Medical graduate preparing for DHA GP exam with clinical MCQs and study resources for general practitioner licensing in Dubai.

DHA Exam Preparation for General Practitioners (GP)

As a medical graduate wishing to practice as a General Practitioner in Dubai, passing the DHA GP exam is a major milestone in the process of obtaining the license to practice. With the right DHA GP preparation, the general practitioner DHA exam is fully manageable, even when one has lost touch with academics for a considerable number of years. Here is a comprehensive discussion of all the information needed to tackle the general practitioner DHA exam.

What is the DHA GP Exam?

The DHA GP Exam aims to test the candidate’s ability to meet the basic clinical standards to be competent enough to practice safely in Dubai’s health system.

The practical clinical knowledge is essential as the test covers practical patient care applications rather than basic theoretical ideas or concepts.

The exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) format and comprises mainly of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on case scenarios.

GP Exam Structure

Before embarking on your DHA GP exam preparation, you must be familiar with the following test pattern:

Computer-Based MCQ Exam
100-150 questions
The exam takes around 2-2.5 hours
Single best answer type questions
Case-based and scenario-driven approach

There are no negative marks, but the questions can be very deceptive, sometimes involving decision-making rather than textbook knowledge.

List of Subjects in DHA GP Exam

The General Practitioner DHA exam covers a broad range of topics, which are also a reflection of typical, common GP practices. The approximate weightage of topics might differ, but these are some of the main areas that need to be

Medicine

The most significant part of the exam and it covers:

Diabetes, Hypertension, Thyroid Conditions
Cardiology, respiratory problems
Infectious diseases
Gastrointestinal and renal ailments.

Surgery

Focuses on:

Common conditions that require surgical operations
Emergency Response
Pre- and post-operative care

Pediatrics

Includes:

Growth and development
Vaccination schedules
Pediatric infections
Common neonatal problems

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Covers:

Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Normal labor and complications
Jolliffe believes that chlamydia and

Preventive Medicine & Ethics

Includes:

Screening guidelines
Public health concepts
Medical ethics and patient safety

DHA GP Preparation Study Plan

A structured study plan is essential for DHA GP prep to be effective. You should ideally set aside 3 to 4 months of regular study time.

Month 1: Foundation Phase

Revise topics in core medicine

Focus on the understanding of disease mechanisms

From basic reference books or specialised DHA guides

Month 2: Subject-wise Completion

Include surgery, paediatrics, and OB-Gynaecology
Practice MCQs after each topic
Prepare short notes for revision

Month 3: Clinical Integration

Answer case-based questions

Identify Weak Areas

Update high-yield topics

Last 2-3 Weeks: Exam Mode

Complete mock tests

Time Management

Quick reflection on class notes

It is enough if you study for 2–3 hours every day during the week and 4–5 hours during the weekends

Clinical Questions in DHA GP Exam

Clinical questions are the core of the DHA GP Exam. The questions will determine how you are able to apply what you have learned.

You may be asked:

What is the appropriate next step?
Best initial investigation?
What is first-line treatment in guidelines?

Key areas that you should focus on:

Emergency management
Red flag symptoms
Referral criteria
Evidence-based treatment

It is important to read clinical guidelines and learn MCQs based on scenarios.

Best Resources for DHA GP Exam

Using the right materials will save time and avoid confusion during the preparation of DHA GP.

Recommended Resources:

Review books for DHA GP
Online MCQ websites related to DHA
Summaries of clinical guidelines (NICE, WHO)
Mock exams and banks of questions

Don’t try to refer too many books, because having 2-3 relevant resources is enough.

Final Revision Strategy

The final revision stage is essential for confidence and accuracy in the DHA GP exam.

Smart Revision Tips:

Only transcribe high-yield notes

Emphasise commonly asked terms and conditions
Re-attempt the MCQs
Engage in time-bound practice tests

Try not to cram new information at the end. Rather, build your strengths and have faster and more accurate performance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Studying without a plan
Ignoring questions about clinical scenario
Depending totally on theory
Not conducting mock tests
Overloading with too many resources

Practice and problem-solving skills are more important than memorisation skills.

Conclusion

Passing the DHA GP exam is quite possible if one prepares properly. The DHA GP test deals with the kind of clinical decision-making a GP doctor does on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, knowing patient management principles is very important. With proper DHA GP preparation, patience in your preparation plans, and regular practice of MCQs, you can easily pass the test and get closer to your target of being a licensed GP in the UAE.