DOH Abu Dhabi Exam Passing Criteria 2026: Pass Mark Rules
Last updated on 26-Oct-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

What is the DOH (HAAD) Abu Dhabi Exam Passing Criteria in 2026?

DOH Passing Criteria Quick Summary

To pass the DOH Abu Dhabi exam you must reach a cut-score that DOH sets internally for your title. DOH does not publish a fixed percentage, the result is shown only as PASS or FAIL on TAMM, and a PASS stays valid for 5 years as long as you still meet the qualification requirements.

Most websites, including an older version of this page, quote passing percentages for the DOH (Department of Health, Abu Dhabi) exam: 60% for GPs, 70% for specialists, and so on. Those numbers were never official, and we have removed them. This page sets out the passing criteria as DOH actually applies them in 2026: how the pass mark is decided, what exam you must pass for your title, how long the pass lasts and what limits apply if you fail. If you only want to know where to see your result, go to our DOH (HAAD) exam results guide.

How does DOH decide the pass mark?

DOH's Licensing Procedure Manual says the pass mark depends on a cut-score that DOH sets internally. In licensing exams, a cut-score is normally a standard (what a minimally safe practitioner at that level should get right), not a fixed share of candidates who pass. DOH does not publish how it sets its own.

Two things follow from this. First, the cut-score can differ between titles (GP, specialist, nurse, dentist, pharmacist) and between exam forms. Second, no one outside DOH knows the exact number. Our DOH exam passing score page covers the score question itself; this page covers the wider criteria.

DOH passing criteria at a glance

CriterionWhat DOH applies
Pass markCut-score set internally by DOH. No published percentage.
Result formatPASS or FAIL on TAMM. CBT usually within 24 hours, oral exams within 5 working days.
Validity of a PASS5 years, subject to still meeting the PQR (for example, no long gap in practice).
Exam window6 months from exam approval for CBT and oral exams. You can rebook within this window if a date is available.
AttemptsLimited, and failed attempts for the same title count across UAE health authorities (DOH, DHA, MOHAP).
No-showNot counted as an attempt, but the booking fee is not refunded.

Which exam must you pass for your title?

The passing criteria apply to the exam DOH assigns to your title. As a rough guide from the current DOH manual:

  • General Practitioner: computer-based test (CBT), 120 MCQs in 2.5 hours.
  • Specialists and consultants in Anaesthesia, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Paediatrics, ENT, General Surgery and Obs & Gynae: CBT, 100 MCQs in 2 hours (consultant CBT also covers Ophthalmology). Most other specialties sit an oral exam of 45 to 60 minutes.
  • General Dentist: CBT, 150 MCQs in 3 hours. Specialist dentists in Endodontics, Orthodontics, Paedodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics: CBT, 100 MCQs in 2 hours.
  • Registered Nurse: CBT, 150 MCQs in 3 hours. Assistant Nurse, School Nurse and Midwife: 100 MCQs in 2 hours.

All DOH exams are in English. Pharmacists and allied health professionals have their own exams; DOH confirms the type when it approves your application. For doctors, the full exam-by-title rules are on our DOH exam for doctors page.

How long is a DOH pass valid, and can you skip the exam?

A PASS is valid for 5 years, as long as you continue to meet the Unified PQR. If you passed the DOH exam for the same title within the last 5 years, you do not sit it again. DOH may also exempt you from the exam if you hold a valid DHA or MOHAP licence in the same title and are in good standing. If you are coming from outside the UAE, an exemption depends on the criteria in the PQR, so do not assume your experience or postgraduate degree will exempt you. Check it in your TAMM application.

What happens if you do not meet the passing criteria?

You can book another attempt while your exam approval window is still open. Use the time well: book the next attempt once your timed mock scores have clearly improved, not just because a date is free. The DOH exam retake policy page explains attempts and rebooking, and our DOH detailed score page shows how to find your weak areas when DOH gives you only PASS or FAIL.

