Re: Significance Of USMLE Exams and SLE
adonis123 - 05-01-10 05:11



The foremost benefits of passing the USMLE tests r that one is eligible to apply to residency programs in the US.
Another benefit of passing the USMLE exams is that one can apply for fellowships in the US if he/she has a recognised post-graduate qualification from any country.
However, the possibility of getting a residency or a fellowship depends on how well has an applicant done on his/her USMLE steps.
Other benefit of USMLE include that one can apply for licensure in Dubai,UAE.
One is eligible for New Zealand Registeration exam after passing the first two steps of USMLE.
After passing first two steps of USMLE one may be eligible to apply for residency programs administered by Hammad Medical Corporation,Qatar.

I donot think passing USMLE will be of any great benefit in Saudi Arabia.

Here r the details about Saudi Licensing Exam:

*Saudi Licensing Exam (SLE) or 'Saudi Medical Board Exam' is a 'Saudi Commission for Health Specialties' (SCHS) exam for medical speciality or general practice licensing.

*This licensing exam is necessary for all doctors who want to practice medicine as a general practitioner or as a specialist in Saudi Arabia. The exams are different for different specialities and for general practice.

*It can either be taken inside Saudi Arabia (where you need an eligibility number from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, which is a hassle) or in several countries of the world (where no eligibility requirement applies, which is great).

*It is a 2 hour exam taken on the computer, with 70 multiple choice questions. It is considered an easy exam to pass but getting high marks needs more work. This exam counts when you apply for jobs in Saudi Arabai. An organisation called Prometric arranges this exam inside as well as outside of Saudi Arabia. Prometric is a provider of testing and assessment skills. It also hold other exams for different institutions all over the world, one other example is the online USMLE exam.Their website is www.prometric.com.

*The exam for General Practice consists of MCQs from internal medicine, ophthalmology, gynae/obstetrics, paediatrics, surgery, statistics and psychiatry.

*As the MCQs are often repeated, it is a good idea to read the old questions, many such papers are available on the internet; search google for it.

*One greatly useful book for this exam is the First Aid for the USMLE step 3. This book has short notes on medicine, gynae/obstetrics, paediatrics and psychiatry.

*Read some short notes on surgery.

*Going through Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties will also be beneficial.

*If you can find a book called "Comprehensive Review for Saudi Licence Exam" by Dr Yahya M Al-Khladi. This book is available in Jarir bookstore, Riyadh. It is a good book with more than 800 mcqs, especially formulated from the point of view of the SLE exam.

Go to the following link for the FAQs regarding this exam:

http://prometric.com/NR/rdonlyres/egjqnjserjutmuae2rmscv6uolnz3kudbbwifmti77hpasdlxzxytslx4wdlqjuaigy4rlwdwiaxjb/SCHSCandidateGuide.pdf

This is the website of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties with some info about the exam:
http://scfhs.org.sa/eng/

Here is a Saudi medical forum that gives you more info:
http://www.medkaau.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3123

Here is the link where u can find the MCQs previously asked on the SLE exam : http://raniasplace.com/aajkibaat/?p=378

Moreover,most people get job in Saudi Arabia by interviewing with the MOH delegations which visit various countries like India,etc.U donot need to pass this exam to get a job in Saudi Arabia.However, passing this exam may increase the chances of getting a job.

I hope it helps!

Good Luck!