HERMES Paediatric Respiratory

ERS states the examination consists of 90 multiple-choice questions in English and lasts 3 hours. It is proctored/invigilated and runs without breaks, so plan your stamina for a single continuous sitting rather than expecting pauses between sections.

ERS divides the paper into two parts: Type-A questions, which give five answer options with one correct answer, and K-prime questions, which give four answer options and can have anywhere from 0 to 4 correct answers. K-prime items reward precise, complete judgement rather than simple elimination.

ERS states there is no negative marking. That means an unanswered question can only cost you, so aim to mark a response for every item. For K-prime questions, still decide each option deliberately rather than guessing all four as correct.

ERS lists three categories. European Diploma: qualified respiratory medicine specialists, or final-year trainees finalising their national programme. In-training: anyone working towards their national qualification. Self-assessment: qualified doctors. Passing the examination in the Diploma category grants the HERMES European Diploma.

ERS announces the 2027 HERMES examinations in adult and paediatric respiratory medicine for 2 October 2027, with registration opening in March 2027. Both dates are future announcements, so confirm current-cycle details on the ERS site before planning travel or study deadlines.

ERS states the HERMES examinations in adult and paediatric respiratory medicine are available in Spanish and French. Candidates sit the exact same exam as every other candidate, but the question content is entirely translated. The examination structure page still describes the questions as in English.

ERS says the online examination lets candidates participate from anywhere in the world under secured human supervision of the CYIM/ProctorU invigilation platform. Expect identity checks and a supervised environment, and test your equipment and connection well before the sitting rather than on the day.

ERS runs examination preparation courses in which participants test applied knowledge against 30 high-quality, case-based multiple-choice questions selected from the HERMES question pool. The paediatric respiratory medicine preparation course is advertised for 25 August 2026, online. Treat it as a diagnostic of your weak areas, not a syllabus.

ERS describes the examinations as the standard of knowledge-assessment for respiratory specialists at European level and recognised within the profession worldwide. They are accredited by EBAP and approved by UEMS and the European Academy of Paediatrics, and the Swiss societies have adopted HERMES exams as their mandatory written exit exam.