100+ Free EBIR Practice Questions

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European Diploma in Radiology (EDiR)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: EBIR Exam

2 sections

General clinical practice MCQs plus a clinical case scenario examination

CIRSE - EBIR exam structure

~50 MCQs

Standalone single-best-answer questions in the general clinical practice section

CIRSE - How to prepare for the EBIR

10 case items

Sequential clinical case items, each with 4-6 related selected-response questions

CIRSE - How to prepare for the EBIR

50% to pass

Overall combined score required to receive a pass result, with no negative marking

CIRSE - EBIR exam structure

EUR 900

Application fee for a remote, online-proctored EBIR examination session

CIRSE - EBIR entry criteria

Twice a year

Remote online-proctored EBIR sittings held in spring and autumn

CIRSE - EBIR certification

50 CME credits

Minimum IR-related CME required in the 6 years before EBIR registration

CIRSE - EBIR entry criteria

100

Free original practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

The European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) is a voluntary CIRSE subspecialty examination for interventional radiologists, delivered as a fully digital, remote online-proctored written test held twice a year. It has two written sections: a general clinical practice examination of about 50 standalone single-best-answer MCQs, and a clinical case scenario examination of 10 sequential case items, each with 4-6 related selected-response questions. To pass, candidates need an overall combined score of 50% or above, and there is no negative marking. The application fee is EUR 900 for a remote online-proctored session, and eligibility requires completed national radiology training plus at least 50 IR-related CME credits in the prior 6 years. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer practice across the European IR curriculum, from vascular access and embolization to interventional oncology, biliary and GU work, complications and radiation safety.

Sample EBIR Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your EBIR exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1When using ultrasound-guided common femoral artery access, which anatomical landmark indicates the safest puncture level?

A.Over the femoral head, below the inguinal ligament and above the bifurcation

B.At the level of the inguinal skin crease regardless of bony landmarks

C.Below the common femoral bifurcation in the superficial femoral artery

D.Above the inguinal ligament in the external iliac artery

Explanation: The ideal common femoral artery puncture is over the medial third of the femoral head, below the inguinal ligament and above the arterial bifurcation. The bone provides a backstop for manual compression and reduces both retroperitoneal haematoma (from high puncture) and pseudoaneurysm (from low puncture).

2What is the principal advantage of transradial over transfemoral arterial access for peripheral interventions?

A.Larger sheath sizes can be accommodated

B.Lower access-site bleeding and earlier ambulation

C.It avoids the need for any antispasmodic medication

D.It provides better reach to the lower limb vessels

Explanation: Transradial access markedly reduces major access-site bleeding and allows immediate ambulation because the radial artery is superficial and compressible. These benefits have driven its growing use in IR for visceral and some peripheral work.

3The Seldinger technique for vascular access is best described as:

A.Direct surgical cutdown onto the vessel

B.Through-and-through double-wall puncture followed by pullback

C.Puncture, guidewire insertion, then catheter exchange over the wire

D.Blind percutaneous catheter insertion without a guidewire

Explanation: The Seldinger technique involves puncturing the vessel, advancing a guidewire through the needle, removing the needle, and then passing a catheter or sheath over the retained wire. It is the foundation of percutaneous vascular access.

4A patient develops a pulsatile groin mass with a 'to-and-fro' Doppler signal three days after femoral angiography. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A.Arteriovenous fistula

B.Femoral pseudoaneurysm

C.Retroperitoneal haematoma

D.Deep vein thrombosis

Explanation: A pulsatile mass with a classic to-and-fro waveform in the neck on Doppler is characteristic of a pseudoaneurysm, where blood flows into and out of a contained extravascular sac through a defect in the arterial wall.

5Which is the recommended first-line treatment for an uncomplicated 2 cm femoral pseudoaneurysm without skin compromise?

A.Immediate open surgical repair

B.Ultrasound-guided thrombin injection

C.Covered stent placement

D.Systemic anticoagulation

Explanation: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection is the first-line treatment for most iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms, achieving rapid thrombosis with high success and low complication rates.

6On a digital subtraction angiogram, the 'subtraction' refers to removal of which element?

A.Background bony and soft-tissue structures using a mask image

B.Contrast medium signal to show only vessels

C.Patient motion artefact by averaging frames

D.Scatter radiation from the detector

Explanation: Digital subtraction angiography acquires a pre-contrast mask image, then subtracts it from contrast-filled images so that static background bone and soft tissue are removed, leaving only the opacified vessels visible.

7A patient has severe iodinated contrast allergy but requires lower-limb angiography. Which alternative contrast agent is most appropriate?

A.Gadolinium-based agent or carbon dioxide

B.Barium sulphate suspension

C.Higher-osmolar ionic iodinated contrast

D.Iodised oil (Lipiodol)

Explanation: Carbon dioxide is an excellent non-nephrotoxic, non-allergenic contrast for infradiaphragmatic angiography, and gadolinium-based agents can also be used in limited volumes. Both avoid iodinated contrast in allergic patients.

8When using CO2 as a contrast agent, in which territory is it relatively contraindicated?

A.Infrarenal aorta

B.Iliac arteries

C.Thoracic and cerebral circulation

D.Lower-limb runoff vessels

Explanation: CO2 must not be injected above the diaphragm or into the cerebral, coronary or thoracic circulation because of the risk of cerebral and coronary gas embolism. It is reserved for infradiaphragmatic use.

9In the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC II) classification, which lesion type generally favours endovascular treatment as first choice?

