SMLE exam format, scoring and free SCFHS practice
Quick answer
The Saudi Medical Licensing Exam (SMLE) is SCFHS's Prometric physician exam: 200 MCQs in two 100-question sections (120 minutes each, 30-minute break), scored 200–800 with a pass mark of 560. Register via Mumaris Plus, then book at Prometric (SCHS).
Prepare for the Saudi Medical Licensing Examination (SCFHS) with 15,000+ free Prometric MCQs from real past papers. Covering all four SMLE subjects in the exact CBT format. Free access — no account required.
200
MCQs per exam
4 hrs
Total duration
560/800
Passing score
15,000+
Practice MCQs
What is the SMLE Exam?
The Saudi Medical Licensing Examination (SMLE), administered by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), is the mandatory licensing exam for all medical graduates and practitioners seeking to practice medicine in Saudi Arabia. The exam is delivered by Prometric at computer-based testing centres worldwide.
The SMLE evaluates a physician's ability to diagnose, investigate, and manage clinical cases across Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Questions are scenario-based, conforming to the Prometric single-best-answer format with four options per question and 200 questions across two sections of 100 MCQs each (current format as of March 2023).
Beyond exam preparation, budget for the full licensing path — see SMLE exam costs for the current DataFlow, Prometric, and SCFHS fee breakdown.
SMLE exam format & scoring
How a full SMLE sitting is structured under the current SCFHS format:
| Component | Questions | Time / detail |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | 100 MCQs | 120 minutes |
| Scheduled break | — | 30 minutes |
| Section 2 | 100 MCQs | 120 minutes |
| Full sitting | 200 MCQs | ~4 hours including the break |
| Scoring | Scaled 200–800 | Pass mark 560 |
Two things candidates miss: up to 10% of questions are unscored pilot items, so a few unfamiliar questions are expected and should not derail you. And 560 is a scaled score, not a percentage — do not divide 560 by 800 to get a target. Aim for ≥75% accuracy in practice instead.
Official SMLE sources & registration
- Mumaris Plus portal: portal.scfhs.org.sa — professional classification, registration, and licensing services.
- Saudi Commission for Health Specialties: scfhs.org.sa — the authority that sets the SMLE blueprint and pass mark.
- Prometric (SCFHS exams): prometric.com/exams/schs — booking and test centre locations worldwide.
- Classification and registration run through Mumaris Plus before you can book. Budget the full pathway with our SMLE exam fees guide.
SMLE Practice Questions
A 45-year-old male presents with a 3-month history of episodic headaches, sweating, and palpitations. Blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg during the episode. Urine catecholamines are elevated. What is the most appropriate next step?
SMLE Exam FAQs
What is the SMLE exam format in 2026?
The SMLE (Saudi Medical Licensing Examination) consists of 200 single-best-answer MCQs with four options each, divided into two sections of 100 questions (current format as of March 2023), with 120 minutes per section and a total testing time of 4 hours. Up to 15–20 pilot (unscored) questions may be included. The exam is computer-based and delivered at Prometric test centres globally.
What is the SMLE passing score?
SMLE is scored on a scaled system from 200 to 800. The official passing score is 560, set by an SCFHS standard-setting exercise and applied since June 2017. It is a scaled score, not a percentage, so it should not be converted by dividing 560 by 800. Because raw accuracy does not convert directly to the scaled score, candidates are advised to target ≥75% accuracy in practice for a comfortable margin above the passing threshold.
How do I register for the SMLE?
Registration for the SMLE goes through the SCFHS Mumaris Plus portal. You must first have your documents verified through DataFlow, then obtain an eligibility number. Once eligible, you schedule your exam directly on the Prometric website. Early booking is recommended as popular test centre dates fill quickly.
Which subjects are tested in the SMLE?
The SMLE tests Internal Medicine (~30%, ±5% per SCFHS), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (~25%), Pediatrics (~25%), and Surgery (~20%). The official SCFHS blueprint may fluctuate by up to ±5% per category. Questions are four-option, clinical scenario-based MCQs testing diagnostic reasoning and management decisions.
SMLE study resources
How to Pass SMLE 2026
Complete study plan & syllabus
SMLE MCQ Bank
Subject-by-subject practice
SMLE Preparation Guide
12-week study plan
SMLE Exam Syllabus
Subject blueprint
SMLE Exam Pattern
Format and scoring
SMLE Licensing Process
Eligibility to license
SMLE Eligibility
Documents and criteria
SMLE for IMG Doctors
International pathway
SMLE GP MCQs
General practice samples
SMLE Common Mistakes
Avoid retakes
SMLE MCQ Practice KSA
Free Saudi bank
SMLE Success Stories
Verified pass reports
Gulf Exam Fee Calculator
SMLE and Gulf cost range
DHA Exam (Dubai)
Compare Gulf licensing
Most Repeated MCQs
High-yield verified recalls
Prometric Past Papers
How to practice safely
Repeated MCQs
Access 100% verified repeats
Other Gulf Medical Licensing Exams
Start Practising SMLE MCQs
15,000+ SMLE past-paper MCQs in exact Prometric format. Free trial included.
Practice Free NowThis guide is written for doctors preparing for SMLE licensing in Saudi Arabia. Requirements change — always confirm fees, deadlines, and eligibility on official authority portals before booking your exam slot.
SMLE — practical notes for doctors
This page supports one part of your Saudi Arabia licensing journey. Combine it with official Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) 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 Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). Policies in Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) 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.