Acting on one side only, what does the sternocleidomastoid do?

Same-side tilt, opposite-side rotation

Same-side tilt and same-side rotation

Pure neck extension with no rotation

Elevation of the scapula on that side

During a post-isometric stretch, a contracted muscle relaxes more easily. Which receptor mainly explains this?

Golgi tendon organ (autogenic inhibition)

Muscle spindle (the stretch reflex)

Pacinian corpuscle (vibration sense)

Free nerve endings (pain sensation)

A client has prominent, bulging varicose veins on the back of the calf. How should the area be treated?

Avoid deep pressure directly over the veins

Use deep friction to flatten the bulging veins

Apply tapotement over the veins

Massage only the varicose areas

A therapist develops low back pain from leaning over the table. Which adjustment is generally recommended?

Set the table near knuckle height, arms at sides

Raise the table to the therapist's chest height

Lower the table to ankle height

Keep both knees straight and bend at the waist

A slow, relaxing full-body massage is likely to cause which response?

Lower heart rate from parasympathetic activity

Raised heart rate from sympathetic activity

Higher blood pressure from stress hormones

A therapist applies a sudden quick stretch to a muscle and it contracts. What is this response?

The stretch reflex from muscle spindles

Autogenic inhibition from tendon organs

Reciprocal inhibition of the agonist

An 85-year-old client has thin skin and osteoporosis. What adaptation is most appropriate?

Lighter pressure and careful positioning

Rapid tapotement over the thoracic spine

Which technique applies small, focused strokes across the direction of tendon or ligament fibres?

Transverse (cross-fibre) friction

Effleurage along the length of fibres

Where does most lymph from the body return to the bloodstream?

The left venous angle via the thoracic duct

Directly into the heart's right atrium

The femoral vein in the inguinal region

A client sprained an ankle this morning; it is hot, red, swollen and painful. How should the area be managed?

Avoid direct massage over the acute injury

Deep friction to break down the swelling

Hot stone treatment over the joint

How should draping be used during a full-body massage?

Uncover only the area being worked on

Leave the client fully uncovered

Remove drapes if the client seems relaxed

Uncover several areas at once to save time

A client asks the massage therapist to confirm whether a lump in her neck is cancer. What should the therapist do?

Explain it is outside their scope and refer

Give a diagnosis based on palpation

Massage the lump to see if it shrinks

Advise that neck lumps are always harmless

A client's employer phones asking about the client's health history from intake forms. What should the therapist do?

Share nothing without the client's written consent

Share the forms, since the employer pays the bill

A client is 28 weeks pregnant. Which position is generally preferred for most of the massage?

Flat supine for the whole session

Free · 15 questions with answers · every GCC exam

Massage Therapist Prometric exam questions with answers

15 original practice questions written to the Massage Therapist exam blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong. Below them: the Massage Therapist exam's format, pass mark and fee at DHA, DOH, SCFHS, QCHP and every other GCC regulator, from their own published rules.

15
Free questions: 50%
DHA pass mark: 150
Questions on the DHA exam: 12
Questions in the free mock

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Quick answer

The Massage Therapist exam is 150 MCQs in 3 hours at DHA (pass mark 50%). Below are 15 original practice questions written to the official blueprint, each with the answer and why the other options are wrong, plus a free 12-question timed mock.

The Massage Therapist exam in every GCC country

DHA publish an exact Massage Therapist exam; the others apply one format to every title. Figures come from each regulator's own exam pages - anything not published says so.

Massage Therapist licensing exam in every GCC country
Regulator	Exam	Format	Pass mark	Fee per attempt	Practise
DHA Dubai	Massage Therapist (MAS5511)	150 MCQs in 3 hours	50%	USD 240 (about AED 880)	DHA questions →
DOH Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra	DOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format	Written + oral/OSCE	Pass / fail only	Not published	DOH questions →
MOHAP Northern Emirates - Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah	MOHAP licensing exam Regulator-wide format	Computer-based	Not published	Not published	MOHAP questions →
SHA Emirate of Sharjah	SHA licensing exam Regulator-wide format	Set at assessment	Not published	Not published	SHA questions →
SCFHS Kingdom of Saudi Arabia	SCFHS licensing exam Regulator-wide format	200 MCQs, 240 min	500-560 of 800	Not published	SCFHS questions →
QCHP State of Qatar	QCHP licensing exam Regulator-wide format	150 MCQs, 3 hrs	50-65%	Not published	QCHP questions →
NHRA Kingdom of Bahrain	NHRA licensing exam Regulator-wide format	Prometric CBT	Not published	Not published	NHRA questions →
OMSB Sultanate of Oman	OMSB licensing exam Regulator-wide format	Computer-based OC exam	Not published	Not published	OMSB questions →
Kuwait MOH State of Kuwait	Kuwait MOH licensing exam Regulator-wide format	150 MCQs, 170 min	60-70%	Not published	Kuwait MOH questions →

exact exam published for Massage Therapist

Pass marks, attempts and fees change - confirm yours on the regulator's exam page before you book.

