The computed tomography exam tests your knowledge of areas in the medical field of tomography. This test is often called the CT exam for short.

The CT test is offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). If you pass the exam, you will get a certification from ARRT.

But the test is no walk in the park. Read on to learn the most important things you can do to prepare for this rigorous test.

What to Expect During Your CT Test

The CT exam is made up of 185 multiple-choice questions. There are 22 questions about patient care, 20 questions about safety, 55 questions about imaging procedures and 68 questions deal with procedures.

Yes, that only adds up to 165 questions. The CT test also has 20 questions on the exam that are not worth any marks. They do not give you points if you get them right or lose you points if you get them wrong.

You will not know which 20 questions are trial questions. Trial questions are often put on exams to gauge how effective a question is. The data from hundreds of test-takers will help the people who make the exams decide if those questions should be included in future tests.

The passing score for the CT test is 75.

When you take the exam, you will have up to 3.5 hours to finish. Let’s talk about the best way to prepare to take this rigorous examination.

Study Wisely

Studies show that to be adequately prepared for an exam, you need to move the information to long-term memory.

That means that cramming is not an effective way to study. Instead, set aside some time each day from now until the exam date to review the material.

You know the breakdown of the exam, so it makes sense to study by focusing on those sections.

You could spend one day studying procedures and another reviewing imaging. Or you may want to break up your study session into parts and study each topic each time you study.

Make sure you are getting enough sleep. You need 8-9 hours a night when you are preparing for an exam.

Sleep is a crucial preparatory step leading up to an exam. It allows your brain to process the information you are trying to memorize and it also improves your concentration and memory recall.

Too worried about the exam to fall asleep? Check out these 7 ways to create a peaceful bedroom that is sure to have you yawning.

Likewise, feed your body healthy food so that your brain and body have the fuel they need to get you ready for the CT test.

Make Flashcards

One of the best methods of studying is to make flashcards.

Using flashcards over and over to prepare for an exam trains our brains to engage in active recall. That means that your brain is pulling up the definition or procedure from scratch.

And guess what your brain will need to do during an exam? Using flashcards will train your brain to look at a word and come up with the right chunk of information that goes with it.

Making flashcards is also an effective use of time. As you write out flash cards you are using your visual and physical senses. That means you are learning as you make your cards.

You also save a lot of time by using flashcards. Instead of flipping through the textbook or your notes for a topic, your handy flashcards are ready to go.

Plus, you can recruit your roommate, mom or friend to help you study. They don’t even need to know anything about tomography to help you out!

Lastly, but most important of all, flashcards are portable. It’s easy to grab a few as you stand at the bus stop, sit in the dentist’s waiting room and so on. Your flashcards will help you use every available moment to get ready to nail the exam.

Take at Least 1 Practice CT Test

Sometimes, students who know the material fail the exam. Why is that?

It could be nerves and fear of test-taking. Or it could be that the way the questions are presented on the test is not the way the students learned the information.

Your best bet is to take at least 1 mock CT test. These practice exams can often be done online. These mock exams will give you a good understanding of what you can expect on the real thing.

You’ll get a sense of the format and how questions are worded. You’ll also be able to see how long it may take you to complete the test based on how long it took you to do the mock exam.

You may be able to find sample questions online for free. But the best thing you can do is make the investment in a practice test.

Get more tools to help you prepare for your ARRT certification.

Arrive Early and Prepared for the CT Exam

You can’t pass the CT exam if you aren’t allowed to write it! Make sure the examinators have no reason not to let you write the test.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam. Use the restroom and get a drink of water because one the doors close, you are there until you finish writing the exam.

Remember that you can’t bring in calculators, cell phones, or study guides of any kind. You can’t even bring in bulky coats and sweaters. You can store your items in the lockers outside the exam room.

Have 2 pieces of ID with you to show the examiners.

Final Thoughts

Good luck with preparing for your CT exam. Remember to go into the test room with a positive and confident attitude. You’d be surprised how big an impact that has on how well you do!

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