPLINE. I TOOK THE PILOT EXAM AND SCORED CLOSE TO 700. YOU CAN DO IT TOO

ALL THOSE WHO WILL TAKE SPI IN APRIL '09:
NO US THOWING YOUR MONEY FOR THE REVIEW CLASSES IF YOU HAVE NOT STUDIED YOUR TEXT BOOK. PLEASE READ MY COMMENT.
STUDY FROM FREDERICK W. KREMKAU'S PHYSICS, RECOMMENDED BY ARDMS. IT IS BETTER THAN EVEN WHAT EDDLEMAN HAS TO OFFER. YOU MUST HAVE SELF CONFIDENCE AND YOU WILL DEVELOP IT IN THE PROCESS OF STUDYING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS BOOK. UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITIONS, MEMORIZE THE HIGHLIGHS, EQUATIONS, DEFINITIONS. FOR EVERY QUESTIONS RECALL THE EQUATION AND DEFINITION BEFORE YOU READ THE CHOICES.
PRACTICE WRITING DOWN THE EQUQTIONS DAILY. STUDY THE ORDER. THERE IS A DEFINITE APPROACH TO STUDYING PHYSICS. YOU CANNOT CRAM UP. NO USE ATTENDING THE SEMINARS AND BUILD YOUR CASTLES IN THE AIR BASED ON THE FALSE HOPES AT THE SEMINAR. IF YOU STUDY AND ATTEND THE SEMINAR THAT WILL BE A GOOD REVIEW. YOU MUST SUDY PHYSICS DAILY. MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TEXT BOOK.
MY BOOK FELL APART AND I HAD TO PLACE THE PAGES IN A THREE RING FOLDER. I STAPLED EACH XEROXED CHAPTER AND CARRIED TO WORK, STUDIED DURING MY LUNCH BREAK. THERE MUST BE CONTINUITY AND DEDICATION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION!!!

THank you so much for that advice. What is the title of the Kremkau book? Which Edition? I am going to Edelman this weekend in Alabama. He is supposed to be helping with this new spi physics. I have already failed the regular physics twice...I hope that the new one isn't even harder...but you are right it takes dedication everyday and that's one thing I need to work on. I will start studying during my lunch break. I take my books to work everyday but we are so busy, I don't get a chance to look at anything..We take so much call at work that when I get a break, i crash...and then they tell us that we have to be registered by the end of March. I am about to lose my job and I don't know what to do...Any other tips will help as far a passing this physics...Thanks

I just ordered the Kremkau book. HOpe I got the right one..Its the beige and blue hardcover right?

Benedicta and everyone else needing to take the SPI:

Congrats on passing the SPI, but I see that because you now passed the SPI you are coming off as an expert, and you are offering BAD advice.

I have been teaching ultrasound and conducting registry reviews for years and let me correct you on a few things:

1. Do not order Kremkau: Kremkau is considered by students to be one the hardest to understand books on the market. His explanations are confusing to many, I do not recommend using his text to prepare. The Edelman text is much easier to interpret and provides strait to the point information.

2. Trying to prepare w/o going to a review: Statistically going to a review will increase the probability of passing. It is those who dont go that fail the most. Review seminars give you a direction and plan. These reviews are coordinated by really smart people who know what it takes to pass. YOu only do yourself a favor by attending. True, not everybody who attends a review passes. But i think those who fail after attending a review dont follow the advice of the reviewer. Which do you go to? I think there are some great reviews out there. Edelman, Peguses, Gulfcoast, and I have a very successful review. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYBODY TAKE MY REVIEW AND FAIL, EVER.

