Exam Structure and Overview

The EDAC examination consists of 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored and 10 pretest). Pretest items are not scored and are included to gather statistics for their use on future examinations. Candidates will have 2 hours to complete the exam.

The detailed content outline lists the five sections that the examination covers:

• Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare
• Research
• Predesign
• Design
• Construction and Occupancy

EDAC accredited individuals must demonstrate a clear understanding of these concepts and the ability to use an evidence-based design process to meet or exceed the recommended minimum requirements.

What type of questions should I expect on the exam and how will they be written?
Exam Terminology

• Stem: This is the statement or question to which a candidate responds. This must be read carefully to avoid answers based on a misread stem. This is the most important tem to pay attention to when taking the exam
• Key: This is the most appropriate choice of all the possible responses
  
• Distractors: These are the additional two responses available to a candidate. They do not need to be entirely incorrect to make them the wrong choice. However, they are NOT the most appropriate choice

In the example analysis question below, the distracters are highlighted in red. The key is in bold. This example shows the importance of reading the stem carefully. The answer is located at the bottom of the page.

A hospital is considering development of a sterile custom pack program. The hospital may market its services to smaller facilities within a 50-mile radius to help offset initial start-up costs. Which of the following should the Materials Management Department consider before making the decision?

A.  a consultant’s report of the expansion potential within a department
B.  a market view of similar-sized facilities in similar communities
C.  a cost benefit comparison of in-sourcing and out-sourcing options

Example Answer: C

Question Types

There will be 3 different types of questions on the exam. They are:

• Recall: Requires candidates to draw from memorized facts, so the correct response was previously learned. They do not have correct answers that vary with the situation and they are short. The stem is one sentence and contains one variable.
• Application: Causes candidates to interpret, classify, translate, or recognize relationships. The correct answers vary with the situation. The questions are moderate in length and the stem is a couple sentences with more than one variable.
• Analysis: Contains information that requires synthesis, problem solving, and selection of the best response. The question has correct answers that vary with the situation and candidates must act on a problem they identify from clues in the stem. This is the longest type of question. The stem is several sentences and asks the candidate to select the best response.