FRCR Part 1 Physics
The current written Physics paper contains 40 questions, with 5 True/False items in each question. That is 200 independently marked statements in 2 hours.
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The five-stem sample needs no account. The full mock needs a free account and mirrors the 40-question, 200-statement, two-hour structure. Always check current RCR candidate guidance for the sitting you plan to take.
Every True/False item is independently marked. A correct item scores one mark and an incorrect item scores zero. There is no negative marking, so there is no scoring advantage in deliberately leaving a statement unanswered.
Any number of the five items in one question can be true or false. All five may be true, or all five may be false. Judge each statement on its physics rather than trying to balance the pattern within a stem.
For a more detailed approach to pacing and statement interpretation, see the True/False exam technique guide.
Current question distribution
The current RCR distribution allocates all 40 questions across the headings below. Use it as a coverage check, not as a rigid prescription for how many hours you personally spend on each topic.
Atomic structure, X-ray production and interactions
Projection imaging systems, image quality and dose
Radioactive decay, gamma cameras, SPECT and PET
Dosimetry, biological effects and protection
CT acquisition, reconstruction, image quality and dose
MR signal, encoding, sequences, artefacts and safety
Acoustics, transducers, Doppler, artefacts and safety
Digital imaging principles and supporting technology
A four-pass approach
The paper rewards accurate physical reasoning as well as recall. Timing becomes more useful after you can explain why a statement is true or false rather than simply recognising the answer.
Step 1
Try five complete stems without creating an account. Mark all five statements, then read the answers and explanations together.
Step 2
Choose one physics heading when you need depth, or mix the bank when you want to test recall across systems and safety.
Step 3
Practise untimed while learning, then introduce timed sessions. A two-hour, 40-question paper averages three minutes per five-part question.
Step 4
Use the free full mock for an exam-length run, review statement-level explanations, and return to weak concepts through spaced review.
If you want a week-by-week framework, use the FRCR Physics revision strategy.
The complete question bank
Build topic-focused or mixed sessions, add timing when appropriate, read statement- level explanations after each completed stem and revisit completed work through spaced review.
Physics revision guides
How modified Angoff and Hofstee standard setting work, and why there is no permanent fixed percentage.
A practical route from concept learning and topic blocks to mixed practice, error repair and full mocks.
Statement-level pacing, absolutes, units, proportionality, trade-offs and a disciplined review method.
Use targeted stems and exam-length mocks for different jobs, then convert each result into focused recovery work.
Matter and Radiation
FRCR Physics matter and radiation revision: atomic structure, photon energy, attenuation, interactions, inverse square law and common True/False traps.
Radiography and Fluoroscopy
FRCR Physics radiography and fluoroscopy revision: X-ray production, detectors, grids, AEC, image quality, fluoroscopic dose and common exam traps.
Radionuclide Imaging
FRCR Physics radionuclide revision: decay, gamma cameras, collimators, SPECT, PET, counting statistics, corrections, dose and common True/False traps.
Radiation Safety
FRCR Physics radiation safety revision: dose quantities, biological effects, IRR17, IR(ME)R 2017, duty holders, optimisation, DRLs and common traps.
Ultrasound
FRCR Physics ultrasound revision: acoustics, transducers, pulse and beam properties, resolution, Doppler, artefacts, safety and common True/False traps.
Computed Tomography
Attenuation, Hounsfield units, helical acquisition, reconstruction, dose indices, artefacts and dual-energy CT.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Precession, relaxation, encoding, k-space, SNR trade-offs, artefacts and MRI safety.
Work five complete stems with no account, or sit an exam-length mock with a free account. The free mock includes its full statement-by-statement review after submission.
The Physics Bank is independent examination preparation. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Royal College of Radiologists. Exam rules change: always check the current RCR candidate guidance for your own sitting.