Aim well above the cut-score
Since nobody knows the exact pass mark, the safe plan is to score comfortably in timed mock exams. Practise high-yield DOH MCQs with explanations.

How to pass DOH exam?

To pass the DOH Abu Dhabi exam on your first attempt, work through these in order:

  • Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for Physicians, Dentists, Nurses, Pharmacists or your other healthcare category before you pay for anything.
  • Understand the syllabus and format of your exam.
  • Practise with high-yield DOH exam questions from Interface Medical Education, mostly in timed mode.
  • Sit at least two full-length mock exams in the last 3 weeks. If you are not finishing on time, fix that before the real exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage do I need to pass the DOH exam?

DOH does not publish a percentage. The pass mark is a cut-score set internally by DOH for each exam, and the result is shown only as PASS or FAIL. Percentages such as 60% or 70% quoted online are not official.

Is the passing criteria different for specialists and GPs?

Each title has its own exam and its own cut-score, so the standard differs. GPs sit a 120 MCQ computer test, specialists in the listed specialties sit a 100 MCQ test and many other specialties sit an oral exam. DOH does not publish the cut-score for any of them.

How long is my DOH pass valid?

A DOH PASS is valid for 5 years, provided you still meet the qualification requirements. If you have a long gap in practice, DOH can ask you to retrain or sit the exam again.

Can experienced doctors or dentists be exempted from the DOH exam?

Experience alone does not exempt you. DOH exempts candidates who passed the DOH exam for the same title within 5 years, holders of a valid DHA or MOHAP licence in the same title in good standing, and others only where the PQR criteria allow. Your TAMM application will show whether an exam is required.

How many times can I attempt the DOH exam?

Attempts are limited, and failed attempts for the same title are counted across DOH, DHA and MOHAP. You can rebook while your 6-month exam approval is valid. Check your remaining attempts in TAMM before you book again.

Your Comments

Readers have asked us these questions over time. Tap any question to open it and read our reply.

DR SHAJEE SIDDIQUI (Karachi, Pakistan): passing percentile and exam schedule

"Passing criteria and how much percentile for DOH/HAAD passing score and exam schedule. "
DR SHAJEE SIDDIQUI
Medical Qualification: mbbs
City Country: KARACHI -PAKISTANI

Team Interface: There is no percentile. DOH uses an internal cut-score and reports only PASS or FAIL. There is no fixed exam calendar either: once DOH approves you, you choose any available Pearson VUE date within 6 months. Both links in your comment explain this.
dr.nizamuddin nizam (Afghanistan): procedure to work in Abu Dhabi with 4 years of experience

"I would like to work in Abu dhabi .I have 4year work experience .what is the procedure to follow. Please reply.thanks "
dr.nizamuddin nizam
Medical Qualification: MD, PGD in internal medicine, Endoscopist in AMC
City Country: Afghanistan

Team Interface: For the GP title, DOH asks for a medical degree, a 12-month internship and 2 years of clinical experience after the internship, so your 4 years can count. The steps are TAMM, DataFlow, DOH review, then the exam; see our DOH license for doctors page. A PG diploma counts towards a specialist title only if the PQR lists it.
Dr T.Asokan (Salem, India): BDS with 15 years of endodontic and implant work, am I eligible?

"I have 15 years experience in clinical practice and specialist in root canal treatment ,crownland bridge .I have also done many implants .So can I apply or eligible for DOH /HAAD exam? "
Dr T.Asokan
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: Salem,India

Team Interface: With a BDS, internship and more than 2 years of experience you can apply as a General Dentist. A specialist title needs a recognised specialty qualification, so experience alone does not make you an endodontist in DOH terms. Implantology is a privilege, not a separate title. Details are on our DOH dentist eligibility page.
Dr. Sunakshi (India): DOH eligibility and registration for dentists

"Any one guide me about the DOH eligibility requirements for dentists and how can I register my self any website or other Plz help me."
Dr. Sunakshi
Medical Qualification: BDS
City Country: India

Team Interface: You register on TAMM, the Abu Dhabi government portal, using UAE PASS. Our DOH dentists page covers eligibility and the TAMM guide shows how to start.
Dr. Sadiq naqvi (Karachi, Pakistan): FCPS paediatric consultant in Oman, exam exemption?

