Background

A new concept for the EPNS has been developed to certify that EPNS Exam holders have obtained and demonstrated a recognised standard of knowledge of Paediatric Neurology. In 2021 and 2022, two formative trial exams took place, and the first summative EPNS Exam is ready to take place at 2pm CET on 20 June 2023 in-person only in Prague, Czech Republic. This is immediately before the Opening Ceremony of the 15th EPNS Congress https://epns-congress.com/

What are the benefits of taking the EPNS Exam?

The EPNS Exam assesses the basic knowledge needed to underpin Paediatric Neurology training. It is as an exam which will benefit Paediatric Neurology trainees/residents who are qualified physicians and have completed at least 2 years training and established registered Paediatric Neurologists who currently practice in the field of Paediatric Neurology and would like an assessment of their continuing knowledge.

Achieving a pass in the EPNS Exam is an excellent personal goal in this area of specialised medicine. Candidates who have passed the EPNS Exam have an additional qualification which may be an advantage when applying for a new role.

Candidates wanting to test their knowledge, including those in countries without a nationally recognised exit exam, will find it very helpful.

Organising Team:

Dr Dewi Bakker, Netherlands: Co EPNS Exam Chair

Professor Maja Steinlin, Switzerland: Co EPNS Exam Chair

Professor Dana Craiu, Romania: Chair EPNS Education and Training Committee

Dr Coriene Catsman Berrevoets, Netherlands: past Chair EPNS Education and Training Committee

Dr Rob Forsyth, United Kingdom: EPNS Secretary

Professor Hans Jürgen Christen, Germany

With the support of the Committee of National Training Advisors and the EPNS Education and Training Committee

The EPNS is delighted to announce that as an introductory offer, the EPNS Exam registration fees have been substantially discounted and subsidised by the EPNS. Fees are likely to increase for future EPNS Exams.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED BECAUSE THE MAX NUMBER OF CANDIDATES HAVE REGISTERED. 

To be added to the EPNS Exam waiting list, in case any candidates withdraw their registration, send the following information by email to info@epns.info 

  1. Title:
  2. First Name:
  3. Last Name:
  4. Email address:
  5. Country you practice in:
  6. Are you an EPNS member who has paid the 2023 EPNS Membership fee?

To participate in the EPNS Exam:

You do not need to be an EPNS member. You must belong to one of the following 2 categories:

  1. Residents/trainees in Paediatric Neurology with at least 2 years of training, at the time of the EPNS Exam (20 June 2023) and who are already qualified physicians and. Note: Candidates and their tutor/trainer will need to sign a proforma of confirmation to complete registration.
  2. Registered as a specialist Paediatric Neurologist and currently working in a major commitment in the field of Paediatric Neurology. Note: Candidates will need to sign a proforma of confirmation to complete registration

All you need to know about the 1st summative EPNS Exam

Date: Tuesday 20 June 2023
Time: starts at 14:00h for approx. 3 to 4 hours. Immediately before the Opening Ceremony of the 15th EPNS Congress CLICK HERE

Language: English only

Topics of questions: see EPNS Learning Objectives and  EPNS Training Guide

Venue: Prague Congress Centre, Czech Republic (EPNS Congress 2023 location).
Prague Congress Centre Room: Club A: Parallel Hall

Number of places: maximum 50 persons, accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Participation: in-person only. Virtual participation is not possible.

Who is the EPNS Exam is aimed at? Qualified physicians with at least 2 years of training in Paediatric Neurology: from trainees/residents to senior registered Paediatric Neurologists who currently work in a major commitment in the field of paediatric neurology and would like to retest their knowledge.

Proof of identity: All candidates will be required to identify themselves by showing their original passport on the day of the EPNS Exam and the candidates’ name given on the EPNS Exam registration form and EPNS Pro-forma must exactly match the passport name.

