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ARRT Radiography Examination Practice Test

Radiography practice questions cover the physics and image formation behind projection imaging, along with the technical choices that affect recorded detail and contrast. The bank also samples image artifacts, patient positioning, radiation protection, and care decisions such as pregnancy screening, safe transfers, emergency response, and sterile-field practices.

Exam overview

Exam providerAmerican Registry of Radiologic Technologists
Exam codeR
CategoryRadiologic Technology

About the ARRT Radiography Examination Exam

Radiographic work requires matching exposure factors to the examination while accounting for patient condition, anatomy, and equipment. Questions sample how kilovoltage affects beam energy and penetration, how focal-spot selection influences recorded sharpness, and how x-ray tube components produce the beam. Image evaluation includes distinguishing anatomy from receptor defects and recognizing grid-line patterns that may indicate grid misalignment or other setup problems. Patient-care decisions include confirming relevant history, responding appropriately to possible pregnancy, assisting with mobility, and acting within training during an emergency. Other scenarios address positioning to include adjacent joints when appropriate and preserving asepsis during procedures. Together, these subjects connect technical image production with safe, effective radiographic practice.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

Which factor primarily determines the energy spectrum and penetrating ability of the x-ray beam?

  1. ATube potential (kVp)
  2. BExposure time alone
  3. CThe image receptor’s pixel spacing
  4. DThe patient’s respiratory phase
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Tube potential, expressed in kilovolts peak, affects the maximum and average energies of photons in the beam and thus its penetrating ability. Exposure time primarily changes the number of photons produced when other factors are unchanged.

Question 2

A patient is found unresponsive and is not breathing normally. The radiographer has activated the emergency response system. What should the radiographer do next if trained and able?

  1. ABegin cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use an available AED as directed
  2. BWait for the patient to regain consciousness before intervening
  3. COffer the patient water
  4. DMove the patient to another room before taking action
Show answerCorrect answer: A

For an unresponsive person who is not breathing normally, prompt activation of emergency help and CPR are critical; an AED should be used as soon as available, following its prompts and local protocols. Radiographers should act within their training and facility procedures.

Question 3

A radiographic image shows a sharply defined dark line caused by a crack in the image receptor rather than patient anatomy. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. ARepeat the exposure using a higher kVp
  2. BRemove the receptor from clinical use and report the defect for evaluation
  3. CApply image processing to erase the line and continue using the receptor
  4. DIncrease collimation until the line is outside the field
Show answerCorrect answer: B

A damaged receptor can produce persistent artifacts and compromise diagnostic quality. It should be taken out of service and reported so it can be inspected or replaced; manipulating an image to conceal a hardware defect is not an appropriate remedy.

Question 4

Why is a smaller focal spot generally selected when technique and tube loading permit?

  1. ATo reduce geometric unsharpness
  2. BTo increase image magnification
  3. CTo eliminate scatter radiation
  4. DTo increase the detector’s pixel size
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A smaller focal spot reduces the effective source size and therefore reduces geometric unsharpness, improving recorded spatial detail. The selected focal spot must still be appropriate for the required tube current and exposure.

Question 5

A patient is scheduled for an abdominal radiograph and may be pregnant. What should the radiographer do first?

  1. AProceed because abdominal radiography never requires pregnancy screening
  2. BAsk the patient about possible pregnancy according to facility policy and communicate relevant findings
  3. CAsk the patient to sign a waiver and proceed immediately
  4. DReplace the examination with ultrasound without consulting the ordering team
Show answerCorrect answer: B

A radiographer should follow the facility’s pregnancy-screening procedure, obtain relevant information from the patient, and communicate concerns to the appropriate clinical team before proceeding. The radiographer should not independently cancel or substitute an examination.

Question 6

A radiographer is preparing a patient for a procedure requiring sterile technique. Which action best helps maintain the sterile field?

  1. AKeep sterile items above waist level and within view
  2. BReach across the sterile field to adjust the table
  3. CTurn away from the sterile field while it is unattended
  4. DPlace a nonsterile detector cover on the sterile drape
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Sterile items should remain in the defined sterile area and within view; keeping them above waist level helps prevent contamination. Reaching across, turning away from, or introducing nonsterile items can compromise the field.

Question 7

A patient with a suspected fracture asks why the radiographer needs to include the joint above and below the injured bone on certain images. What is the best explanation?

  1. AIncluding adjacent joints can help assess alignment and associated injury along the bone
  2. BIt guarantees that no additional images will ever be needed
  3. CIt reduces the amount of radiation reaching the injured area
  4. DIt makes the bone appear shorter on the image
Show answerCorrect answer: A

For many long-bone examinations, including the joints above and below can help evaluate the full extent of injury and alignment. The precise views should follow the clinical request and local protocol.

How to use this practice test

Access is free. The bank contains 50 questions, and each session presents up to 20 random questions. Answer a session to see results, then use missed or uncertain items to identify concepts for focused review, such as exposure factors, artifact recognition, or patient-care procedures.

Preparation tips

  • For exposure-factor questions, connect kVp changes to beam energy and penetration, and distinguish this effect from focal-spot selection and tube loading.
  • Practice identifying artifacts by their appearance and likely source; separate receptor damage from patient anatomy and consider grid alignment when repeated lines appear.
  • For trauma scenarios, review when imaging should include the joint above and below a suspected long-bone fracture, following the clinical request and local protocol.
  • Rehearse patient-care sequences for possible pregnancy, wheelchair transfers, sterile procedures, and emergency response, including when to seek assistance and work within your training.
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