FRCR Part 2 Guide
Final FRCR guide: 2A and 2B format, marking and preparation
On this page
In short: The Final FRCR has two parts. Part A (CR2A) is two three hour papers of 120 single best answer questions, sat twice a year. Part B (CR2B) has three components in one sitting: short case reporting, long case reporting and an oral, all delivered on the risr/Assess platform at exam venues. This guide covers format, marking and how to prepare for each.
Part A (CR2A): the facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Two papers, 120 SBA questions each, five options |
| Duration | 3 hours per paper, same sitting |
| Marking | One mark per correct answer, no negative marking, modified Angoff pass mark |
| Curriculum areas | Cardiothoracic and vascular; MSK and trauma; GI; GU, adrenal, O&G and breast; paediatric; CNS and head and neck |
| Sittings | Twice a year, normally April and November. Next: 3 and 4 November 2026 and 20 and 21 April 2027 |
| Eligibility | Passed First FRCR and at least 22 months in a relevant training post |
Detail: FRCR 2A format, curriculum and SBA technique
Part B (CR2B): the facts
CR2B has three components sat in one sitting. All are computer based on risr/Assess.
| Component | What it is |
|---|---|
| Short case reporting | 25 plain radiograph cases in 120 minutes, each with a brief history. Typed short report plus next management step. Chest 50 to 60%, musculoskeletal 40 to 50%, abdominal up to 4% (one case). Adult about 75%, paediatric about 25%. Each case scored out of 5. |
| Long case reporting | 6 cases in 75 minutes, after a 30 minute break. Multi modality (CT, ultrasound, radionuclide, MRI). Typed structured report: observations, interpretation, principal diagnosis, differentials, further investigation or management. Each case scored out of 5. |
| Oral | Up to 60 minutes: two 30 minute sessions with different examiner pairs, six cases per session, 12 in total. Four domains per case plus a communication domain per session. |
All three components are independently double marked with their own pass marks. A CR2B pass requires the standard in all three, or in two of three with the additional criteria set out in the RCR scoring system. The format above applies from the June 2025 changes onward.
2B eligibility and timing
- Passed 2A and at least 32 months in a relevant training post by the month of the exam
- All three components in one sitting: the reporting day first, the oral in the following week
- After a fail, you can re sit at the second sitting after the failed attempt, or after six months, whichever is shorter
- A 2A pass allows entries to 2B for seven calendar years
Upcoming 2B sittings
| Reporting day | Oral | Member and resident doctor booking opens | Booking closes | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 January 2027 | Week of 25 January 2027 | 8 September 2026 | 30 October 2026 | 25 February 2027 |
| 9 April 2027 | Week of 12 April 2027 | 27 October 2026 | 22 January 2027 | 13 May 2027 |
| 18 June 2027 | Week of 21 June 2027 | See the RCR dates page | ||
2B runs four times in 2027: January, April, June and October. UK fees for 2027 sittings: £1,186 to £1,223 for RCR members, £1,627 for non members. Source: RCR CR2B dates, fees and venues, checked 23 September 2026.
CR2B overview and dates · Guidance notes · Recent changes
Exam facts on this page were checked against the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) candidate guidance, exam dates pages and clinical radiology exam regulations on 23 September 2026. The RCR sets and runs the FRCR examinations. Confirm dates, fees and format on rcr.ac.uk before you book.
Preparing for 2A
- Read by subspecialty with a major text or a revision series
- Answer SBAs in volume and read the explanations for every distractor
- Learn classification and staging systems
- Sit full 120 question timed papers
Preparing for 2B
- Short cases daily, timed. Speed and a concise, committed answer. Say normal when it is normal.
- Long cases weekly, typed under time. Use the same structure every time and practise stopping when the report is complete.
- Mock orals with consultants, out loud, from the first month of preparation. Fluency is learnt by speaking.
- Read the generic examiners' reports from previous sittings. They list the failures that repeat.
Common pitfalls
- Never practising under time for 2B reporting components
- Unstructured long case reports that bury the principal diagnosis
- Practising the oral silently
Common questions
What is the difference between FRCR 2A and 2B?
2A is a written single best answer exam of two 120 question papers. 2B is a practical exam with short case reporting, long case reporting and an oral, all in one sitting.
How many questions are in FRCR 2A?
240 across two papers of 120, three hours per paper.
What are the components of FRCR 2B?
Short case reporting (25 plain film cases, 120 minutes), long case reporting (6 cases, 75 minutes) and an oral (two 30 minute sessions, 12 cases), all on the risr/Assess platform.
What is the pass rate for FRCR 2B?
It varies widely by sitting. RCR published data for 2025 range from 38.7% (October, all candidates) to 65.0% (March). UK first attempt rates in 2025 ranged from 53.2% to 80.6%.
When can I sit FRCR 2B?
After passing 2A, with at least 32 months in a relevant training post by the month of the exam. 2B runs four times in 2027: January, April, June and October.
How much does FRCR 2B cost?
For 2027 UK sittings, £1,186 to £1,223 for RCR members and £1,627 for non members.
Is there negative marking in FRCR 2A?
No.
Practise for both parts
The Radiology Academy runs a 5,200+ question 2A bank with 120 question timed mocks, and Viva Cases for CR2B oral practice on real anonymised imaging.