WHAT TO STUDY FOR NEW SPI EXAM....

Can anyone recommend what books/cd's to study for the new spi exam? Please reply to this post what was most helpful for you or email me at christinem313@gmail.com, thanks!

I'm currently doing a review class that was arranged by my school. The instructor has written questions for the exams in the past and has authored many books. He is working on an SPI review book, but it is not finished. His advice was to study primarily the Edelman textbook (Understanding Ultrasound Physics 3rd ed.) and then supplement it with the Kremkau text (7th edition), but only the chapters in Kremkau regarding Transducers, Bioeffects, and Imaging Systems. We learned our Physics with the Edelman text, which is very user-friendly. As I understand it, the Kremkau is way more thorough, but can be a lot to handle for even the average student, which is why he specified only the most important parts of that text. The other thing I can tell you, if you haven't already gleaned this off the ARDMS website, is that the breakdown of subjects of the test are as follows:

Patient care/safety - 5%
Physics - 20%
Transducers - 20%
Pulse-echo Instrumentation - 30%
Doppler & Hemodynamics - 20%
Quality Assurance - 5%

Could you please post the book as soon as the teacher is finishing writing it. I need to sit for the SPI exam.

Thanks.

I believe it won't be done until next Fall. His name is Charles Odwin, and he told us it will be posted through the ARDMS website and on B&N.com

New update... Odwin's DVD lecture on the SPI will be finished in about 3 weeks. Price will be $50, and it will be available on the SDMS website. I'll post more as I know more. Also - I scheduled my exam today - I'll be taking it the 24th of April.

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: New update... Odwin's DVD lecture on the SPI will be finished in about 3 weeks. Price will be $50, and it will be available on the SDMS website. I'll post more as I know more. Also - I scheduled my exam today - I'll be taking it the 24th of April.

I have heard of this DVD yet..Are you sure it will be released within 3 weeks? Please keep me posted I am really interested in buyin it..Thanks

So he says... Quite the character that one is.... The DVD should be out in 3 weeks, and the book in September. I'm taking the SPI on the 24th too!

chris in Livingston, New Jersey said: Can anyone recommend what books/cd's to study for the new spi exam? Please reply to this post what was most helpful for you or email me at christinem313@gmail.com, thanks!

I took SPI & I passed it too. It was easier than Regular test. For me helped me Davies's CD & Test & My Text book which is Kremkau book. I didnt go to any seminar & I didnt spend anything. Its all your hard work. Nothing else. No seminar. No one can teach you everything in couple days If you dont wanna work hard or If you are not an active by yourself.

Nicole in Fountain Valley, California said: I took SPI & I passed it too. It was easier than Regular test. For me helped me Davies's CD & Test & My Text book which is Kremkau book. I didnt go to any seminar & I didnt spend anything. Its all your hard work. Nothing else. No seminar. No one can teach you everything in couple days If you dont wanna work hard or If you are not an active by yourself.

congrets Nicole......
kremkau is really good i'm studying from this book.i'll be giving spi end of this month.Do you have any advice or suggustion for me to pass SPI exam.Do you have any materials to share with me like your notes.you you want sell i can buy fror reasonable price.
thanks

Ravi in Toronto, Ontario said: congrets Nicole......
kremkau is really good i'm studying from this book.i'll be giving spi end of this month.Do you have any advice or suggustion for me to pass SPI exam.Do you have any materials to share with me like your notes.you you want sell i can buy fror reasonable price.
thanks

HI, may I ask how could you take SPI test if it comes out first day April 6 or 9, dont remember exactly....I spoke to ARDMS just last week and test was not out till that day

luna in Glendale, California said: HI, may I ask how could you take SPI test if it comes out first day April 6 or 9, dont remember exactly....I spoke to ARDMS just last week and test was not out till that day

Since the exam just became available, I would have to say that Nicole took the pilot exam. One of my coworkers took it and passed it also. She studied Edelman. That is what I am using and will sit for the test 4-21. From the outline the ARDMS released it appears it will be easier then the VPI which I took in 2004 and was totally blown away by. I have been RDMS since 1996 and having to learn physics all over again so I am praying this exam change will work to my benefit. Take my advice and take all tests while info is fresh, don't wait like I did. Good Luck to all.

