ARRT Radiation Therapy exam-day guide
ARRT Radiation Therapy · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Primary photo ID with signature
A government-issued photo ID that also bears your signature (driver's license or passport are typical). The name on the ID should match the name on your ARRT record; if your legal name has changed, contact ARRT before test day rather than trying to resolve it at the center.
Second form of identification
Testing centers generally require a second ID that shows your signature (for example a credit card or another government-issued document). Confirm the exact accepted forms with your testing provider before you travel.
Appointment confirmation / authorization to test
Bring the confirmation showing your appointment time, test center, and any candidate or eligibility number. Having it on paper avoids relying on your phone, which will not be allowed in the testing room.
Your ARRT eligibility status verified in advance
Log in to your ARRT account a few days ahead and confirm your exam window is open and your authorization is active. Resolving a paperwork problem 48 hours out is far easier than at the check-in desk.
Testing center address, parking, and route
Do a dry run or at least map the route and parking options. Testing centers are often inside office parks or shared buildings and can be hard to find on a first visit.
Plan to arrive early
Arriving roughly 30 minutes before your appointment allows time for check-in, ID verification, and a locker. Confirm your provider's late-arrival policy in advance - candidates who arrive after the cutoff may not be admitted.
Leave prohibited items at home or in the car
Phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, notes, and study materials are not permitted in the testing room. Most centers provide a small locker, but minimizing what you carry simplifies check-in.
Comfortable, layered clothing
Testing rooms are often cold and you will be seated for a long stretch. Dress in layers and avoid items with pockets or accessories that slow security screening.
Confirm the calculator and reference-material policy
Ask your provider or check the ARRT candidate handbook ahead of time about whether an on-screen calculator or any reference material is available, and what is prohibited. Do not assume a personal calculator is allowed.
Snack, water, and a light meal for afterward
Keep these in your locker or car rather than carrying them into the room. A long computer-based exam is easier to manage if you are not hungry or dehydrated.
A one-page summary of your weakest topics
Use it only in the waiting area before check-in, then put it away. Its purpose is a last confidence pass on high-yield facts, not new learning.
Backup transportation plan
Identify a second way to reach the center in case of traffic, transit delays, or a vehicle problem. A missed appointment can mean a rescheduling fee.
Plan the day
Stop expanding your content list. Spend the remaining time on timed practice sets and a focused review of two or three weak topic areas from your radiation therapy content outline - treatment planning and dose calculation, treatment delivery and setup, safety and quality management, or patient care and education. Confirm your appointment details, verify your ID has not expired, and start shifting your sleep schedule toward the time you will need to wake on test day.
Re-check the test center address and estimated travel time, confirm parking, and print or save your appointment confirmation. Read the ARRT candidate handbook section on exam-day procedures so there are no surprises about ID, prohibited items, or scoring.
Keep review light: skim summaries, formulas, and positioning or safety checklists rather than working new practice questions until late. Pack your bag with IDs, confirmation, layers, and a snack. Set two alarms, plan to eat a normal dinner, and prioritize 7-8 hours of sleep over one more study session.
Eat a normal breakfast or meal, hydrate, and give yourself a buffer beyond your estimated travel time. Glance at your one-page summary only in the waiting area. At check-in, present your IDs, store personal items in the locker, and take a few slow breaths before the tutorial begins.
Read every question stem completely before looking at the options, and watch for qualifiers such as 'except,' 'first,' or 'best.' Answer the straightforward items first and flag anything that requires extended calculation or recall, then return to flagged items.
Track your progress against the number of items remaining and the time on the clock. If you fall behind, guess on an item and move on rather than losing several minutes to one question. Raise your hand if you need to leave the room; unscheduled breaks are generally allowed but the clock keeps running, so keep them short.
Use remaining time on flagged items, confirming you have answered every question with no blanks. Only change an answer if you can point to a specific reason the original choice was wrong. Submit when your review is done rather than second-guessing at length.
Follow the center's check-out procedure and retrieve your belongings. Ask the staff or check your ARRT account about how and when official results are released, since timing of preliminary versus official reporting varies.
Rules to check
Bring two forms of identification, at least one of which is a government-issued photo ID with your signature. The name must match your ARRT record; if it does not because of a legal name change, contact ARRT before the exam date to correct it.
Personal items - phones, smartwatches, wearable devices, notes, and study material - are not allowed in the testing room. Using unauthorized materials or communicating with others during the exam can invalidate your score, so clarify the exact policy with the testing provider beforehand.
Arrive before your scheduled appointment time; many centers deny admission to candidates who arrive after the posted cutoff. Confirm the specific late-arrival and rescheduling policy with the provider when you book.
Unscheduled breaks are typically permitted, but the exam clock continues to run and you may be subject to a security check when re-entering the room. Confirm the break policy with the provider on arrival.
Scores are reported on a scaled basis with a minimum passing standard set by ARRT; do not expect the reported score to equal a simple percentage of questions answered correctly, and note that some items may be unscored pilot questions. Confirm the current passing standard and score-report timing in the ARRT candidate handbook or with ARRT directly.
If you do not pass, ARRT imposes waiting periods and limits on retakes. Confirm the current retake rules and fees with ARRT before assuming a timeline for your next attempt.
Follow all instructions from testing center staff, including emptying pockets, removing outerwear if asked, and accepting a seat assignment. Compliance issues can be documented and reported to the credentialing body.
Direct any question about eligibility, accommodations, or exam content that is not resolved by the candidate handbook to ARRT before test day; center staff administer the exam but cannot change eligibility or scoring decisions.