Study Groups
Study groups are a core part of FRCR 2B preparation. The viva is a high-pressure, real-time performance — and the only way to prepare for it is to practise presenting cases out loud, under time pressure, to someone asking follow-up questions. Reading and watching are not enough.
There are two types of study group available to subscribers: candidate-run groups, which you organise yourself with fellow candidates, and scholar-led groups, which are structured sessions run by an experienced scholarship candidate acting as examiner.
Candidate-run study groups
You receive access to dedicated viva practice packets — cases collated specifically for study group use, covering the range and type of cases you can expect in the exam. Each packet contains 14 cases.
The idea is straightforward: get together with one or two fellow candidates, take turns as examiner and candidate, and work through cases in a format that mimics the real exam as closely as possible. You can run these sessions as often as you like, at times that suit you.
For a group of two
Preparation (30 minutes) Both candidates spend 30 minutes preparing 6–7 cases each — reviewing findings, differentials, and management points, and planning how to present efficiently.
Session (40 minutes, split equally) One candidate presents their cases for 15 minutes while the other acts as examiner, asking questions and guiding discussion. The examiner then gives 5 minutes of focused feedback. Roles swap immediately after.
For a group of three or more
Setup (5 minutes) Assign roles for the first case: one candidate in the hot seat, one examiner (given 5 minutes to prepare while the candidate and observers review the structure), and the remaining participants as observers. One observer is designated as the next examiner.
Each case (6 minutes)
3 minutes: candidate presents; examiner asks questions
3 minutes: examiner gives focused feedback; observers add brief, constructive points
Rotation After each case, roles rotate. The next examiner — who has been preparing during the previous case — is ready immediately. This keeps momentum and maximises practice time for everyone.
Over a 90-minute session you will typically see 12–14 cases. Over a 6-month subscription period, consistent study group practice adds up to well over 2,000 FRCR-standard cases.
Scholar-led study groups
Scholar-led sessions are structured viva practice sessions run by a scholarship candidate — someone who has previously sat the FRCR 2B exam and understands what a passing answer looks like. You attend as a candidate.
These sessions follow a more formal structure than candidate-run groups and are closer in format to the actual exam. All cases are prepared and quality-checked by the Revise Radiology curriculum team — the examiner is not improvising.
What to expect
Each session runs for approximately 90–120 minutes and covers 12 cases. The format for each case is:
5 minutes: you present the case; the examiner asks follow-up questions
2–3 minutes: the examiner gives structured feedback
At the end of the session, the examiner covers key learning points, common pitfalls, and high-yield exam reminders across all the cases in the packet.
You are assessed across four domains — Knowledge, Observation, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Safety & Management — which mirrors the actual FRCR 2B marking structure.
Sessions are held online via Zoom and are recorded. Groups typically have 3–6 candidates per session.
Why scholar-led sessions are different
The examiner in a scholar-led session has sat the exam. They know which findings candidates consistently miss, which differentials examiners push back on, and what a borderline answer looks like compared to a passing one. That calibration is hard to replicate in a peer-only group where everyone is preparing for the first time.
Sessions run regularly throughout the month, so you are not waiting weeks for the next opportunity.
Questions? [Contact us →]