EDAIC Results: When They Arrive and What Comes Next

The weeks after sitting the EDAC Part 1 written examination are often anxious ones. You have invested months of preparation, sat through two demanding papers, and now you wait. Understanding when and how EDAIC results arrive—and what each outcome means for your next steps—helps you plan constructively, whether you are moving forward to Part 2 or preparing to resit.

The Results Timeline: What to Expect

The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) typically releases EDAIC Part 1 results approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the examination date. This interval allows time for careful marking, quality assurance, and the application of criterion-referenced standard setting (an Angoff-style process that ensures the pass mark reflects a defined level of competence, not a fixed quota).

Results are communicated by email to the address you provided during registration. You will also be able to log into your candidate portal on the ESAIC website to view your detailed score report. Do not rely on rumour or unofficial channels—wait for the formal notification.

Exam tip: Check your spam and junk folders in the days around the expected release date, and ensure your registered email address is current. If colleagues report receiving results and you have not, contact the ESAIC examination office promptly.

For the 19 September 2026 sitting, you might therefore expect results in mid-to-late November 2026, though ESAIC will confirm the exact date closer to the time. Always refer to the official ESAIC website or your candidate correspondence for the definitive timeline.

Understanding Your Score Report

Your EDAIC results will show separate scores for Paper A (Basic Sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, physics and clinical measurement, equipment, statistics) and Paper B (Clinical Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, including regional anaesthesia, special and sub-specialty anaesthesia, intensive care, emergency medicine, and pain).

Each paper is marked independently. To pass the EDAIC Part 1, you must achieve the pass standard in both papers in the same sitting. If you pass one paper but not the other, you carry forward the pass and need only resit the paper you failed at the next available examination.

What the Numbers Mean

The score report will typically show:

Your raw score (number of correct statements out of the total available)
The pass mark for that sitting
Whether you achieved a pass, borderline, or fail grade

Remember, there is no negative marking in the EDAIC Part 1 (this was removed in 2014). Every correct statement scores a mark; incorrect or blank statements score zero. This means your raw score directly reflects the number of true/false statements you answered correctly across all the Multiple True/False (MTF) questions.

The pass mark is set using a criterion-referenced method: a panel of examiners judges the difficulty of each question and determines the score that represents the minimum acceptable standard for a competent trainee. This mark can vary slightly between sittings depending on the difficulty of that particular paper, but it is not curved to pass a fixed percentage of candidates.

If You Pass: Progressing to EDAIC Part 2

Congratulations—passing both papers of the EDAIC Part 1 is a significant achievement. You are now eligible to apply for the EDAIC Part 2, the structured oral examination (SOE or viva).

Key Steps After a Pass

Celebrate briefly, then plan. The Part 2 is a different challenge: it tests your ability to discuss clinical scenarios, justify decisions, and demonstrate safe, structured reasoning under examination conditions. Start preparing early.
Check eligibility requirements. You must have completed a defined period of anaesthesia training (typically at least two years in an accredited programme) before sitting Part 2. Confirm the current requirements on the ESAIC website, as they can vary by country and training pathway.
Register for Part 2. The Part 2 examination is held at designated centres across Europe, usually twice a year. Registration deadlines are strict—often several months before the examination date—so note them immediately.
Shift your preparation style. Part 2 rewards depth, clinical reasoning, and the ability to think aloud. Practice viva-style questions with colleagues or senior mentors. Join a study group if possible. AnesCORE offers structured viva practice and clinical scenarios designed to mirror the Part 2 format.

Key point: Passing Part 1 is necessary but not sufficient for the EDAIC diploma. Part 2 assesses your readiness for independent practice. The skills are different, and the preparation must reflect that.

ESAIC does not publish fixed pass rates for either part of the EDAIC, as the examination uses criterion-referenced standard setting. Both parts are challenging and require thorough preparation. Do not underestimate either component.

If You Do Not Pass: Constructive Next Steps

Not passing the EDAIC Part 1—or passing only one paper—is disappointing, but it is also common and entirely surmountable. Many successful anaesthetists have resit one or both papers. What matters is how you respond.

Immediate Actions

Allow yourself a brief period to process the result. Disappointment is natural. Then shift to analysis and planning.
Review your score report carefully. Identify which topics or question types cost you marks. Did you struggle more with basic sciences or clinical scenarios? Were there specific domains (e.g. pharmacology, regional anaesthesia) where you consistently underperformed?
Seek feedback if available. While the EDAIC does not provide question-by-question breakdowns, your training programme director or senior colleagues may help you identify knowledge gaps based on your overall pattern of performance.
Register for the next sitting promptly. If you passed one paper, current ESAIC regulations allow you to carry that pass forward—you need only resit the failed paper. If you failed both, you must resit both, but you can do so at the next available examination. Always confirm the current carry-forward policy on the official ESAIC website, as regulations may be updated.

