A knowledge of the current applications and complementary role of the various imaging techniques in the diagnosis of specific disease entities is required. Candidates are expected to be able to systematically examine and interpret images, give an appropriate differential diagnosis, correlate with clinical findings and give advice at a consultant level. A comprehensive recommended reading list is provided by the Education Board and these, and other reference books, must be available in all departments accredited for training by the RANZCR.

For further information regarding the Radiology examination, please click on the required link below.

Examination Format
Radiology Resource List

Examination Format

The examination in Radiology consists of one 2 hour MCQ paper, a 2 hour practical film reporting session and six oral examinations, each of 25 minutes duration. At all phases of the examination the candidate is tested in the clinical application of imaging modalities currently available, whether this involves specific use of a single modality or integrated use of two or more modalities. Candidates are required to pass each of the examination components including each of the six orals.

Written Paper
Candidates are required to answer 100, five part non-penalty multiple choice questions in 2 hours. One examiner, nominated by the Chief Censor in Radiology, is responsible for updating the bank of multiple choice questions on a regular basis with questions being submitted from the training centres throughout Australia and New Zealand. The Part II MCQ paper is no longer punitively (or negatively) marked. That is, incorrect answers attract a score of 0 rather than -1.

Practical Examination
The practical examination comprises a film reporting session. Eight stations are prepared by the Chief Censor in Radiology from cases submitted by examiners from all centres. Eight stations will consist of either: one long case consisting of more than one imaging modality, or two or three intermediate length cases, also with the possibility of more than one modality.

At each station, candidates are provided with a clinical history and relevant plain films, MRI, CT, US and nuclear medicine images and appropriate view boxes. At each station, candidates are required to write a written report within fourteen minutes. A brief differential diagnosis and plan for further imaging or management may be appropriate. At the end of the examination, the candidates' written reports are distributed to examiners throughout Australia and New Zealand with the same examiners marking the same stations for all candidates. Each station is of equal weighting.

Prospective candidates for the Part II FRANZCR Exams are advised that film reporting cases from previous exams are now available from your Branch Education Officer or for NSW candidates at the College Office. Candidates are urged to take the opportunity to practise their film reporting technique in preparation for their exams.

Oral Examination
There are six oral examinations. Each oral examination is conducted by two examiners.

Each oral has a "theme" as listed below but there may be some overlap, e.g. brain metastases on CT (neuroradiology) and carcinoma of the lung on chest x-ray (thoracic). The six themes are as follows:

1. Abdominal Radiology (includes gastrointestinal system, hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems, genito-urinary system);
   
2. Thoracic and Cardiovascular Radiology (includes respiratory, cardiac and vascular radiology);
   
3. Neuroradiology, Head and Neck Radiology (includes spinal canal and contents);
   
4. Breast Imaging and Obstetrics and Gynaecology;
   
5. Paediatric Radiology;
   
6. Musculoskeletal Radiology

Each oral examination lasts for 25 minutes. Modalities such as Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine and Interventional Radiology will be discussed when relevant to a particular "theme" or "system" case. Candidates will be aware of the "theme" of a particular oral examination beforehand.

At the end of the oral examinations in Pathology and Radiology, a meeting of the Court of Examiners is convened and is attended by both Pathology and Radiology Examiners.

Candidates in Radiology are required to pass each component of the examination, ie film reporting, MCQ and each viva.

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