If you want to pass and get this over with forever email me at:

physicsman72@yahoo.com

I am putting on a review in Houston on March 21. After attending my review YOU WILL PASS if you follow the 3 month plan

Dear Daydream:
from reading your response, it is obvious to me that your anxiety level is too high which is the first reason to your failure to pass the physics exam. Second, you lack self confidence and self descipline.
You have a demanding job and you are struggling to get out of it to earn a better income and aslo have a medical career. It is good you have dreams to have a better life. So, your approach must be systematic. What I mean is: first relax. Don't make hasty dicisions and jump on the band wagon with the rest and go on without knowing your destination point. Please be productive with your time and know money is a sacred resource and be the wise steward of it. There are many salesmen out there offering all kinds os sales pitch to tempt you to spend the money which should be in the bank earning some interest.
You need to get hold of the book:DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND principles and instruments, by FREDERICH W. KREMKAU, 7th edition.
You will read the list of the names of different best authors who have contributed to the writing of this valuable text book. Sidney Edleman is one of them.
90% of my class attended Edleman's review a month before the exam. He gave them gaurentee that they would pass the exam at least with passing score. Guess what only one passed and the rest failed. I don't believe in the review for the following reasons:
They tell you what they think is the right way and it is the only best way to study. I looked at the review book and the 240 questions he had given them. I told my friend: please first study the concepts and the equations from the text book and then go though his book last. She almost memorized his review and the questions and scored 519/700 (failed). Sidney Edleman's method is simple but he never explains the use of equations. I have his book:understanding US Physics. I read it from cover to cover because I didn't want to be sorry. For the exam we had 10 doppler images and none of the images came out of his book.

I mean no disrespect to you Benedicta but if only one person out of 90% of your class passed the physics and the rest failed, then your school is should be closed down.

I am happy that Kremkau has worked for your. But please understand Kremkau is considered to be one of the hardest texts to understand. Some of his explinations are good but many are very confusing.

Edelman can not be blaimed for somebody failing after taking his course and trying to memorize the book. He tells you DO NOT MEMORIZE the info, you must understand the concepts.

I think Edelman does a good job of explaining the uses of the equations. There is very little math on the test and its the principle that you need to know, not the math. Which he does good.

In my opinion the problem with the whole physics test is knowing how to prepare. Everybody knows what to study but few know how to effectivly prepre for the test.

This is where I differ. I tell people exactly what to do to prepare, no guess work, no second thought. Just follow the guidelines for 12 weeks and take the test and YOU WILL PASS.

I have never had anyone fail who followed the guide. I had four people pass this week.

Once again, if anybody wants to finally pass i am putting on a review on March 21 in Houston.

Everbody has a choice. You can order Kremkau or any other book, do the same old thing you have been doing but guess what, you will probly get the same results. Or you can do yourself a favor and choose to finally pass.

If you are interested in a method that has a 100% success rate then email me:

mcowan72@yahoo.com

I took the SPI PILOT test last Oct, just got my results (passed). I have taken general and vasc physics before- long tome ago and the new test isn't alot different. The images were good, there is new thing; they show you an US image with all the settings/knob adjustments and ask you what you would adjust to get this result...etc
A few "new" topics, but if you know the basics inside and out ,and I stress that , then you should pass. And then you're done with physics forever!

Paul in Austin, Texas said: Personally, I hope the exam is more difficult to weed out some of the chaff and have the certiication hold more prestige.

Personally, I hope you'll fail it . Will serve you good for being so ignorant and over-confident at the same time

BENEDICTA NAZARETH in Stanton, California said: SPI EXAM IS VERY EASY.
JUST STUDY PHYSICS TEXT BOOK BY FREDERICK W. KREMKAU, 7TH EDITION, CHAPTERS 2,3,4,5 AND 9. sTUDY ALL HIGH LIGHTS, DEFINITIONS, SUMMARY, ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER, AT THE END THE COMPREHENSIVE WUESTIONS, MEMORIZE THE EQUATIONS. THE MOMENT YOU GET READY TO TAKE THE TEST, WRITE DOWN ALL THE EQUATIONS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE EQUATION. THIS IS THE BEST METHOD, PRACTICE FROM THE BEGINNING FORM A HABIT OF STUDYING THIS WAY AND YOU WILL SCORE CLOSE TO 700. I DID SO YOU CAN

HOW DO YOU KNOW?!!!!!!!

M.Cowan in Houston, Texas said: I mean no disrespect to you Benedicta but if only one person out of 90% of your class passed the physics and the rest failed, then your school is should be closed down.

