A List of Topics Covered in the SMLE

Medical Examination
Writing and passing the SMLE Examination (Saudi Medical Licensing Exam) is a prerequisite
for all medical professionals and practitioners who want to live and work in Saudi Arabia
regardless of which fields they will be specializing in. Below are just a few of the areas of
expertise that practitioners will need to be demonstrating their proficiency in during the
exam.
1. Medicine
A few areas in which practitioners will need to be thoroughly knowledgeable in with regards to
medicine include pulmonology, dermatology, gastroenterology, cardiology, nephrology,
oncology, infectious diseases, rheumatology, otolaryngology, endocrinology, hematology,
ophthalmology, orthopedics, urology and neurology. There are numerous conditions and subconditions within each of these categories that practitioners will be tested on during the SMLE
Examination.
2. Pediatrics
All practitioners who write this exam will need to demonstrate their knowledge in the
pediatrics field, even if this will not be their main area of expertise. Subjects covered here will
include, but not be limited to allergies, acne, anaphylaxis, apnea in infants, bacterial
infections, Bells Palsy, cause of death, constitutional growth delay, cystic fibrosis, diabetes,
febrile illness, hand, foot and mouth disease, impetigo, infantile colic, otitis media, a range of
neonatal conditions, probiotics, sleep, strep pharyngitis, visual loss, UTIs and many others.
3. OB/GYN
Numerous areas will be tested within this particular field such as abdominal hematomas,
abortion, abnormal bleeding, carpal tunnel syndrome, contraception, adverse drug effects,
ectopic pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal heart conditions, a range of gestational
conditions, infertility, menstruation, placental abruption, preeclampsia, preterm delivery,
vaginal delivery, vaginal discharge, vaccine use during pregnancy and a range of other
related conditions.
4. Psychiatry

There are many conditions that fall under this section of the SMLE Examination, which include
antidepressant use, side effects and abuse, various psychological disorders such as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia, ADHD in children and adults, drug properties,
lithium, OCD, depression, substance abuse and dependence, withdrawal symptoms and more.
5. Surgery
Commonly questioned topics under this section of the exam may include appendicitis, acute
back syndrome, aortic stenosis, basic life support, carpal tunnel syndrome, burns, various
forms of cancer, tendon injuries, fractures, fractures, organ transplantation, nerve injuries,
vitamin deficiencies and others.
6. PMCH
When approaching this section of the SMLE exam, practitioners can expect to be tested on a
range of conditions and situations such as case control studies, cholera, clinical guidelines,
coronary artery disease, disease outbreak, control and treatment, care of the elderly, hygiene,
healing traditions, hypertension, immunizations, long term patient management, various
forms of cancers and their related treatments, STDs, vitamin supplements, various foreign
diseases and more.
When preparing for this exam, practitioners should ensure that they have studied each
section mentioned above thoroughly, as they can be tested on some or all of them during the
SMLE Examination. Purchasing a subscription to an online question bank system will not only
help them prepare to write the exam; it will help ensure that they are able to pass it the first
time round as well.