Diagnostic Radiology exam questions
3 exam-length papers covering every published domain for Diagnostic Radiology.
DHA SDR60423 papers · 440 Qs
What is riding on this exam
~AED 1,030
Exam fee, per attempt
Published by DHA. Paid again on every re-sit.
3
Attempts - in total
The cap is three across all UAE authorities, not three each.
60%
Pass mark
Pass or fail only. Your score is never released.
One failed attempt costs you the fee again, plus months of delay on your licence, your visa and your start date. This bank costs about a 4th of one exam fee.
Try two questions from this bank
Real questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
Q1Nuclear Medicine, Molecular and Hybrid Imaging
A technologist asks why Tc-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) localises in bone. Which mechanism best explains its skeletal uptake?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Q2Nuclear Medicine, Molecular and Hybrid Imaging
Before Y-90 radioembolisation of hepatic metastases, a Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin scan is performed. What is the principal purpose of this work-up study?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 25 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 440 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 289What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓440 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
Exam route by authority
| Authority | Delivered by | Specialist title |
|---|---|---|
| DHA - Dubai | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| DOH - Abu Dhabi | Pearson VUE | Computer-based MCQ |
| MOHAP - Northern Emirates | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| SCFHS - Saudi Arabia | Prometric / Pearson | Computer-based MCQ |
| QCHP - Qatar | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| NHRA - Bahrain | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| OMSB - Oman | Prometric | MCQ then oral viva |
Assessment mode depends on your licence title as well as your profession. Confirm your own route on your Sheryan / TAMM eligibility notice.
What the Diagnostic Radiology exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 13 domains and 220 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
Body Imaging (Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary, Genitourinary and Abdominopelvic)12% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 1)18 topics
- Acute abdomen CT: bowel obstruction vs ileus, closed-loop obstruction, transition point and bowel ischaemia signs (pneumatosis, portal venous gas, poor mural enhancement)
- Acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, epiploic appendagitis and omental infarction - discriminating CT features and mimics
- Hollow viscus perforation: free intraperitoneal air, extraluminal contrast, retroperitoneal vs intraperitoneal gas patterns
- Focal liver lesions: hepatocellular carcinoma LI-RADS categorisation, FNH, hepatic adenoma subtypes, haemangioma, metastases - multiphase CT/MRI and hepatobiliary contrast agents
- Diffuse liver disease: cirrhosis morphology, portal hypertension and varices, fatty liver and iron quantification (MR PDFF, R2*), Budd-Chiari
- Biliary imaging: choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, Mirizzi syndrome, cholangiocarcinoma, primary sclerosing cholangitis, MRCP technique and pitfalls
- +12 more in the bank
Neuro Imaging (Brain, Spine, Head Trauma and Neurovascular)12% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 2)18 topics
- Acute ischaemic stroke: non-contrast CT early signs, ASPECTS scoring, CT angiography for large vessel occlusion, CT/MR perfusion core-penumbra mismatch and thrombectomy selection windows
- Intracranial haemorrhage: hyperacute-to-chronic MRI signal evolution, spot sign, hypertensive vs lobar/amyloid vs underlying lesion
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral aneurysms and vascular malformations: AVM, dural AV fistula, cavernoma, developmental venous anomaly
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: empty delta sign, MR venography, venous infarction
- Traumatic brain injury: extradural vs subdural vs contusion, diffuse axonal injury, herniation syndromes, skull base and temporal bone fractures
- CNS neoplasms: glioma grading and 2021 WHO molecular era imaging, meningioma, metastases, lymphoma; advanced techniques (perfusion rCBV, MR spectroscopy, diffusion)
- +12 more in the bank
Head and Neck Imaging5% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 3)16 topics
- Suprahyoid and infrahyoid neck spaces: parapharyngeal, masticator, carotid, retropharyngeal, prevertebral and visceral space anatomy and lesion localisation
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: primary site staging by subsite (nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, oral cavity), HPV-related disease, perineural spread
- Cervical nodal disease: imaging-based nodal levels, criteria for malignancy, extranodal extension, cystic nodal metastasis
- Salivary gland lesions: pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumour, malignant tumours, sialolithiasis, sialadenitis, IgG4 disease
- Thyroid imaging: ACR TI-RADS/ultrasound risk stratification, nodule FNA thresholds, thyroid cancer staging, retrosternal goitre
- Parathyroid localisation: ultrasound, 4D-CT and sestamibi/SPECT correlation
- +10 more in the bank
Musculoskeletal Imaging12% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 4)17 topics
- Fracture description and healing: Salter-Harris, stress and insufficiency fractures, non-union/malunion, occult fracture MRI
