It’s really good to know about your interest in working as a nurse overseas. The pay is better, the hospitals are well-equipped, and many nurses from Kerala and across India have built great careers there. But before any of that happens, there is one thing you must clear: the Prometric exam.
Nowadays, we get many queries from nurses that have the same core message: “What is the Prometric exam passing score for nurses?” Usually, the answer to this question will not be clear. This results in confusion.
This guide will walk you through everything, country by country, in plain, simple language. No complicated terms, no long boring paragraphs. Just the information you actually need.
First Things First: What Exactly is the Prometric Exam?
Here is something most people get wrong. Prometric is not the name of the exam itself. Prometric is the company that runs the Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers. Think of it like an exam hall. Different countries use this same platform but conduct their own exams with their own questions and their own passing marks.
So when someone says “I cleared the Prometric exam,” you have to ask which one. Saudi Prometric? Qatar Prometric? UAE Prometric? All are different. A different syllabus, a different number of questions, a different passing score.
But one similarity in all is that there is no negative marking in any case. That’s a fact in Saudi Arabia. Not in Qatar. Not in Oman. Not anywhere in the Gulf. So please, never leave a question blank. Even if you have no idea, make a guess. A wrong answer gives you zero. An unanswered question also gives you zero. So you have nothing to lose by guessing.
Moreover, what should be remembered is that the passing score is not the same for everyone, even in one country. This is because a Registered Nurse (RN), who has obtained a BSN degree; a diploma nurse; and an assistant nurse can all have their own respective scores for licensing exams.
Okay, let’s discuss each country now.
1. Saudi Arabia: The Essentials (SCFHS)
Saudi Arabia is among the leading countries where Indian nurses choose to work due to high salary packages, excellent hospitals, and a huge population of expatriate nurses.
- How It’s Done
The test for entry to work in Saudi Arabia is conducted by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). To even apply, you need to register on the Mumaris Plus portal. This is their official online platform. Your documents are verified here, your application is reviewed, and eventually your exam slot is booked through this same portal.
- The Exam Format
In the case of a Registered Nurse, the test is likely to have 120-150 multiple-choice questions. The time to complete the examination will be 2.5-3 hours. Diploma nurses may attempt the shorter form of the test that has 70-100 questions within 2 hours.
It must be understood that Saudi nursing exam questions are not simple. They rarely ask you to just recall a fact. Most questions give you a patient scenario and ask you what to do. Things like “The patient shows these symptoms. What is your first action?” That kind of clinical thinking is what they test.
- Passing Score for Saudi Arabia
The SCFHS exam passing marks 2026 for a registered nurse is around 60%. For lower category nurses like technicians, it can be between 50 to 55%. If, therefore, you had 150 questions, you must get at least 90 of them correct. This is the bare minimum. Always aim higher.
2. Qatar: Stricter Than You Think (QCHP)
One thing about Qatar is that it is one of those places that have the most structured and rigid processes when it comes to licensing.
- The Process Explained
The Qatar Prometric exam process is managed by the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP), which is an affiliate of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). This means that you must apply and have your documents verified by the QCHP before proceeding with the exam booking process.
- The Exam Format
Qatar’s exam has 150 questions and a time limit of 3 hours. The questions cover all nursing areas. Expect quite a bit on pharmacology and clinical decision-making.
- Passing Score for Qatar
The passing grade for Qatar lies somewhere between 60% and 65% depending on your nursing profession. As a general Registered Nurse, your score should be above 65%. Having that safety margin goes a long way. Those who narrowly pass the test scores in their mock exams always find themselves struggling on exam day.
3. Oman: Shorter Exam but Do Not Get Overconfident (OMSB)
A lot of nurses choose Oman as their first Gulf attempt because the exam is shorter. That is fine, but short does not always mean easy.
- How the Process Works
Oman’s exam is conducted by the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) under the Ministry of Health (MOH) Oman. The verification and application process here is relatively simpler compared to Saudi and Qatar.
- The Exam Format
Oman gives you 70 questions to answer in 2 hours. That is the shortest exam among all the major GCC countries.
- Passing Score for Oman
The Oman Prometric pass percentage for BSN nurses is 50%. Some diploma and technical categories can pass at around 42%. However, there is one thing to note, since there are just 70 questions on the test, every wrong answer carries extra weight. With a 150-question test, 5 wrong answers represent 3.3%, while with a 70-question test, 5 wrong answers represent over 7% of the total score. Every question really matters here.
