The SCFHS General Surgery Exam is a core requirement for surgeons seeking to practice in Saudi Arabia. It assesses far more than theoretical knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate clinical reasoning, safe decision making and clear communication that reflects consultant level behaviour. This comprehensive 2025 syllabus breakdown explains what the exam covers, how the questions are structured and what examiners expect so you can prepare with confidence and direction.
The exam has two main components that assess different dimensions of surgical competency.
Assesses
• Core surgical sciences
• System based surgical knowledge
• Peri operative and emergency management
• Applied clinical reasoning
Format: MCQs and EMQs testing both recall and application.
Assesses
• Case based problem solving
• Prioritisation and safe decision making
• Ethical understanding
• Communication and professionalism
The oral exam mirrors real consultant level discussions and focuses on how clearly and safely you justify your decisions.
To access official SCFHS information and updates, candidates should refer to the SCFHS and Mumaris Plus portal:
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
To sit the SCFHS General Surgery Exam, candidates must typically have
• A recognised primary medical degree
• Completed or be in the advanced stages of surgical training
• A valid license to practice in their home country
• Verification of credentials through the SCFHS Primary Source Verification (PSV) system
Official eligibility details and updates are available through the Mumaris Plus portal:
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
Fees vary slightly depending on testing centre and administration cycle but generally fall within these ranges
• Written Exam: SAR 1,200 to 1,600
• Oral Exam: SAR 1,500 to 2,000
Candidates should verify current fees directly on the SCFHS portal:
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
SCFHS typically uses a standard setting method. Passing scores may vary slightly each year but are usually around
• Approximately 55 to 65 percent for the written exam
• A pass or fail judgment for the oral exam
SCFHS publishes updated standards for each exam cycle on
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
The written exam integrates foundational sciences with specialty specific surgical knowledge. A structured, topic by topic strategy closely matches the SCFHS blueprint.
This table reflects typical distributions used in recent exam sessions. Candidates should confirm with SCFHS for 2025 updates.
| Domain | Approximate Weightage |
|---|---|
| Core Surgical Sciences | 20 to 25 percent |
| Gastrointestinal Surgery | 20 to 25 percent |
| Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic | 10 to 15 percent |
| Trauma and Emergency | 15 to 20 percent |
| Breast and Endocrine | 8 to 12 percent |
| Vascular Surgery | 5 to 10 percent |
| Urology | 5 to 8 percent |
| Oncology and Miscellaneous | 5 to 10 percent |
These topics appear across both MCQs and EMQs. Candidates often underestimate their weightage.
High yield regions
• Abdominal wall and groin
• Hepatobiliary anatomy including Calot’s triangle
• Pelvic spaces and surgical planes
• Major arteries and veins
• Neck and thyroid relations
Common examiner approach
Questions often link anatomy to trauma, operative complications or choice of surgical incision.
Frequently tested concepts
• Shock physiology and resuscitation
• Fluid balance, electrolytes and osmolality
• Acid base disorders
• Oxygen delivery and utilisation
• Endocrine responses to surgical stress
SCFHS frequently tests physiology using scenario based interpretation, particularly ABG analysis.
Refer to official SCFHS updates at
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
Important domains
• Inflammation and healing
• Tumor biology and metastasis
• Surgical infections
• Trauma pathology
• Necrotising soft tissue infections
Questions often expect candidates to link pathology with operative decision making.
Key topics
• Organisms associated with surgical site infections
• Antibiotic prophylaxis
• Sterilisation and infection control
• Multidrug resistant organisms
• Opportunistic infections
Incorrect antibiotic selection is one of the most common exam errors.
Areas frequently assessed
• Anaesthetic drugs and complications
• Analgesia planning
• Anticoagulants and reversal agents
• Antibiotic choices and dosing
• Immunosuppressants
Many questions test safe prescribing in renal or hepatic dysfunction.
Sources for clinical standards and guidelines
• UpToDate
https://www.uptodate.com
• NICE Guidelines
https://www.nice.org.uk
This is one of the largest syllabus sections.
Key topics
• Esophageal disorders
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Gastric outlet obstruction
• Small and large bowel obstruction
• Acute abdomen
• Diverticulitis
• IBD
• Colorectal cancer
• Hernias and mesh principles
Examiners often frame questions around unstable patients or unclear diagnoses.
