100+ Free EDAIC Part I Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: EDAIC Part I Exam

2 papers

EDAIC Part I has a basic-science Paper A and a clinical Paper B

ESAIC - Part I Examination

60 MCQ per paper

Each paper has 60 multiple choice questions (120 in total)

ESAIC - How to prepare for the EDAIC

5 statements

Each EDAIC question carries five true or false statements

ESAIC - OLA and HOLA

300 marks

Each paper is scored out of 300, one mark per correct statement

ESAIC - OLA and HOLA

120 / 90 minutes

Each paper lasts 120 minutes on paper or 90 minutes online

ESAIC - How to prepare for the EDAIC

No negative marking

No penalty for a wrong answer or a statement left blank

ESAIC - OLA and HOLA

Mid-September

Part I is held annually in mid-September across many countries

ESAIC - Part I Examination

100

Free original practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

The EDAIC Part I is the written first stage of the European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, run by ESAIC. It uses two papers of 60 multiple true/false questions each (Paper A basic science, Paper B clinical anaesthesia and intensive care), each question carrying five true/false statements scored out of 300. Each paper lasts 120 minutes on paper or 90 minutes online, with a 90-minute break between them, and candidates must pass both papers; historical cut-offs sit around 70 percent with no penalty for wrong answers. It can be taken at any stage of training, a pass never expires, and it is the prerequisite for the Part II oral. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer practice across the full Part I syllabus.

Sample EDAIC Part I Practice Questions

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

1Which nerve provides motor supply to all the intrinsic muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid?

A.External branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

B.Recurrent laryngeal nerve

C.Internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve

D.Glossopharyngeal nerve

Explanation: The recurrent laryngeal nerve supplies all intrinsic laryngeal muscles except the cricothyroid, which is supplied by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can cause airway obstruction from adducted cords.

2At which vertebral level does the spinal cord most commonly terminate as the conus medullaris in adults?

A.T12

B.L1 to L2

C.L3 to L4

D.S1

Explanation: In adults the spinal cord usually ends at the L1 to L2 level. This is why spinal anaesthesia is performed below L2, commonly at the L3 to L4 interspace, to avoid cord injury.

3From superficial to deep, which sequence of structures does a needle traverse during a midline lumbar puncture before reaching the cerebrospinal fluid?

A.Skin, ligamentum flavum, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, dura

B.Skin, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, dura

C.Skin, dura, ligamentum flavum, interspinous ligament, supraspinous ligament

D.Skin, interspinous ligament, supraspinous ligament, dura, ligamentum flavum

Explanation: The midline needle passes skin, subcutaneous tissue, supraspinous ligament, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, then epidural space and dura. The ligamentum flavum gives the characteristic loss of resistance landmark.

4The brachial plexus is most commonly described as arising from the anterior rami of which spinal nerves?

A.C3 to C7

B.C5 to T1

C.C6 to T2

D.C4 to C8

Explanation: The brachial plexus is classically formed from the anterior primary rami of C5, C6, C7, C8 and T1. These roots form trunks, divisions, cords and terminal branches that supply the upper limb.

5At the wrist, the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve pass into the hand most directly through which structure?

A.The carpal tunnel deep to the flexor retinaculum

B.Guyon's canal superficial to the flexor retinaculum

C.The anatomical snuffbox

D.The cubital fossa

Explanation: The ulnar nerve and artery enter the hand through Guyon's canal, which lies superficial to the flexor retinaculum between the pisiform and the hook of the hamate. The median nerve, by contrast, passes through the carpal tunnel.

6Which surface landmark best identifies the level for performing a cricothyroidotomy?

A.Between the hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage

B.Between the thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage

C.Between the cricoid cartilage and first tracheal ring

D.Over the body of the hyoid bone

Explanation: The cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid cartilage above and the cricoid cartilage below, and is the site for emergency front-of-neck airway access. It is relatively avascular and superficial in the midline.

7The internal jugular vein typically lies in which position relative to the common carotid artery at the level used for central venous cannulation?

A.Directly posterior to the artery

B.Lateral and slightly anterior to the artery

C.Medial to the artery

D.Directly anterior and overlapping the trachea

Explanation: At the apex of the triangle between the heads of sternocleidomastoid the internal jugular vein lies lateral and slightly anterior to the common carotid artery. Ultrasound is recommended to confirm this relationship, which can vary.

8Which structure forms the medial border of the femoral triangle and is a useful landmark for femoral nerve block?

A.Sartorius muscle

B.Adductor longus muscle

C.Inguinal ligament

D.Iliopsoas muscle

Explanation: The femoral triangle is bounded superiorly by the inguinal ligament, laterally by sartorius and medially by adductor longus. The femoral nerve lies lateral to the femoral artery, remembered by the mnemonic NAVEL from lateral to medial.

9The right main bronchus is more commonly the site of inhaled foreign bodies and endobronchial intubation because it is:

A.Longer and more horizontal

B.Wider, shorter and more vertical

C.Narrower and more angled

D.Positioned anterior to the left bronchus

Explanation: The right main bronchus is wider, shorter and more vertically aligned with the trachea than the left. This makes accidental endobronchial intubation and foreign body aspiration more likely on the right.

10Which dermatome corresponds to the level of the umbilicus and is a useful checkpoint when assessing a neuraxial block?

A.T6

B.T10

C.T4

D.L1

Explanation: The T10 dermatome lies at the umbilicus. Key landmarks include T4 at the nipple, T6 at the xiphisternum, T10 at the umbilicus and L1 at the inguinal region, which help assess block height.