4. Kuwait: Different from the Rest (MOH Kuwait)
Kuwait has its own approach to nursing licensing, and it is a little different from what the other Gulf countries do.
- How it works
Kuwait follows through on MOH Kuwait. One of the key benefits in this regard is that Kuwait doesn’t always ask for DataFlow primary source verification at the initial stage of application.
- The Exam Format
The written CBT in Kuwait generally has around 100 to 120 questions. Some specialties may also require an oral component alongside the written test, though this varies by role and specialty.
- Passing Score for Kuwait
The minimum qualifying mark for written exams is around 60% to 65%. Due to the inclusion of possible oral exams in certain jobs, complete preparation is important, rather than just preparation for written exams based on MCQs.
UAE: Three Different Tests for One Country (DHA, MOH, HAAD)
And here comes the tricky part. The UAE has three different licensing bodies depending on which emirate you want to work in. Each one runs its own exam.
1. Dubai: DHA Exam
Dubai Healthcare City (DHA) handles the licensure process for nurses looking to work in Dubai. The passing score for DHA registered nurses is 65%, and the exam comprises 100 questions in two and a half hours. For assistant nurses, the cutoff drops slightly to around 60%. DHA is regarded as the easiest exam out of the three UAE exams.
2. Northern Emirates: MOH UAE
If your intended practice location will be in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain, you will register under MOH UAE. It consists of 150 questions with a minimum pass score of 60%. The scope of topics and the difficulty are similar to the other Gulf country examinations.
3. Abu Dhabi: HAAD/DoH
Abu Dhabi is not actually under Prometric at all. Instead, they have shifted to using Pearson VUE. The exam is taken through DoH, which was previously referred to as HAAD. This examination is considered the most difficult test in the UAE, due to its use of an adaptive question approach akin to NCLEX. The minimum passing mark ranges between 60 to 65%, although there is a greater need for critical thinking in this particular examination.
Quick Comparison Table: All GCC Countries at a Glance
Here is everything summarized in one place. This is the Prometric exam syllabus 2026 reference table you will want to save.
| Country / Authority | Duration | Questions | Passing Score |
| Saudi Arabia (SCFHS) | 2.5 to 3 Hours | 120 to 150 MCQs | 60% |
| Qatar (QCHP) | 3 Hours | 150 MCQs | 60% to 65% |
| Oman (OMSB) | 2 Hours | 70 MCQs | 50% |
| Dubai (DHA) | 2.5 Hours | 100 MCQs | 65% |
| Abu Dhabi (HAAD/DoH) | 3 Hours | 150 MCQs | 60% to 65%
|
| Kuwait (MOH) | Varies | 100 to 120 MCQs | 60% to 65% |
Always cross-check these figures on the official licensing body website before you book. Exam formats do get updated.
Topics Covered in the Prometric Exam?
While the nursing test may differ from country to country, the material covered in the GCC nursing license tests is fairly standard. Listed below is the breakdown of each nursing specialty on the exam:
- Medical-Surgical Nursing (30-40%): The biggest portion on the exam. The areas of coverage for this specialty include heart conditions, respiratory problems, kidney diseases, neurological disorders, diabetes and other endocrine disorders, and gastrointestinal problems. Mostly, questions will be scenario-based and prioritization questions.
- Fundamentals of Nursing (20-25%): This is made up of topics such as fundamentals of patient care, ethics in nursing, documentation, safety practices, and infection control. Do not ignore this section just because you think the questions are too elementary; many questions originate from this section.
- Maternal and Child Health (12-20%): Antenatal care, labor phases, postnatal care, neonatal assessment, and pediatric developmental milestones are all included in this field.
- Pharmacology & Infection Control (10-20%): Questions in this category include the following: drug classification, high-alert drugs, calculations, antidotes, and infection control procedures. Most nurses underestimate this part of the exam, but it is one of those that can make or break you.
Psychiatric Nursing and Community Health (rest of the exam): Documents You Need Before You Can Book the Exam
Passing marks are one thing. But before you even get to sit the exam, your documents have to be in order. Most GCC countries require something called DataFlow Primary Source Verification (PSV).