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: I'm currently doing a review class that was arranged by my school. The instructor has written questions for the exams in the past and has authored many books. He is working on an SPI review book, but it is not finished. His advice was to study primarily the Edelman textbook (Understanding Ultrasound Physics 3rd ed.) and then supplement it with the Kremkau text (7th edition), but only the chapters in Kremkau regarding Transducers, Bioeffects, and Imaging Systems. We learned our Physics with the Edelman text, which is very user-friendly. As I understand it, the Kremkau is way more thorough, but can be a lot to handle for even the average student, which is why he specified only the most important parts of that text. The other thing I can tell you, if you haven't already gleaned this off the ARDMS website, is that the breakdown of subjects of the test are as follows:

Patient care/safety - 5%
Physics - 20%
Transducers - 20%
Pulse-echo Instrumentation - 30%
Doppler & Hemodynamics - 20%
Quality Assurance - 5%

visit theguidetospi.com

chris in Livingston, New Jersey said: Can anyone recommend what books/cd's to study for the new spi exam? Please reply to this post what was most helpful for you or email me at christinem313@gmail.com, thanks!

Hi..
I go for my exam on April 21..
What i observed all this time is people going to tell you different things, depends on what they are doing. I thing what's important is not what other people study(there are many comments here...Some only went by Edelman and passed,and they are going to advise you and swear that this it is, but those who studied same material and did not pass will tell you a different story. I know guys and gurls personally that had studied all possible autors out there and went to numerous seminars and still did not pass)
and there are some who did not spend a penny, but studied everything came their way as long as you understand concept..
Blue is blue..and it can not be red.
Phisics is actual sharp subject. And at the end, principles are the SAME everywhere, regardless who desribes it...Davis, Edelman or Kremkau.....They are nothing but business people who get rich of those who are in need. YOU and I...

I will post my note here after my test taken. I study for 4 months now, I had no physics background what so ever, and I doubt I would do good. But Im at the point where I will go even if I fail, at least I /ll know from real source what to study for next time

good luck to all

could anyone that has taken the test (SPI) explain what types of questions will be on it--matching, t/f, fill- in the blanks? What types of questions appear the most? Was the test easier than the old UPI?

tajakitten in Clinton, Maryland said: could anyone that has taken the test (SPI) explain what types of questions will be on it--matching, t/f, fill- in the blanks? What types of questions appear the most? Was the test easier than the old UPI?

my friend just went and passed. According to him, all questions are multiple choices, plus some true of false. He said that actually there are doppler questions are prevaling, and they would show a picture and ask what is wrong with it, or what should you do to adjust it...doppler color and mode questions were the most of all others..

Hi I ws just wondering if anyone has taken the new spi test, since its become availble on April 6, 2009. I need to knoe iof theres anything different on the test. I am taking my exam in may, so any inforamtion would be greatle appreciated.

Thank you

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: New update... Odwin's DVD lecture on the SPI will be finished in about 3 weeks. Price will be $50, and it will be available on the SDMS website. I'll post more as I know more. Also - I scheduled my exam today - I'll be taking it the 24th of April.

Could you let me know how the test was? I'm taking in Sept. Thanks

Nicole in Fountain Valley, California said: I took SPI & I passed it too. It was easier than Regular test. For me helped me Davies's CD & Test & My Text book which is Kremkau book. I didnt go to any seminar & I didnt spend anything. Its all your hard work. Nothing else. No seminar. No one can teach you everything in couple days If you dont wanna work hard or If you are not an active by yourself.

I too used the Davies Ultrasound Physics Exam Simulation CD, very useful because it has test questions that are very similair. I also used Pegasus Vol 1, 2, Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation. The books look complicated but if you take one chapter at a time while taking the exam CD a few hundred times, the information will stick in your head. I originally took the CPI exam back in late Jan, and failed, almost passing. 2 months later taking the SPI and using these tools I finished the SPI in less than an hour. The test was very easy compared to the CPI, or maybe I was more prepared. I am actually glad that I had to take the new version because now I do not have to take physics ever again. Good Luck

julie in Los Angeles, California said: Could you let me know how the test was? I'm taking in Sept. Thanks

Download the Davies Ultrasound Physics CD from their website. It has very similiar questions that appear on the SPI exam. All of these items are in the exam CD.

The test was easy compared to the CPI. I easily passed it and was done with it in less than an hour.

Hey guys I just took the New SPI exam , I got like 90% . Pretty much I want to say , if u can study everything from the Edelman text book( third edition) means inside out u will pass.Good luck guys.

Mary in Bergenfield, New Jersey said: Hey guys I just took the New SPI exam , I got like 90% . Pretty much I want to say , if u can study everything from the Edelman text book( third edition) means inside out u will pass.Good luck guys.

What is a 90% because they use scaled scoring, of 300-700. Just curious because I scored in the 600's. How do you break that down or are you just estimating. I have an Edelman workbook that someone from my work brought back after they attended a seminar. The problem with is, it is just an outline of what you need to know, if you have no background on physics or did not attend his seminar than it is not very effective in my opinion.

