DHA publishes the shape of its assessment on the Sheryan service page, and three things on it catch people out. This is what it says.
You get three attempts — and they follow you
DHA states that a professional "must pass the related assessment within 3 attempts across the Authorities". That last phrase is the part worth reading twice. A run of failed attempts at DHA is not reset by applying to MOHAP or DOH instead. Plan the first attempt as though it is the one that counts, because the allowance is shared.
DataFlow and the exam run in parallel, not in sequence
DHA states directly that "you can perform your Dataflow verification and CBT Assessment in parallel". Most applicants wait for the verification report to land before booking the exam, and lose weeks doing it. There is no rule requiring that order.
The assessment is one step in a three-step process
DHA sets out the pathway as Self Assessment Tool, then Get Registered, then Activate. Primary Source Verification through DataFlow and the CBT assessment through Prometric both sit inside the first stage. Depending on the position applied for, DHA may also require an oral assessment after the registration application — a step many applicants do not know exists until they are asked to schedule it.
What the exam itself covers
DHA does not publish duration, question count, passing score or exam fee on the registration service page. It points instead to its own "Mode of Exam per Specialty" and "CBT Assessment Guideline" documents, because those figures differ by specialty. Anyone quoting you a single universal DHA exam fee or question count is generalising — check the guideline for your own specialty.
Registration is not permission to practise
DHA states registration is valid for one year and that "a healthcare facility should activate it into a license in order to start practicing". Passing the exam and getting registered still leaves you unable to work until an employer activates the licence.