Anesthesia licensing examinations across Gulf countries are conducted as computer-based tests (CBT) through Prometric or Pearson VUE testing centers. These exams are designed to assess a physician’s clinical knowledge, decision-making skills, and patient safety competence required for independent anesthesia practice. While the core anesthesia subjects are largely similar across the region, each licensing authority follows its own exam syllabus and pattern, with variations in the number of questions, exam duration, topic weightage, and clinical focus areas.
This article provides a clear, structured comparison of anesthesia exam syllabi and examination patterns for major Gulf licensing bodies, based on officially published exam formats.
DHA (Dubai Health Authority) – Anesthesia Exam
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Anesthesia Licensing Exam is a standardized assessment required for anesthesiologists seeking to practice in Dubai’s public and private healthcare sectors.
The exam evaluates a candidate’s ability to apply anesthesia principles safely in real clinical scenarios, with strong emphasis on airway management, perioperative care, regional anesthesia, and patient safety.
Exam Pattern
- Number of Questions: 150 MCQs
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Passing Score: 65%
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
DHA Exam Coverage
- Airway
- Thoracic, Cardiac & Vascular Anesthesia
- Neurosurgical & Critical Care Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Neonatal & Pediatric Anesthesia
- Organ-Based Anesthesia
- Trauma, Burns & Orthopedic Surgery
- Regional Anesthesia, Acute & Chronic Pain
- Peri-operative Medicine
- Peripheral Nerve Blocks, Epidural & Spinal
- Critical Care Medicine
- Patient Safety
- Professionalism & Ethics
Download Now: Prometric Anesthesia Specialist 500 MCQs
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
OMSB (Oman Medical Specialty Board) – Anesthesia Exam
The OMSB Anesthesia Exam, conducted through Pearson VUE as a computer-based test, ensures that anesthesiologists practicing in Oman possess strong foundational knowledge integrated with sound clinical competence.
The examination places balanced emphasis on basic sciences, pharmacology, physiology, and applied anesthesia, making it distinct from exams that are purely clinically oriented. OMSB focuses on promoting safe anesthetic practice across multiple specialties, while upholding high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct.
Exam Pattern
- Number of Questions: 100 MCQs
- Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Passing Score: 65%
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
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OMSB Syllabus & Weightage
| Category | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia for other specialties | 15 |
| Pharmacology | 13 |
| Physiology | 13 |
| Critical care | 9 |
| Cardiovascular anesthesia | 6 |
| Clinical general anesthesia (pre-op & complications) | 6 |
| Neuraxial anesthesia | 6 |
| Obstetric anesthesia | 6 |
| Pediatric anesthesia | 6 |
| Regional anesthesia | 6 |
| Acute pain medicine | 5 |
| Thoracic anesthesia | 3 |
| Anatomy for anesthesia | 2 |
| Physics, monitoring & equipment | 2 |
| Ethics, research & statistics | 2 |
| Total | 100% |
Download Now: Prometric Anesthesia Specialist 500 MCQs
SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties) – Anesthesia Exam
The SCFHS Anesthesia Licensing Exam is a comprehensive and high-volume assessment designed for anesthesiologists aiming to practice in Saudi Arabia. It evaluates broad clinical knowledge across all anesthesia subspecialties, including perioperative medicine, critical care, trauma, and pain management.
The exam is lengthy and detailed, requiring candidates to demonstrate endurance, clinical judgment, and adherence to patient safety and ethical standards.
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
Exam Pattern
- Number of Questions: 200 MCQs
- Duration: 4 Hours
- Passing Score: Registrar: 65%, Senior Registrar: 70%
SCFHS Syllabus Distribution
| Section | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| Airway | 10 |
| Thoracic, Cardiac & Vascular | 8 |
| Neurosurgical & Critical Care | 8 |
| Obstetrics | 10 |
| Neonatal & Pediatric | 8 |
| Organ-Based Anesthesia | 10 |
| Trauma, Burns & Orthopedic Surgery | 10 |
| Regional Anesthesia & Pain | 8 |
| Peri-operative Medicine | 10 |
| Non-Operating Room Anesthesia | 8 |
| Patient Safety | 5 |
| Professionalism & Ethics | 5 |
Download Now: Prometric Anesthesia Specialist 500 MCQs
Qatar (QCHP) – Anesthesia Exam
The QCHP (Qatar Prometric) Anesthesia Exam assesses an anesthesiologist’s readiness to deliver safe and effective anesthesia care in Qatar’s healthcare system.
The exam places a strong emphasis on clinical decision-making, perioperative assessment, and critical care principles, with a significant proportion of scenario-based questions. It is designed to reflect real-life anesthesia challenges encountered in operating rooms, ICUs, and non-operating room settings.
Exam Pattern
- Number of Questions: 150 MCQs
- Duration: 3½ Hours
- Passing Score: 65%
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
Qatar Syllabus Breakdown
| Topic | No. of MCQs |
|---|---|
| Airway | 15 |
| Thoracic, Cardiac & Vascular | 14 |
| Neurosurgical & Critical Care | 13 |
| Obstetric Anesthesia | 15 |
| Neonatal & Pediatric | 14 |
| Organ-Based Anesthesia | 15 |
| Trauma, Burns & Orthopedic Surgery | 15 |
| Regional Anesthesia & Pain | 12 |
| Peri-operative Medicine | 15 |
| Non-Operating Room Anesthesia | 12 |
| Patient Safety | 6 |
| Professionalism & Ethics | 4 |
| Total | 150 MCQs |
Download Now: Prometric Anesthesia Specialist 500 MCQs
Enroll Now: Prometric Anesthesia Practice Test – DHA & Other Gulf Exams
