What Is Radiology? Which Entrance Exam Should You Take to Pursue It? 

Ever thought how many people it takes to make one test report? A patient may walk into a hospital for an X-ray, CT scan or MRI without thinking about what happens before the report reaches the doctor. A trained professional operates the imaging equipment, prepares and positions the patient and produces the images. A radiologist then interprets those images and looks for signs of disease or injury. Both work with radiology, but are not exactly the same thing.

It is important for students to understand this before taking the entrance examination for radiology. Students who wish to become radiologists (a medical doctor who specialises in medical imaging) are on a different path compared to those who wish to be radiographers or medical imaging technologists.

What is radiology?

Radiology is a medical specialty that uses imaging to help diagnose and, in some cases, treat disease. Imaging might consist of x-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound and other methods, depending on the clinical need.

The radiologist is a doctor who has been trained to interpret medical images and make a contribution in diagnosis and treatment. Radiographers and medical imaging technologists are allied-health professionals trained to operate imaging equipment and produce diagnostic images., however, are allied health workers who use imaging equipment and create images for diagnosis. Both professionals work closely, but with a difference in their levels and/or roles of education.

That is why it is important for a student to determine whether he/she wants to become a doctor or pursue a career in medical imaging technology after Class 12.

What is the career path to become a Radiologist in India?

If you are looking to become a radiologist, your path starts with medical school and not radiography.

Getting admission to an MBBS programme is the initial step. NEET-UG is a national level entrance test for undergraduate medical courses in India.

Once having completed MBBS, students in the field of radiology usually go on to complete their postgraduate studies in Radio-diagnosis. MD in Radiodiagnosis is a recognised post graduate medical course in the National Medical Commission and according to the NMC rules, MD/DNB (Radio-Diagnosis) is the qualification for the specialty.

In short, therefore:

Class 12 → NEET-UG → MBBS → Post graduate training in Radio-Diagnosis → Radiologist.

This is a longer medical pathway than the route to becoming a radiographer or medical imaging technologist. 

What if you want to use X-rays, CT and MRI?

This is where a course in radiology and imaging technologies comes into play. Radiographers and imaging technologists are trained to use equipment, adhere to imaging protocols, move patients and create good diagnostic images safely. For instance, medical technology courses at AIIMS cover the basics of radiography, including anatomy and physiology, radiation protection, and the principles of ultrasound and MRI.

The courses can be taught with the prefix B. at the undergraduate level.Sc in Radiology and Imaging Technology, B.Sc in Radiography, B.Sc, in Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology or equivalent. The specific name of the course and how to enter vary from institution to institution.

Which exams does one have to take for admission into radiology?

There is no universal entrance exam for each and every course in the field of radiology. The most important undergraduate entrance exam for the MBBS and the future radiologist course is NEET-UG.

For other allied healthcare programs, like radiography and imaging technology, admission requirements are dependent upon the university or institution. Some institutions prepare their own entrance tests, others may prepare the entrance test in the state, university or in another admission process. Students are advised to find out the eligibility and admission requirements of the course before applying.

The Global Allied Healthcare Entrance Test (GAHET) is one of the latest online national-level tests available to students considering allied healthcare. It offers undergraduate programmes like B.Sc in X-Ray/Radiography Technology + B.Vocational training in Radiology & Imaging Technology.

The current eligibility for GAHET is that UG applicants should have completed or be appearing for Class 12 exams with main subjects as Physics, Chemistry, English, Biology/Zoology/Botany/Mathematics with 50% marks. GAHET 2027 Paper will have 100 MCQs to be solved within 60 minutes and there will be no negative marking.

What is the best job for a radiology person?

Radiology and imaging technology is a career choice that is applicable to students interested in the health field but who also enjoy technology, anatomy, equipment and diagnostic work.

It’s a suitable career path for those who enjoy working with patients and appreciate the physical aspects of medical technology, who are also willing to adhere to the detailed safety measures and imaging protocols. Patience is also a requisite of the work: A technically good image is not just the product of a machine being switched on. Positioning, communication, image quality and safety are of concern.

Careers can go beyond regular X-rays! Qualified and trained imaging practitioners can use imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have employment opportunities in hospitals, diagnostic centers and other health care facilities.

What courses to pursue after 12th?

This will really depend on what type of career you would like to undertake. If you want to get yourself become a doctor and a radiologist, then prepare for NEET-UG and follow the MBBS to Radio-Diagnosis Pathway.

If you are not interested in becoming a doctor but do want to work in medical imaging, check out the recognised radiography, radiology and imaging technology courses and understand the courses offered, clinical experience offered, equipment exposure, and entry requirements.

That’s a distinction that must be made before deciding on an entrance exam. Radiology isn’t behind one machine. It’s a profession that involves both healthcare and medical technology. So the key question to ask isn’t a matter of “which radiology entrance exam should I take?”

It’s asking a more useful question first:“Would I want to be the doctor who reads the picture, or the health care provider who takes it?” When this is understood the education and pathway of entry becomes much more comprehensible.