The QIR exam (Resident Internal Chemist) is a nationwide opposition for Chemistry graduates, which allows them to access a training specialist position in the National Health System in Spain. This exam is one of the Specialized Health Training (FSE) tests. In this post we will explain all the information you need to know about this selective process.
This exam is held annually and takes place between the months of January and February, normally the last week of January and the first week of February.
The QIR exam
The QIR is a chemistry exam with 210 multiple-choice questions, in which 200 questions are taken into account for the evaluation and 10 are reserve questions. Each correct question will be worth 3 points and each wrong question will subtract one point. Blank questions do not add or subtract. The exam questions include images to lead to mini clinical cases.
A maximum of 4 hours and 30 minutes is allowed to complete the exam. There is no official agenda, since it is considered that anything related to or belonging to the following areas of chemistry could be asked: metabolic biochemistry, genetics, organic and inorganic chemistry, instrumental techniques, physical chemistry, biostatistics, physiology and analytic chemistry. However, an ‘informal’ syllabus is available for preparing the exam, based on previous exams. The mark obtained in the exam (90% of the final mark) together with the evaluation of the scale or academic record (10% of it) allow ordering all those presented from highest to lowest score.
After the exam, the opponents who pass the tests will have the title of Specialist Biologist and will choose the hospital where they will carry out the residency. The exam assesses the chemistry knowledge of more than 300 chemistry graduates.
QIR exam specialties
The position as a Specialist Chemist in the Spanish National Health System has 3 possible specialties:
- Clinical Analysis
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Microbiology and Parasitology
- Radiopharmacy
All of them have a training period of 4 years, except Radiopharmacy, which lasts 3 years.
Call 2023
This is the exam for this year’s QIR call:
QIR exams – previous calls
Next, we show you examples of exams from the last 2 calls.
2021 QIR (2020-2021 call)