High yield topics
• Acute and chronic cholecystitis
• Choledocholithiasis
• Obstructive jaundice
• Liver abscess
• Acute pancreatitis including Ranson and BISAP scores
• Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatitis and biliary emergencies are repeatedly tested.
Core areas
• Thyroid swellings and cancers
• Parathyroid disorders
• Adrenal tumors
• Breast lump evaluation
• Breast cancer staging and management
Candidates commonly lose marks by omitting complete endocrine investigations.
Important topics
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Acute limb ischemia
• Aortic aneurysms
• Varicose veins
• Vascular trauma
Emergency decision making is frequently examined.
Regularly tested
• BPH
• Renal colic and stone disease
• Testicular torsion
• Urological trauma
• Renal and bladder cancers
SCFHS focuses on first line imaging and stabilisation.
Key themes
• TNM staging
• Principles of surgical oncology
• Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy
• Margins and lymph node dissection
Understanding treatment algorithms is essential.
A major focus of the written exam.
Topics include
• ATLS protocols
• Chest trauma
• Abdominal trauma
• Splenic injury management
• Shock and resuscitation
• Burns and fluid calculation
Refer to ATLS 10th Edition
https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/atls
Topics include
• Ventilation modes
• Sepsis recognition and management
• Postoperative complications
• Nutrition support
• Pain and DVT prophylaxis
Examiners frequently test early detection of complications.
The oral exam evaluates how candidates think, prioritise and communicate. Answers must be structured and concise.
• Acute abdomen
• Biliary emergencies
• Thyroid and breast cases
• Hernia complications
• GI bleeding
• Polytrauma and ATLS activation
• Postoperative fever
• Intestinal obstruction
Examiners expect a clear structure: assessment, differential, investigations, management, complications.
Candidates may need to demonstrate
• Explaining risks and benefits
• Informed consent
• Discussing complications with families
• Addressing poor prognosis
• Understanding cultural and ethical expectations in Saudi Arabia
Communication skills significantly influence pass decisions.
• Starting answers without a clear structure
• Forgetting resuscitation priorities in emergency scenarios
• Giving definitive management without stabilising the patient first
• Mixing up antibiotic choices or durations
• Skipping key investigations
• Overcomplicating answers instead of keeping them safe and focused
• Not practising out loud for the viva
• Ignoring local practice guidelines and cultural expectations
Avoiding these mistakes can dramatically improve your chances of passing both stages.
• Bailey and Love’s Short Practice of Surgery
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0367575533
• Sabiston Textbook of Surgery
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0323640623
• Schwartz Principles of Surgery
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1259835359
• Clinical Surgery by Michael Henry
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0702076311
• Surgical Recall
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1975103615
• ATLS 10th Edition
https://www.facs.org/quality-programs/trauma/atls
• UpToDate
https://www.uptodate.com
• NICE Guidelines
https://www.nice.org.uk
• SCFHS and Mumaris Plus Portal
https://www.scfhs.org.sa
• SCFHS General Surgery Exam evaluates applied clinical judgment, not just theory
• Written exam focuses heavily on core sciences, GI, hepatobiliary, trauma and postoperative care
• Viva exam emphasises structure, clarity and safe decision making
• Eligibility, fees and updates must be checked through Mumaris Plus
• Practising real case based reasoning is essential
• Avoid common pitfalls such as poor structure and incorrect antibiotic choices
• Structured preparation with guided mock vivas significantly improves pass rates
The SCFHS General Surgery Exam rewards candidates who study in a focused and structured way. PrepMedico’s mentorship program is designed around the SCFHS blueprint and real exam patterns.
You will receive
• Complete topic coverage aligned with the 2025 syllabus
• SCFHS format mock written exams
• Intensive viva simulations with experienced mentors
• Personalised feedback to improve clarity and decision making
• Step by step frameworks for answering any surgical case
Get complete topic coverage and structured mentorship to excel in the SCFHS exam. Join PrepMedico’s SCFHS General Surgery Program today. https://prepmedico.com/scfhs/#Container_to_Show1
