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Diploma in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (MCQ)

Exam overview

ICBSE and the four Surgical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom and in Ireland wish to inform candidates that the DO-HNS Part 1 (MCQ) examination has now been discontinued. For more information, please see the full statement.


Part 1 of the Diploma in Ortolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (DO-HNS) is a two-hours multiple choice exam containing both multiple true-false questions and extended matching questions.

Though it is divided into two parts, the DOHNS is a single exam. Passing Part 1 alone does not carry any diploma status. Candidates may attempt Part 1 of the exam six times only. Part 1 costs £526 and in some non-UK centres a local administration fee is included in the price you pay on this website.

Please note that the January 2021 DO-HNS Part 1 examination will be delivered remotely as an online assessment.

Eligibility

Full details on candidate eligibility can be found on the intercollegiate exam website. An overview is provided below.

All DO-HNS candidates must:

  • hold a primary medical qualification that is acceptable to the United Kingdom General Medical Council for full or provisional registration or to the Medical Council in Ireland for full or temporary registration; overseas candidates must hold a primary medical qualification acceptable to the councils of the four colleges;
  • have complied with the exam regulations;
  • have paid the exam fee

Exam format

Part 1 of the DO-HNS is a two-hour multiple choice question (MCQ) paper normally consisting of 140 questions in total, and is divided into two sections.

Section 1 contains 40 multiple true-false questions. Each question contains a variable number of items which may be true or false.

Section 2 contains 100 extended matching questions. Each question contains a variable number of options and clinical situations. Only one option is the most appropriate response to each clinical situation. Candidates should select the most appropriate option. It is possible for one option to be the answer to more than one of the clinical situations.

Syllabus

The complete syllabus for the Diploma of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (DO-HNS) is available at the ISCP website.

The curriculum is competence-based, requiring candidates to demonstrate both applied and theoretical knowledge and practical skills, together with the professional behaviours outlined in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance. The provision of excellent care for the surgical patient, delivered safely, is at the heart of the curriculum.

Booking options

There are currently no dates available for this exam

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