In any case the SPI is not as difficult as the other physics exams ARDMS had offered. I suggest that everyone take it now before they update the exams in the next year. I predict the pass rate to be higher than the usual 50% range, probably more like in the 70's.

I feel better now after I read all the comments.
I wanted to wait for the prep materials to be available for the actual SPI exam but now I feel that if some people say Edelman is enough then I have nothing to worr about.

book in september and DVDs soon
As soon as I can get them I'm signing up for the SPI!
Keep me posted, please...
Thanx

i appeared for old exam for ultrasound physics end march. unfortunately i could not pass. i am sighning up for the spi exam in may. i need to know what changes have taken place in the exam. i studied only berwin notes . please advise me if i need to read edelman book. thank you

SPI score in between 300- 700. IF u get 555 u will pass.I got 632 that's why I wrote 90%( 632 is around 90% of 700). As I know my friend she got 550 but she fail and they said she fail for 5 points.If u know the concept from the Edelman book that could me enought to pass. Thats why I feel. Also I prepain the 576 questions from APPLETON book. If u guys want u can check www.sonoreview.com for 50 questions. how much more question u do , u will get more confident ...

i am going to join the kaiser college for dms course.i have a allied healthcare degree with me.so what else i need to join the course?what is spi exam?everone should pass that exam?what is the use for this after you join dms course?please can anyone tell me?plese tell me about the dms course also.is that a really tough one to pass?thank you.

Doez anyone have abdomine workbook.. I could help you with Spi one instead? thank you

Passed the SPI!!! Lots of questions about color flow doppler, PRF, damping and decibels. Only studied the Edeman book. Was really not that bad.

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: Passed the SPI!!! Lots of questions about color flow doppler, PRF, damping and decibels. Only studied the Edeman book. Was really not that bad.

heyy.. what do you mean alot of damping and decibels? do you mean that they asked alot of questions about parts of the transducers?... Let me know.. Gotta take it may 28th! so it wasn't thhhaattt bad???! im so nervous!

JUST PASSED NEW SPI THIS MORNING, SCORED A 660. THE TEST IS MORE DIRECT IN IT'S QUESTIONING - DOES NOT MISGUIDE YOU. I STUDIED EDELMAN, GULF COAST INST., AND DAVIES PUBLISHING. THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO PASS THE TEST. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND ONE OF THE PRACTICE TEST OFFERED BY THE ARDMS, TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE FORMAT. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL. HAVE ABD/OB GYN ALREADY. RVT NEXT.

The practice tests were a huge help... yes - I got at least 7 or 8 questions on damping in particular. Study the info in Edelman about decibels - I had I think 3 questions on that subject. It's way more direct than I expected, and there were several questions I had where they asked the same thing three different times in different wording.

There are a lot of questions in regards to transducer characteristics. What does having material, matching layer,etc do. I can honestly say there is at least one question from each of the categories onthe outline of the SPI exam on ARDMS website. This includes all of the subcatgories. Know everything.

LILCAJUN75 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana said: JUST PASSED NEW SPI THIS MORNING, SCORED A 660. THE TEST IS MORE DIRECT IN IT'S QUESTIONING - DOES NOT MISGUIDE YOU. I STUDIED EDELMAN, GULF COAST INST., AND DAVIES PUBLISHING. THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO PASS THE TEST. I WOULD ALSO RECOMMEND ONE OF THE PRACTICE TEST OFFERED BY THE ARDMS, TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE FORMAT. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL. HAVE ABD/OB GYN ALREADY. RVT NEXT.

WOULD YOU PLEASE RECOMEND WHAT MATERIAL BEST TO STUDY FOR ABDOMEN? PLS EMAIL ME AT NATALIEVK2004@NETZERO.COM... THANKS IN ADVANCE
THANK YOU

hey guys - i am studying edelman's ESP inc textbook...it is a spiral soft notebook... will i be ok if i know that book in and out??? let me know!!.. i also have over 200 practices questions!

Hey All~
I just took the SPI test yesterday...and PASSED! I am so glad, as this was my THIRD attempt at taking the general physics test, and I have been a practicing sonographer for 5 years (I took ABD and OB right away and passed with no problems, but Physics, be it mentally or not, was an obvious struggle)! I have had a very gracious and lenient boss working with me that I am extremely grateful for. I HIGHLY recommend taking your boards AS SOON AS POSSIBLE and not waiting like I did!! Thank you to all of you who have/had been posting about your experiences, I appreciate it :).

I studied Edelman's spiral notebook front-back, and then worked on the x-zone online as well. This was very helpful! I had bought the Pegasus review cd, and for me at least, it was a more complex way of reviewing for the test--however, if you can pass those tests on the review cd, you will most likely pass the board with flying colors, as it is a VERY in depth review. No matter what though, DON'T freak out or psych yourself out. If you have studied the material, you will be able to think through each question and understand what they are asking you. I didn't find any of the questions "tricky" per say, and none really even LONG word problems...they seemed very straight forward.

