The 4th EAACI/UEMS Knowledge Examination in Allergology/Clinical Immunology took place in 11 June 2011, Istanbul.

A total of 33 candidates from 15 countries participated on the 4th European Examination in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, which took place in Istanbul 11 June, during the EAACI Congress 2011. For most nations, participation is facultative; however the examination is mandatory and an integral part of the official board exam in Allergology and Clinical Immunology in Switzerland.

On average, 65.3 points (64.65%) of a possible 101 points was achieved with a standard deviation of 13.14 points (13.01%) and a range between 40 points (39.6)% and 87 points (86.1%). The standard (cut-off point) was set at 59 points or 58,4% (correct answers). A total 25 of the 33 candidates (75,75%) passed the examination.

The quality of the examination (its internal consistency) in consideration of its relatively small sample of candidates was high: the measurement reliability (Cronbach-Alpha) was 0.89 (0.8 would be the internationally required minimum for high stakes examinations with more candidates).

The questions were evaluated by the EAACI Exam Committee chaired by Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, and the IML (Institute for Medical Teaching, Bern), and 120 questions were finally selected by the Task Force chairperson and the IML for this examination.

The selection process in 2009, on which the 2011 examination was based, followed the blueprint, indicating the required knowledge for the examination. It comprised about 30% questions about basic immunology and some about clinical immunology (autoimmunity and immune deficiency). The majority of questions (ca. 70%) covered all topics of allergology (allergens, dermatological and respiratory allergy, anaphylaxis and venom hypersensitivity, drug hypersensitivity, food hypersensitivity, pediatric allergology, but also issues such as pregnancy and allergology, occupational allergies, immunodeficiencies as well as eosinophilic disorders, mastocytosis, CI-INH deficiency, etc.). The examination comprised type A questions (one answer of 5 is correct), and type Kprime questions (4 answers of which each one might be correct or false). As revealed by the IML report, the examination itself had a very high standard. Candidates were allowed to use dictionaries to facilitate linguistic understanding.

The 5th EAACI/UEMS Examination in Allergology/Clinical Immunology will take place during the annual EAACI Congress in Geneva, on Saturday, 16 June 2012.

Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier                       
EAACI Exam Committee Chairperson       

Pascal Demoly
EAACI Vice President Education and Specialty       

Sladjana Scepan
EAACI Manager Education and Specialty