EDAIC Part 2 Mock Viva Feedback Rubric: A Practice Framework

Preparing for the EDAIC Part 2 structured oral examination (SOE) is fundamentally different from revising for a written paper. The viva tests not only your knowledge but also your ability to communicate clinical reasoning under pressure, prioritise management steps and respond to examiner prompts. Many candidates find it helpful to practise with colleagues or mentors using mock vivas, but without a clear framework it can be difficult to give—or receive—useful feedback. This article presents an unofficial EDAIC viva feedback rubric designed for practice sessions. It is not ESAIC's official scoring sheet, it cannot predict your result, and it should never be used to assign a pass or fail threshold. Instead, treat it as a structured lens through which to reflect on your performance and target specific areas for improvement.

Why Use a Feedback Rubric for Mock Vivas?

The EDAIC Part 2 SOE comprises guided clinical questions across a range of topics: pre-operative assessment, intra-operative management, post-operative and intensive care, emergency scenarios, regional anaesthesia and pain. Examiners are trained to probe your reasoning, not simply to tick off facts. A well-designed EDAIC mock viva feedback tool helps you and your practice partner to:

• Identify patterns: Are you consistently strong on pharmacology but vague on prioritisation? Do you struggle to adapt when the examiner redirects the question?
• Calibrate expectations: Understanding what "good structure" or "clear reasoning" looks like in a viva setting reduces anxiety and focuses revision.
• Simulate the real experience: Using a rubric during practice reinforces the discipline of organising your answer aloud, just as you will on exam day.

Remember that the actual EDAIC Part 2 marking is criterion-referenced and conducted by trained examiners using ESAIC's own standardised framework. No practice rubric can replicate that process exactly, but a thoughtful self-assessment tool can sharpen your performance.

The Six Domains of the Practice Rubric

This EDAIC SOE self assessment rubric divides performance into six domains. For each domain, consider whether the candidate's answer was strong, adequate or needs improvement. Avoid translating these judgements into numerical scores or pass thresholds—your goal is qualitative feedback, not a predicted mark.

1. Relevance and Accuracy

What to assess: Did the candidate address the question asked? Were the clinical facts, drug doses, physiological principles and guidelines cited correctly?

• Strong: Answers are on-topic, factually accurate and reflect current evidence or widely accepted practice. The candidate does not invent data or stray into unrelated tangents.
• Adequate: Mostly accurate with minor slips (for example, a slightly imprecise dose range that would not compromise safety). Stays broadly on-topic.
• Needs improvement: Significant factual errors, outdated information or failure to answer the question posed. Discusses irrelevant material at length.

Exam tip: If you realise mid-answer that you have misunderstood the question, it is better to pause, acknowledge the error politely and refocus than to plough on with an irrelevant monologue.

2. Structure and Organisation

What to assess: Did the candidate present their answer in a logical sequence? Was it easy to follow?

• Strong: Uses a clear framework (for example, "I would assess this patient using an ABCDE approach," or "I will discuss pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative considerations"). Signposts transitions between topics.
• Adequate: Generally coherent, though occasional backtracking or minor disorganisation. The examiner can follow the thread without difficulty.
• Needs improvement: Chaotic or stream-of-consciousness delivery. Jumps between topics without signposting. The examiner must work hard to extract the key points.

In the real EDAIC viva, examiners appreciate candidates who think aloud in an organised way. Practising with a rubric that highlights oral exam scoring practice for structure will help you develop this skill.

3. Prioritisation and Clinical Judgement

What to assess: Did the candidate identify the most urgent or important issues first? Did they demonstrate sound clinical judgement?

• Strong: Clearly prioritises life-threatening problems (airway, breathing, circulation) before less urgent concerns. Recognises when immediate intervention is needed and when further investigation is appropriate. Balances risks and benefits sensibly.
• Adequate: Generally safe priorities, though may occasionally dwell on a minor point before addressing a more critical issue.
• Needs improvement: Poor prioritisation (for example, discussing elective investigations before securing the airway in a deteriorating patient). Lacks insight into urgency or risk.

Key point: The EDAIC Part 2 viva is fundamentally a test of safe, competent practice. Prioritisation errors are more concerning to examiners than minor factual slips.

4. Reasoning and Depth of Understanding

What to assess: Did the candidate explain why they would take a particular action, or simply list steps? Did they demonstrate understanding of underlying physiology, pharmacology or pathophysiology?

• Strong: Explains the rationale behind management decisions. Links clinical signs to physiological mechanisms. Shows insight into why guidelines recommend certain approaches.
• Adequate: Provides some reasoning, though may rely on rote-learned algorithms without deeper explanation. Answers "what" more confidently than "why."
• Needs improvement: Purely algorithmic or checklist responses with no rationale. Cannot explain the reasoning when prompted.

Examiners will often probe your reasoning with follow-up questions. Practising with a rubric that highlights this domain helps you anticipate and prepare for such prompts.

5. Handling Examiner Prompts and Flexibility

What to assess: How did the candidate respond when the examiner redirected, challenged or asked a follow-up question?

• Strong: Listens carefully to prompts. Adapts the answer appropriately. Remains calm if challenged and either defends their position with evidence or gracefully acknowledges uncertainty.
• Adequate: Generally responsive, though may need the prompt repeated or may hesitate before adjusting.
• Needs improvement: Ignores or misinterprets prompts. Becomes defensive, flustered or continues with the original answer despite redirection. Fails to engage with the examiner's question.

