SLE (SMLE) GP Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs
SLE (SMLE) GP Exam Quick Summary
The Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE) is the general entry-level Prometric exam required of all physicians — Saudi and international — before independent GP practice or residency entry in Saudi Arabia, using a 200-question format and a scaled score out of 800 rather than a flat percentage.
Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE) for General Practitioners
The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) administers the SMLE as the mandatory general licensing exam for physicians seeking to practice as a General Practitioner or enter a residency program in Saudi Arabia. Unlike the specialist-level SLE exams for individual specialties, the SMLE is a general medical knowledge exam required of every physician — International Medical Graduates and Saudi graduates alike.
Eligibility criteria for the SMLE
To sit the SMLE, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:
Additional experience is generally required afterward to secure an actual GP or residency position, separate from the exam eligibility itself — confirm your specific pathway through the Saudi Licensing Exam overview and the Mumaris Plus portal.
SMLE syllabus & weightage
The exam follows a blueprint aligned with the SaudiMEDs framework, with four core clinical domains carrying the bulk of the weighting:
SCFHS's official exam outline also includes Psychiatry and Community Medicine as covered domains, though a separate published weightage isn't available for these two. Questions are presented as single-best-answer, extended-matching, and multiple true/false items testing clinical reasoning, interpretation, and decision-making rather than isolated fact recall.
SMLE exam format
The SMLE is delivered as a computer-based test via Prometric, split into two 100-question sections of 120 minutes each with a break in between. Unlike the percentage-based passing scores used on SLE specialist-track exams, the SMLE uses a scaled score (200-800) calculated via Item Response Theory, where harder questions contribute more to your final score than easier ones — 560 is the pass mark.
Preparation tips for the SMLE
Sample Practice MCQs
Test your knowledge with these original clinical scenario-style questions. Tap a question to reveal the answer.
> Question 1: Medicine
Answer: ACE inhibitors/ARBs — they remain first-line for renal protection in diabetic nephropathy but require close monitoring of creatinine and potassium after initiation.
Explanation: ACE inhibitors and ARBs slow progression of diabetic kidney disease by reducing intraglomerular pressure, but can cause an initial rise in creatinine and hyperkalemia — a modest rise (up to ~30%) is expected and doesn't necessarily require stopping the drug, but should be monitored.
> Question 2: Obstetrics & Gynecology
Answer: Gestational diabetes mellitus — start with dietary and lifestyle modification, adding insulin or metformin if glycemic targets aren't met.
Explanation: Gestational diabetes is diagnosed via glucose tolerance testing in the second trimester. First-line management is medical nutrition therapy and exercise; pharmacologic treatment is added only if glucose targets aren't achieved through lifestyle measures alone.
> Question 3: Pediatrics
Answer: Begin urgent rehydration — IV fluid bolus for moderate-to-severe dehydration with signs of poor perfusion, rather than oral rehydration alone.
Explanation: Lethargy, dry mucous membranes, and delayed capillary refill indicate at least moderate dehydration with early circulatory compromise. This warrants IV fluid resuscitation rather than oral rehydration solution alone, which is reserved for mild dehydration.
Frequently Asked Questions
> What is the SMLE and who needs to take it?
The SMLE (Saudi Medical Licensing Exam) is the general licensing exam required of all physicians — both Saudi graduates and International Medical Graduates — before independent GP practice or entry into a residency program in Saudi Arabia.
> How many questions are on the SMLE?
The exam consists of 200 MCQs, split into two 100-question sections, with 4 hours allowed in total including a break.
> What is the passing score for the SMLE?
The SMLE uses a scaled score from 200 to 800, with 560 as the pass mark — this differs from the flat percentage passing scores used on SLE specialist-track exams.
> What does the SMLE cover?
It's weighted toward Medicine (30%), Obstetrics & Gynecology (25%), and Pediatrics (25%), with Surgery (20%) making up the rest of the published breakdown. Psychiatry and Community Medicine are also part of the official exam outline without a separately published weightage.
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