Some things that were on the test to really know:

* 4 patient care questions (these I found to be pretty self explanatory-which was an added bonus!
* 5 color/pulsed doppler images to decifer flow on etc
* Dynamic range, aperature
* doppler shift equation (if this goes up, what happens to this...)
* quality assurance, 1 lateral resolution question with a phantom and pins
* bioeffects
* transducers

Again, I found Edelman to be very helpful. I wish you all the best of luck on your test!

luna in Glendale, California said: WOULD YOU PLEASE RECOMEND WHAT MATERIAL BEST TO STUDY FOR ABDOMEN? PLS EMAIL ME AT NATALIEVK2004@NETZERO.COM... THANKS IN ADVANCE
THANK YOU

Oh, and Natalie...

I studied Edelman for that as well and some of the pictures on my exam seemed to even be taken directly from the Edleman review spiral notebook! This was very helpful!

For OB/GYN, I used Rouse and De Lange's OB review book. It followed the ARDMS outline to a tee, and was a very easy read, and great review.

Hope that helps!

Done with Physics forever in Brea, California said: What is a 90% because they use scaled scoring, of 300-700. Just curious because I scored in the 600's. How do you break that down or are you just estimating. I have an Edelman workbook that someone from my work brought back after they attended a seminar. The problem with is, it is just an outline of what you need to know, if you have no background on physics or did not attend his seminar than it is not very effective in my opinion.

In any case the SPI is not as difficult as the other physics exams ARDMS had offered. I suggest that everyone take it now before they update the exams in the next year. I predict the pass rate to be higher than the usual 50% range, probably more like in the 70's.

I am curious too...I got in the 600's as well...

LB in Loma Linda, California said: I am curious too...I got in the 600's as well...

I got 630 on my physics and was told that it something 90-92%. Do your math with your score..600 probably would be 88-89%..B plus....
Great job....
LB, do you happen to still have Edelman abdomen material...Im looking for one..I could buy it from you..????

Sweet! Wow, that is great to know! Good job!! I got a 611 :). I don't think I have Edelman abdomen anymore, I may have already given it away, as that test was over 3 years ago. I will look though, and keep an ear open here at work, and let you know if I find anything :). You definitely want to get that one!

acntech2009 in Ossining, New York said: The practice tests were a huge help... yes - I got at least 7 or 8 questions on damping in particular. Study the info in Edelman about decibels - I had I think 3 questions on that subject. It's way more direct than I expected, and there were several questions I had where they asked the same thing three different times in different wording.

That is so true! Multiple questions on the same subject, just worded differently.

hi to all,
congratulation to all.
I need edelman's book .
if somebody wants to sell this book please let me know.My e-mail address is : farahediba@yahoo.com
I need this book so much but I can't pay too much.
Thanks alot.

LB in Loma Linda, California said: Sweet! Wow, that is great to know! Good job!! I got a 611 :). I don't think I have Edelman abdomen anymore, I may have already given it away, as that test was over 3 years ago. I will look though, and keep an ear open here at work, and let you know if I find anything :). You definitely want to get that one!

Thank you so much..

Thanks luna...I need edelman's book for physic ,not for abdomen...!
If you have I really want it ...!
thanks again.

farah in Toronto, Ontario said: Thanks luna...I need edelman's book for physic ,not for abdomen...!
If you have I really want it ...!
thanks again.

Farah, I already gave away my Edelmans book. But i have something that might me usefull still for a short period of time.Leave me your email adess

Hi dear Luna,Thanks so much.My e-mail address is : farahediba@yahoo.com

with all the best,
------------------------------------------------------------------
If some body else has edelman's book for SPI physic please let me know....Thanks again for help.

Hi everybody
If somebody has eldman's physics for SPI please reply me on drsinghrp@yahoo.ca i'am willing to buy
thanks

Can someone please tell me which Davies physics CD to download on th net to study for the SPI?

Pleaseeeeeeeeee

thank you

Daisy

daisy in Woodbury, New York said: Can someone please tell me which Davies physics CD to download on th net to study for the SPI?

Pleaseeeeeeeeee

thank you

Daisy

Hi,
There isn't any chance to download Davies physic for free.You should buy it.

I want to sell it .... 50$ (in the net is 90$)(If you want you can send me e-mail)
My e-mail address is aram6870@yahoo.com

The website for the Davies download is

daviespublishing.com/Ultrasound-Physics-C109.aspx

you should buy it, it will help you pass the SPI exam.

79.95---worth it.