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Overview of Final FRCR Part B Examination
- May 08, 2019
To obtain full FRCR, you will need to pass the following exams:
- First FRCR - £301 (non-members)
- Final FRCR 2A – £404 (non-members)
- FRCR 2B - £564 (non-members)
When and where can I sit FRCR 2B exam?
Final FRCR Part B is typically held in the months of April and October of each year.
You can sit the exam in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Stockport and Glasgow. Please note, joint examinations with partner organisations are also held in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The cost of the exam for a member is £479 and for non-members £564.
FRCR Part B
This exam comprises of the following modules:
1. A reporting session
2. A rapid reporting session
3. Two oral examinations
Please note, after you have passed the Final FRCR Part A Examination are permitted to enter the Final FRCR Part B Examination upon completing 34 months in a formal clinical radiology training post.
Please click here for a link to the FRCR Curriculum.
1. Reporting Session “Long Cases”
This element of the exam tests your ability to make a number of clinical observations, distinguish the relevance of the findings, deduce a list of differential diagnoses, suggest the most likely diagnosis and discuss management including further imaging where appropriate.
You will be presented with 6 cases in 60 minutes.
Each case may comprise of one or more imaging modalities, such as ultrasound images, CT scans and a plain radiograph. For each case, you will be provided with a brief history and relevant clinical data to help and guide you (as you would have access to in day to day practice).
You will need to type your answer into each report section on the screen:
1. Observations
2. Interpretation
3. Principle Diagnosis
4. Differential Diagnosis
5. Further Management
Radiocafe's tips for successfully pass this module:
- Write something in every section for every case presented
If you are unsure of the answer, by writing a logical answer to it you can get at least 4 marks for that question
- Practice your time management skills
It is difficult to spend an average of 10 minutes in each case, you will be unable to check your answers for every single question, so it is important for you to have good time management
2. Rapid Reporting
You will have 35 minutes to answer 30 plain radiographs. There is one mark per image, so a maximum of 30 minutes.
This part of the exam is based on the fact that the Accident and Emergency Department is a large part of the radiological workload. It will test your ability to rapidly decide if an image is normal or abnormal and the provision of a diagnosis for the abnormality.
Typically, 45-50% of cases will be trauma, but some chest, abdominal, pelvic, spinal and limb radiographs will be tested. You will find that roughly half of cases are normal, and half will be abnormal.
Radiocafe's tips to successfully pass this module:
- Report the films as you would in day-to-day clinical practice
You will be in a strange clinical circumstance where you will be reporting radiographs without clinical details. So, it is important that if you are unsure of the diagnosis – do not call it.
- Develop ‘review areas’ for each body part presented to you
It is important to have a systematic approach when it comes to reviewing the radiographs. So, when it comes to attempting the ‘Rapids’ you should have developed a mental list of review areas for each body part.
3. Oral Examination
This element of the exam will assess your ability to observe and interpret, but also discuss a wide range of aspects of patient care from radiological findings. The exam will mirror the day-to-day clinical discussions and MDT meetings, which will form a large element of your workload.
You will be expected to be able to integrate your clinical information to help refine your differential diagnosis, you will be tested on your ability to communicate effectively, your analytical and decision-making skills.
You will have two 30-minute viva examinations, with a total of one hour.
You will be scored on the images shown by two pairs of examiners. One examiner will ask questions while the other examiner marks your answer, and then the two examiners will swap places. So, you will be assessed by four radiologists in four 15-minute blocks.
What Radiographs will I be tested on?
1. Classic – Easy to diagnose e.g. Easy to diagnose e.g. peri-lunate dislocation
2. Tie it together - Multiple findings on one more modality. Need to put all the findings together to come up with the diagnosis.
3. Observation – The abnormality is subtle and may be difficult to spot. E.g. “Edge of the radiograph, finding e.g. Hydatid cyst in the liver on a chest radiograph”.
4. Gross Abnormality – The abnormality is obvious. The location may be atypical.
Radiocafe's tips for successfully pass this module:
- Speak Clearly
It is vital for you to speak clearly during your as it is both your knowledge and communication skills that are being tested.
2. If you don’t see the anomaly within 5-10 seconds, systematically look through your ‘review areas’
It is important to have a list of in your head for each modality/body part you may get presented in the exam
Useful Revision Resources
Books
- Rapid Review of Radiology (Medical Rapid Review Series)
- Top 3 Differentials in Radiology: A Case Review
- Long Cases for the Final FRCR 2B (Oxford Specialty Training: Revision Texts)
- Aunt Minnie’s Atlas and Imaging-Specific Diagnosis
Online Practice Questions
FRCR 2B Courses
There are plenty of revision courses in the UK that international Radiologists attend. These courses include but are not limited to: Edinburgh, Aintree, Northwick Park Rapids.
It is advised not to attend a course in the hope that you will be taught material for the 2B exam, you should rather treat the opportunity as a “mock exam”.
Support Relocating to the UK and joining the NHS
If you are an international Radiologist, who holds FRCR and needs support securing your first NHS post and relocating to the UK – email your CV to [email protected] and our Radiology Specialist Luke will be in touch.
Are you a member of our Facebook Group IMG Advisor?
Here, you will have access to frequent relocation vlog posts, the opportunity to ask a question and receive professional guidance and the chance to meet other IMGs.
References
Clarke, C. (2019). FRCR 2B courses, books and online resources. [online] Radiology Cafe. Available at: https://www.radiologycafe.com/radiology-trainees/2b-courses [Accessed 7 May 2019].
Clarke, C. (2019). FRCR 2B Rapid reporting.
Clarke, C. (2019). FRCR 2B Long cases.
Clarke, C. (2019). FRCR 2B Viva.
Rcr.ac.uk. (2019). Final FRCR Part B Examination | The Royal College of Radiologists.
