ACVR DI new examination blueprint information

The ACVR conducts a Job Analysis on a regular basis to inform the examination blueprints based on what the ACVR members are doing regularly (the last job analysis was completed in 2016).  Based on the results of the job analysis the examination blueprints have been updated and will be in effect for the August 2024 examinations onward.

It should be noted that although some items have been removed from the examination, that does not mean they are not important for radiologists to know.  They are removed based on the inability to adequately test content areas that had low frequency of use based on the job analysis.

The blueprints can be found here:

Preliminary

Certifying

To aid residency directors and candidates we have summarized the major changes. We will also be hosting virtual meetings for resident directors and candidates to have an opportunity ask questions.

DI Preliminary examination:

The examination is divided into two sections.  Section one is the general exam to be taken by both the DI and EDI candidates. This section will 2.5 hours in duration and will be comprised of 96 multiple choice questions.

Section two is the species-specific content for the DI candidates.  This section will be 1.75 hours in duration and will be comprised of 79 multiple choice questions.

Each section of the exam must be passed independently.  Candidates that are unsuccessful on only one section will only need to repeat that section (not the full exam).

Major content changes:

• Content areas that are no longer included:
  • Nuclear medicine, including I-131 therapy
  • Tracheal/urethral stenting
  • Elastography
  • Professional collaboration
• Content areas that have a greater emphasis
  • Radiation safety
  • Digital image management
• New content areas
  • None

Species included:

The emphasis is dogs and cats but horses, exotic species and hoof stock will also be included.

DI Certifying exam:

There is an increased emphasis on cross sectional imaging.

The number of exam cases will be reduced from 72 (18 per session) to 68 (17 per session) to allow additional time per case.

Species included:

The emphasis is dogs and cats but horses, exotic species and hoof stock will also be included.

Thank you to those who attended our Q&A session regarding the blueprints.  I have included the questions and answer here:

The general preliminary exam seems to be predominantly physics.  Is this true?

• Yes, the general exam (for both DI and EDI candidates) is predominately physics. Although only section D is labelled as physics, the imaging modality section focuses on modality specific physics. A more detailed outline of topics by content domain is in progress and will be available by March.

It seems that physics is more heavily weighted with the new blueprint

• Although the weighting of physics is not substantially different from the previous exam blueprint, previous blueprint included physics within the same content areas as the anatomy and physiology. Because the exam is set based on the main content domain, prior exams may have had a greater emphasis on anatomy and physiology relative to physics.  With the new blueprint, physics is within a separate content area so the distribution of questions will likely include more physics than prior exams.

There is a rumour that 15 years of literature is included in the exam, is this still true and where is that covered in the blueprint?

• There is no strict limit to literature that could be included in the exam. Recent literature is prioritized, however, some fundamental papers are older than 15 years that provide the foundation for imaging.  These are likely covered in each program’s journal club.
• There is no specific section on literature and literature will be included in relevant content areas.

Is fluoroscopy included on the exam?  Does it include physics and interpretation.

• Fluoroscopy is still on the DI examination but was removed from the EDI exam. Fluoroscopy will be included in section 2 of the DI exam in content area F3.
• Both the physics and interpretation of fluoroscopic studies may be included on the examination.

Nuclear medicine is not on the DI preliminary exam but is included in the EDI part two preliminary examination.  Is nuclear medicine on the DI certifying examination?

• Nuclear medicine is not on the DI certifying examination.
• Nuclear medicine is included on the EDI preliminary exam and the EDI certifying exam.
• Although nuclear medicine is not on the DI examination it is still important for radiologists to have an understanding of this modality and this should be covered in residency training.

With the angiography section are balloon catheter types included?

• Any aspect of angiographic techniques could be included on the examination, including catheter types.

What species are included on the DI exam?

• The DI exam will focus on dogs and cats. Horses, hoof stock and exotic species are also included a lower percentage.

ACVR EDI new examination blueprint information

The ACVR conducts a Job Analysis to inform the examination blueprints based on what the ACVR members are doing regularly.  The first formal ACVR EDI job analysis was completed and based on the results of the job analysis the examination blueprints have been updated and will be in effect for the August 2024 examinations onward.

It should be noted that although some items have been removed from the examination, that does not mean they are not important for radiologists to know.  They are removed based on the inability to adequately test content areas that had low frequency of use based on the job analysis.

The blueprints can be found here:

Preliminary

Certifying

To aid residency directors and candidates we have summarized the major changes. This is not an exhaustive list of changes so please review the exam outlines carefully.  We will also be hosting virtual meetings for resident directors and candidates to have an opportunity ask questions.

EDI Preliminary examination:

The examination is divided into two sections.  Section one is the general exam to be taken by both the DI and EDI candidates. This section will 2.5 hours in duration and will be comprised of 96 multiple choice questions.

Section two is the species-specific content for the DI candidates.  This section will be 1.75 hours in duration and will be comprised of 79 multiple choice questions.

Each section of the exam must be passed independently.  Candidates that are unsuccessful on only one section will only need to repeat that section (not the full exam).

Major content changes:

• Content areas that are no longer included:
  • Professional collaboration
• Content areas that have a greater emphasis
  • Radiation safety
  • Digital image management
• New content areas
  • None

EDI Certifying exam:

There is an increased emphasis on cross sectional imaging.

The number of exam cases will be reduced from 72 (18 per session) to 68 (17 per session) to allow additional time per case.