EMREE

What is EMREE?

EMREE stands for Emirates Medical Residency Entrance Examination. It is a standardized test required by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for medical graduates seeking to enter residency training programs in UAE hospitals and medical centers.

Eligibility

• Final-year medical students and interns are eligible to register.
• Medical graduates with a clinical gap of less than 5 years are also eligible.

Format of the Exam

• 120 multiple-choice questions with 4 or 5 answer options.
• Lasts 3 hours.
• Computer-based exam with no negative marking.
• Covers Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Public Health.
• Passing score: 55% and above.
• Results are valid for 2 years.
• Maximum of 4 attempts allowed per year.
• Exam Fee: AED 1,000.

Requirements

1. A copy of your valid passport.
2. A copy of the payment receipt for the AED 1,000 exam fee.
3. Recent passport sized photograph against a white background

Steps to Apply for EMREE

1. Check Your Eligibility: Ensure you meet the basic criteria listed above.
2. Gather Required Documents: Valid passport, Emirates ID (if applicable), medical degree or final-year eligibility letter, recent passport-size photo.
3. Watch for Registration Announcements: Exams are held December–March. Monitor the NIHS Exam Portal for updates. However the seats are first come first serve basis therefore, it is advisable to enroll atleast two months prior to the exam date.
4. Register Online: Create an account on the NIHS Portal, upload documents, pay the AED 1,000 fee, and choose your date.
5. Prepare for the Exam: Focus on core subjects mentioned above.
6. Take the Exam: Held at UAE University, in Al Ain which lasts 3 hours.
7. Receive Your Score: Results are released within 2–3 weeks.
8. Use Your Score: Apply to residency programs via SEHA, DHA, or MOHAP.

Recommended Resources

• EMREE Prep
• AMBOSS UAE Study Guide
• PassEMREE
• UWorld (USMLE-style questions)
• Plab1keys (helpful due to similarity in concepts)

Exam Schedule

The EMREE exam is usually held annually from December to March.

For the 2024–25 cycle, exams were held over eight Sundays, with weekly registration periods. The final exam took place on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Details for the 2025–26 cycle are yet to be announced.

Passing criteria

Candidate scoring 55% or above is considered pass. Its important to understand, that your passing percentage places a significant role for residency match, due to tough competition for residency these days.

Currently, candidates should target 80 percent or above as a competitive score, which may help you for required residency match.

Can I reattempt to improve score?

If passed EMREE, even with low scores, then no further attempts are allowed. In case failed, than you can reattempt this exam for upto four times a year starting from the first attempt to obtain passing score.

Your each attempt whether pass or fail, is marked in your transcript.

Path to Residency (DOH/SEHA, etc.)

Passing EMREE is mandatory for TANSEEQ (Abu Dhabi), DHA (Dubai) and MOHAP (Sharjah)

Programs additionally require:

Additional Information

The EMREE is a critical step for those aiming to enter residency training in the UAE. It ensures candidates meet clinical competency standards required by the UAE healthcare system.

Regularly check the NIHS portal for latest updates, and prepare using reliable sources.