Mastering the ABR Core Exam: An Efficient and Practical Approach

Daniel Hofstedt

Dec 03, 2024

Having successfully passed the ABR Core Exam, I want to share the strategies and resources that helped me prepare effectively. In this article, I’ll outline my personal approach and highlight methods I observed among my peers. While everyone’s study style is different, I believe these insights can serve as a helpful guide for tackling this important milestone.

1. Foundational Reading

Early in my training, I read Frank Gaillard's free Radiopaedia course, How to Be a Better Radiologist. This series gave me an overarching philosophy and approach to radiology, influencing my preparation for the Core Exam and beyond. I recommend this course to all radiology trainees, especially with the reintroduction of the oral board component.

2. Question Banks

RadPrimer

My residency program provided access to RadPrimer, and senior residents recommended completing basic-level questions relevant to my current rotation. I managed to complete about 75% of the bank before the exam. While it’s an excellent early learning resource, RadPrimer is less optimized for Core Exam preparation as you progress.

Board Vitals

This was the most useful question bank I used. The question style and content was more representative of the actual exam than other QBanks. I reserved it for the last three months before the exam, completing all questions once and creating Anki cards for those I missed. It became a cornerstone of my preparation in the final stretch.

Aunt Minnie Board Review

I completed this free question bank once, making Anki cards for missed questions. It was another helpful resource for filling in gaps during my preparation.

3. Study Guides and Textbooks

Crack the Core

I started ambitiously, making detailed Anki cards for each point in the pediatrics chapter, which resulted in my highest score among all sections. However, this method proved unsustainable for the entire text. While it’s excellent for exam preparation, the book is image-light for an exam that is image-heavy. Supplement it with image-rich sources like textbooks and online case examples.

Core Radiology

This bullet-point review book was provided by my residency program. I used it primarily for quick searches to supplement Anki cards or to reference images. Some colleagues used it more extensively, but I found it useful as a secondary resource rather than a primary study guide.

4. Flashcards and Active Recall

Anki

As an experienced Anki user from medical school, I adapted its use for radiology by focusing on concise, focused cards following the "seven-second rule." This method ensures cards are quick to review. Categories like “What is this?”, “What’s the association?”, and “What’s the next step?” were particularly effective.

I created cards from case books like RadCases and reviewed them rapidly with peers in the final months before the exam. High-volume, surface-level review of images and cases became my primary focus as the exam approached.

5. Physics Preparation

Home Institution Lectures

While informative, my home institution's physics lectures were less aligned with Core Exam needs. If your institution offers similar lectures, consider supplementing them with additional resources.

Core Physics Review: Ram Srinivasan In-Person Course

This physics course was by far the most effective resource I used for Core physics preparation. The comprehensive in-person lectures were far superior to the online portion and allowed time for review and mastery.

Radiology Core: Physics Plus

In the two weeks leading up to the exam, I completed all the app's questions twice. This high-yield question bank is an excellent review tool for Core physics.

War Machine

I did not use this resource extensively as it didn’t match my learning style. However, some of my peers found it helpful for physics preparation.

6. Noninterpretive Skills (NIS): Document and QBank

I recommend printing and thoroughly reviewing the NIS document provided by the ABR. After reading it in full, I reinforced the material using the NIS QBank, completing each question twice in the two weeks before the exam.

7. Practical Learning

Learning in the Reading Room

The majority of my learning occurred in the reading room during residency. Reviewing as many cases as possible and embracing mistakes as learning opportunities were critical to my success. The cases I encountered during daily work often directly aligned with board exam questions.

8. Peer Learning and Collaboration

In the final month, I reviewed cases with a peer after individual study sessions. This collaborative approach helped reinforce concepts, as teaching others improves retention. High-volume case review, both with and without Anki cards, proved particularly effective in the weeks before the exam.

9. Rapid Review in Final Months

In the last few months, I transitioned to rapid-fire review of high-yield resources. Using case books, online question banks, and collaborative study sessions, I aimed to see as many examples of pathology as possible. The Core Exam is more about recognizing what you’ve seen than deep conceptual understanding, especially in the final weeks.

General Study Tips

• Pace Yourself: Limit study sessions to four hours per day. I found this the most effective balance for retention without burnout.
• Prioritize Rest: Take breaks and allow time for hobbies, family, and relaxation. This prevents fatigue and keeps your mind sharp.
• Focus on Images: Spend the last few months before the exam reviewing as many images and cases as possible, using rapid-review methods to maximize exposure.

By using these strategies, I successfully navigated the ABR Core Exam while maintaining a balanced approach to study and life. Tailor these methods to your own needs and remember that preparation is as much about strategy as it is about effort.

Disclosure: Some of the links to resources in this article are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. This comes at no additional cost to you. There are no other commissions or sponsorships involved—everything shared here is based solely on my experience and recommendations.