EDAIC Part 1 2026: Exam Date and Registration Archive

EDAIC Part 1 2026 took place on 19 September 2026. Registration is closed. This page is an archive of that sitting, retained for candidates checking the past cycle. The Romanian society's examination notices confirm the 2026 written date.

Planning the next sitting? Use the EDAIC Part 1 2027 dates and registration guide for the announced 11 September 2027 examination and the separate registration updates. Do not reuse a 2026 deadline for a new application.

When was EDAIC Part 1 2026?

The Part 1 written examination was held on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with Paper A and Paper B in the same sitting. Individual arrival times and centre instructions were issued to registered candidates.

This archive does not report an individual's result. Candidates should use ESAIC's official communications for results and progression requirements.

What the EDAIC actually is

The EDAIC is the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, awarded by ESAIC (the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care). It is a two-part assessment designed to certify a broad, pan-European standard of knowledge and clinical competence in anaesthesia and intensive care.

• Part 1 is a written examination made up of two papers (more on these below).
• Part 2 is a structured oral examination — a viva built around guided clinical questions — taken only after you have passed Part 1.

So when people talk about the edaic exam 2026, they usually mean one of two distinct events: the Part 1 written paper on 19 September 2026, or a separate Part 2 oral sitting in that year. This page is about Part 1. If you are already looking ahead to the viva, our EDAIC Part 2 oral exam (SOE) guide covers what that stage involves.

The two papers: Paper A and Paper B

Part 1 is split into two papers, each testing a different half of the syllabus. Understanding the split is the first step to revising efficiently.

Both papers use the same MTF (Multiple True/False) question format: a stem is followed by five statements, labelled A to E, and you judge each statement independently as True or False. There is no "single best answer" — each of the five lettered statements is its own mini-decision.

The practical consequence is huge: a single stem becomes five marking opportunities. Get comfortable treating each statement on its own merits rather than hunting for "the answer". Our deep dive on MTF question strategy for the EDAIC breaks down the technique, and if you want the full anatomy of both papers, see the Paper A and Paper B format explained.

No negative marking — so answer everything

This is one of the most important things to internalise, and candidates still get it wrong. Negative marking was removed in 2014. A correct statement scores; a wrong or blank statement simply scores zero. There is no penalty for guessing.

The strategy that follows is simple and non-negotiable: answer every single statement. Leaving any A–E blank is leaving free marks on the table. If you genuinely don't know, make your best-reasoned judgement and move on — a blank and a wrong answer cost you exactly the same, so a guess can only help.

Marking and progression

Both Part I papers must be passed. The ESAIC Diploma Guide describes the marking framework; do not treat a historical pass mark or a question-bank score as a guaranteed target. Passing Part I is also separate from satisfying the eligibility requirements for Part II.

Available languages

One of the genuinely candidate-friendly features of Part 1 is language choice. The EDAIC Part 1 written exam is offered in several European languages, which is a real advantage for trainees who would rather read dense basic-science stems in their first language under time pressure.

A couple of points to keep in mind:

• Both examination parts have multiple language options. Part II availability depends on the calendar and available seats; it is not an English-only examination.
• The specific languages available, and any constraints on choosing one, are set by ESAIC and can vary — confirm the current list on the official ESAIC/EDAIC (myESAIC) website before you assume your preferred language is offered.

If English will be your exam language and you are an international medical graduate, you are in very good company — a large share of EDAIC candidates sit in English as a second or third language. The vocabulary is learnable, and consistent exposure through practice questions is the fastest way to build it.

How registration works (and an important note for 2026)

Here is the part that needs to be crystal clear.

The 2026 registration window is closed and the examination has taken place. This archive cannot be used to make a new application. The steps below describe the general process; check the current cycle before acting.

That said, it is worth understanding the broad shape of the process so you are ready for the next cycle:

1. Create or sign in to your myESAIC account. This is the official portal for registration, payment and your candidate communications.
2. Confirm your eligibility. The EDAIC has eligibility criteria, and these matter especially for international doctors — see our note on EDAIC eligibility for international doctors.
3. Select the Part 1 written exam, your centre and your language during the open registration window.
4. Pay the fee and receive confirmation. Your confirmation email becomes your reference for centre, time and instructions.

