Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the launch of the European ORL-HNS Progress Test, an important new educational initiative developed jointly by the European Board Examination in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (EBEORL-HNS) and the Confederation of European ORL-HNS. This tool is designed to support all ORL-HNS residents across Europe at every stage of their training, helping them assess and monitor their progress in alignment with formal educational programs. By offering a structured and formative assessment, the Progress Test will serve as a valuable complement to national training curricula and promote consistent educational standards across Europe set by the UEMS-ORL Section.

At the same time, the European Board Examination in ORL-HNS (EBEORL-HNS) continues its strong trajectory of growth. We are delighted to see more countries recognizing our exam as either their national standard or an equivalent. This year’s Part two - Oral EBEORL-HNS Examination will take place as always in Vienna on 8 November 2025. While registrations remain open, we encourage early submission as we are approaching maximum capacity within our standard setting parameters.

Following last year’s successful launch of Europe’s first ORL-HNS subspecialty board examination in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (FPRS) in Istanbul, we have now inaugurated a second subspecialty board examination in Phoniatrics which will conduct its first ever exam this year. These advancements reflect our commitment to developing structured, high-quality assessments across the field of ORL-HNS.

This year’s key subspecialty exam dates (written and oral on consecutive days) are:

• European Board Examination in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Dublin, 23–24 September 2025
• European Board Examination in Phoniatrics – Vienna, 29–30 August 2025

Registrations are currently open for all examinations. Please visit the respective exam websites for full details and application procedures.

We look forward to welcoming you to these important events and to supporting the continued harmonization and advancement of ORL-HNS education and assessment across Europe.

For more details on the new European ORL-HNS Progress Test, please read the article below.

Warm regards,

Presenting the Yearly Online European ORL-HNS Progress Test: A New Benchmark in Specialist Training

We are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural European Progress Test in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS), commencing in 2025. Tailored for trainees across Europe, this formative assessment is designed to support your journey towards specialist qualification by offering an annual, structured evaluation of your knowledge progression. 

Purpose and Structure

The Progress Test serves as a longitudinal tool to measure and monitor the development of your cognitive knowledge, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills throughout your training. Each year, participants will undertake an online written examination comprising 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), reflecting the format and standards of the European Board Examination in ORL-HNS (EBEORL-HNS). The distribution of questions is as follows:

• 33 questions in Otology
• 33 questions in Rhinology
• 34 questions in Head and Neck Surgery

This structure ensures comprehensive coverage of the core areas within the specialty, aligning with the expectations set by the UEMS ORL Section. 

Formative Assessment with Individualized Feedback

Emphasizing its formative nature, the Progress Test is not a high-stakes examination, but a reflective exercise aimed at identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Participants will receive personalized feedback highlighting:

• Individual performance metrics
• Comparison to peers at the same training level
• Overall cohort performance statistics

Importantly, results are confidential and intended solely for the participant's personal development. No external reporting or dissemination of individual scores will occur. 

Annual Participation Encouraged

Engaging with the Progress Test annually, without the necessity for extensive preparatory study, allows trainees to:

• Track knowledge acquisition over time
• Identify consistent learning patterns
• Prepare effectively for the EBEORL-HNS examination

This approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and self-assessment, integral to professional growth in the medical field. 

Join the 2025 Cohort

The first administration of the European ORL-HNS Progress Test is scheduled for September 6^th 2025, with subsequent iterations occurring annually.

We invite all ORL-HNS trainees committed to excellence in their field to participate in this pioneering assessment initiative.

For registration details and further information, please visit https://ebeorl-hns.org/.