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ARROgram #13
June 4, 2004
2004 In-Training Examination
Results of the 2004 In-training examination were recently
distributed to program directors. Below are a few
frequently asked questions about the examination.
1. Who administers the test and what's the difference
between the ACR and the ABR?
This test is administered annually by the American
College of Radiology (ACR). It is important to recognize
that this organization is distinct from the American
Board of Radiology (ABR). While the educational arm
of the ACR administers the yearly in-training examination,
the ABR formulates and administers the Written and
Oral Board examinations in diagnostic radiology and
radiation oncology. Although the two tests may contain
similar material, it is important for residents to
realize that the question writing committees, and questions
of the two examinations are entirely different. There
is no overlap between the two. The two examinations
are not meant to be compared. Rather the ACR in-training
examination is designed as a self-improvement educational
vehicle, while the ABR examination is for purposes
of certification.
2. What is the purpose of the ACR in-training examination?
According to the American College of Radiology website, "the
purpose of the examination is to provide residents
with information that is useful to them in evaluating
their own progress, and to provide program directors
with data that is helpful in analyzing and evaluating
the program. The examination is intended to be a measure
of general achievement in radiology for residents and
program directors. It should not be used as the ONLY
measure of an examinee's performance for qualification
to any postgraduate program or certification. All scores
are STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL and are reported ONLY to
program directors. Participation in this examination
is conditioned upon program directors promptly reporting
to each resident his/her score. Individual residents'
scores should be discussed between the resident and
the program director ONLY and should not be used in
any departmental discussions or meetings."
3. Isn't the In-Training examination supposed to reflect
the board examination?
Although material on the two examinations may be similar,
the primary goal of the ACR examination is to be a
self-assessment tool for residents, not to reflect
content for the board examination.
4. Do the same people write questions for both exams?
No. Although physicians, physicists, and/or radiobiologists
may serve on both the ACR and the ABR during their
careers, the question writers during any one year are
different for each examination.
5. What about the answer key?
The American College of Radiology allowed radiation
oncology residents to keep their test booklets starting
with the 2003 examination. They also distributed an
answer key. The answers for the 2004 examination are
attached to this email in .pdf format (click
here to view). They will also be posted on www.acr.org within
the next
few weeks.
You can obtain answers for the 2003 exam from the new
ARRO website which will be launched in summer 2004.
6. Why was the radiobiology section of the 2004 exam
so difficult?
I had a chance to discuss this with the leadership
of the Educational Department of the ACR. Typically,
questions for the ACR examination are generated from
an outline of important material in radiation biology,
a preplanned template. This template for questions
was not universally followed in the 2004 examination
for radiobiology. Thus, questions may not serve to
accurately reflect questions they may see on the ABR
examination.
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate
to contact me or one of the other ARRO Executive Board
Members.
Vipul Thakkar
ARRO Representative to the ACR
thakkav@ccf.org
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