The DataFlow Company is an outside organization that will reach out to your school and nursing board to make sure that your certification papers are authentic. This may take weeks and sometimes longer. Hence, begin early.
Here is the standard document checklist for most Gulf countries:
- Valid passport copy
- Nursing degree or diploma certificate
- Transcripts
- Valid registration by your home nursing board (Kerala Nursing Council or Indian Nursing Council)
- Good Standing Certificate valid for at least 6 months
- Experience certificates showing a minimum of 2 years post-registration clinical work
Once DataFlow clears your documents, you can proceed with your licensing portal registration on platforms like Mumaris Plus for Saudi Arabia or Sheryan portal for Dubai, and eventually book your Prometric exam slot.
How Tiju’s Academy Prepares You to Clear the Prometric Exam
Now here is the part that matters most. Knowing the passing score is just information. Actually reaching that score is the real work.
Tiju’s Academy is one of the best Prometric coaching centers in Kerala for nurses, and has helped hundreds of nurses clear their Gulf licensing exams. No matter whether you are aiming for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, or the United Arab Emirates, test preparation here depends upon what is required by the test itself.
Here is what makes Tiju’s Academy stand out from other institutes: Teaching Methods That Actually Work
Tiju’s Academy does not follow the typical read-and-memorize approach. The techniques here are designed for fast learning, deep retention, and exam-day recall:
- DATE Mnemomap: A structured memory technique that helps you organize and retain large amounts of clinical information in patterns that are easy to recall during the exam.
- Heptadeca-50 and Heptadeca-15: These are the flagship programs that cover all 17 body systems either within 50 days or in a fast-track 15-day schedule. It is especially helpful when you have an upcoming examination.
- Opticortex Lectures: Classes that employ the visual approach in order to simplify complex ideas. Suitable for nursing students who find studying from texts boring or difficult to memorize.
- Stem-Dissect Technique: It involves teaching how to analyze the questions of the MCQs, eliminate the wrong answers, and come up with the correct one despite having less time.
- Centurion-200: Access to over 200 full-length mock tests built on actual exam patterns. These are not random questions. They are designed to match the style and difficulty of the real exam so you are not caught off guard.
- Vigil-Desk: 24×7 doubt-clearing support. If a concept is not clear at 11 pm the night before your exam, you can still get it resolved. No question stays unanswered.
- Flexi-Chrono Scheduling: Morning and evening batches available for online students, designed specifically for working nurses who cannot attend fixed daytime classes.
Course Options
Two types of program formats that you may opt for according to your schedule are:
- The intensive crash course for 15 days is ideal for those who have their exam approaching soon. This is among the most popular Prometric crash courses in Kerala for nurses.
- The 50-day comprehensive program is for nurses who want to cover everything properly with time for revision, practice, and concept clarity. This is the better choice if you have the time.
What You Get When You Join
- Detailed study notes using high-yield mnemonic techniques for every topic
- 200+ mock tests with full-length, timed practice sessions
- Tutor-assisted question paper discussions where every answer is explained properly
- All sessions recorded so online students can revise at any time
- Simplified nursing curriculum aligned with MOH, DOH, DHA, and Prometric standards
- Offline evening batches at the Thiruvalla branch for local students
- Personalized mentorship throughout the program
- Exam-aligned preparation for MOH, Prometric, DOH, and DHA licensing across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and UAE
Tiju’s Academy is recognized as one of the best Saudi, Qatar, and Kuwait Prometric coaching centres in Kerala and is a trusted name for Prometric online coaching in Kerala for nurses preparing from any part of India.
Conclusion
The Passing score on Prometric test for nurses is anywhere between 50% in Oman to 65% in Dubai and Qatar. Though the percentages may seem low, it is not easy to pass this examination. This examination is based on scenarios and takes place under time constraints. The candidates who manage to pass this exam at their first attempt are those who have prepared properly for the same.
If you are serious about your Gulf nursing career, stop putting it off. Get into a proper preparation program with updated 2026 materials and expert guidance.
Join Tiju’s Academy today. Get access to updated CBT mock tests, live masterclasses, expert mentorship, and full support through your DataFlow and exam booking process. Enroll now on our Gulf Nursing Course page and take the first real step toward your dream job in the Gulf.
