Also known as the Final FRCR (Part B) exam
The final FRCR 2B exams are held twice a year, in April and October. Exact exam dates can be found on the RCR website. Candidates are permitted to enter the 2B examination once they have passed the Final FRCR Part A (also known as the 2A exam) and have been in formal clinical radiology training for at least 34 months.
The FRCR 2B exam consists of three components: rapid reporting (also known as ‘rapids’), reporting (also known as ‘long cases’) and a viva. Here’s some help for each component:
Just remember, although these exams will likely be a stressful experience, revising for them is often said to be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding parts of radiology training!
You’ll see a huge variety of cases in a short period of time. Your consultant colleagues will have piles of cases to show you so you need to quickly get used to sitting in the ‘hot seat’. Practise is key here. It should be second nature to present whatever is thrown up in front of you by the time you get to the exam. See as much as you can from as many different consultants as you can. Quite a few of the cases I was shown actually turned up in the exam so don’t underestimate the importance of seeing a large variety of cases.
Lastly, don’t doubt yourself. You can’t know everything, but you got this far and after all the written exams in the past, this one will feel much more natural. You’ll be doing what you do every day. Good luck!
FRCR 2B scoring system
The 2B marking scheme is complex so here’s an overview to give you a good understanding for the FRCR 2B exam
The FRCR 2B exam consists of three components:
Each of the exam components are marked out of 8. Scores from the two viva components, long cases and rapids are combined to give a total score out of 32. The overall pass mark is 24 and candidates must obtain a mark of 6 or above in a minimum of two components to pass.
Key points:
- There is no concept of passing one part (e.g. viva) only
- There is no ranking of candidates (other than for awarding the Rohan Williams medal)
- A mark of 23½ represents a borderline fail. Any candidate achieving this result automatically has their scores from all components reviewed. The purpose is not to alter the marks, but revisit the reasons for the marks that have been awarded in order to ensure than failure by half a mark is appropriate.
The mark schemes are slightly different for each component of the exam and are described in more detail below along with top tips and links to useful resources. More information from the Royal College of Radiologists.
What is the scoring system for the rapid reporting?
The rapid reporting component consists of reporting 30 images in 35 minutes. Roughly half of cases are normal and half are abnormal, however the ratio of normal to abnormal varies between sittings.
Marks are allocated as follows depending on the type of image:
| Image type | Candidate response | Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Normal image | Correctly classified | +2 |
| Incorrectly classified (appropriate false positive) | +1 | |
| No answer given | 0 | |
| Abnormal image | Correctly classified and correctly identified | +2 |
| Correctly classified but incorrectly identified | 0 | |
| Incorrectly classified (false negative) | 0 | |
| No answer given | 0 |
(Source: Final Examination for the Fellowship in Clinical Radiology (Part B) Scoring System. Published by: The Royal College of Radiologists)
Following the marking each candidate will have a score between 0-60. An overall rapid reporting mark (out of 8) is then awarded using the table below:
| Total marks | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 0-48 | 4 |
| 49 | 4½ |
| 50-51 | 5 |
| 52-53 | 5½ |
| 54 | 6 |
| 55-56 | 6½ |
| 57-58 | 7 |
| 59 | 7½ |
| 60 | 8 |
(Source: Final Examination for the Fellowship in Clinical Radiology (Part B) Scoring System. Published by: The Royal College of Radiologists)
More information on the rapid reporting component of the FRCR 2B exam.
What is the scoring system for the long cases?
The long cases component consists of reporting 6 cases in 60 minutes.
Individual cases are marked out of 8 as shown below:
| Candidate response | Mark |
|---|---|
| No answer offered | 3 |
| Fail: significant observations missed; correct diagnosis not made | 4 |
| Borderline: appropriate if there are two main diagnoses in the case but only one is mentioned; some observations missed | 5 |
| Pass: most observations made correctly; principal diagnoses correct | 6 |
| Good Pass: additional relevant material included in a “pass” grade answer | 7 |
| Excellent: a perfect answer, clear and confident | 8 |
(half marks may be awarded)
(Source: Final Examination for the Fellowship in Clinical Radiology (Part B) Scoring System. Published by: The Royal College of Radiologists)
Following the marking each candidate will have a score between 18-48 (minimum mark for each case is 3). An overall reporting mark (out of 8) is then awarded using the table below:
| Total marks | Overall mark |
|---|---|
| 18-25 | 4 |
| 25½-28 | 4½ |
| 28½-31 | 5 |
| 31½-34 | 5½ |
| 34½-37 | 6 |
| 37½-40 | 6½ |
| 40½-43 | 7 |
| 43½-46 | 7½ |
| 46½-48 | 8 |
(Source: Final Examination for the Fellowship in Clinical Radiology (Part B) Scoring System. Published by: The Royal College of Radiologists)
More information on the long cases component of the FRCR 2B exam.
What is the scoring system for the viva?
The viva component consists of 2 x 30 minute viva sessions. Candidates are scored on images shown by two pairs of examiners. Each pair of examiners will examine for 30 minutes. Within each pair examiner A will ask questions while examiner B marks, then after 15 minutes the examiners swap places and examiner B asks questions while examiner A marks. Candidates can obtain a maximum of 8 marks from each pair, giving a maximum total of 16 marks for the viva component.
Marks are allocated from each pair of examiners as follows:
| Performance Description | Comments | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Very poor answer | Key findings missed even with help Wrong or dangerous diagnosis | 4 |
| Poor answer | Slow to spot abnormality Poor differential diagnosis Needed help to get correct answer | 5 |
| Principal findings seen | Some abnormalities seen with help Principal diagnosis correct Limited differential | 6 |
| Good answer | Key findings spotted quickly Correct deductions made and correct diagnosis Good differential offered | 7 |
| Excellent answer – all findings seen | Correct diagnosis and deductions No errors Succinct/accurate report Excellent differential | 8 |
(Source: Final Examination for the Fellowship in Clinical Radiology (Part B) Scoring System. Published by: The Royal College of Radiologists)
If you have anything you would like to add to this page or know of any useful tips/resources for future exam candidates, then please contact us and we will consider adding to this page!