I am happy that Kremkau has worked for your. But please understand Kremkau is considered to be one of the hardest texts to understand. Some of his explinations are good but many are very confusing.

Edelman can not be blaimed for somebody failing after taking his course and trying to memorize the book. He tells you DO NOT MEMORIZE the info, you must understand the concepts.

I think Edelman does a good job of explaining the uses of the equations. There is very little math on the test and its the principle that you need to know, not the math. Which he does good.

In my opinion the problem with the whole physics test is knowing how to prepare. Everybody knows what to study but few know how to effectivly prepre for the test.

This is where I differ. I tell people exactly what to do to prepare, no guess work, no second thought. Just follow the guidelines for 12 weeks and take the test and YOU WILL PASS.

I have never had anyone fail who followed the guide. I had four people pass this week.

Once again, if anybody wants to finally pass i am putting on a review on March 21 in Houston.

Everbody has a choice. You can order Kremkau or any other book, do the same old thing you have been doing but guess what, you will probly get the same results. Or you can do yourself a favor and choose to finally pass.

If you are interested in a method that has a 100% success rate then email me:

mcowan72@yahoo.com

You just sold it to me...

BENEDICTA NAZARETH in Stanton, California said: ALL THOSE WHO WILL TAKE SPI IN APRIL '09:
NO US THOWING YOUR MONEY FOR THE REVIEW CLASSES IF YOU HAVE NOT STUDIED YOUR TEXT BOOK. PLEASE READ MY COMMENT.
STUDY FROM FREDERICK W. KREMKAU'S PHYSICS, RECOMMENDED BY ARDMS. IT IS BETTER THAN EVEN WHAT EDDLEMAN HAS TO OFFER. YOU MUST HAVE SELF CONFIDENCE AND YOU WILL DEVELOP IT IN THE PROCESS OF STUDYING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS BOOK. UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITIONS, MEMORIZE THE HIGHLIGHS, EQUATIONS, DEFINITIONS. FOR EVERY QUESTIONS RECALL THE EQUATION AND DEFINITION BEFORE YOU READ THE CHOICES.
PRACTICE WRITING DOWN THE EQUQTIONS DAILY. STUDY THE ORDER. THERE IS A DEFINITE APPROACH TO STUDYING PHYSICS. YOU CANNOT CRAM UP. NO USE ATTENDING THE SEMINARS AND BUILD YOUR CASTLES IN THE AIR BASED ON THE FALSE HOPES AT THE SEMINAR. IF YOU STUDY AND ATTEND THE SEMINAR THAT WILL BE A GOOD REVIEW. YOU MUST SUDY PHYSICS DAILY. MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR TEXT BOOK.
MY BOOK FELL APART AND I HAD TO PLACE THE PAGES IN A THREE RING FOLDER. I STAPLED EACH XEROXED CHAPTER AND CARRIED TO WORK, STUDIED DURING MY LUNCH BREAK. THERE MUST BE CONTINUITY AND DEDICATION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION!!!

Most people think it just comes to them without any effort. I really admire yours. I'm kinda the same way. That's why for you its easy. Because you work hard for it. You have to know that you have at least 99% shot. But others do not. So, don't tell everybody its easy unless you 're bragging. Congrats!

HI Everyone,

I see that there has been some healthy discussion about the test. There is no need for folks to be ugly with each other. We are all in this together. The need to pass the SPI and obtain ARDMS creds affects us all. I have spent the last several years trying to empower 'our' profession with the realization that they CAN pass this test. Anybody who properly prepares can do it.

Last June I put on a physics review. There was a lady in the class that had taken the physics 8 times since 1988. She had just resigned herself to the hopeless acceptance that she would never pass. Over the years she had been to Edelman, Pegusus, and had tried numerous methods, everytime with the same results. She decided to give one more half hearted attempt at the test and she heard of me through one of my former students. My student told her go to him and you will pass.

