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The FRCR Part 1 September 2025 exam results have been released by the Royal College of Radiologists recently. Candidates can now check their results through the RCR exam hub. It will show you the pass mark, your individual score, and pass/fail status. If you are a medical professional targeting the upcoming FRCR Part 1 exam in 2026 or were disappointed with the recent exam results, you might be curious about how the FRCR Part 1 pass mark is determined.

Having a clear understanding of this process will help you prepare for the upcoming exam more strategically. Here we will give you a thorough idea about this pass mark setting process.

FRCR Part 1: Standard setting and marking

The FRCR Part 1 pass mark is carefully calculated by a team of examiners, who are all consultant radiologists in the UK, to ensure fairness and accuracy. It involves two main steps, such as setting the pass mark and marking the exam.

Setting the pass mark

A modified Angoff method is used to set the initial pass mark. In this method, the examiners will review each question and estimate the likelihood that a minimally competent candidate would answer it correctly. Each question is scored based on the percentage of candidates expected to get it right.

These scores are then collated and discussed in a standard setting meeting. The examiners will again score the questions after discussion, and the mean of these new scores is used to set the initial standard.

The final pass mark is determined after the exam using the Hofstee compromise method, which considers both candidate performance and examiner judgements. Because of this, the pass mark and pass rate may vary from sitting to sitting.

Marking process

The FRCR Part 1 exam uses automated marking. It is programmed with acceptable answers, which are provided by a panel of UK consultant radiologists. After the exam, the responses of the candidates are matched against these programmed answers. The marks will be awarded in accordance with this. Then the examiners will review all responses to ensure that each answer is fairly scored. Thus, it will guarantee accuracy and consistency across the exam.

Scoring scheme

Marks are awarded based on the accuracy of anatomical description. It is considered a core skill for clinical radiologists. Each question is graded on a scale of 0, 1, or 2.

Fully accurate answer: 2 marks

Partially correct or less precise answer: 1 mark

Incorrect answer: 0 marks

Vague or imprecise answers will also be awarded 0 marks. For example, writing ‘liver’ instead of ‘segment VIII of the liver’. No marks will be awarded for such answers.

That’s all about the FRCR Part 1 pass mark setting. It will help you meet examiners’ expectations and plan your preparation for the upcoming exams. If you are an FRCR Part 1 aspirant targeting the upcoming exam in 2026, you can consider joining StudyFRCR’s courses that hold an outstanding pass rate of 96%. Our courses are led by FRCR-qualified, experienced mentors who hold years of experience in guiding candidates through the FRCR exams.

You can even explore our premium study materials for free through the StudyMEDIC LMS 3.0 before enrolling in the course. You are welcome to know more about our courses.

Connect with our team today to know more information.

Authored By: Sarath