- Named and commonly missed fractures: scaphoid, Lisfranc, radial head, tibial plateau, hip and pelvic ring, sacral insufficiency
- Shoulder MRI/MR arthrography: rotator cuff tears, labral tears (SLAP, Bankart and variants), impingement, adhesive capsulitis, biceps pathology
- Knee MRI: meniscal tear patterns and root tears, cruciate and collateral ligaments, cartilage grading, patellar dislocation bone bruise pattern, Segond fracture
- Hip and pelvis: femoroacetabular impingement (cam/pincer, alpha angle), labral tear, avascular necrosis staging, transient osteoporosis, athletic pubalgia
- Ankle, foot and wrist: ligament and tendon injury, osteochondral lesions, TFCC and carpal instability, plantar fasciitis, Morton neuroma
- +11 more in the bank
Chest Imaging (Thoracic Radiology)12% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 5)17 topics
- Chest radiograph systematic interpretation: silhouette sign, lobar collapse patterns, air bronchogram, deep sulcus sign, line and tube positioning
- Pulmonary consolidation and infection: community-acquired vs hospital-acquired pneumonia, aspiration distribution, abscess vs empyema, viral pneumonias including COVID-19 patterns
- Pulmonary tuberculosis: primary vs post-primary features, miliary disease, cavitation, tree-in-bud, sequelae; non-tuberculous mycobacteria
- Interstitial lung disease on HRCT: UIP vs probable UIP vs indeterminate (Fleischner/ATS criteria), NSIP, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sarcoidosis staging, organising pneumonia
- Pulmonary nodules: solid, part-solid and ground-glass; Fleischner Society 2017 follow-up recommendations, Lung-RADS and lung cancer screening
- Lung cancer: TNM 8th/9th edition staging, imaging for mediastinal nodal assessment, PET-CT staging, post-treatment and immunotherapy response (pseudoprogression)
- +11 more in the bank
Cardiovascular Imaging7% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 6)16 topics
- Cardiac CT angiography: acquisition (prospective vs retrospective gating), heart rate and rhythm control, radiation dose reduction, motion and blooming artefacts
- Coronary artery disease: calcium scoring (Agatston) and risk, CAD-RADS 2.0 stenosis reporting, plaque characterisation, high-risk plaque features, CT-FFR
- Coronary anomalies and bypass graft assessment; stent patency and in-stent restenosis limitations
- Cardiac MRI fundamentals: cine SSFP function and volumes, T1/T2 mapping, extracellular volume, late gadolinium enhancement patterns (ischaemic subendocardial vs non-ischaemic mid-wall/epicardial)
- Cardiomyopathies: dilated, hypertrophic (including apical), arrhythmogenic right ventricular, restrictive and infiltrative disease (amyloid, sarcoid, Fabry, iron overload T2*)
- Myocarditis and Lake Louise criteria; stress-induced (Takotsubo) cardiomyopathy
- +10 more in the bank
Paediatric Imaging12% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 7)17 topics
- ALARA in children: dose optimisation, size-based protocols, Image Gently principles, justification and ultrasound/MRI-first strategies, sedation and anaesthesia considerations
- Neonatal chest: respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnoea, meconium aspiration, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, air-leak syndromes, line and tube positions
- Paediatric airway and chest infection: croup vs epiglottitis, bronchiolitis, round pneumonia, foreign body aspiration and decubitus/expiratory films
- Neonatal abdominal emergencies: necrotising enterocolitis, malrotation with midgut volvulus and upper GI series, duodenal/jejunal atresia, meconium ileus, Hirschsprung disease
- Infant and child acute abdomen: hypertrophic pyloric stenosis ultrasound criteria, intussusception diagnosis and air/fluid reduction, appendicitis in children
- Paediatric genitourinary: hydronephrosis (SFU/UTD grading), vesicoureteric reflux and VCUG, posterior urethral valves, PUJ obstruction, duplex systems and ureterocele, DMSA scarring
- +11 more in the bank
Women's Imaging (Breast, Obstetric and Gynaecologic)8% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 8)17 topics
- Mammography technique and quality: standard and additional views, positioning criteria, adequate compression, digital breast tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced mammography
- BI-RADS lexicon and assessment categories 0-6 with corresponding management recommendations; audit metrics (recall rate, PPV, cancer detection rate)
- Breast masses and calcifications: benign vs suspicious morphology and distribution, architectural distortion, asymmetry types
- Breast ultrasound: BI-RADS ultrasound descriptors, simple vs complicated vs complex cyst, fibroadenoma vs carcinoma, axillary node assessment
- Breast MRI: indications (high-risk screening, extent of disease, occult primary, implant integrity, neoadjuvant response), background parenchymal enhancement, kinetics, abbreviated protocols
- Breast cancer imaging: invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma, DCIS, inflammatory carcinoma, staging and multifocality/multicentricity
- +11 more in the bank
Contrast Media, Imaging Physics and Radiation Safety10% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 11)18 topics
- X-ray production and radiographic physics: tube design, kVp/mAs relationships, beam filtration, scatter and grids, digital detectors, exposure index
- CT physics: helical acquisition and pitch, reconstruction kernels, iterative and deep-learning reconstruction, dual-energy/spectral CT applications, CTDIvol and DLP
