Announcing the Inaugural “European Progress-Test in ORL-HNS”
A New Era for Training and Assessment in ORL-HNS Across Europe
We are excited to share news of a groundbreaking development in specialist training: the first-ever European Progress-Test in ORL-HNS. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Confederation of European ORL-HNS (CEORL-HNS) and the European Board Examination in Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (EBEORL-HNS) also supported by the UEMS-ORL Section. Conceived as an educational tool by CEORL-HNS and organized by EBEORL-HNS, the Progress-Test promises to transform how trainees and institutions assess progress and guide learning throughout residency.
A Joint Venture for Excellence
This new Progress Test represents a milestone in European ORL-HNS education, providing residents with an opportunity to gauge their knowledge, monitor growth, and identify areas needing improvement every year. Not only does it empower trainees to track their advancement, but as more residents take part in this educational tool, with the unanimous data it will accumulate it will hopefully also equip National Societies and training programs with actionable insights for enhancing their educational curricula and supporting their residents’ professional journeys.
Postponement: Ensuring Robustness for the Future
While anticipation was high for the test’s debut on September 6th, 2025, unforeseen technical and developmental challenges have led us to reschedule. To guarantee the platform’s reliability and robustness for years to come, the inaugural European Progress Test in ORL-HNS will now be held on October 25th, 2025. This delay reflects our commitment to delivering a seamless and secure experience for all participants.
Why the Progress Test Matters
- Annual Self-Assessment: Residents can objectively measure their knowledge, track their progress, and pinpoint strengths and areas for growth over time.
- Guidance for Training Institutions: Unanimous results can inform educational strategies, helping programs and societies tailor support to individual and collective needs.
- Comprehensive Feedback: Participants will receive detailed feedback to help them understand where they stand and how best to focus their efforts.
- Harmonization Across Europe: The test helps unify training standards, fostering excellence in ORL-HNS education at a continental level.
Looking Ahead
We encourage all trainees, National Societies, and training centers to participate and make the most of this valuable new resource. The European Progress-Test in ORL-HNS is set to become an essential part of residency training, supporting the next generation of specialists on their journey to excellence.
Save the new date—October 25th, 2025—and stay tuned for further updates and find registration details below and through www.ebeorl-hns.org.
Together, we are building a brighter future for ORL-HNS education in Europe.
Warm regards,
Prof Dr. Cem Meco, FEBORL-HNS, FEBORL-HNS (Hon.)
Chair, European Board Examination in ORL-HNS on behalf of the Executive Board
Prof Dr. Jan Plzak, FEBORL-HNS (Hon.)
President, Confederation of European ORL-HNS on behalf of the Presidential Council
Turn knowledge into progress: participate in the Progress-Test and see your development
Progress-Test in Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery (ORL–HNS)
The Progress-Test in ORL–HNS is a formative, comprehensive knowledge assessment set at the level expected of a newly qualified specialist. Developed within the framework of the European Board Examination, it supports the goal of harmonizing knowledge and competencies in specialist training across Europe. The test offers a broad overview of candidates’ current knowledge, making individual progress visible over time. Taken once or at regular intervals, it allows participants to track their development, benchmark against peers at different stages of training, and focus their learning where it is most needed.
Key benefits for candidates
The Progress-Test provides targeted, formative feedback on current strengths and early knowledge gaps, supports long-term progress tracking over repeated sittings, and encourages deep, sustainable learning instead of short-term preparation. Candidates can benchmark their performance against peers across Europe, turning results into practical study guidance and evidence of continuous professional development.
No special preparation is required—or even desired. The test is designed to capture your actual level of knowledge at a given point in training. In the early years, achieving only 20–30% correct answers are entirely normal. What matters is the visible progress over time: by returning year after year, you create your own learning curve and see how your knowledge grows until the end of training. The Progress-Test is for you, offering honest feedback that no one else can benefit from—and the only way to “cheat” is by cheating yourself out of this unique opportunity.