All about the examination

The EDiR is an additional qualification of excellence, and it serves as a tool for the standardisation and accreditation of radiologists across European borders.

It provides an international benchmark for general radiology and is officially and fully endorsed by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the ESR. The examination is based on the European Training Curriculum for Radiology, Level I-II. The EDiR adds value to your CV and sets you apart from other candidates for a job or fellowship.

The EDiR aims to work alongside existing national structures and board examinations to harmonise the level of Radiology training within Europe.

EDiR EXAM STRUCTURE

The examination tests knowledge, skills and competence in general radiology in three components:

78 Multiple Response Questions (MRQs)

24 Short Cases (SCs)

10 Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation (CORE) Cases

Scoring methodology

The scoring of the EDiR examination has two components:

Part 1: Weighted written score = 70% for Multiple Response Questions (MRQs) + 30% for the Short Cases (SCs)
Part 2: Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation (CORE)

In order to obtain the EDiR certificate, candidates have to obtain a score equal to or higher than the pass mark in each part of the exam.

The pass mark for each component is calculated using the following formula:  Pass mark = Mean score – 1 x Standard deviation

Even though the pass mark is different from one exam to another, it remains quite stable: pass mark (WWS) = 53% approx. and pass mark (CORE) = 58% approx.

This pass mark is calculated taking into account all candidates taking the exam simultaneously on the same day. However, fixed minimum and maximum pass marks are defined:

Pass mark (WWS) = Minimum (50%) and Maximum (60%)
Pass mark (CORE) = Minimum (55%) and Maximum (70%)

If the pass mark calculated for a specific exam is below the minimum, the minimum pass mark will be used. This will ensure that all candidates passing the exam have the required competences.

If the calculated pass mark is above the maximum, the maximum pass mark will be used. This will ensure that all candidates having the required competences, will pass the exam.

Each multiple response question has a maximum score of 1 point. There is no negative marking in any of the components of the exam. The multiple response questions are calculated using this formula:

(n.Correct/t.Correct)- (n.Incorrect/t.Incorrect)

n.Correct = number of answers that the candidate has selected as correct and are actually correct.

t.Correct = total number of correct answers.

n.Incorrect = number of answers that the candidate has selected as correct but are actually wrong.

t.Incorrect = total number of wrong answers.

Each CORE case has a maximum of 10 points.

Part 1: Weighted written score = 70% for MRQs + 30% for the Short Cases
Part 2: Clinically Oriented Reasoning Evaluation (CORE)

These 10 points are distributed among the questions of the case. Depending on their importance, the examiners may decide if some questions have more points than others. Mandatory cases must be completed.

Note that not all examinations contain mandatory cases. Mandatory cases are labelled with a red sign next to the case number on the left hand side of the screen. Whenever there is a mandatory case, candidates are required to complete it in order to pass the exam.

A mandatory case has a special score called unsafe. An unsafe score will be assigned when a catastrophic error (an error of observation, interpretation or management) which would have a major impact on the patient is made. An unsafe score will count as 0 when calculating the final score.

In order to pass this part of the exam, apart from having a score equal to or higher than the corresponding pass mark, it is required to fulfil the following minimum criteria:

The candidate must complete at least 8 out of 10 cases.
At least 50% of the cases have 5 points or more.
The candidate has at most one case with an unsafe.
If the candidate has one case with an unsafe score:
- The candidate must not have any other case/s with 1.5 points or less.
- The candidate has failed at most one other case and their score in the CORE part is equal to or higher than the pass mark in the CORE part + 5%. If so, their results will be reviewed by the EDiR Scientific Director and the CORE Committee Chair.
The candidate has at most two cases scored with 1.5 points or less.

Examination enquiry and appeal process

An enquiry or appeal procedure can only be requested if it corresponds to the CORE section.

The Multiple Response Questions section and the Short Cases section are fully automatically scored, with the exception of the free text questions which are also reviewed by an examiner. As a result, there is no possibility of a dispute for these two sections. Please refer to Examination enquiry and appeal process for full information (deadlines, etc.).

Candidates cannot base their request for review on the grounds of:

Lack of candidates’ awareness of exam regulations and procedures.
Technical issues that were not communicated to the EBR staff or EDiR supervisor on the exam day.
Mitigating circumstances (such as illness, personal issues) that affect performance and have not been reported to the office or supervisor prior to the start of the examination.

KNOWLEDGE BASE

ESR TRAINING CURRICULUM

The European Training Curriculum for Radiology is designed to provide a valuable template for training radiologists and to enhance the quality of care for patients throughout Europe.

This existing current version is seen as a living document which is subject to continuous update and revision and is therefore solely available in electronic format.

Take a look here.

APPLICATION GUIDE

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Find out all about the eligibility criteria, requested documentation and fees, as well as general terms and conditions in our Application Guide.