The Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) is one of the most respected radiology qualifications in the world. It is the specialty exam for UK radiology trainees and is sat by thousands of doctors in Pakistan, India, Egypt, the Gulf and Asia. This guide covers FRCR preparation for every part: FRCR Part 1 physics and anatomy (CR1), FRCR Part 2A (CR2A) and the new-format FRCR Part 2B (CR2B). It sets out the format, marking, 2026–27 dates, fees and a study plan for each.
The FRCR exams at a glance
| Exam | Format | Time | Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Physics (CR1) | 40 questions, each with 5 true/false statements | 2 hours | +1 per correct statement; no negative marking |
| Part 1 – Anatomy (CR1) | 100 images, each with an arrowed structure to name | 90 minutes | +2 fully accurate, +1 less accurate but correct, 0 incorrect |
| Part 2A (CR2A) | 2 papers × 120 single best answer questions | 3 hours per paper | +1 per correct answer; no negative marking; marked as one 240-question exam |
| Part 2B (CR2B) | Short case reporting, long case reporting and an oral | 120 min + 75 min + oral (2 × 30 min) | Each component has its own pass mark |
The two CR1 modules are sat on consecutive days. Pass marks for CR1 and CR2A are set with a modified Angoff method and then a Hofstee compromise after the exam, so there is no fixed percentage to aim for. Candidates normally pass Part 1 before Part 2A, and Part 2A before Part 2B; check the RCR's purpose of assessment statements for current eligibility.
Eligibility, attempts and international venues
- CR1 eligibility: you must hold, or have held, a formal clinical radiology training post. There is no minimum training time. UK trainees need their Training Programme Director's approval for each attempt.
- Booking priority: places for CR1 are allocated in two windows. Priority 1 is for UK, Singapore and Hong Kong specialty trainees and those working in NHS radiology; priority 2 is for everyone else.
- Attempts: no more than six attempts at any FRCR exam or module are allowed automatically; a seventh needs evidence of additional educational experience.
- Venues: UK centres plus international venues. CR1 is offered in Egypt, Hong Kong, India (Hyderabad), Malaysia, Pakistan and Singapore; CR2A in Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan and Singapore; CR2B in Egypt, India and Pakistan.
FRCR dates and fees 2026–27
| Exam | Sitting | Exam dates | Booking closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR1 | March 2027 | Physics 11 Mar, Anatomy 12 Mar 2027 | 8 Jan 2027 |
| CR1 | June 2027 | 10 and 11 Jun 2027 | 9 Apr 2027 |
| CR1 | September 2027 | 9 and 10 Sep 2027 | 9 Jul 2027 |
| CR2A | April 2027 | 20 and 21 Apr 2027 | 19 Feb 2027 |
| CR2A | November 2027 | 2 and 3 Nov 2027 | 3 Sep 2027 |
| CR2B | January 2027 | Reporting 22 Jan; orals week of 25 Jan 2027 | 30 Oct 2026 |
| CR2B | April 2027 | Reporting 9 Apr; orals week of 12 Apr 2027 | 22 Jan 2027 |
| CR2B | June 2027 | Reporting 18 Jun; orals week of 21 Jun 2027 | 2 Apr 2027 |
| CR2B | October 2027 | Reporting 1 Oct; orals week of 4 Oct 2027 | 16 Jul 2027 |
| Fees in Pakistan and Egypt (RCR member / non-member) | Amount |
|---|---|
| CR1, per module (physics or anatomy) | £571 / £760 |
| CR2A, April and November 2027 | £706 / £939 |
| CR2B, 2027 sittings | £1,291 / £1,718 |
Fees are higher in India (Hyderabad), Hong Kong and Singapore, and lower for members at UK venues. Fees and dates are set by the RCR and change each year, so check the official pages before you book.
FRCR Part 1 physics: how to prepare
The physics module tests the principles behind every modality: radiation and matter, X-ray production and imaging, CT, nuclear medicine, MRI, ultrasound, radiation protection and imaging informatics. Because every true/false statement scores a mark and there is no negative marking, answer every statement.
- Core text: Farr's Physics for Medical Imaging is the classic, readable reference. Add the RCR's specimen questions and your department's physics teaching.
- Learn the numbers: half-lives, Larmor frequencies, dose limits, typical effective doses and the speed of sound in tissue come up repeatedly.
- Practise the real format: true/false questions feel very different from SBAs. Aim for at least 1,000 statements a week in the last month.
- Know the regulations: IR(ME)R and IRR roles, dose limits and pregnancy guidance are high-yield.
1,000 FRCR physics questions in the real CR1 format
Our FRCR Part 1 Physics Q Bank has 1,000 true/false questions (5,000 statements), each explained, with 40-question timed mocks that match the 2-hour paper. Try 20 free.
Try free physics questionsFRCR Part 1 anatomy: how to prepare
The anatomy module shows 100 images across radiographs, CT, MRI, ultrasound and fluoroscopy, each with an arrow on one structure. Precision earns the full two marks: "left anterior descending artery" scores more than "coronary artery".
- Use an imaging atlas: Weir & Abrahams' Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy and IMAIOS e-Anatomy are popular.
- Review normal studies daily: scroll through normal CT and MRI on your PACS and name structures out loud.
- Cover every region: neuro, head and neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, MSK and vascular anatomy, plus paediatric and variant anatomy.
- Practise under time: 100 images in 90 minutes is under a minute each, so practise with mock papers and the RCR's Assess demo.
- Spell carefully and be specific: include side and the exact named part.
