COVID-19 is a serious disease that has rapidly spread worldwide resulting in the declaration of a global pandemic in March 2020. Radiology trainees have been heavily impacted, particularly in their learning, as they have been disconnected from practice in radiology departments. The pandemic has disrupted resident education, both due to departmental social distancing efforts and reduced imaging volumes.
Furthermore, the 2020 Core exam has been postponed by the American Board of Radiology. At the very least, this move changes the clinical schedule of trainees, including call shifts, not just for residents beginning their fourth year, but for the entire residency. For fellows and incoming radiology residents in the 2020-2021 academic year, delayed graduation and credentialing will also affect the start time.
It is obvious that given this unprecedented situation and the resulting stress, it is necessary to train even more effectively than usual.
In addition, the exam format is changing: it is becoming a remote exam.
Core Exam deployment varies but the content remains consistent
Given the context and to ensure the health of the candidates, ABR has opted to move to remote computer-based and oral exams in 2021. One thing will remain the same despite the changes: the exams will continue to be produced by experts in radiology and medical physicists who will maintain consistency of content.
For ABR examinations, hundreds of volunteers help produce materials. They all give their time to ensure that the candidates who take them are sit exams, which are fair and relevant to them.
Diagnostic Radiology (DR)
For DR, the Core Exam will be conducted remotely in February 2021 for the candidates who would have taken the 2020 exams and in June 2021 for the rising R3 candidates as originally planned. A remote platform will also be used for the DR Certifying Exam, which will be administered twice in 2021.
Exams will be held over 3 days
The decision to switch from a two-day exam to a three-day exam was made to account for factors outside the control of the ABR, which according to the organization, could result in examination interruptions, such as internet access or power issues.
Details are still being worked out about the examination structure, and the ABR said it would share the details as soon as these are available.
The detailed schedule is as follows:
- The DR Core Exam will take place remotely in February 2021 for candidates who would have taken the 2020 exams and in June 2021 for the rising R3 candidates, as under the ABR's original plan.
- A virtual platform will be used for the DR Certifying Exam, which will be given twice in 2021.
- The IR/DR Core Exam will be conducted remotely in February 2021 for candidates who were originally scheduled to take the 2020 exams, and in June 2021 for the rising R3 candidates as originally planned.
- A virtual platform will be used for both the oral and written parts of the IR/DR Certifying Exam.
2021
| Exam | Dates | Type | Registration opens |
| Diagnostic Radiology Core Exam | February 1-3 February 8-10 | Remote | November 16, 2020 |
| DR Core Exam | June 2-4 June 7-9 | Remote | March |
| DR Core Exam | November 1-3 November 8-10 | Remote | August |
Two administrations, each three successive days
How to study effectively?
There is no doubt that this year will be special, both in terms of the format of the examination and the prep itself. The decreased exposure to real-life pathology at the workstation is indeed increasing educational barriers and there probably is a greater need for resources to take advantage of. With the current examination postponement due to the pandemic and the virtual administration of the examination, these are tough times and it is challenging for the candidates.
We are doing our part to support candidates by extending the 2020 QEVLAR subscriptions until the 2021 examination date. We have also updated the iOS and Android QEVLAR mobile apps to improve user experience and help residents study on the go.
Here is a tip when you use QEVLAR: when answering MCQs, take the time to read the question and explanations. Fully understand why you got an answer right or wrong. This way, you are reinforcing and consolidating knowledge, stimulated by the MCQs. Most of the time, residents strongly believe that it is necessary to complete more than 2000 MCQs before entering the Core Exam. There is no doubt that it is necessary to practice again and again. However, if it is done at the expense of understanding, it is of much less benefit. This is definitely the way to use our Qbank.
Good luck to all of you!