When she came to the review I could immediatly tell she was gloomy and apprehensive. The first thing I do before starting to review is change everybodys attitude. I give evreybody the talk, and light the fire in their belly. I give them hope. during the first break she came up to me and said that no none ever laid it out like that, and that I gave her something that she never had before; the belief that she can do it.

Over the next 4 months she called me and e-mailed me weekly to keep her track. Her new daily affirmation is "failure is not an option, I will pass". She believed for the first time that she would pass.

She took the test and not only passed, but aced it. She said she went in and just beat the hell out of that test. Her emotion when she went in was no longer fear but anger. She was angry that this test had beat her her for so long, and messed with her livlyhood. This time things would be different.

After 21 years she did what she never thought possible. She ranks taking and beating that test as one of the greatest days of her life.

Attitude, perseverence, and a plan.

The SPI test is not easy- good for whoever thought it was... but , having been around for awhile and taken gen and vasc physics before- and passed, now going for Echo....I can tell you that the SPI is mostly the same stuff. Bottom line, you HAVE to know the concepts. No way around it. Personally , I recommend Edelman, even if you have to pay to go (ie; your employer won't foot the bill or you are not yet employed and need to pass) it is money well spent.

M.Cowan in Houston, Texas said: HI Everyone,

I see that there has been some healthy discussion about the test. There is no need for folks to be ugly with each other. We are all in this together. The need to pass the SPI and obtain ARDMS creds affects us all. I have spent the last several years trying to empower 'our' profession with the realization that they CAN pass this test. Anybody who properly prepares can do it.

Last June I put on a physics review. There was a lady in the class that had taken the physics 8 times since 1988. She had just resigned herself to the hopeless acceptance that she would never pass. Over the years she had been to Edelman, Pegusus, and had tried numerous methods, everytime with the same results. She decided to give one more half hearted attempt at the test and she heard of me through one of my former students. My student told her go to him and you will pass.

When she came to the review I could immediatly tell she was gloomy and apprehensive. The first thing I do before starting to review is change everybodys attitude. I give evreybody the talk, and light the fire in their belly. I give them hope. during the first break she came up to me and said that no none ever laid it out like that, and that I gave her something that she never had before; the belief that she can do it.

Over the next 4 months she called me and e-mailed me weekly to keep her track. Her new daily affirmation is "failure is not an option, I will pass". She believed for the first time that she would pass.

She took the test and not only passed, but aced it. She said she went in and just beat the hell out of that test. Her emotion when she went in was no longer fear but anger. She was angry that this test had beat her her for so long, and messed with her livlyhood. This time things would be different.....

WOW..that is incredible! And I thought I was the only one on earth who kept taking it and failing it! GOOD FOR HER!!

Hey Lys,

What have you been up to? You ever going to make it down to Texas? Thanks for spreading the word for my review. i got an e-mail from a lady in NY a couple of days ago, I was wondering if she heard of me through you.

Keep on rocking,
Matt

M.Cowan in Houston, Texas said: Hey Lys,

What have you been up to? You ever going to make it down to Texas? Thanks for spreading the word for my review. i got an e-mail from a lady in NY a couple of days ago, I was wondering if she heard of me through you.

Keep on rocking,
Matt

Hi Matt,

How are you? I have been very busy and tired from work. I started studying for the OB exam this weekend, I got the review book from Edelman. I am looking more towards Florida, my family is from the east, I should stay on the east coast. Texas is a little far for me. She very well may have heard of the review from me, I am also part of another board, people were having problems with the ARDMS there too.

Take care,
Me

what is one the test? ardms does not clearly state what is needed to study. what is the passing percentage for the new SPI