A.TASC A lesions

B.TASC D lesions

C.Long total occlusions of the aorta

D.Diffuse multilevel disease with iliac and femoral occlusions

Explanation: TASC A lesions are short, focal stenoses that respond very well to endovascular therapy, which is the recommended first-line approach. As lesions progress to TASC D, surgery is traditionally favoured, though endovascular options continue to expand.

10A 'flow-limiting' dissection following balloon angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery is best managed initially by:

A.Immediate surgical bypass

B.Prolonged low-pressure balloon inflation, then stenting if persistent

C.Systemic thrombolysis

D.Observation alone

Explanation: A flow-limiting dissection is first managed with prolonged low-pressure balloon inflation to tack the intimal flap. If flow limitation persists, stent placement is used to scaffold the dissection and restore lumen patency.

About the EBIR Exam

The European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) is a voluntary subspecialty examination from CIRSE that evaluates interventional radiologists on the clinical and technical knowledge needed to deliver safe, effective image-guided treatment. It is a fully digital, remote online-proctored written examination held twice a year (spring and autumn) and based on the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology. It has two parts: a general clinical practice examination of approximately 50 standalone single-best-answer MCQs covering the whole curriculum, and a clinical case scenario examination of 10 sequential case-based items, each with 4-6 related questions. The examination does not replace national training or licensing but certifies expertise across vascular and non-vascular intervention and interventional oncology. Successful candidates may use the post-nominal EBIR.

Assessment

Two written sections: the general clinical practice examination (about 50 single-best-answer MCQs that may be revisited) and the clinical case scenario examination (10 sequential items, each 4-6 related selected-response questions that cannot be revisited once answered).

Time Limit

Delivered in two sections with a scheduled 30-minute break between them; precise section timings are confirmed to each candidate before the exam day.

Passing Score

Pass requires an overall combined score of 50% or above across both sections. There is no negative marking.

Exam Fee

EUR 900 for a remote, online-proctored EBIR examination session. (Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE))

EBIR Exam Content Outline

40%

Vascular diagnosis and intervention

Vascular access and haemostasis, diagnostic angiography, balloon angioplasty and stenting of peripheral, renal, mesenteric and carotid arteries, aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR/TEVAR) and endoleak management, and arterial embolization for acute haemorrhage, trauma and aneurysm.

20%

Interventional oncology

Image-guided tumour ablation including radiofrequency, microwave and cryoablation, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial radioembolization (TARE/Y-90), tumour-specific embolization and the role of biopsy and staging in IR oncology.

20%

Non-vascular intervention

Percutaneous biliary drainage and stenting, percutaneous nephrostomy and antegrade ureteric stenting, gastrostomy, abscess and collection drainage, and image-guided biopsy techniques and complications.

10%

Venous intervention

IVC filter indications and retrieval, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism management, catheter-directed and pharmacomechanical thrombolysis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and central venous and dialysis access maintenance.

10%

Periprocedural care, safety and complications

Radiation protection and dosimetry, iodinated contrast media and contrast-induced nephropathy, periprocedural antiplatelet, anticoagulant and sedation pharmacology, recognition and management of access-site and procedure-related complications, and patient consent.

How to Pass the EBIR Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass requires an overall combined score of 50% or above across both sections. There is no negative marking.
Assessment: Two written sections: the general clinical practice examination (about 50 single-best-answer MCQs that may be revisited) and the clinical case scenario examination (10 sequential items, each 4-6 related selected-response questions that cannot be revisited once answered).
Time limit: Delivered in two sections with a scheduled 30-minute break between them; precise section timings are confirmed to each candidate before the exam day.
Exam fee: EUR 900 for a remote, online-proctored EBIR examination session.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EBIR Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work systematically through the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology (third edition), since the EBIR blueprint is derived directly from it and aims for even coverage of every topic.

2Practise single-best-answer technique: read every option, eliminate distractors, and choose the most appropriate management rather than just a correct fact, because clinical judgement is tested.

3Rehearse the clinical case scenario format, where each new question adds information and you cannot return to a previous answer once committed, so commit deliberately and avoid second-guessing.

4Know the standards of practice and CIRSE guidelines for common procedures such as embolization, ablation, biliary drainage and IVC filters, including indications, contraindications and complication management.

5Drill radiation protection and dosimetry, contrast media safety and periprocedural pharmacology, as these cross-cutting topics appear throughout the exam regardless of the organ system.

6Use the CIRSE Library lectures and CIRSE Academy courses for high-yield review, and test yourself with the official CIRSE sample questions for both the general clinical practice and clinical case formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What format is the EBIR examination?

The EBIR is a fully digital, remote online-proctored written examination with two sections: a general clinical practice examination of about 50 single-best-answer MCQs, and a clinical case scenario examination of 10 sequential case-based items, each with 4-6 related questions.

What score do I need to pass the EBIR?

To receive a pass result, candidates must achieve an overall combined score of 50% or above across both sections of the examination. There is no negative marking.

How much does the EBIR exam cost?

The application fee for a remote, online-proctored EBIR examination session is EUR 900. EBIR applicants can also buy the CIRSE All-Access Pass at a strongly reduced rate to access preparation resources.

Who is eligible to sit the EBIR?

Applicants must have completed national radiology training and obtained at least 50 CME credits or equivalent relating to interventional radiology in the 6 years before registration, and must document their medical education and previous radiology or IR training posts.

How often is the EBIR held and in which languages?

Remote online-proctored EBIR sittings are held twice per year, one in spring and one in autumn. CIRSE offers the exam in English and in several additional languages including Spanish, Portuguese, German and Italian.

Are these official CIRSE EBIR questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions mapped to the European Curriculum and Syllabus for Interventional Radiology. CIRSE provides official sample questions for both exam formats separately on its website.