QCHP General Practitioner (GP) Exam Prep Guide 2026

QCHP GP Exam Quick Summary

The exam covers the core clinical domains a General Practitioner manages independently — internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and obstetrics & gynecology — testing diagnosis, workup, and management of common and acute conditions seen in everyday primary care.

QCHP Qatar General Practitioner (GP) Exam

General Practitioners seeking to practice in Qatar must be licensed by the Department of Healthcare Professions (DHP) under the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP). The centerpiece of that process is the QCHP General Practitioner Prometric exam, a computer-based assessment covering the core clinical domains a GP manages independently — from chronic disease management to obstetric and pediatric emergencies.

Eligibility criteria for the QCHP GP exam

Confirm each of the following before starting your DataFlow application — missing documentation is the most common cause of delay.

Medical degree: A minimum 6-year medical degree program from an institution recognized on DHP's approved list — qualifications from unlisted institutions are rejected automatically.
Internship: A completed clinical internship/house job certified by the training hospital.
Clinical experience: A minimum of 2 years of continuous post-qualification clinical experience. Gaps longer than 6 months generally require a documented explanation.
Home license: A valid, unrestricted medical registration or license in your country of practice.
DataFlow Primary Source Verification: All educational, internship, and licensing documents verified through DataFlow, typically taking 4-8 weeks.

QCHP GP exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption
Physicians who have passed one of the following are exempt from sitting the exam: AMC, PLAB Part 1, USMLE Step 3, MCCQE Part 1, the Hamad Medical Corporation National Board Examination, the IFOM Exam, or Ireland's Pre-Registration Examination (both MCQ and OSCE parts). Exemption doesn't grant a license automatically — you'll still need to complete DataFlow PSV and the remaining registration steps. See our full DHP MOPH Qatar exam exemption criteria for the complete, current list and step-by-step guide.

QCHP GP exam syllabus and subject weightage

The exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 3 hours. Questions are drawn from four core clinical domains:

Domain
Approximate %
Internal Medicine
~35-40%
Surgery
~20-25%
Pediatrics
~20-25%
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
~15-20%

Within these four domains, expect questions across cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, haematology, neurology, and infectious disease (Internal Medicine); acute abdomen, trauma principles, peri-operative care, and vascular emergencies (Surgery); neonatal care, pediatric emergencies, common infections, and vaccination schedules (Pediatrics); and antenatal care, labour complications, postpartum emergencies, and common gynecology (Obstetrics & Gynaecology). Internal Medicine alone can make up nearly 40% of the exam — prioritize it first, then build out Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obs & Gynae with reasonably even depth. Most questions are clinical scenario-based rather than direct fact recall.

QCHP GP study material & questions
Official past papers aren't released publicly, but our Qbank compiles high-yield questions mapped to the published exam blueprint, reviewed by expert doctors.

QCHP GP exam format

150
MCQs
3 hours
Time allowed
60%
Passing score
5
Max attempts

The QCHP GP exam (Prometric code SCHQ2) is a closed-book, single-best-answer, computer-based test. A passing score requires at least 90 of the 150 questions correct — see our full DHP MOPH Qatar exam passing score & duration breakdown for the figures across every licensed profession, not just GPs. Questions are typically presented as clinical vignettes rather than direct fact recall, so practicing timed, scenario-based questions is more useful than memorizing isolated facts. Candidates may sit the exam up to 5 consecutive times, with each retake booked and paid for separately through Prometric.

QCHP licensing process, step by step

  1. Create a QCHP portal account at qchp.org.qa and submit your licensing application with educational certificates and professional experience records.
  2. Submit documents for DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV) — generally 4-8 weeks.
  3. Receive your eligibility letter once DataFlow clears your documents, authorizing you to book the exam.
  4. Book your Prometric exam using exam code SCHQ2 once your eligibility letter is issued.
  5. Pass the exam at the required 60%+ threshold.
  6. Complete your remaining DHP registration and classification steps.
  7. Activate your license once registration is approved.

