RadPrimer (from the ACR) and RadCore are both used by radiology residents for board preparation, but they take different approaches to the ABR CORE exam. RadPrimer is a comprehensive academic radiology platform with strong imaging physics and case-based content. RadCore is a dedicated CORE exam question bank covering NIS, RISC, and Physics in the format the ABR actually tests.
The most significant difference for CORE preparation is NIS coverage. RadPrimer has limited NIS content relative to what the ABR CORE tests — quality improvement frameworks, healthcare economics, informatics, and ethics are under-represented. RadCore was built in part to address this gap, with 400+ NIS questions and detailed explanations for every NIS domain.
For residents who want an academic radiology resource, RadPrimer has genuine value. For residents specifically preparing for the ABR CORE exam, RadCore's focused structure and NIS depth provide a more direct path to readiness.
RadCore vs RadPrimer: Side-by-Side
| Feature | RadCore | RadPrimer |
|---|---|---|
| NIS Coverage | ✓400+ dedicated questions | Limited |
| RISC Coverage | ✓340+ dedicated questions | Moderate |
| Physics Coverage | 760+ CORE-specific | Strong but academic |
| ABR CORE Focus | ✓All 3 modules | Primarily physics/imaging |
| Question Format | ✓Active recall / MCQ | Case-based modules |
| Performance Analytics | ✓Category-level tracking | Limited |
| Mobile Optimized | ✓Yes — any browser | Partial |
| Price | $59 (one-time) | ACR membership-based |
What RadCore Includes
400+ NIS Questions
Quality improvement, ethics, informatics, economics
340+ RISC Questions
Contrast safety, MRI safety, radiation, communication
760+ Physics Questions
Imaging physics aligned with the ABR content blueprint
Detailed Explanations
Every answer explained with clinical reasoning
Category Analytics
Track performance by module and subtopic
Mobile Optimized
Study on any device — phone, tablet, or desktop