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The FRCR Part 2A exam is the second step you need to clear in order to achieve the highly prestigious FRCR qualification. The exam is not about memorising facts and theory; rather, it tests how well you can understand and apply your knowledge in real life radiology practice.

You will get case-based questions where radiology findings are described, along with clinical scenarios. Here we will give you a clear idea about the final FRCR (Part A) exam and how clinical knowledge helps you clear the exam confidently.

FRCR Part 2A: Exam format

The exam tests your knowledge across a wide range of curriculum. The syllabus covers areas such as

• Cardiothoracic and vascular
• Musculoskeletal and trauma
• Gastrointestinal
• Genito-urinary, adrenal, obstetrics & gynaecology and breast
• Paediatric
• Central nervous and head & neck

The exam is computer-based, and there will be two papers. Each paper comprises 120 Single Best Answer (SBA) questions. Each question consists of three components, like a question or clinical vignette, a question, and five options. You need to select the best possible answer. You will be given three hours to complete each paper.

How does clinical knowledge help?

Interpreting clinical scenarios: As the questions are case-based, it requires skills in correlating imaging findings with clinical history. For example, a middle-aged man with sudden chest pain and widened mediastinum on X-ray? Clinical knowledge tells you to think about aortic dissection.

Choosing the best answer: Many questions will have options that seem closely related. If you have strong clinical understanding, it helps you filter out less likely options and pick what suits the situation best.

Faster decision-making: When you know how conditions usually present and progress, it will be easier to approach each question with clarity and confidence.

Think like a doctor, not as a radiologist: The exam also checks how well you understand what comes next. Should the patient need further imaging, a biopsy, or surgery? All these kinds of questions require you to think clinically.

That’s all about FRCR Part 2A. We hope this information was helpful for you. If you are an FRCR Part 2A aspirant planning to appear for the upcoming exam, you can consider joining our expert-led short and long-term courses that hold an impressive pass rate of 93%. You can also explore our high-quality study materials, curated by our mentors, through StudyMEDIC LMS 3.0 completely free before making your decision.

For more details about our FRCR courses, connect with our team today.

Authored By: Sarath