MOHAP UAE Paediatrics Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs

MOHAP Paediatrics Exam Quick Summary

The MOHAP (UAE Ministry of Health & Prevention) Paediatrics specialist exam is a written, computer-based MCQ test with a passing score of at least 70%. Unlike some other MOHAP specialty exams, an oral (viva) component is not normally required for Paediatrics after you pass the written exam — unless MOHAP specifically requests one.

MOHAP UAE Paediatrics Specialty Exam

The Ministry of Health & Prevention (MOHAP) administers this specialty exam for paediatricians seeking to practice across the five Northern Emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — outside the separate DHA (Dubai) and DOH (Abu Dhabi) licensing systems. The exam evaluates clinical knowledge and decision-making in the care of infants, children, and adolescents through clinical scenario-based MCQs. You can review MOHAP's general eligibility framework for GP, Specialist, and Consultant grades on our MOHAP eligibility requirements page.

Eligibility criteria for the MOHAP Paediatrics exam

Based on MOHAP's own published requirements for Specialist and Consultant grade doctors, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:

Primary medical degree: A recognized MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree from a school listed on the Avicenna database or IMED/FAIMER.

Specialization in Paediatrics: A postgraduate specialty certificate (Master's degree or PhD level — diplomas are excluded) from a full-time structured clinical residency program of not less than 3 years.

Continuous clinical practice: No interruption in clinical practice for more than 2 years. Candidates from Tier 1 or Tier 2 accredited residency programs may be exempt from a separate post-qualification experience requirement.

Valid license & Good Standing Certificate: An active license to practice in your home country (or country of most recent employment).

DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow before your MOHAP application proceeds.

General Practitioner-level applicants follow a separate, lighter eligibility path (around 2 years of clinical experience after internship). See the full breakdown by grade on our MOHAP eligibility requirements page.

MOHAP Paediatrics exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption

Consultant Physicians and Specialist Consultants may be exempted from all MOHAP licensing exam components — written and oral — if they hold a recognized board certification: an American Board of Medical Specialty certification (US), a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training/CCT or CESR with inclusion on the Specialist Register (UK), a Fellowship of the Royal College (Australia or New Zealand), an RCPSC specialization certificate or CFPC certification (Canada), or a Certificate of Full Registration / Certificate of Specialist Doctor (Ireland). Confirm your own eligibility directly with MOHAP, and review the full criteria on our MOHAP exam exemption page, before assuming it applies to your case.

MOHAP Paediatrics exam syllabus

The exam draws from the following subject areas:

Growth and Development
Neonatology
Acute Care (Emergency & Critical Paediatrics)
Gastroenterology
Cardiology
Respiratory Conditions
Neurology
Infectious Diseases and Immunology
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Professionalism, Ethics and Patient Safety

Questions are presented as clinical scenario-based MCQs relevant to paediatric practice, testing clinical decision-making rather than isolated fact recall.

MOHAP Paediatrics study material & questions

Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles 900+ high-yield recall-based questions with answers and explanations, plus performance analytics.

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MOHAP Paediatrics exam format

Written MCQ

Oral/viva not normally required

~2-3 hours

General MOHAP range (varies by specialty)

70%+

Passing score (Paediatrics-specific)

The MOHAP Paediatrics exam is delivered as a computer-based MCQ test via Prometric. Unlike some other MOHAP specialty tracks, an oral/viva assessment is not normally required after passing the written exam — MOHAP states this is only added "unless specifically told" otherwise. If a viva is required, expect a panel of 3-5 expert physicians questioning you on paediatric clinical scenarios. A specific MCQ count isn't separately published for Paediatrics; MOHAP's own general exam-pattern guidance only gives a broad 2-3 hour range that varies by specialty, so review your MOHAP eligibility notice for your specific figure rather than assuming another specialty's numbers apply. See our MOHAP exam paper pattern guide for more on the general format.

Preparation tips for the MOHAP Paediatrics exam

Prioritize neonatology and acute care

Newborn conditions and emergency/critical paediatric scenarios are consistently high-yield across Gulf paediatrics exams — build strong fundamentals here first.

Practice scenario-based MCQs

Expect vignette-style questions requiring you to judge severity and next steps in a child, not just recall a fact.

Prepare to explain your reasoning, just in case

Since MOHAP can still request an oral/viva assessment, practice articulating your clinical reasoning out loud, not just picking the right MCQ answer.

Use recall-based question banks

Since official past papers aren't public, question banks compiled from real test-taker recall are the closest available proxy for actual exam content.

Sample Practice MCQs

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

> Question 1: Neonatology

A term newborn develops visible jaundice within the first 20 hours of life. What does the early timing of onset most strongly suggest?

Answer: A pathological cause requiring urgent evaluation — such as hemolytic disease — rather than typical physiological jaundice.

Explanation: Physiological jaundice typically appears after 24-48 hours of life. Jaundice within the first 24 hours is considered pathological until proven otherwise and warrants prompt work-up for causes such as ABO/Rh incompatibility, sepsis, or G6PD deficiency, rather than routine observation.

> Question 2: Acute Care

A 3-year-old presents with barking cough, inspiratory stridor at rest, and mild suprasternal retractions, but is alert and well-hydrated. What is the most appropriate immediate management?

Answer: A single dose of oral or intramuscular dexamethasone, with close observation; nebulized epinephrine is reserved for more severe stridor at rest with significant distress.

Explanation: This presentation is consistent with moderate croup. Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and are first-line even for milder presentations with stridor at rest, while nebulized epinephrine is reserved for more severe respiratory distress given its short duration of action and rebound risk.

> Question 3: Infectious Diseases

An unvaccinated 18-month-old presents with high fever, irritability, a petechial rash, and neck stiffness. What is the most appropriate immediate step?

Answer: Start empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics immediately after obtaining blood cultures (and lumbar puncture if not contraindicated), without waiting for confirmatory results.

Explanation: Fever with petechiae and meningeal signs in a young child raises strong concern for bacterial meningitis/meningococcemia, a time-critical emergency. Empiric antibiotics should not be delayed for imaging or lumbar puncture results when there are signs of clinical instability or raised intracranial pressure risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

> What does the MOHAP Paediatrics exam cover?

It covers growth and development, neonatology, acute/emergency and critical paediatrics, gastroenterology, cardiology, respiratory conditions, neurology, infectious diseases and immunology, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and professionalism/ethics/patient safety.

> Is there an oral or viva component for the MOHAP Paediatrics exam?

Not normally. MOHAP's own guidance states there is typically no oral/viva after passing the written exam for Paediatrics, unless MOHAP specifically requires one for your case. If it is required, expect a panel of 3-5 expert physicians on paediatric clinical scenarios.

> What is the passing score for the MOHAP Paediatrics exam?

At least 70%, per MOHAP's own Paediatrics exam structure guidance — though this may vary depending on available positions and regulatory decisions at the time.

> Can paediatricians be exempted from the MOHAP exam?

Possibly, if you hold Consultant Physician or Specialist Consultant status with a recognized board certification — such as US ABMS, UK CCT/CCST/CESR, an Australian/NZ Fellowship of the Royal College, Canadian RCPSC or CFPC certification, or an Irish Certificate of Full Registration/Specialist Doctor. This is evaluated case-by-case, so confirm your own eligibility directly with MOHAP.

> Are official MOHAP Paediatrics past papers available?

No — MOHAP does not release official past papers publicly. Recall-based question banks compiled from actual test takers' feedback are the closest available preparation resource.

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