RANZCR AIT study guide
RANZCR AIT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The RANZCR Clinical Radiology Training Program is the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists' five-year vocational pathway for doctors training to become clinical radiologists in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. RANZCR describes the program as running "for five years across three phases: building foundations in Phase 1, developing breadth in Phase 2, and consolidating skills focused on interests in Phase 3." Examinations sit within this structure: the College publishes a Clinical Radiology Examination Phases page and separate Examinations and Training Requirements pages for trainees, and the specialty spans diagnostic imaging, interventional procedures and cancer care. Candidates are typically registrars who have entered an accredited training program and are progressing through the phases while recording requirements in the College ePortfolio. Preparation is best organised around the phase you are in rather than around a single test: consolidate physics, anatomy and pathology fundamentals early, build systematic reporting habits across modalities and body systems during the breadth phase, and use supervised reporting volume plus structured case review to prepare for later assessments. The RANZCR AIT study guide has 3 sections and about 970 words.
01Phase 1: Foundations of Imaging Physics, Radiobiology and Basic Pathology Correlation
Phase 1 asks whether you understand why an image looks the way it does. Core concepts: X-ray production and beam quality (kVp controls penetration and subject contrast; mAs controls quantity), the photoelectric versus Compton interaction and how each shapes contrast and noise, and detector/DR physics including the detective quantum efficiency.
341 words, about 2 min02Phase 2: Systematic Interpretation and Common Diagnostic Pathways
Phase 2 shifts from mechanism to pattern recognition and structured reporting . You must be able to run a search pattern for each major system and justify the next investigation.
333 words, about 2 min03Phase 3: Advanced Integration, Multimodality Correlation and Safe Practice
Phase 3 is about integrating modalities, weighing risk, and communicating uncertainty - the behaviours of a consultant. Concepts to name: staging principles (TNM logic, why size thresholds differ by organ), response assessment (RECIST-style measurement discipline, pseudoprogression), and the role of MDT discussion.
296 words, about 1 min