15 Massage Therapist exam questions with answers

Choose your answer first, then open the explanation. The set covers the main blueprint domains at a mix of easy, medium and hard.

Question 1Anatomy and Kinesiologymedium
Acting on one side only, what does the sternocleidomastoid do?
1. ASame-side tilt and same-side rotation
2. BPure neck extension with no rotation
3. CElevation of the scapula on that side
4. DSame-side tilt, opposite-side rotation
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Same-side tilt, opposite-side rotation
One SCM laterally flexes the neck to the same side and rotates the face to the opposite side. Elevating the scapula is the role of upper trapezius and levator scapulae.
Question 2Anatomy and Kinesiologyhard
During a post-isometric stretch, a contracted muscle relaxes more easily. Which receptor mainly explains this?
1. AMuscle spindle (the stretch reflex)
2. BGolgi tendon organ (autogenic inhibition)
3. CPacinian corpuscle (vibration sense)
4. DFree nerve endings (pain sensation)
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Golgi tendon organ (autogenic inhibition)
Golgi tendon organs sense tension during contraction and inhibit the same muscle (autogenic inhibition), which is the traditional explanation for post-isometric relaxation. Muscle spindles trigger the stretch reflex, which increases contraction.
Question 3Contraindications, Cautions and Red Flagsmedium
A client has prominent, bulging varicose veins on the back of the calf. How should the area be treated?
1. AUse deep friction to flatten the bulging veins
2. BApply tapotement over the veins
3. CAvoid deep pressure directly over the veins
4. DMassage only the varicose areas
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Avoid deep pressure directly over the veins
Varicose veins are a local caution; deep pressure directly over them can cause damage or pain, but light work around them is usually acceptable. Friction and percussion over the veins are not appropriate.
Question 4Hygiene, Infection Control and Safetymedium
A therapist develops low back pain from leaning over the table. Which adjustment is generally recommended?
1. ARaise the table to the therapist's chest height
2. BLower the table to ankle height
3. CSet the table near knuckle height, arms at sides
4. DKeep both knees straight and bend at the waist
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Set the table near knuckle height, arms at sides
A table at about the level of the knuckles with arms hanging lets the therapist use body weight with a neutral spine. Bending at the waist with locked knees increases back strain.
Question 5Physiology and Pathologyeasy
A slow, relaxing full-body massage is likely to cause which response?
1. ALower heart rate from parasympathetic activity
2. BRaised heart rate from sympathetic activity
3. CHigher blood pressure from stress hormones
4. DFaster breathing and sweating
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Lower heart rate from parasympathetic activity
Slow, rhythmic massage tends to increase parasympathetic activity, lowering heart rate and promoting relaxation. Raised heart rate, faster breathing and sweating are sympathetic stress responses.
Question 6Massage Techniques and Effectsmedium
Which technique lifts, squeezes and kneads muscle tissue?
1. AEffleurage
2. BTapotement
3. CPetrissage
4. DVibration
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Petrissage
Petrissage includes kneading, wringing and lifting of soft tissue. Tapotement is rhythmic percussion such as hacking and cupping.
Question 7Physiology and Pathologyhard
A therapist applies a sudden quick stretch to a muscle and it contracts. What is this response?
1. AAutogenic inhibition from tendon organs
2. BReciprocal inhibition of the agonist
3. CA pain withdrawal reflex
4. DThe stretch reflex from muscle spindles
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. The stretch reflex from muscle spindles
Muscle spindles detect rapid lengthening and trigger a reflex contraction of the same muscle. This is why stretches are applied slowly; Golgi tendon organs instead inhibit contraction.
Question 8Special Populationseasy
An 85-year-old client has thin skin and osteoporosis. What adaptation is most appropriate?
1. ADeep friction over bony areas
2. BVigorous joint mobilisation
3. CLighter pressure and careful positioning
4. DRapid tapotement over the thoracic spine
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Lighter pressure and careful positioning
Older clients with fragile skin and low bone density need lighter pressure, careful handling and supported positioning. Vigorous mobilisation or percussion over the spine risks fracture and skin tears.

