The FRCR exam is the professional body of the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR). This governing body is responsible for conducting radiology examinations, deciding the curriculum, and identifying the practice standards in radiology specialties across the UK.
In the UK, the FRCR exam is mandatory. Only after completing this radiology course can candidates achieve the qualification of a practicing radiologist.
However, non-UK residents can also take the FRCR exam to improve their career growth. For this reason, many Indian radiology candidates take the FRCR radiology exam to apply for a UK fellowship.
Several other radiology candidates take this exam to gain an edge as a radiology resident in India. This is because FRCR is a holistic test that assesses your abilities in the field. It is one of the toughest radiology examinations.
Structure of FRCR Examination
Part 1: This initial stage is a written examination that evaluates candidates’ foundational understanding of clinical radiology. it focuses on anatomy and physics. The exam primarily tests your foundation in anatomy, physics, and basic clinical radiology. It encompasses multiple-choice questions and computer-based image interpretation, aiming to assess candidates’ theoretical knowledge.
Part 2A: This component primarily focuses on diagnostic image interpretation. It consists of two parts, each containing 120 single best answer questions (SBAs). The topics covered in Cardiothoracic and Vascular, Musculoskeletal and Trauma, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary including Adrenals, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatric, Central Nervous System, and Head & Neck.
It involves reporting sessions where candidates review and provide detailed reports on a variety of radiological cases. This stage evaluates candidates’ ability to accurately diagnose conditions and develop appropriate management plans based on the presented images.
Part 2B: The final segment of the FRCR examination assesses candidates’ clinical and practical skills. It encompasses oral examinations, viva voce sessions, and practical assessments that gauge candidates’ ability to apply their radiological knowledge and expertise in real-world clinical scenarios.
The FRCR exam is a challenging yet highly rewarding journey that tests your knowledge, interpretation skills, and communication abilities in the field of radiology. Achieving the FRCR qualification is considered as a significant accomplishment and it opens doors to exciting career opportunities. It’s time to start your FRCR journey. Don’t wait.
