SLE Internal Medicine Exam 2026: Eligibility & MCQs

Last updated on 22-Sep-2026, by Dr. Muhammad Dr. Muhammad

 

SLE Internal Medicine Exam Quick Summary

The Saudi Licensing Exam (SLE) Internal Medicine specialty exam is a computer-based Prometric MCQ exam covering adult medicine across major organ systems, with a passing score generally in the 60-70% range depending on classification level.

Saudi Licensing Exam (SLE) Internal Medicine Specialty Exam

The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) administers this specialty exam as part of its physician classification and licensing process, evaluating a candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases affecting adult patients across internal medicine's core organ systems.

Eligibility criteria for the SLE Internal Medicine exam

To apply for SCFHS classification and sit the Internal Medicine specialty exam, candidates are generally expected to meet the following:

Primary medical degree: A recognized MBBS, MD, or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution.
Specialization in Internal Medicine: Completion of a recognized residency, Master's degree, MD, or diploma in Internal Medicine from an accredited institution.
Post-specialization clinical experience: Generally 2-4 years of post-specialty experience for Specialist-level classification, with 5+ years (or equivalent) required for Consultant-level classification. The exact figure depends on your qualification and prior 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 PSV & Mumaris Plus registration: All educational, professional, and licensing documents must be verified through DataFlow, and your application is processed through SCFHS's Mumaris Plus portal (mumaris.scfhs.org.sa).

SLE Internal Medicine exam exemption criteria

Possible exam exemption
Internists holding an active board certification from a recognized authority, such as a US board certification, a UK Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), a Canadian Royal College fellowship, or an equivalent Australian/New Zealand fellowship, may be considered for exemption from the written Prometric exam during SCFHS classification. Exemption is evaluated case-by-case as part of the classification review and is not automatically guaranteed, so confirm your own status directly with SCFHS through the Mumaris Plus portal rather than assuming it applies.

SLE Internal Medicine exam syllabus

The exam draws from the following core subject areas:

  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Nephrology
  • Hematology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Dermatology (as it relates to systemic disease)

Many questions are presented as patient case scenarios requiring diagnosis, investigation, and management decisions, including interpretation of lab values, imaging reports, ECGs, and ABGs, rather than direct fact recall.

SLE Internal Medicine study material & questions
Our Qbank offers high-yield MCQs with engaging explanations and self-assessment tools, updated for the current exam pattern.

SLE Internal Medicine exam format

150
MCQs
3 hours
Time allowed
60-70%
Passing score

The SLE Internal Medicine exam is delivered as a single-best-answer, computer-based test via Prometric. A dermatology-style dedicated Registrar/Senior-Registrar passing-score breakdown isn't separately published for Internal Medicine, the figure above reflects the general range across SCFHS specialist exams, with Senior Registrar classification typically requiring a higher score than Registrar.

Preparation tips for the SLE Internal Medicine exam

Think by organ system
Revise cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, GI, and endocrinology as distinct blocks, then cross-link conditions that overlap (e.g. diabetes and cardiovascular risk).
Practice scenario-based MCQs
Expect clinical vignettes requiring interpretation of labs, imaging, ECGs, and ABGs, not isolated fact recall.
Don't neglect infectious diseases & rheumatology
These subjects are tested alongside the higher-profile organ-system topics and are often under-revised relative to their representation.
Time yourself early
With 150 questions in 3 hours, you have roughly 1.2 minutes per question, build that pace into your practice sessions from day one.

Sample Practice MCQs

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

> Question 1: Pulmonology
A 65-year-old with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with progressive dyspnea and chronic productive cough. Spirometry shows a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.65 with an FEV1 of 55% predicted. What is the most likely diagnosis and appropriate first-line pharmacologic management?

Answer: Moderate COPD, start a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA or LAMA) as first-line maintenance therapy.

Explanation: A post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC below 0.70 confirms airflow obstruction consistent with COPD, and an FEV1 of 55% predicted places this in the moderate (GOLD 2) category. Long-acting bronchodilators are first-line maintenance therapy; inhaled corticosteroids are reserved for patients with frequent exacerbations or an asthma-COPD overlap picture.
> Question 2: Gastroenterology
A 50-year-old with a history of heavy alcohol use presents with hematemesis. He is tachycardic and hypotensive. What is the most appropriate immediate management priority before endoscopy?

Answer: Hemodynamic resuscitation with IV fluids and blood products as needed, plus IV proton pump inhibitor and empirical antibiotic prophylaxis if variceal bleeding is suspected.

Explanation: In upper GI bleeding, resuscitation always precedes diagnostic endoscopy. In a patient with alcohol use, variceal hemorrhage should be suspected, and empirical antibiotics plus vasoactive drugs (e.g., octreotide) are started before endoscopic confirmation, alongside standard resuscitation measures.
> Question 3: Rheumatology
A 35-year-old woman presents with symmetric small-joint pain and morning stiffness lasting over an hour, present for 8 weeks. Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies are both positive. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Answer: Start disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, typically methotrexate, as early as possible.

Explanation: Symmetric small-joint polyarthritis with prolonged morning stiffness and positive RF/anti-CCP antibodies is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis. Early DMARD initiation, most commonly methotrexate, is standard of care to prevent irreversible joint damage, rather than relying on NSAIDs alone for symptom control.

Frequently Asked Questions

> What does the SLE Internal Medicine exam cover?

It covers clinical topics across cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, neurology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, endocrinology, nephrology, hematology, emergency medicine, and dermatology as it relates to systemic disease.

> How many questions are on the SLE Internal Medicine exam?

The exam consists of 150 MCQs, with 3 hours allowed to complete it.

> What is the passing score for the SLE Internal Medicine exam?

A specialty-specific figure isn't separately published. SCFHS specialist exams generally require a passing score in the 60-70% range, with Senior Registrar classification typically requiring a higher score than Registrar.

> Can internists be exempted from the SLE Prometric exam?

Possibly. Internists holding an active board certification (e.g. US board certification, UK CCT, Canadian Royal College fellowship, or an equivalent Australian/New Zealand fellowship) may be considered for exemption during SCFHS classification, though this is evaluated case-by-case and isn't guaranteed.

Ready to prepare with real exam-style questions?

Get organ-system-wise MCQs and detailed explanations built for the SLE Internal Medicine exam.

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Dr. Reena Sreekath
Dr. Reena Sreekath

I wanted to thank you for your help during my study. I just finished my exam few days back and today I just received my success result. Actually this is...

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