The interactive nature of the SOE means that flexibility is crucial. Use mock vivas to practise this skill explicitly.

6. Communication and Clarity

What to assess: Was the candidate's spoken English (or the examination language) clear and professional? Did they use appropriate terminology?

• Strong: Speaks clearly at a measured pace. Uses correct clinical terminology. Easy to understand, even when discussing complex topics.
• Adequate: Generally clear, though may occasionally stumble over words or use imprecise lay terms where a technical term would be better.
• Needs improvement: Difficult to understand due to unclear speech, heavy reliance on jargon without explanation, or frequent long pauses.

Part II is offered in several languages, subject to demand and available places; check the language of your chosen sitting on the official ESAIC Part II page. Practise aloud in that language, especially if it is not your first language.

Using the Rubric in Practice Sessions

1. Assign roles: One person acts as the candidate, the other as the examiner. The examiner should prepare a clinical scenario in advance (draw on past EDAIC topics, textbook cases or your own clinical experience).
2. Conduct the viva: Aim for 10–15 minutes per question, mirroring the real exam format. The examiner should ask follow-up questions and give prompts as needed.
3. Provide feedback: After the viva, the examiner reviews each of the six domains aloud, giving specific examples ("Your prioritisation was strong—you immediately identified the airway issue. However, your explanation of the pharmacology was a bit vague; you said 'it works on receptors' without naming them").
4. Reflect and iterate: The candidate notes one or two domains to focus on in the next session. Over multiple practice vivas, you should see patterns emerge and improvement in weaker areas.

Key point: Do not try to convert your feedback into a numerical score or a pass/fail prediction. The real EDAIC marking is far more nuanced, and any attempt to simulate it risks false reassurance or unnecessary anxiety.

What This Rubric Is Not

This practice framework is not ESAIC's official scoring sheet. The actual EDAIC Part 2 examiners use a standardised, criterion-referenced system developed and calibrated by the examination committee. That system is not published in full, and it is designed to be applied by trained examiners, not by candidates or their peers. This rubric is simply a tool to structure your EDAIC mock viva feedback and guide self-improvement. It cannot predict your result, assign a pass mark or replace the judgement of qualified examiners.

Integrating the Rubric into Your Revision Plan

As you prepare for the EDAIC Part 2, aim to complete at least one mock viva per week in the months leading up to the exam. Use the rubric to track your progress over time:

• Early preparation: Focus on building a broad knowledge base and practising the discipline of speaking aloud. Expect your structure and communication to improve rapidly with repetition.
• Mid-preparation: Work on depth of reasoning and prioritisation. Challenge yourself with complex, multi-system scenarios.
• Final weeks: Simulate exam conditions as closely as possible. Practise handling unexpected prompts and maintaining composure under pressure.

Complement your mock vivas with reading (standard anaesthesia and intensive care textbooks, ESAIC guidelines, recent review articles) and with formative assessments such as the OLA (On-Line Assessment) if your training programme offers it. The combination of knowledge acquisition and deliberate oral practice is the most effective preparation strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official EDAIC Part 2 marking scheme?

ESAIC does not publish the detailed marking scheme used by examiners. The Part 2 SOE is criterion-referenced, meaning that examiners assess whether you meet a defined standard of competence across the range of topics. The best way to understand what is expected is to practise with experienced colleagues, attend official EDAIC preparation courses if available and review the syllabus on the ESAIC website.

Can I use this rubric to predict my exam result?

No. This rubric is an unofficial practice tool designed to structure feedback during mock vivas. It cannot replicate the trained judgement of EDAIC examiners or the standardised conditions of the real exam. Use it to identify strengths and areas for improvement, not to generate a predicted score.

How many mock vivas should I do before the EDAIC Part 2?

There is no fixed number, but most successful candidates complete at least 8–12 full mock vivas (covering a range of topics) in the months before the exam. Quality matters more than quantity: a single well-structured mock viva with detailed feedback is more valuable than several rushed, unfocused sessions.

Should I practise vivas alone or with a partner?

Both have value. Practising with a partner (ideally someone also preparing for the EDAIC or a senior colleague) allows you to receive real-time feedback and experience the interactive nature of the SOE. Solo practice—speaking your answers aloud to an empty room or recording yourself—can help you refine structure and fluency. Aim for a mix of both.

Final Thoughts

The EDAIC Part 2 structured oral examination is a rigorous but fair test of your ability to think and communicate like a competent anaesthetist. Using an EDAIC viva feedback rubric during your preparation gives you a clear framework for self-assessment, helps you track progress across multiple domains and builds the confidence to perform well on exam day. Remember that this rubric is a practice tool, not a substitute for the official examination process. Focus on safe, logical, well-reasoned answers; respond thoughtfully to examiner prompts; and trust that consistent, deliberate practice will prepare you for success.

For the latest information on EDAIC Part 2 dates, registration and examination centres, visit the official ESAIC website (myESAIC portal). The next Part 1 written exam is confirmed for 19 September 2026, and Part 2 sittings typically follow in the subsequent months—check the portal for the exact schedule.

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