- MRI physics: T1/T2/PD contrast, TR/TE/flip angle, spin echo vs gradient echo, inversion recovery (STIR, FLAIR), diffusion and ADC, fat suppression techniques
- MRI artefacts and their correction: susceptibility, chemical shift, motion and ghosting, aliasing/wrap, truncation, dielectric effects at 3T
- MRI safety: ASTM/ACR zones I-IV, screening for implants and devices, MR-conditional cardiac devices, projectile hazard, SAR and thermal injury, acoustic noise, gadolinium in pregnancy
- Ultrasound physics: transducer selection and frequency-resolution-penetration trade-off, harmonic imaging, Doppler principles, aliasing and Nyquist, artefacts (shadowing, enhancement, mirror, reverberation, twinkle), thermal and mechanical index
- +12 more in the bank
Patient Safety and Quality in Radiology5% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 10)17 topics
- Patient identification and the correct-patient/correct-site/correct-procedure process; WHO surgical safety and procedural checklists adapted to interventional radiology
- Request justification and vetting: appropriateness criteria (ACR/iRefer/ESR), clinical decision support, avoiding unnecessary and duplicated imaging
- Radiology reporting quality: structured reporting, clarity and avoidance of ambiguous hedging, actionable findings, addenda and report amendment governance
- Critical and unexpected findings: definition, tiered communication timeframes, closed-loop documented notification, escalation when the referrer is unreachable
- Diagnostic error: perceptual vs cognitive error, satisfaction of search, anchoring and premature closure, alliterative and framing bias, fatigue and reading-volume effects
- Peer review and peer learning: RADPEER-type scoring, discrepancy meetings, learning from excellence, just culture vs blame culture
- +11 more in the bank
Professionalism, Ethics, Law and Research Methodology5% (verified - SCFHS/DHA blueprint section 9: 'Ethics and Research')17 topics
- Core bioethical principles applied to imaging: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice; balancing radiation risk against diagnostic benefit
- Informed consent for imaging and image-guided procedures: capacity assessment, material risk disclosure, consent in emergencies, consent for minors and for patients lacking capacity
- Confidentiality and data protection: image and report privacy, UAE/GCC health data laws and cross-border data rules, incidental discovery of sensitive information, social media and messaging-app image sharing
- Incidental findings and overdiagnosis: duty to report, follow-up recommendation stewardship, communicating uncertainty, the 'incidentaloma' burden
- Disclosure of error and duty of candour: apologising, documenting, involving risk management, supporting the second victim
- Professional boundaries and conflicts of interest: industry relationships, self-referral, fee-splitting, gifts and hospitality, ghost reporting and outsourcing
- +11 more in the bank
Interventional and Vascular Radiology (procedural competence)cross-cutting (est. ~4-6%; not a separate blueprint section - items are distributed within Body, Chest, Neuro and Cardiovascular Imaging)16 topics
- Pre-procedure assessment: indication review, coagulation and platelet thresholds, anticoagulant/antiplatelet holding periods, renal function, allergy, consent and sedation planning
- Vascular access and closure: femoral vs radial access, ultrasound-guided puncture, sheath selection, closure devices, access-site complications (pseudoaneurysm, retroperitoneal haematoma, AV fistula)
- Catheters, wires, stents and embolic agents: coils, plugs, particles, glue and Onyx, liquid sclerosants - selection principles and non-target embolisation risk
- Arterial haemorrhage embolisation: gastrointestinal bleeding, post-partum haemorrhage, trauma (splenic, hepatic, pelvic), epistaxis, haemoptysis/bronchial artery embolisation
- Endovascular management of aneurysms and dissection: EVAR/TEVAR, endoleak diagnosis and treatment, fenestrated grafts
- Peripheral arterial intervention: angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, drug-coated devices, acute limb ischaemia thrombolysis
- +10 more in the bank
Nuclear Medicine, Molecular and Hybrid Imagingcross-cutting (est. ~3-5%; not a separate blueprint section - distributed within organ-system sections and the Physics section)16 topics
- Radiopharmaceuticals in routine use: Tc-99m agents, I-123/I-131, F-18 FDG, Ga-68 DOTATATE and PSMA, Lu-177 therapeutics - mechanisms and biodistribution
- FDG PET-CT physiology and pitfalls: preparation and fasting, hyperglycaemia effects, brown fat, muscle and bowel uptake, inflammation vs malignancy, post-treatment timing
- PET-CT in oncology staging and response: Deauville criteria in lymphoma, PERCIST/RECIST principles, restaging and surveillance, radiotherapy planning
- Bone scintigraphy: metastatic disease and flare phenomenon, superscan, stress fracture, osteomyelitis three-phase study, complex regional pain syndrome, prosthesis loosening vs infection
- Thyroid and parathyroid nuclear medicine: uptake scans in thyrotoxicosis, I-131 therapy for hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer, sestamibi parathyroid localisation
- Cardiac nuclear imaging: myocardial perfusion SPECT/PET, stress protocols (exercise, adenosine, regadenoson, dobutamine), viability, amyloid imaging with bone-avid tracers, MUGA ejection fraction
- +10 more in the bank
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