University of New England
DUNE: DigitalUNE
All Theses And Dissertations Theses and Dissertations
9-2026
American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists Exam Preparation:
A Case Study
Sarah E. Harradon
Follow this and additional works at: https://dune.une.edu/theses
Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the Educational
Leadership Commons
© 2026 Sarah E. Harradon
,AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
EXAM PREPARATION: A CASE STUDY
By
Sarah E. Harradon, MS, RT(R)
BS (University of St. Francis) 2026
MS (University of St. Francis) 2026
A DISSERTATION
Presented to the Affiliated Faculty of
The College of Graduate and Professional Studies
at the University of New England
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For the degree of Doctor of Education
Portland & Biddeford, Maine
September, 2026
,Copyright by Sarah E. Harradon
September, 2026
ii
, Sarah E. Harradon
September 2026
Educational Leadership
AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
EXAM PREPARATION: A CASE STUDY
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this case study was to investigate the students’ perceptions of preparedness to
take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam after the
completion of a last semester registry preparation course at a small health profession college
located in the northeast. In addition to perceptions of preparedness this study explored the
effectiveness of the HESI Radiography Exit Exam preparation tool and the relationship between
perceptions of preparedness and ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates. The problem that
initiated this case study was the ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates at Radiography
Program X were below the state and national averages from 2013-2018. Three research questions
and various sub questions guided this case study. The research questions were answered by
collecting and analyzing a variety of qualitative and quantitative datasets. The qualitative
datasets were retrospective end of semester course surveys from the last semester registry
preparation course and a post-graduation follow-up survey that was created for this study. The
quantitative data included ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates and HESI Radiography Exit
Exam scores.
The findings revealed that various elements within the last semester registry preparation
course were beneficial in students’ preparation to take the ARRT exam. Twelve course element
codes were extrapolated from the open-ended comments from the qualitative surveys, which
iii
DUNE: DigitalUNE
All Theses And Dissertations Theses and Dissertations
9-2026
American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists Exam Preparation:
A Case Study
Sarah E. Harradon
Follow this and additional works at: https://dune.une.edu/theses
Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the Educational
Leadership Commons
© 2026 Sarah E. Harradon
,AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
EXAM PREPARATION: A CASE STUDY
By
Sarah E. Harradon, MS, RT(R)
BS (University of St. Francis) 2026
MS (University of St. Francis) 2026
A DISSERTATION
Presented to the Affiliated Faculty of
The College of Graduate and Professional Studies
at the University of New England
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For the degree of Doctor of Education
Portland & Biddeford, Maine
September, 2026
,Copyright by Sarah E. Harradon
September, 2026
ii
, Sarah E. Harradon
September 2026
Educational Leadership
AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS
EXAM PREPARATION: A CASE STUDY
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this case study was to investigate the students’ perceptions of preparedness to
take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam after the
completion of a last semester registry preparation course at a small health profession college
located in the northeast. In addition to perceptions of preparedness this study explored the
effectiveness of the HESI Radiography Exit Exam preparation tool and the relationship between
perceptions of preparedness and ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates. The problem that
initiated this case study was the ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates at Radiography
Program X were below the state and national averages from 2013-2018. Three research questions
and various sub questions guided this case study. The research questions were answered by
collecting and analyzing a variety of qualitative and quantitative datasets. The qualitative
datasets were retrospective end of semester course surveys from the last semester registry
preparation course and a post-graduation follow-up survey that was created for this study. The
quantitative data included ARRT exam scores and 1st time pass rates and HESI Radiography Exit
Exam scores.
The findings revealed that various elements within the last semester registry preparation
course were beneficial in students’ preparation to take the ARRT exam. Twelve course element
codes were extrapolated from the open-ended comments from the qualitative surveys, which
iii