About the EDAIC Part I Exam

The EDAIC (European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care) is a multilingual, end-of-training, two-part examination run by ESAIC that assesses the basic sciences and clinical knowledge expected of a specialist anaesthesiologist. Part I is a written multiple true/false examination that can be taken at any stage of training, and a pass never expires. It comprises two papers of 60 questions each: Paper A covers anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, pharmacology, and physics and clinical measurement, while Paper B covers clinical anaesthesia across specialties together with intensive care, pain and emergency medicine. Each question carries five true/false statements scored one mark each, with no penalty for wrong or blank answers, so each paper is marked out of 300. The examination is held annually in mid-September in many languages and centres, and passing Part I is required before attempting the Part II oral examination.

Assessment

Two papers of 60 multiple choice questions each. Paper A covers basic sciences and Paper B covers clinical anaesthesia and intensive care. Every question is a stem with five true or false statements, so each paper is marked out of 300.

Time Limit

Each paper is 120 minutes on paper or 90 minutes online, with a 90-minute break between Paper A and Paper B.

Passing Score

No fixed published pass mark. ESAIC sets a cut score for each paper each year, and candidates must pass both papers. Historical cut-offs have been around 70 percent.

Exam Fee

Examination fees are set annually by ESAIC and differ for members and non-members; the official ESAIC fees page lists the current 2026 amounts in euros. Buying ESAIC membership before registrations open lowers the Part I fee. (European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC))

EDAIC Part I Exam Content Outline

16%

Anatomy

Anatomy of the head, neck, thorax, spine and spinal canal, the peripheral nervous and vascular systems, the airway, and surface markings relevant to regional anaesthesia and vascular access.

17%

Physiology and Biochemistry

Respiratory, cardiovascular and neurophysiology, renal and hepatic physiology, endocrinology, acid-base and fluid balance, and the physiology of pregnancy, the neonate and the critically ill, in health and disease.

17%

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, receptor and drug interactions, and the actions, uses and toxicity of anaesthetic, analgesic, cardiovascular, respiratory and intensive-care drugs.

12%

Physics, Clinical Measurement and Statistics

Gas laws, flow, humidity, electrical safety, anaesthetic apparatus and breathing systems, monitoring such as pulse oximetry and capnography, and basic statistics and study design.

23%

Clinical Anaesthesia

Preoperative assessment, general and regional anaesthesia, airway management, anaesthesia for specialties including obstetric, paediatric, cardiac, neuro and day-case surgery, and perioperative complications.

15%

Intensive Care, Pain and Emergency Medicine

Critical-care monitoring and organ support, sepsis, shock, ventilation, resuscitation and ALS, acute and chronic pain management, and the recognition and treatment of perioperative emergencies.

How to Pass the EDAIC Part I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed published pass mark. ESAIC sets a cut score for each paper each year, and candidates must pass both papers. Historical cut-offs have been around 70 percent.
Assessment: Two papers of 60 multiple choice questions each. Paper A covers basic sciences and Paper B covers clinical anaesthesia and intensive care. Every question is a stem with five true or false statements, so each paper is marked out of 300.
Time limit: Each paper is 120 minutes on paper or 90 minutes online, with a 90-minute break between Paper A and Paper B.
Exam fee: Examination fees are set annually by ESAIC and differ for members and non-members; the official ESAIC fees page lists the current 2026 amounts in euros. Buying ESAIC membership before registrations open lowers the Part I fee.

Keys to Passing

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

EDAIC Part I Study Tips from Top Performers

1Split your revision the way the exam does: roughly half on Paper A basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and physics) and half on Paper B clinical anaesthesia and intensive care.

2Use the ESAIC On-Line Assessment (OLA/HOLA) to benchmark yourself, because it shares the marking system and structure with Part I and reports your performance by domain.

3Learn the core anaesthesia equations and physical relationships by heart, since physics, clinical measurement and physiology questions often hinge on a formula or a single proportionality.

4Practise in a true/false mindset for the real exam: each statement stands alone, so judge every option independently rather than picking one best answer as you would elsewhere.

5Because there is no negative marking, plan to attempt every statement on the real paper rather than leaving any blank.

6Work through anatomy with regional anaesthesia and airway management in mind, focusing on head and neck, the vertebral canal, the brachial plexus and surface markings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the EDAIC Part I examination structured?

It is a written examination with two papers of 60 multiple choice questions each. Paper A covers basic sciences and Paper B covers clinical anaesthesia and intensive care. Each question is a stem with five true or false statements.

How is the EDAIC Part I marked?

One mark is awarded for each correct true or false statement, so each paper is scored out of 300. There is no penalty for a wrong answer or a statement left blank, and candidates must pass both papers.

What is the pass mark for EDAIC Part I?

ESAIC does not publish a fixed pass mark; a cut score is set for each paper each year. Historical cut-offs have been around 70 percent, and the overall Part I pass rate has been roughly 69 percent.

When and where is the EDAIC Part I held?

Part I is held annually in mid-September, simultaneously in many centres and languages worldwide. English is always provided alongside the chosen language so candidates can refer to the original wording.

Does an EDAIC Part I pass expire?

No. A pass in the EDAIC Part I has no expiry date and can be taken at any stage of training. Passing Part I is required before sitting the Part II oral examination.

Are these official ESAIC examination questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions written to the EDAIC Part I syllabus and adapted to single-best-answer format. ESAIC publishes its own sample questions and the OLA/HOLA separately.