Radiology Residency Program

Examinations

Several examinations are taken during the residency training period.

1. The ACR In-service examinations
These examinations are taken in February during each year of residency and are useful monitors of a resident's performance in each of 12 areas (Pediatrics, Chest, Nuclear Medicine, Musculoskeletal, General competency, GU, US, Breast, GI, Cardiac, Interventional, and Neuroradiology).  These examinations should be used as guides to determine areas in need of additional study.

2. OSCE examinations
The department (under the guidance of Dr. Di Salvo) has developed on line tests in each of the major first year rotations. The test is administered in the third week of a 4 week rotation and is then reviewed with the resident by a staff member.  These tests are used as monitors of successful learning during a rotation and help identify areas for further study.  

3. The Board examinations
To become certified by the American Board of Radiology, a candidate must complete a clinical year and a 4 year ACGME Radiology Residency by September of the year in which the Oral Board examinations are taken. Among the curricular requirements are completion of 4 months of nuclear medicine and 3 months of mammography training. (Please see the ABR web site for additional information.)

Three examinations are currently required:*
  • The written physics examination- usually taken in September of the second year
  • The written clinical examination usually taken in September of the 3rd year
  • The oral examination- taken in June of the 4th year upon expected completion of the residency program
    (as determined by the promotions committee and Residency director) and after successfully completing
    the written examinations.

*Revision of the ABR examinations is under active discussion and likely to change by 2009-2011.

For more information consult the ABR web site
http://theabr.org/ic/ic_dr/ic_dr_dates.html