Rachael:
I took the SPI pilot exam and passed with a score of 656/700.
I went to Newbridge college in long Beach. We had a good instructor but he never followed the order in the text book. We used the text book: ultrasound physics by Frederick Kremkau.
Ardms also recommends this book.
In my case I am a registered nurse and also electrical engineer and computer science major. I love physics and math. This must not intimidate you. I have a friend who has only high school and she followed my help and now she is all ready to take the exam tomorrow.
From the text: chapters--2,3,4,5,6,7,9. I didn't see any questions on artifacts. Out of 10 images, most of them were on color doppler. If you know the definitions, equations you can answer most of the questions.
Please study Davis Publish review on physics. There are 500 questions. develop speed in reading and comprehension. Learn all the questions in the text book and also from Davies Publish. They can down load the questions for you for $73.00. You can even buy the book. But it is better you learn to practice on the computer, mark time and gain speed. I studied this way for one month and did well. You must not take a break and forget what you have learnt. Be consistent. No use going from review to review just to get confused. There are some seeking to exploit the desparate students. Unless you know the concepts you can't understand how to answer the test.
There are five questions on patient care.
You must pass in all areas to pass overall.
This means: chapter 2, 3(transducer- many questions),4,5,6,7,9, and patient care.
Another best book you may need to study alongside is:UNDERSTANDING ULTRASOUND PHYSICS" by Sidney Edelman.
Davies Publish is in Pasadena, California. You can go on line and order the material.
Good luck

BENEDICTA NAZARETH in Stanton, California said: Rachael:
I took the SPI pilot exam and passed with a score of 656/700.
I went to Newbridge college in long Beach. We had a good instructor but he never followed the order in the text book. We used the text book: ultrasound physics by Frederick Kremkau.
Ardms also recommends this book.
In my case I am a registered nurse and also electrical engineer and computer science major. I love physics and math. This must not intimidate you. I have a friend who has only high school and she followed my help and now she is all ready to take the exam tomorrow.
From the text: chapters--2,3,4,5,6,7,9. I didn't see any questions on artifacts. Out of 10 images, most of them were on color doppler. If you know the definitions, equations you can answer most of the questions.
Please study Davis Publish review on physics. There are 500 questions. develop speed in reading and comprehension. Learn all the questions in the text book and also from Davies Publish. They can down load the questions for you for $73.00. You can even buy the book. But it is better you learn to practice on the computer, mark time and gain speed. I studied this way for one month and did well. You must not take a break and forget what you have learnt. Be consistent. No use going from review to review just to get confused. There are some seeking to exploit the desparate students. Unless you know the concepts you can't understand how to answer the test.
There are five questions on patient care.
You must pass in all areas to pass overall.
This means: chapter 2, 3(transducer- many questions),4,5,6,7,9, and patient care.
Another best book you may need to study alongside is:UNDERSTANDING ULTRASOUND PHYSICS" by Sidney Edelman.
Davies Publish is in Pasadena, California. You can go on line and order the material.
Good luck

I am studing the Kremkau and trying to locate the questions on patient care and really the book does not cover that,

Sharron:
The book on patient care is:INTEGRATED PATIENT CARE for the IMAGING PROFESSIONAL, by:KOWALCZYK. DONNETT

There are about four questions on patient care.
As best as I can remember:1. tech comes to the unit to scan the patient. how would you identify the patient:a)ask the nurse to identify the patient b)check the room number c)check patients ID band...
Remember to check the ID band but also ask the patient his name and birth date to varify the correct patient.You must have two identifiers.

2)tech uses the machine to scan a patient with hepatitis C...how will you clean the machine a)send the machine to sterize.. b)leave it in the dirty utility room c)clean the machine with disinfectant solution..
The answer is :c.
So, read only the sections pertaining to US and for radiology...
The book covers all imaging areas.

thank you so much.

Rachael:
I told you about my friend with just high school diploma. She is also 9 months pregnant and had a difficult pregnancy. She complied by all the instructions I gave her as to how to study for SPI Today she took the SPI exam and passed with good score.

She had no idea how to study physics. She did not have the discipline I have because she went to school in California. She called me and thanked me for teaching her how to study and said: It is because of me she was able to pass the SPI exam. But the truth is that she complied and was persistent. Now she is already planning to go for BSN program in nursing because she has met most of the prerequisites.
If this young lady did it, you can too.
Best of luck

BENEDICTA NAZARETH in Stanton, California said: Sharron:
The book on patient care is:INTEGRATED PATIENT CARE for the IMAGING PROFESSIONAL, by:KOWALCZYK. DONNETT

There are about four questions on patient care.
As best as I can remember:1. tech comes to the unit to scan the patient. how would you identify the patient:a)ask the nurse to identify the patient b)check the room number c)check patients ID band...
Remember to check the ID band but also ask the patient his name and birth date to varify the correct patient.You must have two identifiers.