"I am fellow in pediatric from CPSP Pakistan. I have served as pediatric consultant in Oman for 5 years. Now i want to work in ABUDHABI. Do i have to give HAAD exam also or i will given some exemption on behalf of my expeirence and qualification. Pls clearfiy."
Dr. Sadiq naqvi
Medical Qualification: FCPS (Pediatrics)
City Country: Karachi, Pakistan

Team Interface: The exemptions we can confirm are for a recent DOH pass in the same title, or a valid DHA or MOHAP licence in the same title. An Oman licence is not on that list as far as we know, so plan for the exam unless TAMM shows otherwise. Paediatrics is a CBT specialty; our DOH Paediatrics Qbank can help.
Waqar khan (Islamabad, Pakistan): are MCPS or MD degrees from Pakistan accepted?

"Do They accept mcps or md degree from pakistan?"
Waqar khan
Medical Qualification: Mbbs
City Country: Islamabad, pakistan

Team Interface: The Unified PQR lists Pakistani FCPS for specialist titles. For MCPS or an MD, it depends on whether the PQR country table names that qualification for your specialty and whether the programme meets the minimum length. Check the current PQR on the DOH website or our DOH doctors page.
Ainey (India): HAAD exam questions and books for radiographers

"Hello..What are the possible questions one can face in actual HAAD exam for radiographer. Is there any dedicated book or resource from where i can buy such material, pls help."
Ainey
Medical Qualification:radiographer
City, Country: India

Team Interface: Radiographers sit an allied health exam with its own content; expect imaging technique, radiation safety and patient care. DOH does not publish a book list or past papers. You can search our Qbank finder for allied health practice material.
dr singh (Gujarat, India): how to schedule the exam?

"Pls help me to know how to schedule for exam."
dr singh
Medical Qualification: bds
City Country: gujarat, India

Team Interface: After DOH approves your application, pay the booking fee in TAMM. A Pearson VUE link then appears in your application, where you pick the date and centre. See DOH Pearson VUE exam schedule and DOH exam in India.
Dr. Farhan (Oman): oral and maxillofacial surgeon for 10 years, do I need the HAAD exam?

"I am Oral and maxillofacial surgeon and serving in Oman since last 10 years. Do i need to pass HAAD exam or i will have any exemption based upon my experience. please clearfiy."
Dr. Farhan
Medical Qualification:BDS, Oral & maxillofacial surgeon
City Country: Oman

Team Interface: Experience by itself does not give an exemption. Unless you have a recent DOH pass or a valid DHA or MOHAP licence in the same title, expect an exam. For Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, DOH confirms whether it is oral or computer-based when it approves your application. See our DOH dentists page.
dr thakra (India): registration charges and oral exam for dental specialists

"I am a dental specialist. I want to know that what is the registration charges for HAAD exam and is there any Oral exam and how this is being conducted."
dr thakra
Medical Qualification:MDS
City Country: india

Team Interface: Specialist dentists in Endodontics, Orthodontics, Paedodontics, Periodontics and Prosthodontics sit a 100 MCQ computer test; several other dental specialties and all dental consultants sit an oral exam. Fees are shown in TAMM at each step; our DOH cost guide explains the stages.
Dr. Sara (Abu Dhabi, UAE): past or sample papers for optometrists

"Can anyone share the past papers or any sample papers. I have registered and will be appearing in exam. Any help will be highly appreciated."
Dr. Sara
Medical Qualification: Optometrist
City Country: Abudhabi, Uae

Team Interface: DOH does not release past papers for any title. For optometry, revise clinical refraction, binocular vision, ocular disease and contact lenses from your core textbooks, and check our Qbank finder for practice material.

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