DOH Exam 2026 (HAAD) – Free MCQ Practice & Prep Guide
Quick answer
The DOH exam (still searched as HAAD exam) is Abu Dhabi's medical licensing CBT: 150 MCQs via Pearson VUE through TAMM. HAAD stood for Health Authority Abu Dhabi until 2019, when it became the Department of Health (DOH). Same clinical scope; new authority name.
HAAD full form and the transition to DOH
HAAD stands for Health Authority Abu Dhabi. HAAD was the healthcare regulator for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from 2007 until 2019, when it was restructured and renamed to the Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi. The exam is administratively the same — only the authority name changed.
Timeline of names
| Period | Regulator name | Exam name | Same CBT format? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-2019 | HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi) | HAAD Exam | Yes |
| 2019–present | DOH Abu Dhabi (Department of Health) | DOH Exam | Yes |
Today the DOH exam is delivered via Pearson VUECBT (booked through TAMM), not Prometric. Candidates searching "HAAD exam" should follow current DOH guidance on this page.
Prepare for the Abu Dhabi DOH (formerly HAAD) Pearson VUE exam with 15,000+ free MCQs from real past papers. Exact CBT format. Organised by subject and exam date. No account required. Not sure whether DOH or MOH UAE applies to your emirate? Read our DOH vs MOH exam comparison.
100–150
MCQs per exam
~2.5–3 hrs
Exam duration
~65%
Pass threshold
15,000+
Practice MCQs
What is the DOH Exam?
The DOH exam (Department of Health Abu Dhabi, formerly HAAD — Health Authority Abu Dhabi) is the mandatory licensing examination for healthcare professionals seeking to practice in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Like the DHA and MOH exams, the DOH exam is computer-based, delivered at test centres globally, and uses a single-best-answer clinical MCQ format. The delivery partner differs, though: DHA and MOH run on Prometric, while DOH runs on Pearson VUE, with booking initiated through the Abu Dhabi TAMM portal. The exam covers Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with professional-category-specific question blueprints.
DHA vs DOH vs MOH vs SMLE
| Attribute | DHA (Dubai) | DOH (Abu Dhabi) | MOH (N. Emirates) | SMLE (Saudi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | DHA | DOH | MOHAP | SCFHS |
| Format | Prometric CBT | Pearson VUE CBT | Prometric CBT | Prometric CBT |
| MCQs | 150 | ~150 | ~150 | ~200 |
| Duration | ~170 min | 3 hrs | 3 hrs | 3 hrs |
| Pass threshold | ~60–65% | ~65% | ~60–65% | Scaled ~60–70% |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | Manageable | Most demanding |
| Retake wait | 30–90 days | 30–90 days | 30–90 days | Progressive |
| Prep time (typical) | 10–12 wks | 10–12 wks | 8–12 wks | 12–16 wks |
Column sources: DHA — DHA CBT Guideline (January 2026); DOH — DOH Abu Dhabi / TAMM and Pearson VUE service pages; MOH — MOHAP Evaluation of Health Professional service reference; SMLE — SCFHS SMLE candidate materials. Pass thresholds, difficulty, and typical prep times are planning estimates — confirm live rules with each regulator before you book.
DOH exam format & pass thresholds
Exam parameters for healthcare licensing in Abu Dhabi, by profession category:
| Category | Format | Pass threshold (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| General Practitioner | ~150 MCQs, CBT | ~65% |
| General Dentist | ~150 MCQs, CBT | ~65% |
| Pharmacist | ~150 MCQs, CBT | ~60–65% |
| Registered Nurse | ~150 MCQs, CBT | ~55–60% |
| Allied Health | 100–150 MCQs, CBT | ~55–60% |
DOH does not publish official pass percentages or a single format table. Thresholds above are based on candidate reports and preparation community data, and reported papers vary by profession and exam version — commonly 100–150 questions in roughly 150–180 minutes. Target 70%+ in practice for a safe margin, and confirm your exact paper length on your Pearson VUE booking confirmation.
Retake policy: DOH publishes no limit on attempts. A waiting period of roughly 30–90 days between sittings typically applies, and each retake requires a fresh booking and full payment of the exam fee. A DHA or MOH pass cannot be substituted — Abu Dhabi licensing requires the DOH exam specifically.
DOH GP exam subjects
The DOH GP exam covers the same four clinical pillars as the other Gulf licensing exams, with typical approximate weightings:
Internal Medicine
~30%Cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, haematology.
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
~25%Antenatal care, labour, high-risk pregnancy, gynaecological conditions.
Pediatrics
~25%Neonatology, vaccination, child development, paediatric emergencies.
Surgery
~20%General surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, post-operative management.
Percentages are approximate guides based on typical GP licensing exam weightings. See our DOH syllabus page for detailed topic lists and the DOH exam pattern guide for marking and timing.
DOH fees, booking & official sources
- Budget estimate: DataFlow PSV (~AED 1,235–1,260 for doctors and dentists, ~AED 935–990 for nursing and pharmacy), TAMM application and CBT pre-booking charges, and the Pearson VUE exam (~USD 350, about AED 1,285) — roughly AED 2,500–3,500 before license issuance, which is billed separately. Full breakdown on our DOH exam fees guide.
- Booking flow: apply through TAMM, complete DataFlow PSV, wait for DOH eligibility approval, pay the pre-booking fee in TAMM, then follow the Pearson VUE link that appears in your TAMM account to choose date, time, and centre. Step-by-step in our DOH registration guide.