2)tech uses the machine to scan a patient with hepatitis C...how will you clean the machine a)send the machine to sterize.. b)leave it in the dirty utility room c)clean the machine with disinfectant solution..
The answer is :c.
So, read only the sections pertaining to US and for radiology...
The book covers all imaging areas.

Thank you

I just took and passed the SPI exam on Saturday..this was my 5th attempt! I will say that the content of the exam is pretty much the same but the wording is much easier to understand. I am a terrible test taker and just barely passed physics while in school so I understand what most of you are feeling. Make sure to study ALL forms of resolution Axial, Lateral and spatial resolution in all shapes and forms..it was all over the exam. As for the doppler questions the were pretty basic doppler questions. Know pulsed sound and continuous sound. I had three patient care questions..the first asked what the first thing you should do when you walk into a room was.. I choose give your name and title and explain the exam you are about to perform, the second question asked what you should do if your patient dosent speak english, I choose request an authorized translator and the third question was how should you properly identify you patient and I choose check their arm band. If you get these questions count them as a blessing! Overall I will say that I spent COUNTLESS hours studying for this test. I studied at work, home, while blow drying my hair, eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and anytime in between that. I think that everyone about to take this test should stop worrying about the gossip going around and BUCKLE down!! I dont think people (including myself) realize just how hard and how much you need to study until you fail...one twice or five times! dedicate the time and you wil be fine!!! Good luck!
PS. I took the Edelman class 3 times.. his books are great but can be somewhat basic so I cross referenced him with Kremkau it was a really old version but it did the trick I liked his definitions and he had some more indepth explanations for things that Edelman just touched on. I didnt do many review questions because being my 5th time around I felt like I was starting to memorize not learn. Study like you have never studied before and you will be fine!!

Nicole:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
It is your persistence that paid off. Forget about the number of attempts. At least now you know how to study.
It is important to study chapters 2,3,4 from Kremkau and almost digest these chapters. Keep the Edleman's book UNDERSTANDING us PHYSICS OPEN and refer to it for clearer/simpler way of explanation. But Kremkau gives you the exact order to study and remember and understand the equations. There are about four questions on chapter 5 and 10 images from chapter 6 and 7. As for chapter 9, Edleman explains well but read from the text the contents not in Edleman. 4 to five questions on patient care and may be three questions on the quality control (phantom...)
If you study the resolutions from ch 2, it becomes easy to select right answer on phantom.

I am happy for you. I hope all others who have invited a spirit of fear now have a reson to know those fears are unfounded at least in Nicole's vocabulary.
Thank you for sharing.

do they have any questions about artifacts? Chapter 8 in Kremkau is on artifacts and the way i understand it is that just to skip that chapter.

I dont recall any artifact questions on my particular test but there were questions on the old test. I would NOT skip over any chapter especially being that it is a new test and you dont really know what they are going to ask. They usualy ask things like what type of artifact is produced by a strong/weak reflector. They like to ask about mirror image, grating lobe artifacts and propagation speed errors. I printed out the out line and tried to follow it as best I could. I would go over each chapter as many times as you can until you FULLY understand the concepts..dont bother memorizing because you need to understand!!!

Nicole: thank you.
I forgot all about the grating lobes, mirror image....
Yes, they are artifacts...
You are right, we must study all chapters since SPI is replacing CVT/echo physics.

Rachael:
I forgot all about grating lobes, side lobes and the mirror image...
This is indeed in chapter eight.
I am sorry I misled you.
This was unintentional

dont worry about it. a friend and i were talking and just found it odd that they wouldnt put artifacts on it since that is a big part of ultrasound. thank you again for giving me the information that you have given me.

