Short answer: The DHA licensing exam is a computer-based test of multiple-choice questions, taken at a Prometric test centre. For a Registered Nurse and General Practice, DHA lists 150 questions in three hours including registration time. The pass score is set per title, for example 50 percent for nurses and 60 for general practitioners, and DHA can change it.
The basics
The exam is delivered on a computer. DHA says the format is multiple-choice questions and does not say how many options there are or that there is a single best answer. In our practice questions each one has exactly one best answer. You can usually move between questions and mark items for review within the exam time.
DHA lists 150 questions in three hours for a Registered Nurse and General Practice, and the three hours include registration and the introduction. Meddex mock exams use a 150-question, three-hour format as a planning benchmark. Treat that as a rehearsal format and verify the official details for your title.
What "single best answer" means
DHA does not use this term in its guideline, but it is the standard way to practise multiple-choice judgement questions. More than one option may be partly true. You are asked to choose the one that is most appropriate in the situation. That is why reading the stem carefully matters: a single detail can change which answer is best.
How scoring works
DHA sets a pass score for each title, from 45 to 70 percent in its CBT guideline: 50 for a Registered Nurse, 60 for General Practice, General Dentist and Pharmacist, and 55 to 70 for specialist physicians. The result is pass or fail only, calculated from correct answers and the weighting of each domain, which DHA does not publish. In practice, that means two things for you: aim comfortably above any benchmark in your mocks, and avoid a weak domain that drags you down.
DHA does not mention negative marking, so we cannot say whether it applies. There is generally no reason to leave a question blank. If you are unsure, eliminate what you can and choose the best remaining option.
Tools you will use
Practise the on-screen habits before exam day.
- Flag questions to revisit rather than getting stuck.
- Use the question grid to track unanswered items.
- Strike through options you have eliminated.
- Watch the clock: check your pace at the halfway point.
Always verify the current details
Exam rules change. Before booking, read the official candidate information and confirm the number of questions, duration, passing criteria and what you may bring.
Related guide
For the number of questions, the time and the pass score of your own title, see DHA exam format and pass mark by title. This guide explains how the exam works on screen.
Frequently asked questions
This article is general educational guidance, not official advice. Exam rules, fees and timelines are set by the Dubai Health Authority and the test provider and can change, so always confirm the latest details on their official channels.
Last updated .