Studying for the Exam
Last verified on January 20, 2025
ABR exams are developed by volunteers from a wide range of practice settings and reflect the breadth of information a candidate is expected to know by the time of an exam. While we offer study guides on our website, each candidate should decide what type of resources he or she should use for our exams. Candidates who use test preparation materials developed by other organizations or commercial entities should not expect an ABR exam to completely align with these materials regarding the scope or item types on ABR exams.
To understand how exam questions are written and learn more about different types of exam questions, please see the ABR Item Writers’ Guide. For a look at the extensive QA process that each question goes through, please see the Illustrated Life Cycle of an ABR Exam Item.
Required Module: Essentials of Diagnostic Radiology Study Guide
The Essentials of Diagnostic Radiology module will contain Noninterpretive Skills (NIS) content. The Noninterpretive Skills Study Guide provides detailed content that examinees are expected to know to answer the NIS questions. All material that will be included in the NIS module is included in the syllabus. If changes are made to this exam module, the syllabus will be updated accordingly.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THE 2025 STUDY GUIDE: A change was recently made on page 35 of the NIS Study Guide from “5 gauss line” to “9 gauss line” to bring the guide up to date with current standards. The following is an explanation of why the change was made. However, please note that this information will not be tested on the 2025 exam, while radiology practices are adjusting to this new standard.
The 5 gauss line historically demarcated the threshold of safety for implantable cardiac devices. However, cardiac implantable device manufacturers have been required to demonstrate that their devices are immune to static magnetic fields up to 10 gauss. Thus, the 5 gauss line provided a substantial safety margin. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recently revised the safety margin to the less stringent 9 gauss line, which allows for 1 gauss tolerance for variability in the device testing methods. This change is recognized by the FDA and endorsed by the ACR MR Safety Committee. Because the 9 gauss line is within the 5 gauss line (closer to the magnet), sites that have been following previous recommendations are already compliant with the new recommendations.
Clinical Category Study Guides (three to be chosen by the diplomate – see Certifying Exam Landing Page)
Breast Imaging | Neuroradiology |
Cardiac | Nuclear |
Gastrointestinal | Pediatric |
General Radiology | Thoracic |
Genitourinary | Ultrasound |
Musculoskeletal (MSK) | Vascular/Interventional |