ABR Diagnostic Radiology Core Exam — Exam Survival Guide

Window: Taken ~36 months into DR residency; two-day, computer-based exam covering all of diagnostic radiology plus physics.

Format snapshot

2 days, two long sittings (~7.5 h and ~6 h).

600 questions across organ systems and modalities; includes a substantial physics component (≥110 physics questions in some blueprints).

Must-do topics

Think in systems × modalities × physics:

Organ systems: neuro, MSK, chest, GI, GU, breast, cardiac, peds, women’s imaging, IR, nuclear, etc.

Modalities: radiography, CT, MR, US, mammo, nuc med/PET, IR, imaging safety.

Physics & safety: image formation basics, dose metrics, artifacts, contrast, QC, radiation biology/protection.

Top traps (avoid)

Trying to “out-clever” the exam; there are lots of straightforward points you must not miss.

Over-reading rare zebras and under-preparing normal variants and common mimics.

Treating physics as an afterthought; it’s big enough to sink you on its own.

Time split (prep)

Across your core study block:

~50% systems + modalities cases (bread-and-butter + classic “must-not-miss”).

~25% physics / dose / quality / artifacts.

~25% mixed question banks that approximate real exam density and style.

Last-48h checklist

Run a short mixed mock each day (60–80 Q) and stop.

Flip through a “core images” deck for variants, pitfalls, artefacts, nuc med oddities.

Review your own one-pager per major system: must-not-miss diagnoses, typical appearances, key differentials.

Speed tactics

Read the question line first (“most appropriate next step”, “best diagnosis”, “most important finding”), then scan the case.

On image-heavy items:

1st pass: Is this normal / variant / obvious emergency?

2nd pass: If abnormal, what organ, what compartment, what classic pattern?

Don’t fight every borderline differential—pick the one that best matches age, history, and pattern.

Day-of mini-plan

Treat each day as its own marathon; forget Day 1 when you wake up for Day 2.

Grab “easy points and run” – don’t burn 5 minutes trying to turn a 50–50 call into a 60–40.