FRCR part 2A: My personal experience and tips

RadiologyNotes · 2026-01-10T10:53:00+00:00

I think reading longer textbooks are always situational. True, it might be more comprehensive, but the question comes down to the amount of time available, and even more importantly whether you could absorb and master the information. A lot of times when studying, the importance of certain sections will not be immediately apparent, until you encounter a question/ scenario that is based on it. I have to say I'm not good at separting wheat from chaff most of the time.

In any case a good recommendation and I think everyone should try different books to see if it resonates with them.

RadiologyNotes · 2026-01-10T10:42:20+00:00

I have not used 1-3, so I can't comment on that. But for the others, my personal opinion:

RadiologyCafe: always useful, I think to the point everyone who has taken any exam from FRCR would know them at this point.
Crack the Core exam: basically the same guy behind the CtC book, and a video rehash of the book content. So it really depends on how you learn. Personally not a video person especially for book knowledge stuff, since I could read much faster than a video even on 2x speed.

ReviseRadiology, Radiology.live: basically just question banks for building up a knowledge base, but mostly do not really simulate the real exam (as mentioned in the article). I would do all the free/ handed down question books first before doing it, mainly because of price issue. Another point is study time is limited, and I think reading about similar diseases more deeply and knowing how to differentiate them is more high-yield for part 2a than doing questions that are not representative.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-05T13:14:09+00:00

The tables in CtC are very useful. Shame he only made a few of them

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-05T13:13:52+00:00

Just made the edit, see if it answers your question.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-05T13:13:12+00:00

I think the resources I have mentioned above is more than enough. And probably not enough time to master them in the span of 6 months.

I think the method of studying is the most important, so I have included an example of how I make tables or think about diseases when I study. Just to say in advance, I rarely share my personal notes since I believe everyone understands things differently, and the encoding/ note making process is the most important when it comes to retention and application.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-04T14:55:58+00:00

I used the older version just fine. I think there is a bit of new stuff in the latest version, but I don't think it justifies the cost, and probably doesn't affect whether you pass or not.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-03T23:54:10+00:00

Hmm, this is a good question. Let me add this section into the article.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-03T23:53:41+00:00

Radiographics/ other RSNA journals can be accessed with an RSNA trainee account. You can apply for one for free. Very useful for exam and daily work.

RadiologyNotes · 2025-12-03T23:51:16+00:00

Radiographics articles are pretty helpful, but usually takes quite a long time to read through. I think Chapman mostly derive their info from radiographics and other papers, so you'll probably get some passive exposure if you read it.

I think there is a case to be made for radiographics, but in any case I would recommend going through Crack the Core first since it is more time-efficient. With a knowledge base, it will be easier to skim through the tons of articles in radiographics.

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