The RadReview Examination and Study Guide is designed to help make final preparations for the physics section of the Diagnostic Radiology board examination.
When used properly it will help detect deficiencies in your physics knowledge and provide both discussions and references for correcting the deficiencies.
The RadReview is not a complete course outline or text, although it does cover all of the significant subject areas. It should be used after completing a course in radiological physics and self study as described in the PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL IMAGING: Learning Guide and Resources online at http://www.sprawls.org/resources.
It should be used when you are in the process of reviewing and making final preparations for the board examination.
Practice examinations have proved to be a useful tool for board certification examinations. The RadReview Examination and Study Guide is designed specifically for radiology residents who are preparing for the board examination in diagnostic radiology.
It provides a systematic evaluation of physics knowledge, practice in taking examinations, and an opportunity to develop specific examination strategies and identify common examination mistakes. It also provides a guide to additional study when necessary.
Many individuals have contributed to the success of this project but special acknowledgments are extended to Dr. Jack Peterson, who manages the examination item data base.
The compiler has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information herein. The compiler and the publisher cannot be held responsible for any typographical or other errors found in this publication.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, except for personal use, or distributed in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher.
It is published here for free use by residents preparing for examinations but is not to be used for republication by others or any commercial purposes.
You began to develop your knowledge of the physical principles and the physics of medical imaging by participating in class and conference discussions, and by studying printed texts and online modules. That is a good start. However, much of that knowledge soon fades if it is not used.
The RadReview exam helps to counteract the fading and forgetting by pulling the knowledge back into your conscious mind for manipulation and review. Having to recall knowledge for the purpose of a practical application or an examination is generally a much more effective review process than just reading the book again.
As you go through the exam it is important to the learning process for you to make a definite decision and mark each answer rather than reading the questions and then just looking up the answers.
The RadReview is divided into 10 sections by major topics. These are generally the same topic sections found in the online Learning Guide and Resources. Each section will contain two or more of the three types of examination questions.
Most examinations use several different question types. These usually include:
A. Multiple choice with multiple correct answers.
B. Multiple choice with one correct answer.
C. Matching
Performance on an examination is improved by understanding the different types and the strategy for maximizing scores with each type.
For a detailed description of types and strategy click here.
If you want a comprehensive evaluation of your physics knowledge under realistic examination conditions you can take the exam in one session of approximately three hours. The scoring is described in the discussion of question types. However, you might find it to be more effective to take the exam in smaller segments, such as each of the specific topics. Score your performance, and study the appropriate reference materials for all incorrect answers.
RadReview can be used both for self-study and as a guide for board review sessions conducted by the medical physics faculty.
You will probably benefit by working through the RadReview several times before you take the board exam.
The RadReview examination is divided into ten sections covering the topics listed in the navigation bar in the left-hand portion of your screen.
Click on a topic to open the examination.
There is a link from each question to the correct answer, discussion, and references.