Forget Melie, and Kremkau, If you can get your hands on Edelman ESP, and supplement it with understanding US physics also by Edelman. There are hardly any formulas on the exam. The Only formulas you will have to do is very simple. Edelman main goal from day one was to prep individuals for the physics exam. If you want to master physics study from Melie, and Kremkau, if you want to pass the SPI study Edelman and only Edelman. This morning I passed the SPI with a score of 640/700.

mike in Brooklyn, New York said: Forget Melie, and Kremkau, If you can get your hands on Edelman ESP, and supplement it with understanding US physics also by Edelman. There are hardly any formulas on the exam. The Only formulas you will have to do is very simple. Edelman main goal from day one was to prep individuals for the physics exam. If you want to master physics study from Melie, and Kremkau, if you want to pass the SPI study Edelman and only Edelman. This morning I passed the SPI with a score of 640/700.

Mike: There are more than one set of exams. You are lucky to have the one which had questions similar to the explanation in Edleman's book.
True, there are no equations but if you know the equations you can understand the question and easily choose the answer. You are lucky to have a easier version. Students who took Edleman's review, studied only his book have failed miserably. It is very important for a good student to read their text book and surely use Edleman's book as a reference book because there are contents in his book makes life easier.
Thank you for sharing your success story. It is uplifting.

It is good to read success stories of students who passed SPI. But please don't encourage students to find easy way out. US is a health related field and we use a high diagnostic tool to diagnose the patient. Therefore a US student must be a good student and accept challenges, upgrade knowledge and skill and get into the habit of reading a text book. You cannot substitute a text book with a study guide. Such students will stagnate and get sloppy in their art of scanning a patient. Please use this as a scientific tool and assist the radiologist to make a most accurate diagnosis.
Let your good brain direct your hands. WIthout good understanding of US physics you cannot help diagnose the paitent accurately and guess what WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND Some day you will get ill and a lousy tech will cause you to be misdiagnosed which may result in a tragedy...

Perhaps I can shed some light on successfully passing the SPI. The key is the ARDMS content outline. I would use the UPI outline vs the SPI outline because the UPI outline is very detailed and 17 pages long, where as the SPI out line is more general and only four pages. The exam content is 90-95% the same according to Edelmans analysis of the exam. See his website for details.

The content outline is your rosetta stone. The ARDMS publishes what they will test you over. Here is what you do:
1. Print the outline
2. Gather all your study resources.
3. Go through each entry on the outline one by one and review what every source you have says about that entry.
4. After reviewing what each sources says about an entry, ponder all the source information, and in your own words (how it makes the most since to you) record the information on your own outline. Your outline should follow the exact content outline but with all the information that makes since to you filled in.
5. This should take you a while to complete. My outlines usually ran about 50-70 pages.
6. By putting the outline together you have effectivly reviewed all the material but don't stop there.
7. Put a study schedual together. The ouline is broken down into roman numerals. Review one to two roman numerals per study session (no more). Example: Tues: X & IV, Wed: I & III etc...
8. Plan to do this 4-5 times per week for 12 weeks. I recommend at least 1.5 hours per session. You should be studying your outline, you should only be referrencing your books when needed.
9. Take your outline with you every where and pull it out when you have free time.
10. You can also create flash cards based on your outline and take them every.
11. at about 6-8 weeks in the process you should start testing yourself. Use test questions from any source you can find. when you go back and grade your test, dissect the questions. dteremine why the right answer was right and why the wrong anwers were wrong. to be continued

Part two please see previous:

12. You should make a log to record what you are getting right and what you are getting wrong. if you dont have enough test questions go to the library and photo copy questions out of the books.
13. Start taking extra time on your weaker subjects
14. the last two weeks before the exam double your study time
15. you should also be continuously testing yourself.
16. The day of the exam: Affirm to yourself that YOU WILL PASS AND FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION. You have to get angry at the test and refuse to let it beat you. you should take it in the morning first thing. understand that you will have anxiety, and accept it. take it one question at a time. Identify why the wrong answers are wrong, trust your gut and DONT CHANGE YOUR ANSWERS unless you are positive you were initially wrong. If the pressure starts to get to you in the middle of the exam, stop for a minute close your eyes clear your mind and listen to your favorite song in your head or relive a great memory, this will recenter you.

