How to Prepare for the DHA Exam: A Nurse's Study Guide
The DHA exam is the gateway to nursing in Dubai. It is not easy — but with the right preparation strategy, most nurses clear it in their first or second attempt. Here is exactly how to prepare.
Exam Format Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Duration | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing Score | 65% (varies slightly by specialty) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based (Prometric Centers) |
| Language | English only |
Key Topics to Focus On
The DHA exam for nurses covers clinical nursing across all major domains. Based on recent exam patterns, these are the highest-weight areas:
- Medical-Surgical Nursing — 20–25% of the exam
- Fundamentals of Nursing — 15–20%
- Pharmacology — 15%
- OBG & Pediatric Nursing — 10–15%
- Mental Health Nursing — 8–10%
- Community Health & Ethics — 10%
- Critical Care / ICU Concepts — 10%
Recommended Study Timeline
| Week | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Week 1–2 | Fundamentals of Nursing + Pharmacology basics |
| Week 3–4 | Medical-Surgical Nursing (systems: cardiac, respiratory, renal) |
| Week 5 | OBG, Pediatric, Mental Health Nursing |
| Week 6 | Community Health, Ethics, Critical Care |
| Week 7–8 | Full mock tests + weak area revision |
"I failed once. The second time I focused on mock tests and pharmacology — cleared with 78%. The exam is very application-based, not just memory." - Deepa T., RN, Dubai
Best Study Resources
- Saunders NCLEX-RN — Excellent for fundamentals and pharmacology
- HAAD/DHA past question banks — Available on coaching platforms
- YouTube channels — NurseAchieve, Simple Nursing for visual learners
- Mock test platforms — ProProfs, Exam Edge, or DHA-specific apps
How WorkAway Supports Your Exam Prep
WorkAway provides structured DHA exam preparation support as part of our placement package — including curated study material, mock test access, and one-on-one doubt sessions with exam-cleared mentors. We track your readiness score before scheduling your official exam date so there are no surprises.