Tips for preparing for your exams: CR1 (Physics)

From the value of a support network to the power of pacing – Dr Edward Antram, Clinical Radiology Registrar at St George’s Hospital, shares his insights on preparing for the Physics module of the FRCR Part 1 (Radiology) exam.

What was the best piece of advice you heard when starting your preparation for the CR1 exam?

‘Preparation for Part 1 Physics is a marathon, not a sprint’

Begin early and maintain a steady pace, adjusting as you learn which topics and question styles need more attention. Aim to move beyond recognition: learn the concept, apply it, then test it under timed conditions. When you miss a question, identify the underlying misconception and write the correction as a memorable rule. 

Vary your resources – use a textbook for structure and completeness, short videos to clarify difficult concepts, MCQ books and mocks to build timing and exam logic, and summary notes for rapid consolidation. This approach lets you revisit the same principle from several angles, turning understanding into reliable performance. 

How did you approach balancing your full-time job alongside studying for the CR1 exam?

I scheduled study around my rota so I could match tasks to energy levels. On busy days, I chose lighter work such as online videos, flashcards or reviewing summary notes. On quieter days, I did active tasks such as timed MCQs, consequence tables and reading a full chapter with handwritten summaries. This helped me keep moving without forcing the same intensity every day.

Asking other registrars which courses and providers they found most useful also saved time and money. I planned leave to cluster harder topics near a course date so I could consolidate immediately.

I set realistic targets, keeping rest days each week, and learnt to accept that some weeks would be slower than others. I started gently and used a spiral approach, revisiting topics several times rather than trying to master everything at once. It is an important exam, but it should definitely not eclipse your health.

What support network did you use or benefit from?

Fellow ST1s were invaluable. We compared goals, shared resources and normalised the stress of the process. Some prefer quiet, independent study, while others thrive in group sessions. I was mindful of these differences rather than assuming one size fits all.

Senior registrars kept us grounded. They pointed us to the most useful question banks and courses, explained how they paced their revision and reminded us of pass rates so the exam stayed in perspective. 

Friends and family also provided a change of scenery and helped keep studying in its place. Building in time for non-clinical life protected my energy and made the revision blocks more effective.

What three habits or tools helped you stay organised and consistent?

1.    The jobs list


A single master list that mirrors the syllabus. Each line was a discrete task that I could tick off. This kept progress visible and prevented drifting into comfortable topics.

2.    Turn a mistake into a rule


When I missed a question, I first decided whether the issue was a gap in understanding or a misread stem. I then wrote a brief correction in a running log that I could review quickly under pressure. This helped prevent the same errors from recurring and highlighted topics needing targeted practice, especially on busy days.

3.    Spaced repetition, spiral curriculum and varied resources


I used spaced repetition for definitions and key numbers to keep recall fresh – and applied a spiral approach by revisiting content regularly. I also varied resources to suit the task. Textbooks for structure, short videos for clarity, MCQ books for timing and discrimination, and concise notes for fast consolidation. This mix kept sessions engaging and converted understanding into reliable performance.

Looking back, any surprises or mistakes future candidates could avoid?

With Part 1 being my first professional medical exam, the pressure and stress associated with preparing for the exam alongside a work schedule were new to me. Being compassionate with yourself, maintaining perspective and aiming for realistic targets is key to mitigating this and succeeding.