Crucially, registration deadlines are cycle-specific. They are not a fixed calendar date you can memorise once — each year ESAIC publishes the opening and closing dates for that cycle. Because the 2026 window has closed, the right move now is to:

• Check the official ESAIC/EDAIC (myESAIC) website for the next cycle's registration opening and closing dates, and
• Set yourself a reminder well ahead of that closing date so you never miss a window again.

For a new application, see the 2027 dates and registration guide. And when you are ready to start preparing in earnest, you can create a free AnesCORE account and begin practising immediately, regardless of where you are in the registration timeline.

A note on fees and figures: we deliberately don't quote exact euro fees, question counts, pass percentages or specific centres on this page, because these can change between cycles. Always confirm the current numbers on the official ESAIC/EDAIC site rather than relying on a figure copied from a forum.

OLA supports preparation, not an alternative Part 1 pass

OLA (On-Line Assessment) uses Part 1-style content to provide assessment feedback. It does not grant a Part 1 exemption, so keep formal examination registration on your timeline. Our OLA explainer explains its preparation role.

For separate qualification-based exemptions, check the ESAIC Diploma Guide and obtain confirmation from ESAIC before making registration decisions.

How EDAIC Part 1 compares to FRCA

A question that comes up constantly, particularly from doctors weighing their options: how does this compare to the UK's FRCA?

• FRCA is the Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists — the UK examination, comprising the Primary FRCA and the Final FRCA, awarded by the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
• EDAIC is the broadly comparable pan-European diploma, awarded by ESAIC.

They are separate qualifications with different awarding bodies. There is meaningful overlap in the underlying basic-science and clinical content, which is why many candidates prepare for both using overlapping resources — but they are not interchangeable, and each has its own format and rules. If you are deciding between them, our comparison of the EDAIC versus the FRCA lays out the trade-offs.

Study lessons to carry into your next sitting

The 2026 preparation window is over. If you are preparing for another attempt or starting for the first time, rebuild your timetable around the new date. The following study habits remain useful:

• Start with structure, not panic. A written plan beats heroic last-minute cramming every time — our framework for an effective EDAIC study plan gives you a template.
• Use spaced repetition for the memory-heavy material. Pharmacology, physics and statistics reward repeated, spaced exposure rather than single deep dives — see the spaced-repetition memory method.
• Practise in the exam's own format. Because Part 1 is entirely MTF, the closest thing to "studying the exam" is doing high-quality MTF questions and reviewing every statement — both the ones you got wrong and the ones you got right for the wrong reason.
• Front-load the high-yield basic sciences. Paper A rewards mechanistic understanding; revisit high-yield physiology topics and high-yield pharmacology topics early and often.
• Protect a final revision month. A focused last-month plan consolidates everything — see our final month before the EDAIC revision plan.

If you want the complete, soup-to-nuts roadmap rather than individual tactics, our complete EDAIC Part 1 preparation guide ties the whole approach together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was EDAIC Part 1 2026?

The written examination took place on 19 September 2026. This page is a historical reference for that sitting.

Can I still register for the 2026 Part 1 exam?

No. That sitting has taken place. Check the 2027 guide and the official Part I page for the next examination and application window.

What languages is EDAIC Part 1 offered in?

Part 1 is offered in several European languages, which can be a real advantage if you would rather sit the basic-science paper in your first language. The exact list is set by ESAIC and can change, so confirm it on the official site. Part II also offers several languages, subject to the current calendar and available seats.

Is there negative marking on EDAIC Part 1?

No. Negative marking was removed in 2014. Each True/False statement either scores or scores zero — a wrong answer is treated the same as a blank. Because there is no penalty for guessing, you should answer every statement.

How is the pass mark decided?

ESAIC's Examinations Committee sets the marks using its examination framework. See the official Diploma Guide rather than assuming a fixed percentage from an earlier sitting will apply again.

Preparing for a future sitting

Keep this page for the 2026 record. For a new plan, use the current dates guide, an effective study plan and MTF question practice. AnesCORE is independent of ESAIC.

Correction — 7 October 2026: OLA/HOLA assessment does not grant a Part 1 exemption. Checked against the ESAIC Diploma Guide and ESAIC OLA/HOLA guidance.