Nurse reviewing DHA exam question types on a computer screen, including MCQs, scenario-based questions, and clinical case studies.

DHA Exam Question Types & Format (MCQ Types Explained)

The DHA exam, conducted by the Dubai Health Authority, evaluates a candidate’s clinical knowledge, decision-making ability, and practical understanding of their field. The structure follows a computer-based MCQ pattern, with questions created according to international healthcare competence standards. While the number of questions and duration vary by profession, the overall testing approach remains consistent.

Overview of the MCQ-Based Testing System

The DHA MCQ format is designed to assess how well you can identify correct clinical decisions among several close options. Each question typically has 4–5 answer choices, with only one correct answer. The exam uses a mixture of recall, application, and critical reasoning questions, ensuring that candidates not only memorise facts but also know how to apply them in practice.

Key features of the system include:

Standardised scoring
Topic-weighted question distribution
Random question sets
No negative marking
Profession-specific questions

Types of Questions in the DHA Exam

The DHA exam pattern includes several categories of questions. Each serves a different purpose; some check basic factual knowledge, while others evaluate complex decision-making abilities. Understanding these types helps you prepare strategically.

Direct Knowledge-Based MCQs

These are the most straightforward questions used to test your foundational medical knowledge.

They often involve:

Definitions
Normal values
Classifications of the medications
Diagnostic criteria
Operating procedures

Example:

What is first-line treatment for…?
Which of the following is a complication of…?

These questions reward strong textbook knowledge and regular revision.

Scenario-Based MCQs

Scenario-based MCQs require candidates to think clinically rather than memorise facts. You are given a short clinical story and asked to choose the most appropriate next step, diagnosis, or treatment.

Common triggers include:

Symptoms presented in sequence.
Lab results
Patient History
Response to previous treatment

You must integrate the data and make a logical clinical decision—similar to real-life patient care.

Case Study Questions

Case study questions are longer and more detailed than scenario-based MCQs. They may include:

Several lab reports
Vital signs
Imaging summaries
Follow up on the status of patients
Medication charts

You may need to answer multiple questions based on the same case. These evaluate deep clinical reasoning and the ability to interpret complex information.

Image-Based Questions (applicable in certain Professions)

Certain specialties like radiology, dentistry, dermatology, and some surgical fields may include image-based questions.

These may involve:

X-rays
CT/MRI
Skin lesions
Dental radiographs
Equipment identification

The question will ask what the image represents or what the next best action is. Good visual diagnostic skills are essential for these fields.

Difficulty Level: Easy vs Moderate vs Critical Thinking Questions

On average, DHA exams include 100–150 questions, with a 2–3 hour duration depending on the profession.

This means you get around 50–70 seconds per question.

Efficient time management is crucial. You must avoid overthinking difficult questions while ensuring you have time to revisit flagged ones.

Common Mistakes in MCQ Answering

Many candidates lose marks due to avoidable errors. Common mistakes include:
- Misreading the question stem
- Ignoring keywords like first, most appropriate, initial, and best
- Candidate falls for distractor options.
- Complicating simple questions
- Hurrying due to time constraints
- Relying solely on memorisation, devoid of comprehension of concepts
Awareness of these mistakes helps in developing better answering strategies.

Tips to Handle Tricky Options and Distractors

DHA questions often include distractors such as options designed to appear correct but contain subtle errors. To handle them effectively:

Read the question fully before checking answers
Identify keywords that indicate the direction
Eliminate manifestly wrong alternatives first.
Logically compare remaining choices
Don’t overthink–select the most clinically plausible answer
Trust evidence-based guidelines, not outdated clinical habits.

A careful, strategic approach minimizes confusion and maximizes your total score.

Sample Question Breakdown

Here are some examples of practice-style questions to help you see the structure:

Knowledge-Based Direct Question

Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with prolonged QT interval?

Scenario-Based Question

A 62-year-old diabetic patient presents with fever, flank pain, and dysuria. Vital signs reveal tachycardia. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Case Study Example

A patient with a history of hypertension presents with persistent headaches, BP 170/100, blurred vision, and elevated serum creatinine. Labs and fundoscopic findings are provided. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Image-Based Question

An X-ray image shows a consolidation in the right lower lobe. What is the most probable cause? These reflect real DHA exam patterns and help you practice structurally.

Conclusion

Understanding the DHA exam question types, patterns, and difficulty levels gives you a major advantage during preparation. Since the exam mainly uses MCQs, mastering both factual knowledge and clinical reasoning is essential. Whether you are preparing for nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or allied health, focusing on DHA MCQ format and practising all types of questions—direct, scenario-based, case studies, and image-based—will significantly improve your confidence and performance.