- Official DOH portal: doh.gov.ae — Professionals
- Official testing partner: Pearson VUE — DOH Abu Dhabi — test centres worldwide.
Note: DOH exams are delivered by Pearson VUE, not Prometric — you cannot book a DOH exam through Prometric, even though DHA and MOH both use it. DOH publishes no consolidated fee table or official pass percentage, so the costs and thresholds above are drawn from published DataFlow package pricing and costs reported by candidates who have been through the process — planning estimates, not an official schedule. Confirm your exact payable amounts in TAMM and at Pearson VUE checkout before paying.
DOH Practice Questions
A 55-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and hypertension presents with a creatinine of 185 µmol/L and urine ACR of 45 mg/mmol. His current medications include metformin, amlodipine, and atorvastatin. What is the most appropriate addition to his medication regimen?
DOH Exam FAQs
What is the HAAD exam full form?
HAAD stands for Health Authority Abu Dhabi. HAAD was the healthcare regulator for Abu Dhabi until 2019, when it was restructured and renamed the Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi. The exam formerly called the HAAD exam is now the DOH exam.
What is the DOH exam?
The DOH (Department of Health) Abu Dhabi exam, formerly called the HAAD exam, is the mandatory medical licensing examination for healthcare professionals seeking to practice in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It is delivered by Pearson VUE at computer-based testing centres worldwide — not Prometric — and follows the single-best-answer MCQ format. Booking is initiated through the Abu Dhabi TAMM portal once DOH approves your eligibility.
What is the DOH exam format?
The DOH exam is a Pearson VUE computer-based test of single-best-answer MCQs. DOH does not publish one official format table, and reported papers vary by profession and exam version — commonly 100–150 questions in roughly 150–180 minutes. Questions are clinical scenario-based, covering Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with weighting dependent on the professional category. Confirm your exact paper length on your Pearson VUE booking confirmation.
What is the passing score for the DOH exam?
The DOH does not formally publish a pass percentage. Based on candidate experience, the passing threshold is approximately 65% correct answers. Candidates are advised to target 70%+ consistently in practice before sitting the exam.
Is the DOH exam different from the DHA exam?
Yes. The DOH exam covers Abu Dhabi (administered by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi), while the DHA exam covers Dubai (administered by the Dubai Health Authority). They also use different testing providers: DHA runs through Prometric, whereas DOH runs through Pearson VUE with booking initiated in TAMM. Formats and clinical content overlap heavily, but they are separate licensing exams requiring separate applications and fees.
What is the DOH exam pass rate?
DOH does not publish official pass rates. Based on candidate reports, the first-attempt pass rate is estimated at 55–70% for GPs. DOH is considered moderately difficult — comparable to DHA, but with slightly less community data available because fewer candidates share recalls for it.
How many times can I retake the DOH exam?
There is no published limit on attempts. A waiting period between attempts typically applies, usually around 30–90 days. Each retake requires a new booking and payment of the full exam fee again. Use the interval to target the weak areas identified in your score report rather than re-reading everything.
What does the DOH exam cost?
Budget for the whole pathway rather than the exam alone: DataFlow PSV (roughly AED 1,235–1,260 for doctors and dentists, AED 935–990 for nursing and pharmacy), TAMM application and CBT pre-booking charges, and the Pearson VUE exam itself (commonly cited around USD 350, about AED 1,285). That lands most candidates near AED 2,500–3,500 before license issuance, which is charged separately and varies widely by profession and employer.
Do I need to be in Abu Dhabi to take the DOH exam?
No. The DOH exam is delivered at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide, so you can sit it in your home country. However, you must be in Abu Dhabi with a valid residency permit for final license activation, and your employer is usually involved in that final stage.
How does DOH differ from MOH UAE?
DOH covers Abu Dhabi only. MOH (MOHAP) covers the Northern Emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. They are separate authorities with separate exams, fees, and licensing processes, and they use different testing providers: DOH runs on Pearson VUE, MOH on Prometric. The clinical content is similar, so preparation overlaps well.
DOH study resources
DOH MCQ Bank
Subject-by-subject practice
DOH Preparation Guide
12-week study plan
DOH Exam Syllabus
Subject blueprint
DOH Exam Pattern
Format and timing
DOH Exam Fees
Cost breakdown
Gulf Exam Fee Calculator
DOH and Gulf cost range
DHA Exam (Dubai)
Compare UAE licensing
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Practice Free NowThis guide is written for doctors preparing for DOH licensing in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Requirements change — always confirm fees, deadlines, and eligibility on official authority portals before booking your exam slot.
DOH — practical notes for doctors
This page supports one part of your Abu Dhabi, UAE licensing journey. Combine it with official Department of Health – Abu Dhabi communication, your employer HR checklist, and consistent MCQ practice before the Prometric sitting.
What to verify on official channels
Before acting on any third-party guide (including this one), confirm your profession category, document list, and fee schedule directly with Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Policies in Abu Dhabi, UAE are updated without always being reflected in older blog posts.
If your profile involves gaps in practice, multiple registrations, or credentials from several countries, expect additional review steps — generic checklists may not cover your case.
Next step — exam practice
Turn licensing research into exam-ready performance
Reading guides alone rarely converts to exam performance. After you confirm Department of Health – Abu Dhabi requirements, use GulfMedExams to drill Prometric-style MCQs with explanations, track weak systems, and revisit high-yield topics before booking your slot.
More practice resources
Requirements, fees, and timelines change. This page is educational — always confirm your category-specific rules on official authority portals before paying verification or exam fees.