The FRCR anatomy exam is relatively less demanding than FRCR physics exam. However, you must not get complacent with the FRCR anatomy preparation. Passing this exam is easier for a post MD candidate as compared to 1st year resident. Every radiology resident begins learning imaging anatomy from the first day of residency itself. But the key to passing FRCR anatomy is to take this exam as seriously as the physics module.

1. FRCR anatomy mock: Practice as many anatomy mock tests as you can. This is the single most effective way of learning radiological anatomy. The list of best anatomy mock books can be found here . Apart from these practice books, we highly recommend our 30 subscription-based anatomy mock exams. These mock exams simulate the actual software used by RCR.

2. Imaging Atlas of human anatomy: The Best imaging Atlas we recommend is the Weir & Abrahams' Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy by Jamie Weir, Peter Abrahams. This book for retrospective learning of labelled anatomy images. If you suspect any inaccuracy in the answers given in the mock test books then this Atlas should be used to clarify.

3. Online resources: Make use of the online resources mentioned on our FRCR books page. Some of the online imaging Atlases , especially the MRI ones, are extremely useful. These provide scrollable labelled images and are very handy. Join the FRCR Part 1 Telegram group for daily discussion & revision.

4. FRCR anatomy tips: Do not forget to go through the best tips on FRCR anatomy exam listed here. This page provides detailed advice on how to formulate a precise answer and to pass in a single attempt.

The Final FRCR Part A (FRCR 2A) consists of 2 MCQ based exams in general radiology - each of three-hour duration and consisting of 120 questions. The 2 papers are held on the same exam day with a break in between. The entire examination consisting of 240 questions has randomly distributed questions from each of the 6 systems, as shown in the image below (40 questions from each system)

1. Invest in a good textbook: We have compiled a list of the recommended textbooks for the FRCR 2A examination here. Choose the book suits your study pattern and stick to it. Avoid reading multiple textbooks.

2. FRCR 2A mock books: Go through the list of recommended mock books and solve at least the first three mentioned. Avoid the ones which are not representative of the actual exam.

3. Radiographics journal articles: Radiographics has the most up-to-date collection of radiology articles for residents and practicing radiologists. Each of these articles is highly informative and provides comprehensive knowledge of the FRCR 2A examination.

4. Practice practice repeat: The importance of practising a large number of questions cannot be undermined. Examine and understand all the options given in the questions.

5. Revision: A good number of revisions is highly important for adequate preparation. Some systems like musculoskeletal and cardiovascular can be highly volatile and required regular reading.

6. During the exam:

• Have a good night sleep. Avoid last-minute cramming.
• As this is a 6 hour long exam, have a good breakfast and be well hydrated. We recommend that you carry some food and water that you can have during the break.
• Attempt all questions as there is no negative marking. This significantly improves your chances of passing.
• Mark your answers clearly. As this is an OMR based examination, you shall be marking your answers with a HB pencil on an OMR sheet. If you want to change your answer, always erase the incorrect response completely before marking your answer again.
• Monitor your time. Attempt the easy questions first and keep the difficult ones for reviewing later.
• There might be some questions that you don’t know. We recommend you to carefully examine the question and try smart guessing.

We recommend at least 3 to 4 months of preparation for FRCR 2B. If you are a full-time practicing radiologist then at least 6 months of preparation is advocated. We have divided the preparation strategy for FRCR 2B into three segments - Rapid reporting, long cases and viva.

RAPID REPORTING: Passing the rapid reporting component requires regular practice. You have to report 30 radiographs in 35 minutes. A good score in this component shall compensate for poor performance in Long cases/Viva and also boost your confidence for the rest of the exam.Rapid reporting is the most important part of the FRCR 2B exam as passing marks is 27/30! Hence ,you should have a systematic approach. Having a predetermined checklist for reviewing various radiographs is a must. We have prepared such a checklist which you can use while preparing for the rapid reporting component of the FRCR 2B exam. Download our free FRCR 2B Rapid Reporting checklist.

1. Rapid reporting books: Get Through FRCR Part 2B: Rapid Reporting of Plain Radiographs (Sharma, Balan) and Paediatric Radiology, Rapid Reporting for FRCR Part 2B (Michael Paddock et al are highly recommended.

