Saudi Board Residency Training Program - Orthopaedics Surgery - Final Examination - Written Examination - Exam Format

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by asba

Saudi Board Orthopaedics Surgery final specialty written exam guidance defines a two-paper structure with 100–125 single-best-answer MCQs per paper and optional up to 10% unscored MSQs for calibration. The document specifies a 70% passing threshold with a rule to lower by one mark at a time if fewer candidates pass than expected, but never below 65%. It also provides study references and a blueprint distribution covering trauma, pediatric, arthroplasty, sport medicine, upper limb, oncology, foot and ankle, spine, other MSK disorders, and surgical foundations, including applied basic science assessment domains and notes on score publication timing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Exam Format

Passing Score

Suggested References

Final Written Exam Blueprint Outlines

Section Percentages

Applied Basic Science Assessment

Notes and Administration

SAUDI BOARD RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAM ORTHOPAEDICS SURGERY Final Examination Written Examination: Exam Format: A Saudi board final specialty written examination shall consist of two papers each with 100-125 single best answer Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) . Up to 10% unscored MSQscan be added for calibration purposes. Passing Score: The passing score is 70% . However, if the percentage of candidates passing the examination before final approval is less than 70%, the passing score must be lowered by one mark at a time aiming at achieving 70% passing rate or 65% passing score whichever comes first. Under no circumstances can the passing score be reduced below 65% . Suggested References: 1. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 2. Rockwood, Green, and Wilkins' Fractures in Adults and Children. 3.Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics: The Anatomic Approach (Hoppenfeld, Surgical Exposures in Orthopaedics) . 4. Lovell and Winter's Pediatric Orthopaedics. 5.Tachdjian's Pediatric Orthopaedics. 6. Netter's Concise Orthopaedic Anatomy. 7.ALL publications by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon (AAOS) including OKU, OKO, JAAOS, and books published by AAOS. 8.Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9. Review of orthopedic (Miller, review of Orthopedic) . 10.Postgraduate orthopedic by Paul. A. Banaszkiewics. Tachdjian pediatric orthopedic. 11.Surgical exposures in orthopedic stanly hoppenfield. 12.Professionalism and Ethics, Handbook for Residents, Practical guide, Prof. James Ware, Dr. Abdulaziz Fahad Alkaabba, Dr. Ghaiath MA Hussein, Prof. Omar Hasan Kasule, SCFHS, Latest Edition. 13. Essentials of Patient Safety, SCHS, Latest Edition. Note: This list is intended for use as a study aid only. SCFHS does not intend the list to imply endorsement of these specific references, nor are the exam questions necessarily taken solely from these sources. Final Written Exam Blueprint Outlines: | No. | Sections | Percentage | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | Trauma | 15% | | 2 | Pediatric | 15% | | 3 | Arthroplasty | 10% | | 4 | Sport Medicine | 10% | | 5 | Upper Limb | 10% | | 6 | Oncology | 7% | | 7 | Foot and Ankle | 10% | | 8 | Spine | 10% | | 9 | Other MSK Disorders 1 | 7% | | 10 | Surgical foundations (Principle of Surgery)2 | 6% | | Total | | 100% | *All sections incorporate applied Basic Science assessment which includes but not limited to Physiology, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Physics, and Equipment. 1Other MSK Disorders: includes Metabolic, Infection, Deformity …etc 2 Principles of Surgery includes: − Fluid & electrolytes − Perioperative complications/ ICU/ Shock − Sepsis/Surgical infection − Wound − Blood, Hemostasis & bleeding − Trauma (ATLS) − Preoperative assessment − Body response to injury/surgery − Transplantation − Oncology/Chemo./Radiotherapy Nutrition Notes: • Blueprint distributions of the examination may differ up to +/-5% in each section. • Percentages and content are subject to change at any time. Seethe SCFHS website for the most up-to-date information. • Research, Ethics, Professionalism, and Patient Safety are incorporated within various domains. • Results will be published within 14 business days following the last date of your examination

FAQs

How is the Saudi Board Orthopaedics Surgery final written exam structured?

It consists of two papers, each containing 100–125 single best answer MCQs. Up to 10% unscored MSQs may be added for calibration purposes.

What passing score is required, and can it be adjusted?

The passing score is 70%. If the percentage of candidates passing before final approval is below 70%, the passing score can be lowered by one mark at a time until 70% passing rate is achieved or 65% is reached, but it cannot go below 65%.

What topics and percentage distribution are included in the exam blueprint?

The blueprint includes trauma (15%), pediatric (15%), arthroplasty (10%), sport medicine (10%), upper limb (10%), oncology (7%), foot and ankle (10%), spine (10%), other MSK disorders (7%), and surgical foundations/principle of surgery (6%). All sections incorporate applied basic science assessment across areas such as physiology, pharmacology, anatomy, physics, and equipment.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by asba