Otolaryngology (ENT) exam questions
3 exam-length papers covering every published domain for Otolaryngology (ENT).
DHA ENT57213 papers · 454 Qs
What is riding on this exam
~AED 1,030
Exam fee, per attempt
Published by DHA. Paid again on every re-sit.
3
Attempts - in total
The cap is three across all UAE authorities, not three each.
60%
Pass mark
Pass or fail only. Your score is never released.
One failed attempt costs you the fee again, plus months of delay on your licence, your visa and your start date. This bank costs about a 4th of one exam fee.
Try two questions from this bank
Real questions from the bank - pick an answer to see the rationale and reference.
Q1ENT Emergencies, Trauma & Critical Airway
When aspirating a peritonsillar abscess, the needle should be advanced no more than about 1 cm and directed strictly in a sagittal plane, never angled laterally. Which structure is this precaution designed to protect?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Q2Skull Base, Orbit & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
A 55-year-old woman has pulsatile tinnitus and a pulsatile red retrotympanic mass that blanches with positive pneumatic pressure (Brown's sign). Which management step is contraindicated?
Choose an answer to see the rationale.
Not sure where you stand? Sit 25 of these questions free, timed at real exam pace, and see which domains you are weakest in.
Take the free mock exam →Liked those? The full bank has 454 questions at this standard - every one with a rationale and a reference.
Get the full bank - AED 289What's inside
- ✓3 full-length papers (~150 Q each)
- ✓454 questions, no overlap between papers
- ✓Four options, one unambiguous best answer
- ✓A full rationale on every question
- ✓A real guideline or textbook reference
- ✓Every sub-topic in the published blueprint
Exam route by authority
| Authority | Delivered by | Specialist title |
|---|---|---|
| DHA - Dubai | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| DOH - Abu Dhabi | Pearson VUE | Computer-based MCQ |
| MOHAP - Northern Emirates | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| SCFHS - Saudi Arabia | Prometric / Pearson | Computer-based MCQ |
| QCHP - Qatar | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| NHRA - Bahrain | Prometric | Computer-based MCQ |
| OMSB - Oman | Prometric | MCQ then oral viva |
Assessment mode depends on your licence title as well as your profession. Confirm your own route on your Sheryan / TAMM eligibility notice.
What the Otolaryngology (ENT) exam covers
The published blueprint for this exam breaks into 13 domains and 227 testable sub-topics. Our bank covers every one of them - here is the full map, so you can see exactly what you are expected to know.
General Otology & Otoneurology~13% (maps to DHA published coverage 'General Otology & Otoneurology')19 topics
- Anatomy of the external, middle and inner ear; facial nerve course and segments; temporal bone anatomy and surgical landmarks (Macewen's triangle, Koerner's septum, digastric ridge)
- Physiology of sound transduction: impedance matching, cochlear micromechanics, outer hair cell electromotility, tonotopy and the endocochlear potential
- Otitis externa: bacterial, fungal (otomycosis) and eczematous; aural toilet, topical therapy, wick placement
- Necrotising (malignant) otitis externa: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, diabetic/immunocompromised host, skull base osteomyelitis, technetium/gallium imaging, prolonged systemic therapy
- Acute otitis media: pathogens, antibiotic vs watchful waiting, recurrent AOM, indications for myringotomy and ventilation tubes
- Otitis media with effusion: audiometric and tympanometric criteria, natural history, grommet vs adenoidectomy, hearing aid alternative
- +13 more in the bank
Audiology, Vestibular Assessment & Speech-Language Pathology~7% (maps to DHA 'Audiology & Speech')19 topics
- Tuning fork tests: Rinne, Weber, Absolute Bone Conduction; interpretation traps and the false-negative Rinne in dead ear
- Pure tone audiometry: air/bone conduction, masking rules and dilemmas, air-bone gap interpretation, degrees and configurations of hearing loss
- Speech audiometry: speech reception threshold, word recognition score, rollover and retrocochlear indications
- Tympanometry and acoustic immittance: types A, As, Ad, B, C; ear canal volume interpretation in perforation and patent grommet
- Acoustic (stapedial) reflex thresholds and reflex decay; topognostic value in facial nerve and retrocochlear lesions
- Otoacoustic emissions: transient-evoked and distortion-product; use in newborn screening and ototoxicity monitoring
- +13 more in the bank
Rhinology, Sinonasal Disorders & Allergy~12% (maps to DHA 'Rhinology & Skull Base')19 topics
- Anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses: osteomeatal complex, uncinate process, ethmoid bulla, agger nasi, Onodi and Haller cells; blood supply (Kiesselbach's and Woodruff's plexus)
- Nasal physiology: nasal cycle, mucociliary clearance, humidification, olfaction and nasal airflow (Poiseuille/Bernoulli principles)
- Acute rhinosinusitis: viral vs bacterial criteria, symptomatic treatment, antibiotic indications and complications
- Chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps: EPOS phenotypes/endotypes, Lund-Mackay CT staging, SNOT-22, medical therapy escalation
- Type 2 inflammation and biologics in CRSwNP (dupilumab, omalizumab, mepolizumab): indications and monitoring; aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and aspirin desensitisation
- Functional endoscopic sinus surgery: indications, stepwise technique, balloon sinuplasty, image guidance, revision surgery and frontal recess (Draf I/IIa/IIb/III) procedures
- +13 more in the bank
Skull Base, Orbit & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery~5% (maps to DHA 'Rhinology & Skull Base')15 topics
- Anterior skull base anatomy: cribriform plate, fovea ethmoidalis, Keros classification, lamina papyracea, sphenoid sinus and lateral recess
- Lateral skull base anatomy: infratemporal fossa, jugular foramen, petrous apex, internal carotid artery segments
- Pituitary and parasellar lesions: endoscopic transsphenoidal approach, ENT role, reconstruction and CSF leak management
- Endoscopic skull base reconstruction: nasoseptal (Hadad-Bassagasteguy) flap, fascia lata, gasket-seal, lumbar drain use
- Esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma): Kadish/Morita staging, Hyams grading, craniofacial vs endoscopic resection, adjuvant therapy
- Sinonasal malignancy: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma (wood-dust exposure), adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucosal melanoma, SNUC, NUT carcinoma
- +9 more in the bank
Laryngology, Voice, Swallowing & Airway~10% (maps to DHA 'Laryngology')18 topics
- Laryngeal anatomy: cartilages, intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, paraglottic and pre-epiglottic spaces, Reinke's space and vocal fold layered microstructure
- Neuroanatomy of the larynx: recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, non-recurrent laryngeal nerve, Galen's anastomosis, Semon's law
- Hoarseness: diagnostic algorithm, red flags, indications for laryngoscopy and imaging, smoking and voice-use history
- Benign vocal fold lesions: nodules, polyps, cysts, Reinke's oedema, granuloma, sulcus vocalis, varix; voice therapy vs phonomicrosurgery
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux: reflux symptom index and reflux finding score, PPI trial, alginates, dietary and lifestyle measures, pH-impedance testing
- Vocal fold paralysis: unilateral vs bilateral, aetiologies (thyroid/thoracic surgery, malignancy, idiopathic), injection laryngoplasty, medialisation thyroplasty, arytenoid adduction, reinnervation
- +12 more in the bank
Head & Neck Oncology and Reconstruction~11% (maps to DHA 'Head & Neck')19 topics
- Neck anatomy: fascial layers and spaces, lymph node levels I-VI (and level VII), triangles, and key neurovascular structures
- Aetiology and epidemiology of head and neck cancer: tobacco, alcohol, betel quid, HPV-16 and p16, EBV, occupational exposures
- Assessment of a neck lump: age-based differential, FNAC vs core biopsy, ultrasound, panendoscopy and the unknown-primary workup (including tonsillectomy and lingual tonsillectomy)
- AJCC/UICC 8th edition staging of oral cavity (depth of invasion, extranodal extension), oropharynx (separate p16+ staging), larynx, hypopharynx and nasopharynx
- Oral cavity cancer: premalignant lesions, surgical resection margins, mandibular management (marginal vs segmental), elective neck dissection for cN0
- Oropharyngeal cancer: HPV-positive disease, transoral robotic and laser surgery vs chemoradiation, de-escalation trials and functional outcomes
- +13 more in the bank
Thyroid, Parathyroid & Salivary Glands~7% (est.; falls under DHA 'Head & Neck')17 topics
- Thyroid anatomy and embryology: recurrent and external branch of superior laryngeal nerve, Berry's ligament, tubercle of Zuckerkandl, thyroglossal duct
- Solitary thyroid nodule workup: TSH, ultrasound risk stratification (TIRADS/ATA), FNAC and the Bethesda system, molecular testing
- Thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary (calcitonin, RET, MEN2), anaplastic and lymphoma; risk stratification and extent of surgery
- Thyroid surgery: hemithyroidectomy vs total thyroidectomy, central compartment dissection, energy devices, intraoperative nerve monitoring
- Complications of thyroidectomy: recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypocalcaemia (transient/permanent), haematoma with airway compromise and bedside evacuation, thyrotoxic storm
- Radioactive iodine ablation, TSH suppression, thyroglobulin surveillance and management of recurrence
- +11 more in the bank
Pediatric Otolaryngology~10% (maps to DHA 'Pediatric ENT')19 topics
- Paediatric airway anatomy and physiology: differences from adults, resistance and the effect of oedema, age-appropriate tube sizing
- Congenital stridor: laryngomalacia (supraglottoplasty indications), tracheomalacia, vocal fold paralysis, subglottic stenosis, laryngeal web/cleft, vascular ring
- Congenital subglottic haemangioma: propranolol, laser and open management
- Tonsillar and adenoid disease: recurrent tonsillitis criteria (Paradise), obstructive symptoms, adenotonsillectomy techniques, post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage (primary/secondary) management
- Paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea: symptoms, polysomnography indications, adenotonsillectomy outcomes, high-risk perioperative groups (age <3, severe OSA, comorbidity, Down syndrome), drug-induced sleep endoscopy
- Otitis media with effusion in children: surveillance, grommets, hearing and speech consequences, Down syndrome and cleft palate considerations
- +13 more in the bank
ENT Emergencies, Trauma & Critical Airway~9% (maps to DHA 'Emergency')19 topics
- The obstructed airway: recognition, stridor localisation, graded escalation, heliox/adrenaline, and the 'can't intubate can't oxygenate' algorithm
- Emergency surgical airway: cricothyroidotomy technique and conversion, emergency tracheostomy under local anaesthesia, front-of-neck access training
- Displaced or blocked tracheostomy tube and laryngectomy stoma emergencies: National Tracheostomy Safety Project green/red algorithms
- Severe epistaxis: resuscitation, anticoagulant reversal, posterior packing, balloon tamponade, endoscopic SPA ligation, embolisation, and the bleeding after adenotonsillectomy scenario
- Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage: assessment, IV access, return to theatre, anaesthetic risk of full stomach
- Deep neck space infections: Ludwig's angina, parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess, descending necrotising mediastinitis, Lemierre syndrome
- +13 more in the bank
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery~5% (maps to DHA 'Facio Plastic / Reconstruction')17 topics
- Facial aesthetic analysis: subunits, facial thirds, nasofacial and nasolabial angles, photographic documentation standards
- Wound healing, scar formation, hypertrophic scars and keloids; scar revision techniques (Z-plasty, W-plasty, geometric broken line)
- Local flaps of the face: advancement, rotation, transposition (bilobed, rhombic), interpolated (paramedian forehead, melolabial) and their design principles
- Skin grafting: full vs split thickness, donor sites, graft take and failure
- Rhinoplasty: functional and cosmetic; open vs endonasal, tip support mechanisms, osteotomies, spreader grafts and the internal nasal valve
- Revision rhinoplasty and complications: saddle nose, polly beak, inverted-V, alar retraction; grafting materials (septal, auricular, costal cartilage)
- +11 more in the bank
Sleep-Disordered Breathing & Snoring Surgery~3% (est.; commonly examined within airway/laryngology)14 topics
- Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea: upper airway collapsibility, Pcrit, arousal threshold, loop gain and muscle responsiveness
- Clinical assessment: STOP-BANG and Epworth scales, BMI and neck circumference, Friedman staging, Mallampati and modified tongue position
- Polysomnography and home sleep apnoea testing: AHI, RDI, ODI, severity grading and central vs obstructive events
- Drug-induced sleep endoscopy and the VOTE classification for site-of-obstruction assessment
- Medical management: CPAP titration and adherence, mandibular advancement devices, positional therapy, weight loss and bariatric referral
- Nasal surgery for OSA: effect on CPAP tolerance rather than AHI
- +8 more in the bank
Applied Basic Sciences, Imaging, Pharmacology & Perioperative Care~4% (est.; underpins all DHA coverage areas)14 topics
- Embryology of the ear, branchial apparatus, nose and larynx; correlation with congenital anomalies
- Head and neck imaging: indications and interpretation of CT temporal bone, CT sinuses, MRI internal auditory meatus, ultrasound neck, PET-CT and sialography
- Radiation safety and contrast reactions; imaging in pregnancy and in children (ALARA)
- Microbiology of ENT infections and rational antibiotic selection; antimicrobial stewardship and local GCC resistance patterns
- Immunology of the upper airway: mucosal immunity, Waldeyer's ring, type 1 and type 2 hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency presenting with recurrent ENT infection
- Pharmacology in ENT: topical and systemic steroids, antihistamines, decongestants (and rebound), antifungals, ototoxic and nephrotoxic drugs
- +8 more in the bank
Professionalism, Ethics, Communication & Patient Safety~4% (maps to DHA 'Professionalism & Ethics' and 'Patient Safety' - both explicitly listed as separate exam coverage areas)18 topics
- Informed consent in ENT: material risks (facial nerve, taste, hearing, voice), capacity, consent for minors, and consent for photography/recording
- WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, site marking for laterality (correct ear/side), team time-out and never events
- Wrong-site and wrong-procedure prevention in ear and sinus surgery; specimen labelling and handling
- Disclosure of error and open disclosure/duty of candour; incident reporting and root cause analysis
- Confidentiality and data protection under UAE/GCC health data law; social media and patient information
- Cultural competence in the GCC: gender-concordant examination, chaperones, interpreters, family-centred decision making, Ramadan and fasting considerations
- +12 more in the bank
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