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EDAIC Part 1
Complete Preparation Guide

European Diploma in Anaesthesiology & Intensive Care — Comprehensive study resource by Scrutiny Academy

50 MCQs with Answers Topic-wise Flashcards Study Schedule Jun–Sep 2026 Key Exam Topics Exam Format Guide
About EDAIC Part 1

🎓 What is EDAIC?

The European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC) is a prestigious examination conducted by the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA). Part 1 assesses basic science knowledge fundamental to anaesthetic practice.

📋 Eligibility

  • Medical degree recognised in your country
  • Enrolled in or completed anaesthesia training
  • ESA membership (required at time of exam)
  • Appropriate clinical experience in anaesthesia

📅 Exam Sitting

  • Typically held twice yearly (Spring & Autumn)
  • Online proctored format (post-COVID)
  • Multiple choice questions (MCQ/SBA/MTF)
  • Results announced within weeks

✅ Why EDAIC?

  • Internationally recognised qualification
  • Pathway to EDAIC Part 2 (clinical)
  • Improves job prospects across Europe
  • Enhances clinical knowledge & evidence base

📊 Pass Rate & Scoring

Pass mark is typically 60–65% (set by the exam committee via Angoff method). Candidates are ranked. High scorers receive a distinction. Negative marking does NOT apply.

📚 Recommended Textbooks

  • Miller's Anesthesia (latest edition)
  • Nunn's Applied Respiratory Physiology
  • Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology
  • Stoelting's Pharmacology & Physiology
  • Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology
  • Calvey & Williams: Principles of Pharmacology
Exam Format

📄 Paper Structure

ComponentDetails
Paper 1 – Basic Sciences60 MCQs — Physiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physics
Paper 2 – Pharmacology60 MCQs — Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug classes
Question FormatSingle Best Answer (SBA) or Multiple True/False (MTF)
Duration3 hours total (approx. 90 min per paper)
Negative MarkingNone (no penalty for wrong answers)
Pass Mark~60–65% (Angoff method, varies each sitting)

🧬 Subject Weightings (Approximate)

SubjectApprox. WeightPriority
Respiratory Physiology18–22%Very High
Cardiovascular Physiology15–18%Very High
Pharmacokinetics & PD12–15%Very High
Renal & Fluid Physiology8–10%High
Neurophysiology & Anatomy8–10%High
Applied Anatomy8–10%High
Inhalational Agents6–8%High
IV Anaesthetics & Opioids6–8%High
Physics & Measurement5–8%Medium
Statistics & Evidence3–5%Medium
Key Exam Topics

🫁 Respiratory Physiology

  • Lung volumes & capacities (FRC, RV, TLC) HIGH
  • Ventilation-perfusion mismatch & V/Q ratio HIGH
  • Oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve HIGH
  • CO₂ transport & Haldane effect HIGH
  • Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction HIGH
  • Compliance, resistance & work of breathing MED
  • Control of breathing (central/peripheral) MED
  • Pulmonary surfactant & Laplace's law MED
  • Diffusion capacity (DLCO) LOW

❤️ Cardiovascular Physiology

  • Cardiac output & Fick's principle HIGH
  • Frank-Starling law & ventricular function curves HIGH
  • Action potentials — ventricular vs SA node HIGH
  • Coronary circulation & oxygen supply/demand HIGH
  • Baroreceptor reflex & autonomic control MED
  • Systemic & pulmonary vascular resistance MED
  • Starling forces & oedema formation MED
  • Pressure-volume loops MED
  • Microcirculation & lymphatics LOW

💊 Pharmacokinetics

  • Volume of distribution (Vd) — 1, 2, 3 compartment models HIGH
  • Clearance — hepatic & renal HIGH
  • Half-life, context-sensitive half-time HIGH
  • Bioavailability & first-pass metabolism HIGH
  • Protein binding (albumin, AAG) MED
  • Renal drug elimination (GFR, secretion) MED
  • Drug-receptor interactions (agonist/antagonist) MED
  • Enzyme induction & inhibition LOW

🧪 Inhalational Agents

  • MAC — definition, factors affecting MAC HIGH
  • Blood:gas partition coefficient HIGH
  • Oil:gas partition coefficient & potency HIGH
  • Sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane properties HIGH
  • Meyer-Overton hypothesis MED
  • Second gas effect & concentration effect MED
  • Volatile agent metabolism & toxicity MED
  • Environmental impact & global warming LOW

🩺 IV Anaesthetics & Sedatives

  • Propofol: GABA mechanism, context-sensitive T½ HIGH
  • Ketamine: NMDA antagonism, dissociative HIGH
  • Thiopentone: redistribution & kinetics MED
  • Etomidate: adrenal suppression MED
  • Midazolam & benzodiazepine pharmacology MED
  • Dexmedetomidine: alpha-2 agonist MED
  • TIVA principles & TCI systems LOW

💉 Opioids & Analgesics

  • Opioid receptors (μ, κ, δ) & their effects HIGH
  • Fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil kinetics HIGH
  • Morphine metabolism (M6G, M3G) HIGH
  • Naloxone & reversal pharmacology MED
  • NSAIDs: COX mechanism, renal effects MED
  • Paracetamol mechanism & overdose MED
  • Tramadol: dual mechanism LOW