FRCR Part 2A: how to prepare
CR2A covers the whole curriculum in six areas: cardiothoracic and vascular; musculoskeletal and trauma; gastrointestinal; genitourinary, adrenal, obstetrics & gynaecology and breast; paediatrics; and central nervous system and head & neck. Each paper samples all of them.
- Pick one core text such as Brant & Helms or Grainger & Allison, and use Dähnert's Radiology Review Manual for revision.
- Do SBAs every day: 30–50 a day for three months, reviewing every explanation, including why the wrong options are wrong.
- Sit full timed papers: 120 questions in three hours is 90 seconds each.
- Revise high-yield facts with one-liners and flashcards in the final weeks.
For a week-by-week plan, read our detailed FRCR 2A preparation guide.
SBA practice for FRCR 2A
Radiology Boards has 1,693 explained SBAs across 13 systems, plus the 2,000-MCQ Dahnert and Brant Q Banks, and 401 free FRCR 2A rapid-review cards.
Try free FRCR 2A questionsFRCR Part 2B: how to prepare for the new format
Since June 2025, CR2B has three components, all delivered on the RCR's online assessment platform.
| Component | What happens | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Short case reporting | 25 plain radiographs in 120 minutes, mostly chest and MSK with some paediatric cases. Write a short report and the next step. | Report radiographs every day, including normals, and practise concise reports with a clear management recommendation. |
| Long case reporting | 6 cases (CT, MRI, ultrasound or nuclear medicine) in 75 minutes, typed under five headings: observations, interpretation, principal diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and further investigation or management. | Practise typed reports to time with the five headings, prioritising the key findings first. |
| Oral | 12 cases over two 30-minute sessions with two pairs of examiners, assessing observation, interpretation, management and communication. | Present cases to consultants weekly. Describe, give a diagnosis and differential, and say what you would do next. |
You must meet the passing standard in all three components, or in two of three plus the additional criteria in the RCR scoring rules. Courses help, but daily reporting is what builds speed and confidence.
A study timeline for the whole FRCR
| Stage | Typical timing | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| CR1 physics and anatomy | First year of radiology training | 8–12 weeks per module, alongside daily reporting |
| CR2A | Usually after 2–3 years of training | 3–4 months of daily SBAs and timed papers |
| CR2B | After passing CR2A | 3–6 months of radiograph reporting, long cases and oral practice |
Best FRCR resources
| Need | Good options |
|---|---|
| Physics | Farr's Physics for Medical Imaging; RCR specimen questions; the Radiology Boards physics bank |
| Anatomy | Weir & Abrahams' imaging atlas; IMAIOS e-Anatomy; Radiopaedia anatomy cases |
| 2A knowledge | Brant & Helms; Grainger & Allison; Dähnert; Chapman & Nakielny |
| 2A practice | Crack the Boards SBA bank, Dahnert Q Bank, Brant Q Bank, 401 free FRCR rapid-review cards |
| 2B practice | Departmental reporting, teaching files, Radiopaedia cases, The Radiology Assistant and RCR revision courses |
| Free websites | Radiopaedia, The Radiology Assistant, Radiology Cafe, RadioGyan and the RCR website |
Tips for international candidates
- Book the moment booking opens: places in Pakistan, India and Egypt fill quickly.
- Consider RCR membership: member fees are lower and membership gives access to resources.
- Get your training post documented: CR1 requires a formal clinical radiology training post.
- Form a study group: quizzing each other on anatomy images and 2B cases is very effective.
- Read our guide to starting radiology residency if you are early in training.
Frequently asked questions
What are the parts of the FRCR radiology exam?
There are three: FRCR Part 1 (CR1), with separate physics and anatomy modules; FRCR Part 2A (CR2A), two papers of single best answer questions; and FRCR Part 2B (CR2B), which has short case reporting, long case reporting and an oral.
What is the format of the FRCR Part 1 physics exam?
40 questions, each with a stem and five true/false statements, in two hours. Each correct statement scores one mark and there is no negative marking, so you should answer every statement.
How is the FRCR Part 1 anatomy exam marked?
There are 100 images with arrows pointing to a structure, answered in 90 minutes. A fully accurate answer scores 2 marks, a less precise but still correct answer scores 1, and an incorrect answer scores 0, so precise anatomical terms matter.
How many questions are in FRCR 2A?
Two papers of 120 single best answer questions, three hours each, so 240 questions in total. They are marked as one exam, with one mark per correct answer and no negative marking.
What changed in FRCR 2B in 2025?
From June 2025 the CR2B has three components: short case reporting (25 plain radiographs in 120 minutes), long case reporting (6 cross-sectional cases in 75 minutes) and an oral with 12 cases over two 30-minute sessions. Candidates must meet the standard in all three, or in two of three plus additional criteria.
Can I sit the FRCR in Pakistan?
Yes. The RCR lists Pakistan as an international venue for CR1, CR2A and CR2B, alongside centres such as Egypt and India (Hyderabad). International places are in high demand, so book as soon as booking opens.
How many attempts are allowed at the FRCR?
Candidates are not automatically allowed more than six attempts at any FRCR exam or module. A seventh attempt needs evidence of additional educational experience. All previous attempts count.
How long should I prepare for each part of the FRCR?
Most candidates need about 8–12 weeks for each CR1 module, 3–4 months for CR2A and 3–6 months of regular reporting practice for CR2B, alongside work. Start question practice early and use timed mocks in the final weeks.
Exam details from the Royal College of Radiologists: CR1, CR2A and CR2B pages, checked October 2026. Radiology Boards is not affiliated with the RCR.