Adjusting Your Preparation

Resitting is not simply a matter of working harder; it requires working smarter.

Focus on weak areas. Use your score report to guide targeted revision. If pharmacology was your downfall, dedicate disproportionate time to it. If you struggled with MTF question technique, practice more questions under timed conditions.
Change your resources or methods if needed. If your first attempt relied heavily on passive reading, shift to active recall and spaced repetition. If you studied alone, find a study partner or join an online group.
Use high-quality question banks. The MTF format is specific and requires practice. Platforms like AnesCORE provide EDAIC-style questions with detailed explanations, helping you learn both content and exam technique.
Do not neglect clinical work. Your day-to-day experience in theatre and intensive care reinforces your learning. Actively link bedside practice to exam topics.

Exam tip: Many candidates who resit report that their second attempt felt more manageable—not because the exam was easier, but because they knew what to expect and had refined their technique. Use the experience of the first sitting to your advantage.

The Role of OLA (On-Line Assessment)

If you are still in training and have not yet sat the EDAIC Part 1, consider whether you are eligible for the OLA (On-Line Assessment). This is a formative, in-training on-line assessment using EDAIC Part 1-style content. If you pass the OLA under ESAIC's defined conditions (including supervision and timing requirements), you may be exempt from sitting the Part 1 written examination and proceed directly to Part 2.

The OLA is not a resit option if you have already attempted the formal Part 1 exam, but it is worth mentioning for completeness, as some trainees discover this pathway only after they have sat the written exam. Check your national training programme's policies and ESAIC's current OLA regulations.

Comparing EDAIC and FRCA Results

Candidates sometimes ask how EDAIC results compare to the UK's FRCA (Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists). Both are rigorous postgraduate examinations, but they are separate qualifications with different awarding bodies. The EDAIC is the pan-European diploma; the FRCA is specific to the UK.

The Primary FRCA and EDAIC Part 1 cover broadly similar content (basic sciences and clinical fundamentals), though the question formats differ (the Primary FRCA uses Single Best Answer and MTF; the EDAIC Part 1 uses MTF exclusively). Results timelines and resit policies also differ, so do not assume that processes are identical.

If you hold one qualification, you may still need to sit the other depending on where you train or practise, though some jurisdictions offer partial recognition or exemptions. Always confirm current reciprocity arrangements with the relevant college or society.

Planning for the Long Term

Whether you passed or need to resit, remember that the EDAIC is a milestone, not the destination. The diploma certifies a defined standard of knowledge and competence, but your development as an anaesthetist continues throughout your career.

If you passed Part 1: Use the interval before Part 2 to deepen your clinical experience, refine your viva technique, and consolidate your understanding. The Part 2 examiners expect you to think like a consultant, not recite facts.
If you are resitting: Treat this as an opportunity to strengthen your foundation. The knowledge you gain preparing for a resit often proves more durable than that acquired in a rushed first attempt.
In either case: Stay connected with your peer group, seek mentorship from senior colleagues, and use structured resources to guide your preparation. The EDAIC is challenging, but it is passable with the right approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will I receive my EDAIC results?

ESAIC typically releases results 8 to 10 weeks after the examination date, by email and via the candidate portal. For the 19 September 2026 sitting, expect results in mid-to-late November 2026. Check the official ESAIC website or your candidate correspondence for the confirmed date.

What is the EDAIC pass rate for Part 1?

ESAIC does not publish fixed pass rates, as the examination uses criterion-referenced standard setting rather than a norm-referenced curve. The pass mark reflects a defined standard of competence, not a quota. For current information about examination standards and outcomes, consult the official ESAIC website.

If I pass only one paper, do I have to resit both?

No. Under current ESAIC regulations, if you pass one paper (A or B) but not the other, you can carry forward the pass—you need only resit the paper you failed at the next available examination. Always confirm the current carry-forward policy on the official ESAIC website, as regulations may be updated.

Can I proceed to EDAIC Part 2 immediately after passing Part 1?

You are eligible to apply for Part 2 once you have passed both papers of Part 1 and met the training requirements (typically at least two years in an accredited programme). Part 2 sittings occur twice a year at designated centres, with registration deadlines several months in advance, so plan accordingly.

Final Thoughts: Results Are a Moment, Not a Verdict

Receiving your EDAIC results—whether a pass or a resit—is an important moment, but it is only one step in a long and rewarding career. The examination tests a snapshot of your knowledge and exam technique on a particular day. It does not define your worth as a clinician, your potential, or your future.

Use the result constructively: if you passed, prepare thoughtfully for Part 2; if you did not, analyse, adjust, and return stronger. Thousands of anaesthetists across Europe have walked this path before you, and the vast majority have succeeded.

Start preparing for the EDAIC with AnesCORE →