I have passed UPI,CPI,VPI,ABD,OBGYN,VASC,&AdltECHO this way and never came close to failing. I teach a physics registry review 1 or 2 times per year and those who have followed my methods are 100% pass rate.

Matt Cowan, RT(R),RDMS,RDCS,RVT
Program Director
HCHD DMS Program

To Melanie Edelman's ESP, Has all the formulas and equation in the book, of course you need to know the formulas, but knowing the concepts is what pertains to the SPI. For example the the main of center freq, of the US is determined by 2 characteristics 1, the thickness and 2,propagation speed.Freq = Materials Propagation speed/ 2x thickness, but the questions on the SPI are straight foward and will be something along the lines like this. The (blank) the active element the (blank) the transducers freq. When approaching the SPI look at everything as a "trade off" penetration for image quality , long Resl for temporal Resl, contrast for temporal ETC. It is also important to know How everything is Inversely, directly related.

mike in Brooklyn, New York said: To Melanie Edelman's ESP, Has all the formulas and equation in the book, of course you need to know the formulas, but knowing the concepts is what pertains to the SPI. For example the the main of center freq, of the US is determined by 2 characteristics 1, the thickness and 2,propagation speed.Freq = Materials Propagation speed/ 2x thickness, but the questions on the SPI are straight foward and will be something along the lines like this. The (blank) the active element the (blank) the transducers freq. When approaching the SPI look at everything as a "trade off" penetration for image quality , long Resl for temporal Resl, contrast for temporal ETC. It is also important to know How everything is Inversely, directly related.

Mike:
Thanks. Now I feel good to recommend the books you have used to my friends who are struggling to understand US physics. I also feel that most US students are just high school grads and do not have good study habits. They want a quick fix.

Thanks once again.
Melanie

Paul in Austin, Texas said: Personally, I hope the exam is more difficult to weed out some of the chaff and have the certiication hold more prestige.

I Think it can't be right! some people are goog only on paper!!!!!
and at real work they know nothing!!!!!!

daydream said: I take it that u have passed ur registry. I am one that can scan (7yrs) but I am not the greatest test taker.therefore, I am not. Hoping or the test to be harder. U have those that can pass the test right out if school and can't scan..it would be nice to hear from those that have taken the pilot exam

I completely agree with you

M.Cowan in Houston, Texas said: I am putting on an 8 hour physics review in Houston on March,14.

I have never had anybody fail.

I will show you exactly what to do to pass.

I do on average one review per year and they have always sold out.

If anybody is interested in finally passing the ARDMS Physics, this is your chance.

my email is:
physicsman72@yahoo.com

e-mail me if you are interested and i will send you more information.

I really like to come but I cant. Is there anychance that you come to Toronto one day?I have a baby and full time job . There isn't anychance for me to come over.Pluse I can't afford it now. I'm working 9am till 6pm every day , (pluse take care of my kide)! the only time that I can study is 9pm till 3am!!!!I really have to pass this exam for my future.This is the field that I really like it and I'm very good in scaning ,too.I will really appreciat if you guide me.

Hi,I need edelman's book for physic(understanding ultrasound physic).If somebody wants to sell this book,I will buy it but I can't pay too much.my e-mail is: farahediba@yahoo.com
I really need this book.

Hi Benedicta.
looks like you realy worked hard for the phisics exam.I admire that.I fail the phisics in November with almost a passing score.
I am studying hard(may be not as hard as you)but I still have dificulties.I am studying from Kremkau and Edelman.Kremkau it is a bit more exta eplanatory but not imposible to understand.Edelmann in the other hand has all the concepts,formulas,definition shrinked in a smaller book.I think both could help.
Anyway,my problem is that even I red the books I still make mistakes at simple questions(I have 2 sets of 500 questions each from my teacher) and this is frustrating.
What is that I am doing wrong?
Any advice?
Thank you.