EDAIC exam-day guide
EDAIC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the exact identity document the examining body requires for admission to the written and oral parts. The European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC) is run by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC); confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted and whether the name must match your application exactly. If you hold more than one passport or ID card, bring the one used at registration.
Admission confirmation and candidate number
Carry a printed and an electronic copy of your registration confirmation, candidate number, and the venue or online-platform instructions. Confirm with the provider whether printed copies are mandatory on site. Having your candidate number visible saves time at check-in and prevents identity mix-ups.
Exam schedule and venue instructions
Note reporting time, session start times, address, building entrance, and any security screening. For online delivery, note the platform, link, and required browser. Arrive with buffer time; late arrival rules vary, so confirm with the provider what happens if you miss the reporting window.
Approved calculator or none at all
Some written formats permit a basic calculator; many computer-based platforms provide an on-screen calculator instead. Confirm with the provider whether a physical calculator is allowed and which models are permitted. If in doubt, plan to do arithmetic mentally or on provided scratch material.
Watch and layers
A simple analogue watch helps you pace sections if the room clock is not visible; smartwatches are almost always prohibited. Dress in layers because exam halls are often cold or warm, and choose quiet clothing that does not distract you or neighbours.
Travel and accommodation plan
Book accommodation near the venue and confirm transport times, especially for early starts. For international sittings, check visa or entry requirements well in advance and keep copies of bookings. A short, predictable commute reduces morning stress.
Rest, food, and hydration plan
Plan a normal night's sleep, a light familiar breakfast, and water. Avoid heavy caffeine loads or new supplements on exam day. Know the break policy: confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at your seat or only outside the room.
Revision plan for the final days
In the last 72 hours, prioritise high-yield topics, guideline summaries, and your own error log rather than new material. Rehearse the structure of oral answers aloud. Stop heavy study the evening before and protect sleep.
Oral-exam preparation materials
For the oral part, rehearse structured answers covering physiology, pharmacology, physics and equipment, clinical anaesthesia, intensive care, and emergencies. Practise thinking aloud and stating assumptions. Confirm with the provider the exact format, number of stations, and timing of your oral sitting.
Emergency contacts and backup plan
Save the provider's contact details and a local emergency number. Have a backup route to the venue and, for online exams, a backup internet connection such as a phone hotspot. Report technical problems immediately if the provider allows it.
Items to leave behind
Leave smart devices, notes, and study material outside the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider the rules on bags, phones, and personal items; many centres require them stored away from the desk.
Post-exam logistics
Know how and when results are released and whether you need to keep any paperwork. Confirm with the provider the timeline for results and any feedback or appeals process, so you are not searching for this information afterwards.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue address or online platform, reporting time, ID requirements, and calculator policy with the provider. Print or download your confirmation and candidate number. Check travel, accommodation, and visa status. Switch from broad reading to targeted revision of high-yield topics and your personal error list. Do one timed practice set to rehearse pacing, then review mistakes rather than scores.
Rehearse oral answers aloud if you have an oral component: practise a clear structure of definition, mechanism, clinical relevance, and management. Review key guidelines and formulae you tend to forget. Prepare clothing, ID, confirmation, and any permitted items in one bag. Avoid starting new complex topics that will not consolidate in time.
Do a light review of summaries and your error log, then stop. Check the weather and transport one more time. Set two alarms and confirm the morning plan. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and aim for a full night's sleep. Confirm with the provider any last-minute instructions about arrival or platform access.
Eat a light breakfast, hydrate moderately, and avoid unfamiliar food or excess caffeine. Arrive with buffer time; for online exams, log in early and test camera, microphone, and connection. Keep your ID and confirmation accessible. Stay calm, read instructions carefully, and note the time allocation for each section.
Read each question fully and watch for negatives and qualifiers. Answer straightforward items first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the format allows. Manage time per section rather than per question. For orals, think aloud, state assumptions, and stay structured under pressure. If a technical problem occurs, follow the provider's stated procedure immediately.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh, then rest. Do not attempt to reconstruct every question. Confirm with the provider how and when results are published and what feedback or re-sitting options exist.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document required by the provider. Your name and details must match your registration; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your ID is lost or expired.
Follow all instructions from invigilators and platform proctors. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not attempt to access notes, phones, or smart devices unless explicitly permitted.
Confirm with the provider the policy on breaks, food, drink, and leaving the room. Rules differ between paper, computer-based, and oral sittings, so do not assume a break will be available.
Understand the scoring and pass rules before you sit. The EDAIC has written and oral components, and the pass standard is set by the examining body; confirm with the provider the current structure, weighting, and whether components can be taken separately.
If you need special arrangements, request them well before the exam and confirm approval in writing with the provider. Do not assume adjustments will be granted on the day.
Report any technical failure, illness, or irregularity immediately through the provider's stated channel; late reports may not be considered. Keep any evidence you are asked to provide.
Do not share, record, or reproduce exam content afterwards. Candidate confidentiality rules apply, and breaches can affect your result.
Confirm with the provider the rules on permitted calculators, watches, and personal items, and the consequences of a rules breach, before exam day.