CNN Investigation Targets Radiology Board Exam Cheating

By Todd Neff | January 13, 2012

A CNN investigation, “Prescription for Cheating,” has targeted the practice of sharing recall exams – questions and answers to old tests – in preparation for American Board of Radiology exams.

The news network has posted a 2,900-word story on the practice on its website, and will air the program at 8 p.m. ET tonight on “AC360” as well as on "CNN Presents" this Saturday and Sunday, January 14 and 15, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET.

“The recalls obtained by CNN show at least 15 years' worth of test questions and answers, some prepared as PowerPoint presentations. The tests were available on a radiology residents' website as well as a shared military computer server,” according to the story by CNN reporters Scott Zamost, Drew Griffin and Azadeh Ansari.

"It's been going on a long time, I know, but I can't give you a date," Gary Becker, MD, executive director of the American Board of Radiology (ABR), which oversees the exam that certifies radiologists, told CNN.

Asked if this were considered cheating, Becker told CNN, "We would call it cheating, and our exam security policy would call it cheating, yes."

The network’s reporting included interviews with a military radiologist who spoke out about the practice of using recalls, as well as interviews conducted at the recent RSNA 2011 conference in Chicago. Some radiologists there considered using the recalls as a study guide to be a gray area, given that details such as the orders of answers differ from those on the real exams. The nature of the exams also adds pressure to check out recalls.

“If they had a test where you could study relevant radiology knowledge and they tested on it, that would be fine,” radiologist Joseph Dieber, MD, told CNN. “Part of the problem is the test and the questions that they ask. Because some of the questions are so obscure, that unless you know that they like to ask questions about that topic, you're not going to study it because some of them are completely irrelevant to the modern practice of radiology.”

by Ernst Garcon | January 30, 2012 3:24 PM EST

I don't think CNN got it right. Obviously, the reporters never have to seat for a standardized test in their life or they have a hidden agenda for our specialty. From SAT to medical specialty board exams, every single test require some kind of preparation that used recalls from past exams. The recalls are not exactly the same questions as the real test. They only tell you the important concepts a student need to be familiar with before you seat for your test. It may happen for a short vignette that the wordings are almost exactly the same. But, they don't have any evidence at this time that the ABR deliberately or inadvertently allow radiologists to cheat on their specialty exam. I don't understand what they mean by cheating. It is a sad day for all of us.

by Sounak Paul | January 24, 2012 12:44 PM EST

As for CNN or any other damn so called news channel, these news are sold by a bunch of idiots who think that they are master of all. none take the pain to go into a real life situation and face the challenge, but sit back and enjoy their coffee while cooking some rubbish. Its a sincere appeal to the intelligentia to keep their eyes and ears shut to such useless stuff... You have much to contribute to the world, so dont waste your time. invest it in something better. you are responsible for greater good of others.

by stewart hawkins | January 22, 2012 7:20 PM EST

I wonder if CNN would like to "Expose"the "Cheating" that commercial airline pilots do by repeating emergency simulations over and over until they get them right? Unless the pilot has the cheat sheet during the test? Actually they do have full emergency instructions to follow. So commercial airline pilots DO cheat more than radiologists! Wow! Expose please CNN. Or how about newsreaders....

by Maya board | January 20, 2012 8:47 PM EST

Exactly, for answering one question you may have to google10 times, even spending 20 minutes time you are not sure if you are answering correct.If someone is answering after reading question from last 15 years, and knows the answer from last 15 years, that is also a way of gathering knowledge,or a well designed syllabus or book should be there for applied radiology in clinical practice.
Ever there is difference of opinion for one answer from places of practice.
In old days also, for any kind of exam, the examinees used to collect last 10 years question paper to prepare material,how some one is going to prepare otherwise,its not that radiologist reads only bone or only chest or only heart, its very extensive, then ongoing research, specific and nonspecific updated applicable knowledge clinically.
I think this topic should have not come up for discussion.

by Steven Hirsh | January 20, 2012 12:21 PM EST

IMHO, those quoted in the article are just sanctimonious,hypocritical or lazy or all of the above. As best I can remember every college and med. school fraternity had back copies of exams(recalls). In one course I took the dept. head offered copies of previous exams. for the asking. His attitude was that memorizing a bunch of questions wasn't going to guarantee a pass on the exam. What is the difference betw. a study guide purchased in a book store, a prep course and a bunch of recalled exam questions. None of this is cheating. However, if you had the answers that would be cheating. If you don't know the answer to the questions you don't pass. Historically the ABR has created new questions 50% and used questions from previous exams 50%. That's just lazy!

There was no due diligence on the part of CNN. They should have done a better job of vetting Webb and what he was selling. Shame on you Anderson Cooper. Shame on you CNN.

I think I'll start watching FOX.

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