DHA Nursing Exam exam-day guide
DHA Nursing Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid original passport
Bring the physical passport you used when registering. Photocopies and expired documents are typically refused. Confirm with the test provider which ID types they accept for your nationality and residency status.
Second photo ID (if required)
If you hold an Emirates ID or another government photo ID, bring it as a backup. Whether a second ID is mandatory varies by test center - confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation / eligibility printout
Print or save offline a copy of your appointment confirmation and any eligibility or referral document issued through the DHA licensing portal. Front-desk staff may ask to see it.
Name-match check on your registration
Before exam day, verify that the name on your booking matches your passport exactly, including spelling and order of names. Mismatches are a common reason candidates are turned away.
Payment / fee receipt
Carry proof that your exam fee is settled in case there is a discrepancy at check-in.
Route and travel plan to the test center
Confirm the exact center address and building/floor the day before, and plan arrival with a buffer for traffic, parking, and security screening. Do a dry run if the location is unfamiliar.
Arrival time noted from your confirmation
Write down the reporting time stated on your confirmation and plan to be at the door earlier than that. Late-arrival cut-offs differ by center - confirm with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home or in a locker
Phones, smartwatches, fitness bands, notes, and study material are not allowed in the testing room. Expect to store belongings in a provided locker; keep the key with you.
Glasses or contact lens supplies if you use them
You will be reading from a screen for an extended period. Bring your glasses if you normally wear them for screen work.
Light snack and water for after the exam
Food and drink are usually not permitted inside the testing room. Plan a snack for the end of the session, especially if you are travelling a long distance.
Rest plan for the night before
Aim for a normal night's sleep rather than a late cramming session. Fatigue is a bigger risk on a long computer-based exam than one missed topic.
Confirmed score-report and results route
Know in advance how and when you will receive your result - on-screen at the center versus through the DHA licensing portal. The process is set by DHA; confirm it with the provider rather than relying on what other candidates say.
Plan the day
Log in to your booking and re-confirm the date, time, and test-center address. Check that your passport is valid and undamaged, and that your registered name matches it exactly. If anything is wrong, contact the provider immediately rather than on exam day.
Shift your study to light consolidation: high-yield areas such as prioritisation and delegation, infection control, medication calculation, and recognising deteriorating patients. Stop starting new topics.
Reset your sleep schedule so you are awake and alert at your exam slot, particularly for early-morning appointments. Plan meals and travel for exam day.
Pack a single bag with your passport, backup ID, confirmation printout, and glasses. Put it by the door. Charge your phone but plan to switch it off at the center.
Do a short, timed practice set to rehearse pacing, then stop studying by early evening. No new material, no all-nighters, no alcohol.
Re-check the route, expected traffic, and parking. Set two alarms. Confirm what time you need to leave the house, working backwards from your reporting time.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Take any prescription medication you normally take at that time. Avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it.
Leave earlier than the map estimate. Arrive at the center with enough time for ID checks and security screening. Do not bring study notes to review in the waiting area - they raise anxiety and may not be allowed.
Present your ID, follow the proctor's instructions for biometric or photo capture, and place all prohibited items in the locker. Use the restroom before you are seated.
Use the first minutes to settle: check the question count, time remaining, and how the flag/review function works. Ask the proctor about scratch material or a calculator if one is permitted.
Work at a steady pace and check the clock at set intervals (for example, every 20 questions) rather than every question. If you fall behind, speed up on short recall items rather than rushing everything.
For each item, read the whole question, underline the key word (best, first, priority, immediately), predict the answer before reading the options, and eliminate clearly wrong options. Answer every question - an unanswered item cannot earn marks.
Flag items you are unsure of and return to them only if time allows. Do not change answers on impulse; change only when you find a concrete reason.
If you take a break where breaks are permitted, note the time, keep it short, and remember the clock keeps running unless the proctor tells you otherwise. Confirm the break policy with the provider.
Note what you found difficult while it is fresh, then step away. Follow the official route for your result and next licensing steps - do not act on unverified advice from other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo identification. The name and details must match your registration exactly. Accepted ID types and any second-ID requirement are set by the test provider - confirm them before exam day rather than assuming.
Report at the time stated on your appointment confirmation and expect to be refused entry if you arrive after the center's cut-off. The late-arrival and rescheduling policies are set by DHA and its testing partner - confirm the exact terms with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, notes, textbooks, or any recording device into the testing room. Store permitted belongings in the locker provided and keep the key with you at all times.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not leave your seat without the proctor's permission. Follow all proctor instructions immediately.
The exam content is confidential. Do not copy, photograph, record, or share questions or answers, before or after the exam. Doing so can result in invalidation of your result and further action by the licensing authority.
Use only scratch material, calculators, or on-screen tools that the provider supplies. Do not bring your own. Whether a calculator is available for this exam should be confirmed with the provider in advance.
Break rules, the ability to leave the room, and whether the timer pauses are center-specific. Confirm the policy at check-in and ask the proctor if you are unsure.
The format, number of questions, time allowance, and passing score are set by DHA and may change. Confirm the current format and pass mark through DHA's official licensing portal or the testing provider; do not rely on second-hand reports from other candidates.
If you need any accommodation or have a medical condition that may affect testing, arrange it with DHA and the provider well before exam day. Requests are usually not accepted on the day itself.