The European Diploma in Intensive Care (EDIC) exam is a two-part postgraduate qualification awarded by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). It assesses theoretical knowledge and clinical reasoning in intensive care medicine.

Part I: A three-hour written examination in English, consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions (Type A — single best answer, and Type K — true/false statements). Part II: An oral / clinical case exam (often structured as OSCE-style stations), evaluating clinical decision-making, interpretation of data, and patient management skills.

To apply for Part I, candidates must be fully registered medical doctors (having completed internship) and either enrolled in or having completed national specialty training (e.g. Anaesthesiology, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, etc.). To proceed to Part II, you typically must have passed Part I plus meet additional training / clinical experience requirements (as defined by ESICM).

EDIC Part I is conducted twice a year, typically in spring and autumn, as an online written exam. Part II takes place several times per year at designated ESICM-accredited centres. Registration for both parts is completed online via the official ESICM website, and early application is advised due to limited availability. Note: For Part II, you can only register after you’ve passed Part I.

The fees vary depending on whether you are an ESICM member or not. For example, the cost for Part I may be around €610 for ESICM members, and €810 for non-members. For Part II, fees are higher.

No. EDIC Part I does not use negative marking. Candidates are encouraged to answer every question, as incorrect responses do not reduce the score.

The syllabus covers all core domains of intensive care medicine, including: Physiology and basic medical science Respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation Cardiovascular support & hemodynamics Kidney injury & renal replacement therapy Sepsis, infections & antimicrobial therapy Neurocritical care Trauma, perioperative intensive care Ethics, general ICU principles, monitoring & diagnostics Data interpretation, imaging, lab tests, etc.

The pass rates are not always published openly in detail by ESICM, but candidates commonly consider the exam challenging given its breadth of subject matter, high standards, and emphasis on up-to-date evidence and guidelines. (You might highlight on your site how practicing many MCQs increases chances.)

Candidates who fail Part I must usually wait at least one year before retaking it. For Part II, there may be limits on the number of attempts; this is subject to ESICM rules (check the latest guidelines).

Structured syllabus review covering all ICU core topics Practice EDIC-style MCQs (Type A & Type K) under timed conditions Use recent European guidelines and key clinical trials as reference Simulated exams / mock tests to build exam stamina For Part II: clinical scenario practice, data interpretation exercises, discussions with colleagues Revision planning over months (not last minute) Stay updated: ESICM’s official guidelines & publications

ESICM publishes the EDIC Guidelines & Regulations document (often in PDF) which governs exam format, eligibility, regulations, appeals, etc.

Yes. The EDIC diploma is recognised across Europe and internationally as a standard of competence in intensive care medicine. It supports national board certification in several countries.