DHA consultant oral assessment
Most Consultant applicants who are not exempt face a panel, not a computer exam. Here is how DHA, DOH, SCFHS and OMSB run it, how panels mark your answers, and a scenario pack with model answers for 13 specialties. Sitting a written exam instead? See the DHA exam guide.
- 5+
- Scenarios at DHA
- 2+
- Panellists
- 13
- Specialty packs
- AED 649
- Per pack
How the consultant oral is run, by authority
Formats come from each authority's assessment manual and candidate guidance. Where an authority does not publish a detail, we say so.
| Authority | Format | Length | Panel and result |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHA - Dubai | Not less than five clinical scenarios in your specialty | Roughly 20-30 minutes | At least two panellists, one pass or fail decision |
| DOH - Abu Dhabi | 5-6 case scenarios, including an ethical case | 45-60 minutes | Held on Microsoft Teams |
| SCFHS - Saudi Arabia | Structured consultant interview built on clinical cases | Two sessions of roughly 30 minutes | Senior consultants in your specialty |
| OMSB - Oman | Viva on specialty cases, taken after the written exam | Not published | Required of every candidate |
The Unified PQR sets a minimum of five scenarios, in English, with no translator. DHA assesses 13 Consultant titles by a 100-question written exam instead (70% pass mark, DHA CBT Guideline, Sep 2026) - see DHA pass marks.
How to answer a panel scenario
Panels mark reasoning, not recitation. Structure every answer the same way and you cover all three graded domains.
- 1
Say what it is and why it is dangerous.
Open with the working diagnosis, the one or two alternatives you must exclude, and what will harm the patient first.
- 2
Show the knowledge that changes the decision.
Name the finding, test or trial result your plan rests on. Panels mark reasoning, not recitation.
- 3
Manage in time order.
What you do in the next ten minutes, the next hour and the next day, who you escalate to, and what would make you change course.
- 4
Close on ethics and communication.
Consent or capacity, the family conversation, disclosure if something went wrong, and what you document. Every authority examines this domain.
Consultant oral scenario packs
14 panel-style scenarios per specialty, with model answers in knowledge, management and ethics, likely follow-up probes and the pitfalls that fail candidates.
Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Orthopedic Surgery
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Cardiology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant General Surgery
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Anesthesiology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Emergency Medicine
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Diagnostic Radiology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Psychiatry
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Otolaryngology (ENT)
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Urology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Gastroenterology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Pulmonology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Consultant Neurology
AED 64914 scenarios with model answers, probes and pitfalls.
Not sure whether your title needs an oral assessment?
It depends on your specialty, grade and qualifications - several routes are exempt. We confirm yours before you prepare.
Guides for consultants and specialists
DOH Oral Assessment for Specialists: Format, Preparation & What to Expect (2026)
The DOH oral assessment is a required step for specialist and consultant-level healthcare professionals seeking an Abu Dhabi license. This guide covers the format, panel structure, scoring, and proven preparation strategies for 2026.
Read the guide GCCGCC License for UK, US & Australian-Trained Doctors: Tier 1 Exam Waivers Explained (2026)
Senior doctors trained in Tier 1 countries can skip Prometric exams when licensing in the GCC. Learn exactly which qualifications qualify for DHA, DOH, SCFHS and QCHP exam waivers in 2026.
Read the guide LicensingPrometric Exam Exemptions in the GCC: Complete Authority-by-Authority Guide (2026)
Find out which qualifications qualify for Prometric exam exemptions in each GCC country - DHA, DOH, SCFHS, QCHP, NHRA, and more.
Read the guide Saudi ArabiaSenior Consultant Relocating to Saudi Arabia: Salary, Family & SCFHS Guide (2026)
The definitive relocation guide for senior consultants moving to Saudi Arabia - covering SCFHS Senior Consultant classification, total compensation packages worth SAR 1.5M+ annually, family visa processes, international schools, compound living, and contract negotiation leverage points.
Read the guide OmanOMSB Oman Specialist Licensing - Complete Guide for Healthcare Professionals (2026)
A comprehensive guide to OMSB specialist licensing in Oman - covering the application process, credential verification, Prometric exam, classification levels, salary ranges, transplant programme demand, and Oman's exceptional quality of life for Western-trained specialists.
Read the guide Saudi ArabiaSCFHS Visiting Consultant & VISITORS Platform: Complete Guide (2026)
How senior specialists earn $500-$1,000 per day doing short-term consulting work in Saudi Arabia through the SCFHS VISITORS platform - without relocating.
Read the guideConsultant oral assessment FAQs
Do DHA consultants sit a written exam or an oral assessment?
How is the DHA consultant oral assessment run?
How is the DOH oral assessment different?
How many attempts do I get at the consultant assessment?
What do the panels mark?
Last reviewed September 2026. Confirm your own format on your eligibility notice before you prepare.
Walk into the panel prepared
Tell us your specialty and target authority. We confirm whether you sit a written exam, an oral or neither, and how to prepare for it.