DHA General Surgery Exam 2026: Eligibility, Syllabus & MCQs

Last updated: September 2026

Quick Summary

Format: Computer-based test (Prometric)  |  Questions: 100–150 MCQs  |  Duration: ~150 minutes  |  Passing score: Above 65%

DHA Dubai General Surgery Specialty Exam

The DHA General Surgery exam is the Dubai Health Authority's specialty licensing assessment for surgeons seeking to practice General Surgery in Dubai, UAE. Delivered as a Prometric computer-based test (CBT), it evaluates clinical judgment, perioperative decision-making, and management of surgical emergencies across the full breadth of general surgical practice. This guide covers the eligibility requirements, syllabus, exam pattern, and preparation strategy — verified against DHA's own published guidance and the site's syllabus page.

Eligibility Criteria for the DHA General Surgery Exam

Before booking your Prometric slot, DHA requires applicants to meet the following criteria. Because requirements are tiered by country of qualification and grade applied for (Specialist vs. Consultant), always confirm your own case on the Sheryan self-assessment tool before relying on the summary below.

Primary medical degree: A recognized MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution.
Specialization in General Surgery: Completion of a recognized residency/postgraduate qualification in General Surgery — MS, MD, DNB, MRCS, FRCS, or equivalent — from an accredited institution.
Post-specialization clinical experience: A minimum number of years practicing as a general surgeon after completing your specialization — commonly cited as around 3 years or more for Specialist-level applications, and a further 5 years as a Specialist for Consultant-level applications. The exact threshold depends on your qualifying country/institution tier under DHA's classification.
Valid license & Good Standing Certificate: An active license to practice in your home country (or country of last employment), plus a Certificate of Good Standing confirming no disciplinary action.
DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow before your license application proceeds.

Experience requirements are tiered by country and qualification under DHA's Sheryan system — use the Sheryan self-assessment tool to confirm the exact requirement for your specific profile.

DHA General Surgery Exam Syllabus

The exam draws questions from across the full scope of general surgical practice. Based on DHA's published syllabus, the core topic areas are:

  • Fluid and Electrolytes
  • Shock
  • Sepsis and Surgical Infections
  • Endocrine and Breast
  • Upper GI
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Skin and Soft Tissue
  • Hepato-biliary
  • Perioperative Care
  • Trauma and Critical Care
  • Colorectal and Perianal
  • Pancreas and Spleen
  • Professionalism and Ethics
  • Patient Safety

For a topic-by-topic breakdown with weightage and high-yield areas, see our dedicated DHA General Surgery Exam Syllabus page.

DHA General Surgery study material & questions
Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles recall-based questions from actual test takers, reviewed by expert doctors.

DHA General Surgery Exam Pattern

100–150
MCQs
150 min
Duration
65%+
Passing score

Each question typically offers 4–5 answer choices with a single best answer, and most are written as clinical vignettes rather than direct recall questions — testing how you'd manage a real patient scenario rather than isolated facts.

How to Prepare for the DHA General Surgery Exam

Focus on high-yield emergencies
Acute abdomen, trauma resuscitation, and post-op complications are heavily represented — prioritize these over rare presentations.
Practice timed MCQ blocks
With ~150 questions in 150 minutes, you have roughly a minute per question — build that pace early with timed practice sets.
Review current guidelines
Questions reflect current international surgical practice guidelines, not older textbook protocols — keep your references up to date.
Don't skip patient safety & ethics
These non-clinical topics are scored the same as clinical ones and are often under-revised.

Sample Practice MCQs

Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions. Tap a question to reveal the answer.

> A 32-year-old man presents with right lower quadrant pain, low-grade fever, and rebound tenderness at McBurney's point. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Proceed to appropriectomy (open or laparoscopic) after basic labs and imaging confirm the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Explanation: Classic presentation of acute appendicitis is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Ultrasound or CT can support the diagnosis in equivocal cases, but a clear clinical picture with peritoneal signs warrants prompt surgical referral to reduce the risk of perforation.
> A 55-year-old woman with a history of gallstones presents with fever, right upper quadrant pain, and a positive Murphy's sign. Ultrasound confirms a thickened gallbladder wall with pericholecystic fluid. What is the diagnosis and initial management?
Answer: Acute cholecystitis — manage with IV fluids, antibiotics, analgesia, and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ideally within 72 hours of symptom onset).

Explanation: A positive Murphy's sign with ultrasound findings of gallbladder wall thickening and pericholecystic fluid is classic for acute cholecystitis. Early cholecystectomy is now preferred over delayed surgery in suitable candidates, per current surgical guidelines.
> A trauma patient arrives hypotensive after a motor vehicle collision. FAST scan shows free fluid in the abdomen, and the patient remains hemodynamically unstable despite initial fluid resuscitation. What is the next step?
Answer: Immediate exploratory laparotomy.

Explanation: A positive FAST scan with ongoing hemodynamic instability indicates likely intra-abdominal hemorrhage requiring emergency surgical control — there is no role for further imaging (e.g., CT) or observation in an unstable patient with a positive FAST.

Frequently Asked Questions

> How many questions are in the DHA General Surgery exam?
The exam typically consists of 100–150 multiple-choice questions, delivered as a computer-based test at Prometric centers.
> What is the passing score for the DHA General Surgery exam?
Candidates generally need to score above 65% to pass, though DHA can adjust the pass mark based on exam difficulty for a given sitting.
> How long is the DHA General Surgery exam?
The exam duration is approximately 150 minutes (2.5 hours).

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TESTIMONIALS
Dr. Reena Thomas
Dr. Reena Thomas

I have never realized my full potential, always scoring lower on actual exams than on practice exams. Then, after taking Interface Prep course, I was able to gain the confidence,...

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