SMLE
The SMLE: format, blueprint, pass mark and attempts
The Saudi Medical Licensure Examination assesses your readiness to practise and to move on to postgraduate training. This page gathers what you need before applying; each detail has a page of its own.
The short answers
- How many questions? 200, in two parts of 120 minutes each. Exam format
- What score do I need? 560 on a 200–800 scale. Passing score and results
- What does it cover? Five content areas, weighted by item counts per topic rather than a percentage per area. The blueprint
- Who can apply? Holders of an MBBS or equivalent, those who have started internship, and students one year from graduating. Eligibility and registration
- How many attempts? Four a year until you pass. Attempts and retakes
- What happens on the day? Test day
Before you start preparing
Read the blueprint first. The study plan that wastes the most time is the one built on an impression of which topics matter, rather than on the document the exam is actually assembled from.
Then start questions early rather than late: the 12-week plan and the wrong-questions method. You can read the openly published questions now, each with a written explanation.