DHA Exam for Obstetricians & Gynecologists: A Guide
DHA Exam for Obstetricians & Gynecologists: A Guide (2025)
Dubai’s reputation as a center for world-class healthcare has made it a magnet for highly skilled medical specialists. For Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Emirate offers a unique opportunity to practice in state-of-the-art facilities, manage a diverse patient population, and be part of a forward-thinking medical community. However, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) maintains these exceptional standards through a rigorous licensing process, the centerpiece of which is the DHA Specialist Exam for OB/GYN. This is a formidable challenge that goes far beyond general medical knowledge, testing the deep, nuanced expertise required of a specialist.
The DHA OB/GYN exam is not a test of what you learned in medical school; it’s a test of your ability to function as a competent, safe, and evidence-based specialist today. It is a sophisticated, case-based examination composed entirely of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). These questions are designed to probe your clinical reasoning in complex scenarios, from managing high-risk pregnancies to diagnosing rare gynecological conditions and making critical decisions in obstetric emergencies. Success hinges on a preparation strategy that is as specialized as the exam itself.
This ultimate 2025 guide is your comprehensive blueprint for conquering the DHA OB/GYN exam. We will provide a meticulous breakdown of the exam pattern and a deep dive into the high-yield syllabus topics. You’ll find a series of challenging, exam-style questions with detailed, guideline-based rationales to sharpen your analytical skills. Finally, a robust 10-point FAQ section will provide clarity on every aspect of the process. This guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategy to pass this critical exam and embark on a rewarding career in Dubai.
Key Takeaways for the DHA OB/GYN Exam
- Guideline-Driven Practice is Everything: Your answers must reflect the latest international guidelines from bodies like ACOG and RCOG.
- Master High-Risk Obstetrics: A significant portion of the exam focuses on the management of complex maternal and fetal conditions.
- Know Your Emergencies: Be prepared to manage obstetric emergencies like postpartum hemorrhage, eclampsia, and shoulder dystocia, step-by-step.
- Interpret the CTG: Proficiency in cardiotocograph (CTG) interpretation and the corresponding management is a non-negotiable skill.
- Specialty-Specific MCQs are Essential: Your success depends on practicing with a high-quality QBank that is specifically designed for the OB/GYN specialty exam.
Deconstructing the DHA OB/GYN Exam: Pattern and Syllabus
A strategic approach begins with a clear understanding of the exam’s architecture. While the administrative framework is standardized by Prometric, the content is highly specialized. This knowledge is a key part of your overall DHA Prometric exam preparation.
Core Exam Framework
- Administrator: Prometric
- Format: Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 100% MCQs.
- Structure: Typically 150 MCQs.
- Duration: 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
- Scoring: Pass/Fail result. The unofficial passing score is estimated to be in the 65-70% range. There is no negative marking.
High-Yield Syllabus Breakdown
The exam is comprehensive, but a smart candidate will focus their energy on the most heavily weighted and clinically critical domains.
| OB/GYN Domain | High-Yield Topics and Key Concepts for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Obstetrics (~50-60%) | Antenatal Care: Routine and high-risk screening, management of medical disorders in pregnancy (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease). Fetal Medicine: Fetal growth assessment, interpretation of NST and BPP, management of IUGR. Intrapartum Care: Stages of labor, CTG interpretation, management of abnormal labor (dystocia), operative vaginal delivery, C-section indications. Obstetric Emergencies: Antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage (APH/PPH), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, cord prolapse. |
| Gynecology (~40-50%) | Menstrual Disorders: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) workup, amenorrhea, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Benign Gynecology: Management of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and ovarian cysts. Gynecologic Oncology: Cervical cancer screening (Pap/HPV), workup of postmenopausal bleeding, basics of endometrial and ovarian cancer. Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: Basic infertility workup, ovulation induction. Urogynecology: Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. |
High-Yield DHA OB/GYN MCQs: Free Practice Questions & Rationales
The following questions are designed to simulate the advanced clinical reasoning required for the DHA OB/GYN specialist exam. Analyze each case and its detailed, guideline-based rationale. For a truly comprehensive preparation, a dedicated QBank of Obstetrics & Gynecology questions is your most vital tool.
Question 1: High-Risk Obstetrics
A 32-year-old G1P0 at 35 weeks gestation presents to the emergency department with a severe headache and visual disturbances. Her booking blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg. Her current blood pressure is 170/115 mmHg. A urine dipstick shows 3+ proteinuria. Deep tendon reflexes are brisk. What is the most important immediate step in the management of this patient?
- Administer oral labetalol and observe for 24 hours.
- Perform an immediate emergency Cesarean section.
- Administer intravenous magnesium sulfate and an antihypertensive agent.
- Send blood for a complete blood count and liver function tests and await results.
Correct Answer: C (Administer intravenous magnesium sulfate and an antihypertensive agent.)
Rationale: This patient presents with classic signs of pre-eclampsia with severe features. She has severe-range hypertension (≥160/110 mmHg) and evidence of central nervous system involvement (headache, visual disturbances, hyperreflexia). This puts her at high risk for an eclamptic seizure. According to all major international guidelines (e.g., ACOG), the two immediate, concurrent priorities are: 1) Seizure prophylaxis with an intravenous loading dose of magnesium sulfate, and 2) Control of severe hypertension with a rapid-acting IV antihypertensive agent (like labetalol or hydralazine) to prevent a stroke. Delivery is the definitive cure, but maternal stabilization must come first.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Oral medication is too slow-acting for severe-range hypertension, and observation without seizure prophylaxis is unsafe.