💪 Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

  • Depolarising vs non-depolarising NMBAs HIGH
  • Suxamethonium: mechanism, side effects, phase II block HIGH
  • Rocuronium, vecuronium, atracurium kinetics HIGH
  • Neuromuscular junction physiology MED
  • Neostigmine & sugammadex reversal MED
  • TOF, PTC, DBS monitoring MED
  • Pseudocholinesterase deficiency LOW

🧠 Neurophysiology

  • Cerebral blood flow & autoregulation HIGH
  • ICP, CPP & Monroe-Kellie doctrine HIGH
  • Blood-brain barrier & neurotransmitters MED
  • CMRO₂ & effect of anaesthetics on brain MED
  • Neuromonitoring: EEG, BIS, SSEPs MED
  • CSF production & circulation LOW

🦴 Applied Anatomy

  • Upper airway anatomy (larynx, trachea) HIGH
  • Brachial plexus anatomy & nerve blocks HIGH
  • Epidural & spinal anatomy (vertebral levels) HIGH
  • Popliteal fossa & lower limb nerve anatomy MED
  • Stellate ganglion & sympathetic chain MED
  • Inguinal & femoral anatomy LOW

⚗️ Acid-Base & Fluids

  • Henderson-Hasselbalch equation & buffer systems HIGH
  • Metabolic & respiratory acidosis/alkalosis HIGH
  • Stewart's strong ion difference (SID) MED
  • Body fluid compartments (ICF, ECF, plasma) MED
  • Crystalloid vs colloid pharmacology MED
  • Osmolality & oncotic pressure LOW

🔬 Physics & Measurement

  • Gas laws (Boyle's, Charles', Gay-Lussac's) HIGH
  • Flowmeters — laminar vs turbulent (Hagen-Poiseuille) HIGH
  • Pulse oximetry — Beer-Lambert law MED
  • Invasive BP monitoring & damping MED
  • Electrical safety — microshock vs macroshock MED
  • Temperature measurement & Bain circuit LOW

💧 Renal Physiology

  • GFR measurement & autoregulation HIGH
  • Tubular reabsorption & secretion mechanisms HIGH
  • RAAS system & aldosterone MED
  • ADH, osmoreceptors & water balance MED
  • Diuretic pharmacology & mechanisms MED
  • Renal handling of drugs LOW
50 Practice MCQs

Quiz Complete! 🎉

0

out of 50 questions

Topic-wise Flashcards

Click any card to reveal the answer. Use arrow buttons to navigate.

Study Schedule — Jun 1 to Sep 1, 2026

📅 13-Week Structured Study Plan

This schedule is designed for working anaesthesia trainees aiming for a top rank in EDAIC Part 1. Allocate 2–3 hours daily on weekdays and 4–5 hours on weekends. Total study time: approximately 350–400 hours.

How to Prepare & Get a Good Rank
📖

Master the Fundamentals

  • Build a strong physiology foundation first
  • Understand mechanisms, not just facts
  • Draw and re-draw key curves & diagrams
  • Cross-reference between subjects
  • Read at least one core textbook fully
✏️

Active Recall & Practice

  • Do MCQs from day 1, not just at the end
  • Use spaced repetition (Anki/flashcards)
  • Aim for 100+ MCQs per week minimum
  • Review wrong answers immediately
  • Simulate exam conditions (timed practice)
🎯

Prioritise Strategically

  • Respiratory + CVS physiology = 35% of exam
  • Focus on high-yield topics first
  • Don't neglect pharmacokinetics (always tested)
  • Anatomy of blocks is consistently examined
  • Never skip physics — easy marks
🤝

Study Groups & Resources

  • Join EDAIC online study groups (Facebook, Telegram)
  • Use ESA online learning platform
  • Attend Scrutiny Academy review sessions
  • Watch video lectures (FRCA/EDAIC YouTube)
  • Use Primary FRCA MCQ banks (similar level)
😴

Wellbeing & Balance

  • Sleep 7–8 hours — consolidates memory
  • Exercise 3–4× per week (improves focus)
  • Take one full rest day per week
  • Avoid burnout — marathon, not sprint
  • Practice mindfulness before stressful revision
🏆

Exam Day Strategy

  • Read each question carefully — beware "EXCEPT"
  • Answer ALL questions (no negative marking!)
  • Flag uncertain ones and return
  • First instinct is usually correct — don't over-change
  • Manage time: ~90 sec per question
📊

Progress Tracking

  • Log daily study hours in a journal
  • Track MCQ scores weekly (target >65%)
  • Review weak topics fortnightly
  • Take a full mock exam every 4 weeks
  • Compare scores to improve systematically
🔑

High-Yield Resources

  • Anaesthesia UK MCQ bank (anesthesiauk.com)
  • Primary FRCA MCQ books (Pinnock, Yentis)
  • ESA e-learning platform resources
  • Calgary Guide to understanding diagnoses
  • Deranged Physiology website (free, excellent)