ARRT CT Exam Guide 2026: Pass Faster with a Protocol-First Strategy
The ARRT Computed Tomography credential is one of the most valuable postprimary imaging credentials because it expands career mobility, shift opportunities, and advanced modality options. The problem is that many candidates study CT like a textbook course instead of an exam with specific weighting and predictable traps.
This guide is built around how ARRT actually scores the CT exam. You will get official structure data, domain weighting, high-risk topic clusters, and a 6-week execution plan designed for working technologists.
Exam Format & Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 195 total (165 scored + 30 pilot/unscored) |
| Time Limit | 180 minutes test time (210-minute appointment) |
| Passing Score | Scaled score of 75 |
| Pass Rate | 77.7% first-time pass rate (2024) |
| Cost | $250 postprimary exam fee |
| Testing Format | Computer-based at Pearson VUE |
This is a postprimary exam, so eligibility requires an existing primary ARRT credential plus structured education and clinical experience requirements specific to CT.
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ARRT CT Content Domain Breakdown (Official)
| Domain | Scored Questions | Approx. Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Care | 26 | 15.8% |
| Safety | 27 | 16.4% |
| Image Production | 61 | 37.0% |
| Imaging Procedures | 51 | 30.9% |
The exam is heavily weighted toward Image Production and Imaging Procedures. Together they represent almost 68% of scored items. If your study plan treats Patient Care and Safety equally with these domains, your prep is misallocated.
High-Impact Domain Strategy
1) Image Production (37%)
This is the biggest score lever in CT. ARRT questions in this domain reward candidates who understand acquisition parameter interactions, reconstruction choices, artifacts, and dose-image quality tradeoffs. Memorization alone is not enough. You must be able to predict what happens when one variable changes.
2) Imaging Procedures (30.9%)
Protocol logic, anatomy coverage, contrast timing, and exam objective matching drive this domain. Candidates who miss here usually know anatomy but choose a protocol that does not match the clinical indication in the stem. Treat each question as a workflow decision, not a recall question.
3) Safety (16.4%)
Safety includes radiation protection, contrast safety fundamentals, and safe operation standards. These are stable points if you practice elimination: remove any option that violates patient safety, indication fit, or dose optimization.
4) Patient Care (15.8%)
Patient prep, communication, screening, and response management are tested with concise but practical scenarios. This domain has fewer questions, but it should still be reliable scoring territory when rehearsed weekly.
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6-Week ARRT CT Study Schedule for Working Techs
| Week | Primary Focus | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnostic baseline + blueprint mapping | Domain score baseline and study priorities |
| Week 2 | Image Production fundamentals | Confident parameter/reconstruction decisions |
| Week 3 | Image Production advanced + artifacts | Faster correction logic on quality stems |
| Week 4 | Imaging Procedures by protocol families | Indication-to-protocol matching speed |
| Week 5 | Safety + Patient Care + mixed timed sets | Stable low-volatility scoring |
| Week 6 | Full simulations + weak-area remediation | Consistent passing-equivalent performance |
Weekly Hours
- Target 10-12 hours per week if you work full-time.
- Use 70% of study time on Image Production and Imaging Procedures.
- Run at least two timed blocks weekly beginning Week 3.
Best Review Framework
| Error Type | Example | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge gap | Unfamiliar artifact mechanism | Add a one-page concept summary |
| Protocol mismatch | Wrong exam selection for indication | Build protocol maps by clinical scenario |
| Decision drift | Second-guessing correct first choice | Add confidence rules and first-pass discipline |
Hardest ARRT CT Topics in 2026 Prep Cycles
| Topic | Why It Causes Misses | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition parameter tradeoffs | Candidates know definitions but cannot predict outcomes | Practice "change one variable, predict image" drills |
| Reconstruction and post-processing logic | Confusion between image goal and reconstruction choice | Learn decision trees by clinical indication |
| Artifact recognition and correction | Similar artifact presentations cause guesswork | Use side-by-side artifact pattern review |
| Protocol selection under time pressure | Overfocus on memorized defaults | Train indication-based protocol branching |
| Dose optimization decisions | Safety logic applied too late in answer choice elimination | Use ALARA-first elimination before technical preferences |
Test-Taking Strategy for ARRT CT
Two-Pass Execution
First pass: answer direct items quickly and flag complex stems. Second pass: return to flagged items with full attention. This preserves pacing and prevents early time loss on low-confidence questions.