Preparation tips for the QCHP GP exam

Weight your revision to the blueprint
Internal Medicine alone can make up nearly 40% of the exam — build your Internal Medicine foundation first, then Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obs & Gynae.
Practice under timed conditions
Simulate the 3-hour window early so pacing across 150 questions feels routine, not a surprise, on exam day.
Work through case-style vignettes
Questions read like real clinical scenarios, not textbook recall — practice judging the next best step, not just recognizing a fact.
Review your weak areas between attempts
With up to 5 attempts allowed, track subject-wise performance after mock tests and revisit explanations for missed questions before rebooking.

QCHP GP sample practice MCQs

Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions, reflecting the case-based format used in the actual exam. Tap a question to reveal the answer.

> Question 1: Internal Medicine

A 58-year-old with type 2 diabetes presents with an HbA1c of 8.9% despite maximum-dose metformin. He has no contraindications to other agents. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A) Continue metformin alone and recheck HbA1c in 6 months
B) Add a second oral agent or injectable therapy based on his comorbidities
C) Switch to insulin monotherapy immediately
D) Increase the metformin dose beyond the maximum recommended level

Correct answer: B) Add a second oral agent or injectable therapy based on his comorbidities

Metformin is already at maximum dose, so further titration won't improve control, and exceeding the recommended dose adds no benefit. Current practice escalates to a second agent (e.g., an SGLT2 inhibitor, GLP-1 agonist, or sulfonylurea) chosen according to cardiovascular and renal risk factors, rather than moving straight to insulin.

> Question 2: Surgery

A 45-year-old presents with sudden-onset severe epigastric pain radiating to the back, along with nausea and vomiting. He has a history of heavy alcohol use. Serum lipase is markedly elevated. What is the most appropriate initial management?

A) Immediate surgical exploration
B) Aggressive IV fluid resuscitation and supportive care
C) Oral feeding to maintain gut motility
D) Discharge with oral analgesia once pain is controlled

Correct answer: B) Aggressive IV fluid resuscitation and supportive care

This presentation is consistent with acute pancreatitis, most commonly managed with aggressive IV fluid resuscitation, pain control, and bowel rest rather than early oral feeding or surgery. Surgical intervention is reserved for specific complications (e.g., infected necrosis), not as first-line management.

> Question 3: Obstetrics & Gynecology

A woman at 32 weeks gestation presents with sudden-onset severe headache, visual disturbance, and a blood pressure of 162/108 mmHg on two readings. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

A) Reassure and review again at the next routine antenatal visit
B) Start oral antihypertensives and discharge home
C) Urgent referral for evaluation and management of suspected pre-eclampsia
D) Advise bed rest at home with no further assessment

Correct answer: C) Urgent referral for evaluation and management of suspected pre-eclampsia

New-onset severe hypertension with headache and visual disturbance after 20 weeks gestation is a red flag for pre-eclampsia, which requires urgent obstetric assessment and blood pressure control to reduce the risk of eclampsia and other complications — not reassurance or routine follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

> What is the passing score for the QCHP GP exam?

The passing score is 60%, meaning you need at least 90 of the 150 questions correct within the 3-hour window.

> How long does DataFlow verification take?

Typically 4-8 weeks, depending on how quickly your issuing institutions respond. Submitting complete, accurate documents up front is the best way to avoid delays.

> How many times can I retake the exam if I don't pass?

Up to 5 consecutive attempts are permitted, whatever the gap between attempts. Each retake requires a separate Prometric booking and payment.

> Can I be exempted from the QCHP GP exam?

Yes, if you've passed AMC, PLAB Part 1, USMLE Step 3, MCCQE Part 1, the Hamad Medical Corporation National Board Examination, the IFOM Exam, or Ireland's Pre-Registration Examination. See our full DHP MOPH Qatar exam exemption criteria for the complete list and the steps still required after exemption.

> How should I prepare for the Prometric exam format?

The most effective method is studying the published blueprint topics and solving timed, scenario-based practice questions, such as those in a QCHP General Practitioner Question Bank.

Ready to clear your QCHP GP exam on the first attempt?

Get clinical question modules, detailed rationales, and full-length timed mock exams built around the published Prometric blueprint.

Enroll in the QCHP GP Question Bank
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