EPNS Exam registration fees: the introductory offer is substantially discounted and subsidised by the EPNS. It is highly likely that the EPNS Exams in the future will cost significantly more.

Residents/trainees with at least 2 years of training in Paediatric Neurology, on 20 June 2023, who are already physicians. Registered Paediatric Neurologists currently working in the field of Paediatric Neurology
EPNS members ## 150 Euros 300 Euros
Non EPNS members ** 200 Euros 450 Euros

 ## EPNS members must have paid the 2022 membership fee at the time of registration and pay the 2023 membership fee when the period for payments opens.

**Join the EPNS to day https://www.epns.info/become-an-epns-member/new-membership-application/ Any queries email info@epns.info

Preparation/revision: the EPNS Exam will cover the broad range of Paediatric Neurology and will be based on the  EPNS Learning Objectives and  EPNS Training Guide

It is strongly advised that the EPNS webinar series video recordings are viewed  https://www.epns.info/members-area/ email info@epns.info for information.

Recommended reading: to supplement the EPNS Learning Objectives and EPNS Training Guide, it is recommended but not essential that candidates read the following books:

  • Aicardi’s Diseases of the Nervous System in Childhood – Clinics in Developmental Medicine by Alexis Arzimanoglou, Anne O’ Hare
  • Paediatric Neurology by Rob Forsyth and Richard Newton
  • Fenichel’s Clinical Pediatric Neurology: A Signs and Symptoms Approach
  • Absolute Pediatric Neurology, Essential Questions and Answers, Yasser M. Awaad

Format: the EPNS Exam will be in electronic format. Multiple choice with Kprim and A questions

Number of questions:  100 questions.

Equipment needed: it is essential that each participant brings their own fully charged laptop or iPad, where they can get access to the local WLAN system. Please bring devices fully charged with a charger in case batteries run out.

Results: participants will be notified of the outcome of the EPNS Exam by email after the EPNS Congress.

Feedback: it is not possible, under any circumstances, to receive feedback about the EPNS Exam questions or EPNS Exam results. Candidates will get their personal results overall, but no detailed information on special questions.

Certificate: successful candidates will receive a certificate

Frequency of the EPNS Exam: this is still under review. It is anticipated the EPNS Exam will take place every 2 years to coincide with the biennial EPNS Congresses https://www.epns.info/epns-congresses/

Retaking: It is possible for candidates who do not achieve the pass mark to retake the exam in future years.

Confidentiality: the EPNS Exam results are personal and will not be shared with anybody but the participant.

Cancellation policy:

  • If the candidate cancels their participation in the EPNS Exam after registration payment has been paid, the candidate will not be automatically eligible for a refund.
  • If the EPNS is forced to cancel the EPNS Exam 2023 as a result of events arising which are outside of their control, the EPNS will not meet the costs of any pre booked accommodation or travel. It is recommended candidates have appropriate travel insurance.

Mandatory Rules:

  • Candidates must not use any of my electronic devices for any other function than accessing the EPNS Exam and going through the EPNS Exam. They must not get into online databases, knowledge etc. to search for answers to the exam questions.
  • Candidates must not copy (neither by writing, nor taking pictures of the screen etc.) any of the questions which will be presented during the EPNS Exam.
  • Candidates must answer all the questions by their own knowledge, without any help from the outside.

Breaching the EPNS Exam rules:

  • If the EPNS discovers a candidate has violated any of the EPNS Exam requirements which the candidate agreed to at registration whilst the EPNS Exam is taking place, the candidate will be immediately asked to leave the Exam room.
  • If before, during or after the EPNS Exam has taken place, the EPNS discovers a candidate has violated any of the EPNS Exam requirements which the candidate agreed to at registration, the candidate will lose all EPNS certifications and may be barred from taking or retaking any EPNS Exam in the future. The EPNS may choose to terminate any EPNS membership status and the EPNS reserves the right to inform the candidate’s relevant regularity office of any action taken.