Elimination Order for CT Questions
- Remove answers that violate safety or indication.
- Remove technically implausible acquisition/reconstruction options.
- Choose the option that best balances diagnostic quality and dose responsibility.
End-of-Exam Rule
Do not leave blanks. ARRT states there is no penalty for guessing.
CT Registry Performance System: How to Improve Faster Each Week
If you are already studying but your score is stuck, the issue is usually process quality, not effort. Use a weekly performance loop instead of random review.
| Weekly Step | What to Do | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Baseline block | Run one timed mixed set at start of week | Gives current performance snapshot |
| 2. Targeted repair | Focus on top two weak categories only | Prevents diluted study time |
| 3. Protocol rehearsal | Do indication-to-protocol drills in short sets | Improves real exam decision speed |
| 4. Retest block | Run another timed mixed set at end of week | Confirms whether changes worked |
The 4 Most Common CT Prep Mistakes
- Studying topics, not decisions. The exam tests what action is most defensible for the indication and imaging goal.
- Skipping artifact correction drills. Candidates recognize artifacts but cannot pick the best fix under pressure.
- Undertraining dose-quality reasoning. CT questions often require balancing diagnostic quality with safety responsibility.
- No pacing rehearsal. Good knowledge fails when timing collapses.
Fix Each Mistake with One Habit
- For decision quality: explain your answer aloud in one sentence before submitting.
- For artifacts: keep a running sheet of artifact pattern, likely cause, and preferred correction.
- For dose-quality logic: write one ALARA-safe alternative for each difficult question.
- For pacing: include at least two timed blocks every week from Week 3 onward.
Final 21-Day CT Countdown
| Days | Priority | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 21-15 | Patch weakest high-weight subtopics | 2 corrected weak-topic notebooks |
| 14-8 | Mixed timed blocks | Stable accuracy in long sets |
| 7-3 | Confidence preservation | No major score swings in final simulations |
| 2-1 | Logistics + light review | Mental freshness for exam day |
In the final week, reduce novelty and maximize consistency. New low-confidence content right before exam day usually lowers performance.
Career & Salary Outlook for CT Technologists
| Metric | Latest Data |
|---|---|
| Median pay (Radiologic Technologists and Technicians) | $77,660 |
| Median pay (Radiologic and MRI technologists group) | $79,710 |
| Projected growth (2024-2034) | 6% |
| Annual openings (group) | 16,000 |
| CT relevance | CT is a high-demand modality in emergency, oncology, and trauma pathways |
CT specialization is commonly used as a career step after Radiography to increase scheduling flexibility and role competitiveness. Employers often value cross-trained technologists who can cover both general radiography and advanced imaging volume.
Practical CT Exam-Day Checklist
| 48 Hours Out | 24 Hours Out | Morning Of Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Final review of protocols and artifacts | Light review only; avoid heavy new material | Arrive early and run calm breathing routine |
| Confirm appointment logistics and ID | Sleep protection and hydration | Use two-pass pacing from first section |
| Rework 20 mixed confidence-building questions | Prepare test-center plan and break timing | Flag and return to complex items |
Official Data Sources Used
- ARRT Postprimary Eligibility Pathways Handbook (CT exam timing and structure)
- ARRT CT Content Specifications (official domain distribution)
- ARRT 2024 Annual Report (first-time pass rates)
- ARRT Application and Exam Fees page
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
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