European Board of Paediatrics – European Academy of Paediatrics Examination (EBP-EAP)

The European Board of Paediatrics – European Academy of Paediatrics Examination is an online assessment of the basic and core paediatric knowledge needed to underpin paediatric training. The current EAP examination page identifies it as CESMA accredited and aligns it with the European paediatric training curriculum.

The examination awards a certificate of theoretical paediatric knowledge. It is not a measure that specialist training is complete, and it does not replace broader assessments of clinical skills, competence or experience. National authorities decide independently whether and how to recognize the result.

The examination is primarily intended for paediatric trainees, including eligible trainees outside Europe, and is also open to fully qualified paediatricians through the applicable documentation route. For the current application cycle, candidates should use the official Upcoming Exam page and current terms for registration status, fees, sitting information and operational requirements.

The 120-question, 150-minute format gives an average of approximately 75 seconds per question, so candidates should plan to answer every item before time expires.

The official examination terms state that the assessment uses the approved European syllabus in core paediatrics and that questions are mapped to a blueprint covering examination topics and their average question distribution. The official preparation guidance describes the blueprint as based on the European Core Paediatric Training Requirements.

For platform study planning, use a balanced review across these core-paediatrics lanes:

The verified assessment is a core-paediatrics MCQ examination. Advanced subspecialty material and structured oral examination practice should therefore be secondary unless they reinforce a core presentation or decision.

Eligibility is route-specific and depends on documentation accepted during the relevant registration period.

A national medical license, job title or clinical experience alone should not be assumed to satisfy an eligibility route. Candidates should check the current application instructions and terms before submitting documents.

1. Plan across core paediatrics. Start with all nine core study lanes rather than concentrating on a preferred subspecialty. The official preparation guidance directs candidates toward the European Core Paediatric Training Requirements blueprint.

2. Practice Best of Five reasoning. Identify what the question is asking—diagnosis, investigation, treatment or next step—before comparing the five options. The strongest distractors may contain a partially correct element but still be less appropriate than the single best answer.

3. Use timed blocks. Practice 120-question or smaller timed sets at a pace close to 75 seconds per item. Use a first pass for straightforward questions, flag uncertain items and reserve time to complete every response.

4. Read stems precisely. Watch for words such as “EXCEPT” and “NOT,” double negatives and age-specific clues. Include case-based questions and image interpretation because the official preparation guidance indicates that both may be used.

5. Use the scoring rules. There is no negative marking, while unanswered questions are incorrect. Eliminate clearly unsuitable options, select the best remaining answer and move on rather than leaving items blank.

6. Review errors by decision type. Keep separate records for missed diagnoses, investigation choices, treatment priorities, developmental interpretation, prevention and professional-practice decisions. This helps target revision without treating platform item counts as examination weights.

7. Rehearse the online environment. Use the official mock examination in the candidate personal space when available. Complete the required equipment and connection checks early, and practice with the camera, microphone, stable internet connection and a workspace that meets the proctoring rules.

8. Use the official preparation references appropriately. Consult the current preparation page for its listed textbook and European guideline resources, and remember that the EAP does not endorse a specific commercial question bank.

• Purpose of the result: Passing provides evidence of theoretical paediatric knowledge and a digital certificate. It is not a national specialist title, proof that training is complete or a guarantee of national recognition or admission to a training program.
• Different training systems: The 30–36-month trainee route depends on recognized paediatric training and supporting institutional evidence. Training location does not remove the need for route-specific documentation.
• Qualified paediatricians: Fully qualified paediatricians may apply to demonstrate knowledge or ongoing professional development, but the examination should not be treated as a regulator-issued maintenance credential.
• Language: The examination is delivered only in English. Candidates should practice interpreting clinical stems and selecting precise answers in English.
• Remote examination conditions: Camera and microphone monitoring, recording-related privacy arrangements, equipment checks and the prohibition of reference materials are substantive examination conditions.
• Assessment boundary: The current examination is an online Best of Five MCQ assessment. It does not describe an OSCE, structured oral examination or direct observation of clinical performance.
• Current logistics: Before registering, consult the official Upcoming Exam page and current terms for the active application cycle, dates, fees, registration instructions, proctoring requirements and any updated documentation rules.