← Answer Library

General›About the ARDMS Exam

I failed by a small margin (540-550 range) — what should I review?

ARDMS scores run from 300 to 700, with 555 as the passing line — so relative to that range, 555 isn't an extremely high bar to begin with.

Short Answer

ARDMS scores run from 300 to 700, with 555 as the passing line — so relative to that range, 555 isn't an extremely high bar to begin with. But when you land just under it, it feels like a few more correct answers would have done it. That feeling is misleading: ARDMS uses a distinctive scoring method, not simple per-question points, that appears to weigh whether you scored evenly across all areas, whether you missed questions most people get right, and whether you got the harder questions most people miss. Being 15 points under 555 doesn't mean you were "a few questions away."

Read the full answer with a free account

  • ✓Free. No payment, no credit card, no trial that runs out.
  • ✓No ads, and we never sell your data.
  • ✓We only email you to confirm your account. No marketing emails.
  • ✓Delete your account any time.

Next step

Check your basics, then find your weak areas

Ready to Prep: try 5 basic SPI physics questions with full explanations — no account needed. ReadyScore is a separate, free exam-style diagnostic that shows your weak areas.

ReadyScore is an independent study diagnostic, not an official ARDMS score prediction.

Related Answers

Keep exploring this topic