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Question 9Massage Techniques and Effectsmedium
Which technique applies small, focused strokes across the direction of tendon or ligament fibres?
1. ATransverse (cross-fibre) friction
2. BSuperficial stroking
3. CSkin rolling
4. DEffleurage along the length of fibres
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Transverse (cross-fibre) friction
Transverse friction, described by Cyriax, is applied across the fibres of tendons and ligaments in subacute and chronic lesions. Effleurage glides along the length of the tissue.
Question 10Physiology and Pathologymedium
Where does most lymph from the body return to the bloodstream?
1. ADirectly into the heart's right atrium
2. BThe left venous angle via the thoracic duct
3. CThe femoral vein in the inguinal region
4. DThe portal vein of the liver
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. The left venous angle via the thoracic duct
The thoracic duct drains most of the body's lymph into the left venous angle, where the left subclavian and internal jugular veins meet. This is why lymphatic techniques work towards the base of the neck.
Question 11Physiology and Pathologymedium
A client sprained an ankle this morning; it is hot, red, swollen and painful. How should the area be managed?
1. ADeep friction to break down the swelling
2. BVigorous petrissage to warm it
3. CAvoid direct massage over the acute injury
4. DHot stone treatment over the joint
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Avoid direct massage over the acute injury
In the acute inflammatory stage, direct massage can increase bleeding and swelling, so the injured area is avoided and the client advised on protection and elevation. Deep friction is used, if at all, in later healing stages.
Question 12Professional Ethics, Boundaries and Lawmedium
How should draping be used during a full-body massage?
1. AUncover only the area being worked on
2. BLeave the client fully uncovered
3. CRemove drapes if the client seems relaxed
4. DUncover several areas at once to save time
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Uncover only the area being worked on
Only the area being treated is uncovered, protecting the client's privacy and warmth, with genital and breast areas always kept covered. Relaxation is not consent to reduced draping.
Question 13Professional Ethics, Boundaries and Lawmedium
A client asks the massage therapist to confirm whether a lump in her neck is cancer. What should the therapist do?
1. AExplain it is outside their scope and refer
2. BGive a diagnosis based on palpation
3. CMassage the lump to see if it shrinks
4. DAdvise that neck lumps are always harmless
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Explain it is outside their scope and refer
Massage therapists do not diagnose; an unexplained lump should be referred to a doctor without delay. Massaging it or offering reassurance is outside the therapist's scope and could delay diagnosis.
Question 14Professional Ethics, Boundaries and Lawmedium
A client's employer phones asking about the client's health history from intake forms. What should the therapist do?
1. AShare the forms, since the employer pays the bill
2. BShare nothing without the client's written consent
3. CShare only the medication list
4. DConfirm the diagnosis verbally
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Share nothing without the client's written consent
Client records are confidential and are disclosed only with the client's consent or where the law requires. Payment by an employer does not give a right to the information.
Question 15Special Populationsmedium
A client is 28 weeks pregnant. Which position is generally preferred for most of the massage?
1. AFlat supine for the whole session
2. BProne with no support
3. CHead-down tilt
4. DSide-lying with pillow support
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Side-lying with pillow support
From mid-pregnancy, lying flat on the back can compress the inferior vena cava and reduce venous return, so side-lying with support is preferred. Prone positioning without special support puts pressure on the abdomen.

What the Massage Therapist exam covers

The blueprint groups questions into these domains. Weight your revision the same way - the heavier domains carry more of your score.

Anatomy and Kinesiology

~18%

Major muscles · Rotator cuff and shoulder girdle · Neck muscles

Physiology and Pathology

~12%

Autonomic nervous system responses to massage · Lymphatic system and circulation · Inflammation and tissue healing stages

Massage Techniques and Effects

~16%

Effleurage, petrissage and tapotement · Friction techniques · Trigger point therapy

Client Assessment and Treatment Planning

~12%

Health history intake and SOAP notes · Postural assessment and muscle imbalance · Range of motion and resisted testing

Contraindications, Cautions and Red Flags

~16%

Deep vein thrombosis and vascular conditions · Fever and acute infection · Varicose veins and bruising

Special Populations

~8%

Pregnancy · Older adults and fragile skin · Clients with diabetes and neuropathy

Hygiene, Infection Control and Safety

~10%

Hand hygiene · Linen and equipment cleaning · Skin infections and infestations

Professional Ethics, Boundaries and Law

~8%

Therapeutic relationship and boundaries · Draping and informed consent · Scope of practice and referral

How to answer these questions

Questions test applied practice: what you would do with this patient, this result or this image - not textbook definitions.

Safety items (radiation, infection control, patient identification, equipment checks) are high-yield and quick to revise.

Under time pressure, flag and move on: every question carries the same mark.

Aim to score comfortably above your regulator's pass mark - 10 to 15 points of margin - on timed, full-length practice before you book.

Massage Therapist exam questions: FAQs

How many questions are in the Massage Therapist Prometric exam?

It depends on the regulator: DHA 150 MCQs in 3 hours. The full table above lists every GCC regulator.

What is the pass mark for the Massage Therapist exam?

DHA: 50%. Pass marks are set exam by exam, so use your own regulator's figure.

Are these real exam questions?

No. Regulators do not release their papers, and anything sold as a leaked paper is unofficial and risky to rely on. These are original questions written to the official exam blueprint, at the level and in the style of the real exam, each with a worked explanation.

Is the Massage Therapist exam the same in every GCC country?

The clinical content is broadly similar because the exams test the same safe practice, but the format, length, pass mark, attempts and fees differ by regulator. Prepare on the content once, then check your regulator's exact rules before you book.

How should I use these questions?

Answer each one before opening the explanation, and note why each wrong option is wrong. Then take the free 12-question timed mock to see your score against the pass mark, and move to full-length papers when you score comfortably above it.

Last reviewed September 2026. Questions are original and written to the published exam blueprint; they are not taken from any real paper.

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