The RANZCR exams explained: format, timing and how they are passed

The FRANZCR is awarded by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. On the way, clinical radiology registrars sit 3 examinations: Phase 1 Examinations (Anatomy and Applied Imaging Technology); Phase 2 Written Examinations; Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Radiology (OSCER). Here is how each is put together and how it is passed.

Phase 1 Examinations (Anatomy and Applied Imaging Technology)

When: Phase 1 of training, in an accredited position.

Anatomy and AIT papers

Anatomy (3 h, 180 marks: 20 image-labelling, 30 very short and 20 three-mark short answers, plus 60 MCQs) and AIT (3 h, 150 marks: nine 10-mark constructed responses plus 60 MCQs); constructed-answer time shown here

How it is passed: Each paper is standard-set (2024 S1 cut scores: Anatomy 56.9%, AIT 58.1%); Anatomy also needs a minimum in every body region, and conceded passes are possible.

Phase 1 MCQs

MCQ sections of both papers: 60 Anatomy + 60 AIT, 1 mark each; about 2 h 12 min pro rata to marks

How it is passed: On the day the MCQs count towards each paper's standard-set total, not as a separate pass.

Phase 2 Written Examinations

When: Pathology after 12 months of training; Radiology MCQ and Case Reporting after 24 months.

Case Reporting and Pathology

Case Reporting (3 h, 35 cases on a PACS-style viewer: 20 short, 10 medium, 5 long) and the Pathology short answers (ten 6-mark questions of the 3 h, 160-mark paper)

How it is passed: Case Reporting needs the overall standard plus minimums in a set number of components (2024 S1 cut 57.7%); Pathology is panel-set (2024 S1 cut 63.9); no negative marking.

Clinical Radiology MCQ

100 single-best-answer questions, 1 mark each, 2 hours (the Pathology paper adds 100 more, practised here under Pathology)

How it is passed: Panel standard setting (2024 S1 cut 63.2); up to three attempts at MCQ plus Case Reporting, resitting only the one failed.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Radiology (OSCER)

When: After passing all Phase 2 written exams.

OSCER

7 electronic stations · 25 min each over 2 days · 8–10 digital cases per station with structured examiner questions

How it is passed: Overall standard (62 in 2026 S1) plus a standard in each station; a component pass lets you resit up to three failed stations.

What the exams draw on

Radiological anatomy (8–12% of the paper)
Physics, imaging technology & radiation safety (8–12% of the paper)
Pathology for radiologists (5–10% of the paper)
Neuroradiology (8–12% of the paper)
Head and neck (5–8% of the paper)
Thoracic & cardiovascular (8–12% of the paper)
Abdominal & GI/GU (10–15% of the paper)
Musculoskeletal (8–12% of the paper)
Breast (5–8% of the paper)
Obstetric & gynaecological imaging (5–8% of the paper)
Paediatric radiology (5–8% of the paper)
Nuclear medicine & PET (2–5% of the paper)
Interventional & vascular (2–5% of the paper)
Plain film interpretation (5–10% of the paper)

Answers are expected to reflect Australian and New Zealand practice. The references the questions assume include: RANZCR Clinical Radiology Learning Outcomes (category 1 topics prioritised); ARPANSA codes and diagnostic reference levels; state and territory radiation licensing; BreastScreen Australia; National Lung Cancer Screening Program; RANZCR iodinated and gadolinium contrast guidelines; MRI safety; BI-RADS, O-RADS and IOTA, LI-RADS, TI-RADS, Lung-RADS, Fleischner, Bosniak 2019; Practique PACS-style viewer for Case Reporting; Phase 1 online proctored in 2026.

Formats change. Always confirm the current format, eligibility and dates on the RANZCR website before you sit.

Where do you stand?

Thirty questions across every area, scored by area with a plain verdict. Free.

Am I ready? Free check →Read a marked sample

Next: Why candidates lose marks in the RANZCR exams →

Not affiliated with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).