The DHA Prometric exam has a 60% passing score, yet thousands fail their first attempt. Not from lack of knowledge—from lack of strategy. Dubai offers physicians AED 550,000 average salaries and nurses AED 105,000 with zero tax. But you must pass the DHA licensing exam first. This guide gives you the exact first-attempt pass strategy for 2026.
What You Need to Know About the Exam Format
The exam runs through Prometric’s 8,000 test centers across 160+ countries. Results upload to Sheryan within 2 working days showing Pass or Fail—no scores disclosed.
You’ll answer 150 multiple-choice questions in 165-170 minutes—roughly 68 seconds per question. The exam uses scenario-based clinical questions. No negative marking means never leave blanks. Each question presents clinical vignettes with patient data requiring you to select the single best answer.
The passing score for dha prometric exam varies by profession. General practitioners need 60% (90/150 questions). Registered Nurses: 50% (75/150). Assistant Nurses: 45% (68/150). Dentists & Pharmacists: 60% (90/150). Lab Technicians: 55% (83/150). Specialists: 60-75% (varies by specialty).
How to Book Your Exam (Step-by-Step)
Complete Prerequisites First
Before booking, ensure you meet all eligibility requirements. Check complete DHA license requirements for doctors to verify your qualifications.
- Primary Source Verification (PSV) through DataFlow: authenticates credentials, takes 3 weeks, costs AED 935-1,235
- Create DHA Sheryan account, complete self-assessment, get DHA Unique ID
Both can run simultaneously.
The 5-Step Booking Process
- Visit Prometric, search “DHA,” log in with DHA Unique ID
- Select healthcare category matching DHA registration
- Choose test center, date, time
- Pay via international card in USD (strict no-refund policy)
- Receive confirmation email
Book 2-4 weeks ahead. Common windows: January-February, April-May, July-August, October-November.
In Dubai, the primary exam center is Dubai Knowledge Village, with other authorized locations across the emirate. International candidates can test at Prometric facilities in 160+ countries. Note that the DHA license is valid only for Dubai—learn the difference between DHA, MOH, and DOH licenses if you plan to work in other UAE emirates.
What the Exam Really Costs
Exam fees: USD $180-300 depending on profession. DataFlow PSV: AED 935-1,235 (USD $255-336). Sheryan credentialing: AED 200 (USD $55).
Total: AED 2,200-3,000 (USD $600-820) for complete exam and verification.
License activation after passing: AED 1,000-3,000 (employer typically pays). Rescheduling: USD $80-100. No refunds ever—no exceptions for any reason.
How to Prepare for DHA Prometric Exam: Your First-Attempt Pass Strategy
Strategic preparation beats raw study hours. Here’s the exact timeline and approach successful candidates use.
Research shows minimum 4-6 weeks intensive study (1-3 hours daily). Optimal: 8-12 weeks. Allocate: 40% content review, 40% practice testing, 20% reinforcement.
🏥 DHA Prometric Exam Preparation Tracker
Click on each week to mark your progress • 8-12 Week Strategy
📊 Your Exam Readiness Score
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Phase 1: Foundation Building (Weeks 1-6)
Systematically review core concepts. GPs: anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, clinical medicine. Nurses: patient care protocols, medical-surgical nursing, professional practice.
Dubai-specific regulations critical. DHA Professional Qualification Requirements outline UAE medical ethics, patient safety, Dubai healthcare structure. Questions appear regularly.
One week per discipline. Create flashcards for lab values, drugs, diseases.
Phase 2: MCQ Mastery (Weeks 7-12)
Research proves practice questions create stronger memory pathways. Start with 50-question "tutor mode" blocks reviewing rationales immediately. Build to timed blocks.
Successful candidates complete 50-100 questions daily—thousands before exam day. Weekly full-length mock exams (170 minutes, 150 questions) build endurance.
Exam Day Game Plan
66 seconds per question. 90-second rule: can't answer in 90 seconds? Guess, flag, move on. No negative marking—never leave blanks. Eliminate wrong options, choose from remaining. Flag 30-40 questions maximum. Deep breathing for stress (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4).
Why Smart Candidates Fail
Common mistakes: poor time management, inadequate MCQ practice, weak clinical reasoning, ignoring Dubai protocols, no exam day plan, too many resources, skipping mocks, late start, neglecting ethics/communication, overconfidence.
Action plan: Structured study with weekly targets. Daily MCQ practice (20-30 early, 50-100 later). Focus on high-yield topics. Weekly mock exams tracking scores. Consider coaching if struggling.
What Happens After Your Exam
Results within 2 working days in Sheryan ("Verifications and CBT Assessments"). Pass/Fail only. May extend to 3-5 days.
After passing: DHA issues eligibility letter (valid one year). Not a license—needs job offer. Employer initiates activation (contract, insurance, fees AED 1,000-3,000). DHA registration maintains your position without re-assessment.
For the complete step-by-step process from exam to license activation, read our complete guide to DHA license in Dubai.
If failing: 3 attempts per year. After 3 failures, additional qualifications required. Many pass second attempt: extend prep 4-6 weeks, increase MCQs, focus clinical reasoning, consider coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long to get DHA Prometric results?
2 working days in Sheryan ("Verifications and CBT Assessments"). Pass/Fail only—no scores. May extend to 3-5 days.
Q2: Can I reschedule and what's the cost?
Yes, USD $80-100 depending on notice. Strict no-refund policy—no exceptions for any reason.
Q3: Difference between DHA and Prometric exam?
None—same exam. DHA owns content, Prometric administers globally.
Q4: How many attempts allowed?
3 per year with waiting periods. After 3 failures, additional qualifications required before fourth attempt.
Q5: Is the fee refundable?
No. Completely non-refundable for any reason. Rescheduling possible (USD $80-100) but cancellations get nothing.
Your Path Forward
The 60% passing score is achievable through strategy. You have the roadmap: DataFlow (AED 935-1,235), Prometric booking (USD $180-300), 150 scenario-questions in 170 minutes. Success needs 8-12 week structured preparation with daily MCQ practice, clinical reasoning, and Dubai-specific knowledge.
Dubai offers extraordinary opportunities—competitive salaries, zero tax, unmatched advancement. Thousands of healthcare professionals successfully navigate this process each year. Start your preparation today with the right strategy, and you'll join them.