B: While delivery is indicated, proceeding to C-section without first stabilizing the mother’s blood pressure and providing seizure prophylaxis would be dangerous.
D: While these labs (for HELLP syndrome) are essential, waiting for the results before initiating life-saving treatment is inappropriate. Treatment should begin based on the clinical presentation.
Question 2: Gynecology
A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman presents with a single episode of vaginal spotting that occurred one week ago. She has been postmenopausal for 10 years and is not on hormone replacement therapy. Her BMI is 35 kg/m². What is the most appropriate next step in her evaluation?
- Reassure her that this is likely due to atrophy and schedule a follow-up in 6 months.
- Perform a Pap test and HPV co-testing.
- Order a transvaginal ultrasound.
- Prescribe a course of topical estrogen cream.
Correct Answer: C (Order a transvaginal ultrasound.)
Rationale: The cardinal rule in gynecology is that any postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) must be investigated to rule out endometrial cancer until proven otherwise. The first-line investigation in the workup of PMB is a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS). The primary goal of the TVUS is to measure the endometrial thickness (or “endometrial stripe”). A thin, well-defined stripe (typically <4-5 mm) has a very high negative predictive value for endometrial cancer and may warrant observation. A thickened or irregular endometrium requires further investigation with an endometrial biopsy.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Reassurance is never appropriate for PMB without a proper workup. This patient has a significant risk factor for endometrial cancer (obesity).
B: A Pap test screens for cervical cancer, not endometrial cancer. It is not the appropriate investigation for PMB.
D: Prescribing estrogen without a diagnosis is contraindicated, as it could potentially stimulate an undiagnosed endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the DHA OB/GYN Exam
The official result is simply Pass/Fail. The DHA does not release a numerical score or percentage. However, based on the complexity and specialty nature of the exam, the unofficial passing threshold is estimated to be in the range of 65% to 70%.
Your preparation should be built on three pillars: 1) A standard, comprehensive textbook (e.g., Williams Obstetrics for obstetrics, Berek & Novak’s for gynecology). 2) The latest clinical practice guidelines and bulletins from major international bodies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) or the Royal College (RCOG). 3) A high-quality, specialty-specific question bank.
You are not typically asked to describe surgical steps in minute detail. However, you are expected to know the indications, contraindications, major steps, and potential complications of common procedures (e.g., C-section, hysterectomy, D&C, laparoscopy).
The Consultant exam is an even higher level of assessment. While the Specialist exam focuses on clinical competency and guideline-based management, the Consultant exam may include more questions on managing rare and complex cases, hospital administration, quality improvement, and medical ethics, reflecting the leadership role of a consultant.
Yes, Primary Source Verification (PSV) by DataFlow is a mandatory requirement for all healthcare professionals, including specialists. They will meticulously verify your medical degree, specialty qualifications (e.g., residency, board certification), and experience. A positive report is essential before the DHA will issue your final DHA license.
It is critically important. You must be proficient in interpreting cardiotocograph traces using a standardized system (e.g., assessing baseline, variability, accelerations, and decelerations). More importantly, you must know the appropriate clinical action to take based on the CTG category (e.g., continue monitoring, initiate conservative measures, or proceed to delivery).
A common pitfall is relying on outdated knowledge or personal clinical experience that may not align with the most current international, evidence-based guidelines. The exam is a test of “by-the-book,” guideline-driven medicine. Another major factor is insufficient practice with complex, case-based MCQs.
Typically, candidates are allowed three attempts to pass the exam. A waiting period is often required between attempts. A failure should prompt a significant reassessment of your study strategy, focusing on guideline review and intensive QBank practice.
Yes, you are expected to have a solid understanding of the basics of REI. This includes the workup for infertility, diagnosis and management of conditions like PCOS and amenorrhea, and principles of ovulation induction. You will not be tested on advanced assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF in great detail.
With one minute per question, pacing is key. Use a three-pass approach. On your first pass, answer all the questions you know immediately (this should be >50%). On the second pass, tackle the questions you flagged that require more thought. On the final pass, review your flagged answers and make an educated guess on any remaining questions. Never leave a question blank.
Conclusion: Your Path to a Specialist Career in Dubai
The DHA exam for Obstetricians and Gynecologists is a rigorous test designed to ensure the highest caliber of women’s healthcare in Dubai. It is a challenge that demands deep specialty knowledge, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a mastery of evidence-based medicine. By building your preparation around the latest clinical guidelines and dedicating yourself to intensive practice with high-quality, specialty-specific MCQs, you can confidently demonstrate your expertise. Passing this exam is the definitive step toward a prestigious and rewarding career as an OB/GYN specialist in one of the world’s most vibrant and forward-looking cities.
Ready to Prove Your Expertise and Ace Your OB/GYN Exam?
Our comprehensive MCQ package for Obstetricians and Gynecologists is filled with high-yield, guideline-based clinical cases and detailed rationales designed to cover the entire DHA syllabus and ensure your success.