2. Accident & Emergency Radiology by Nigel Raby: It is an absolute essential before even attempting to try rapid reporting. We recommend including this book in the initial phase of your preparation.

3. Online practice sets: There are numerous RR sets available on the following websites: Revise Radiology, FRCR scholar, FRCR longs, FRCR tutorials, Medmantra. We recommend subscribing to at least one of these.

4. Radiopedia Rapids: Radiopedia has 7 free rapid reporting sets for the FRCR 2B exam.

5. Practice makes perfect: Do at least 2 rapid reporting sets per day 3 months before the exam. Aim for 3-4 rapid reporting sets per day during the last month. Practice as many rapid reporting sets as you can. Join the FRCR 2B essentials telegram group for daily revision.

6. During the exam:

• Attempt all the questions as there is no negative marking.
• Any abnormality in the radiographs must be definite. If there is any doubt, the radiograph may be normal. Don’t overcall!
• Only give the most appropriate diagnosis. There is no differential diagnosis and rapid reporting.
• The radiograph will have only one pathology. Hence, write the most evident finding.
• Be fast as time is very limited during the session. Flag your doubts and recheck them at the end.
• Anatomical Variants like cervical ribs, accessory ossicles, tarsal coalition are to be reported as NORMAL in rapid reporting.
• Always mention the side (RIGHT or LEFT) in your answers.
• Avoid abbreviations. For example, do not write PV instead of portal vein.

This component comprises of 6 long cases to be completed in 75 minutes duration. Brief history along with a combination of a few imaging modalities (radiograph, CT, ultrasound, MRI) shall be provided. You have to type your answer in the following subsections that will be provided on screen:

Observations:

Type all your relevant observations from the case in a brief manner. Avoid long sentences. Include the important negative findings.

Interpretation:

Summarize your findings and provide an appropriate interpretation, with relevant reasons- for example whether the lesion is benign or malignant.

Main or Principle diagnosis:

Give the most appropriate diagnosis according to you.

Differential diagnosis:

Provide the differential diagnosis if there are any with supporting points for or against the differentials.

Further management:

Suggest any further investigation or the appropriate management plan for the case.

This component consists of two viva stations-each of 30 minutes duration (total 60 minutes). Each station shall have 2 examiners -each of them shall question and examine you for 15 minutes. You shall be marked separately for each case. Hence there is no need to panic if you have underperformed in one case.

1. Books: We have compiled a list of the relevant books to be used for FRCR 2B long case preparation. We specifically recommend you to start with Final FRCR Viva: 100 Cases and Revision Notes (White et al) as this book is extremely useful to get an idea of how to structure your viva presentation. Then proceed to other books like Final FRCR 2B Viva: A Survival Guide (Tan, Curtis, Jessie) and Duke Radiology Case Review: Imaging, Differential Diagnosis, and Discussion (James M. Provenzale et al).
2. Differentials: Read the Chapman & Nakielny's Aids to Radiological Differential Diagnosis (Stephen Davies) for differential diagnosis.
3. Study partner: practice viva with the study partner. Build confidence by presenting cases to your study partner or in front of a mirror.
4. Attend courses: There are many national and international FRCR 2B courses being held regularly. We recommend attending at least two such courses.
5. During the exam:
   • Speak loud and confidently. Be polite.
   • Think before you answer. An unnecessary statement might lead you into difficult set of questions.
   • Listen to the examiner, especially the case history.
   • Avoid long pauses.
   • Approach the viva just like your approach everyday cases in your daily reporting.
   • Be Systematic while you describe the findings. Describe the findings on each modality without rushing as each modality carries separate and equal marks.
   • Aunt Minnie: If the case is rather straightforward and has no differential diagnosis (i.e. an Aunt Minnie), then grab the opportunity of getting full marks.
   • Presentation- Develop a case presentation technique similar to that provided in books like Final FRCR Viva: 100 Cases and Revision Notes (White et al).
   • Examine all the review areas. There might be more than one finding in the image provided.
   • Do not touch the screen or unnecessarily scroll up/down.
   • Summarize your findings and give the most appropriate diagnosis. List the differential diagnoses providing supporting reasons.

** You should get familiar with the FRCR 2B scoring system. The scoring system PDF can be found here.

** Watch the FRCR image-based examinations instructional video by the Royal College of Radiologists.