If you are preparing for the EDAIC Part 1 exam, you already know how overwhelming the syllabus feels. I am an anesthesia resident who has been through this preparation — and in this guide I will give you the exact strategy that works.
What is the EDAIC Part 1?
The European Diploma in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC) Part 1 is a written examination covering three main subjects — physiology, pharmacology, and physics/clinical measurement. It is one of the most respected anesthesia qualifications in Europe and internationally
The 3 subjects you must master:
Physiology covers cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems with deep clinical application. Pharmacology covers drug mechanisms, kinetics, and perioperative drug interactions. Physics and clinical measurement covers equipment, monitoring, and statistics.My recommended study plan:
Week 1-4 — Build your foundation. Read BRS Physiology cover to cover. Watch Ninja Nerd videos for every topic. Build Anki flashcards as you go.
Week 5-8 — Practice questions. Use BoardVitals anesthesia question bank daily. Aim for 40 questions per day. Review every wrong answer carefully.
Week 9-12 — Intensive revision. Repeat all Anki cards. Do timed mock exams. Focus on weak areas identified by your question bank.
Best resources for EDAIC Part 1:
BoardVitals Anesthesia — the best question bank for exam-style MCQs with detailed rationales. I used this for 8 weeks and it made a huge difference in my exam confidence. You can try it here — [YOUR AFFILIATE LINK].
BRS Physiology — the most concise and high-yield physiology textbook for the exam.
Deranged Physiology — free website with extraordinary depth on anaesthesia physiology.
My free Anki deck — 900+ hand-crafted flashcards covering all EDAIC Part 1 topics. Download it free from my Resources page.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Do not read Miller’s Anesthesia cover to cover — it is a reference book not a study guide. Do not ignore physics and clinical measurement — it is 33% of the exam. Do not start question practice too late — begin in week 5 at the latest. Do not study without Anki — spaced repetition is the single most powerful study tool available.
My honest verdict:
The EDAIC Part 1 is passable with 12 weeks of structured preparation. The key is consistency — study every day, use active recall, and practice questions from week 5 onwards. Your clinical experience as a resident gives you a huge advantage — use it!
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