There are five types of questions

I) Multiple Choice Questions, include 2 types (case scenario or photo-

based questions)
For example:
1- A 32-year-old man has a 4-day history of progressive weakness in his extremities.
He has been healthy except for an upper respiratory tract infection 10 days ago.
His temperature is 37.8°C, pulse is 94/min, respirations are 42/min and shallow,
and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. He has symmetric weakness of both sides of
the face and the proximal and distal muscles of the extremities. Sensation is
intact. No deep tendon reflexes can be elicited. Babinski sign is present.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
a) Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
b) Guillain-Barré syndrome*
c) Myasthenia gravis
d) Poliomyelitis
e) Polymyositis

2- Regarding the following diagram, during which phase of the followings, the
endometrial glands are maximally coiled?

a) 1 b) 2 c) 4 d) 5 e) 6
II) Short answered questions (SAQ)
For example
Regarding the following diagram, answer the following questions

1- Name the phase number 6.

2- What is the causative hormone of that phase?
 III) Problem based questions
For example
A 32-year-old man has a 4-day history of progressive weakness in his extremities.
He has been healthy except for an upper respiratory tract infection 10 days ago.
His temperature is 37.8°C, pulse is 94/min, respirations are 42/min and shallow,
and blood pressure is 130/80 mm Hg. He has symmetric weakness of both sides of
the face and the proximal and distal muscles of the extremities. Sensation is
intact. No deep tendon reflexes can be elicited. Babinski sign is present.

1- What is your provisional diagnosis?

2- Give reason to the weakness sensation in the extremities in this case?

IV) Essay questions

For example
1- Describe the female inguinal canal.
2- List the contents of femoral triangle.

Meaning of the most commonly used action verbs

Define: To give (in precise terms) the meaning of something. Details are not
required but limitations of the definition should be briefly cited.
‫ ويجب االخذ في االعتبارعند الكتابه‬.‫كتابه معني شيء بكلمات مختصره وواضحه وبدون ذكر اي تفاصيل‬
‫الفئه التي ينتمي اليها المطلوب تعريفه والفرق بينه وبين االخرين في الفئة‬

Enumerate: In such questions, student should recount, one by one, the points
required, in concise form
‫عد النقاط المطلوبه واحدا تلو االخر في شكل موجزبدون كتابه اي تفاصيل علي االطالق‬
List: Similar to enumerate
Name: Similar to enumerate
Identify: Pick out what you regard as the key features of something.
Describe: Write the chief characteristics and specific features of the topic. Student
should characterize, sketch or relate in narrative form.
Outline: An organized description. Students should give the main points and
essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the
information in a systematic arrangement or classification.
‫ ينبغي اعطاء النقاط الرئيسيه والمواد التكميليه الضروريه في ترتيب منهجي بدون اي‬:‫وصف منظم‬
‫تفاصيل ثانويه‬
Illustrate: A question which asks the student to illustrate usually requires him/her
to explain or clarify the answer to the problem by presenting a figure, diagram or
concrete example.
‫ او مثال ملموس‬5‫مطلوب من الطالب شرح او توضيح االجابه بعرض صوره او رسم تخطيطي‬
Discuss: Directs student to analyze carefully and present considerations pro and
con regarding the problems or items involved. This type of questions calls for a
complete and detailed answer (Not suitable for undergraduate)
‫ وتقديم االعتبارات المؤيده والمعارضه فيما يتعلق بالمشاكل او‬5‫المطلوب هو تحليل دقيق‬
‫العناصر المعينه ويدعو هذا النوع من االسئله الي اجابه كامله ومفصله‬
Compare: Identify the similarities and differences between two or more
phenomena.
Contrast: Similar to compare but concentrate on the dissimilarities between two or
more phenomena or what sets them apart. Point out any differences which are
particularly significant
‫مقارنة الصفات او الخصائص مع التشديد علي اوجه االختالف‬
Distinguish or differentiate: The student should show the differences between two
things in approximately the same class by determining their distinctions.
‫فقط االختالفات‬
Relate: The student should show the relationship, the answer should emphasize
connections and associations in descriptive form
Demonstrate: Give a practical exhibition and explanation
Explain: The student is asked to clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to
“How and/ or why” it occurs and whenever possible, the causes are stated (e.g.
explain first aid measures in treatment of chemical eye injury”
Justify: The student should defend or show adequate grounds for decisions or
conclusions. Evidence should be presented in convincing form.
‫ االدله بشكل مقتع‬5‫يجب اثبات او اظهار اسباب القرارات وتقديم‬
Evaluate: The student should present a careful appraisal of the problem stressing
on both advantages and limitations. Evaluation implies authoritative and to a lesser
degree personal appraisal.
5‫ ويجب ان يستند علي موثوق‬.‫ علي المزايا والقيود‬5‫يجب ان يقدم الطالب تقييما دقيقا للمشكله مركزا‬
5‫وبنسبه اقل علي تقييم شخصي‬
Criticize: The student gives his judgement about the merits & limitations of theories
or opinions about the truth or facts, and back his judgement by a discussion of
evidence.
‫اعطاء الحكم الخاص بالطالب حول جدارة النظريات او الحقائق مدعوما بمناقشه االدله‬
Interpret: Student is expected to translate, exemplify, solve, or comment upon the
subject and usually to give his judgment or reaction to the problem.
‫ او مشكله ثم يعطي الحكم الخاص به‬5‫يجب علي الطالب ان يترجم و يفسر ويعلق علي موضوع‬

Outline:
‫الطالب سيقوم بعمل هيكل للموضوع وتقسيمات بدون ذكر اي تفاصيل‬
 V) Extended matching questions (EMQs)
For example
Theme: Respiratory distress in newborn.
Task: For each of the patient scenario below choose the most likely diagnosis.
Question 1: A new- born baby is found to have grunting and tachypnea immediately after
birth. The baby was born by normal vaginal delivery after 34 weeks of gestational age.
The mother had infrequent follow-up and suffered from uncontrollable diabetes during
pregnancy. The baby’s chest x-ray shows ground-glass appearance. His total white count
is 18,000/ml, immature to total neutrophil ratio is 0.04.
Question 2: A four-hour old baby developed grunting and tachypnea. He was born by
caesarian section after 39 weeks of gestational age. His chest x-ray shows fluid in
horizontal fissure in the right lung. His white count is 17,000/ml, immature to total
neutrophil ratio is 0.08.
Options: Each option can be used once, or more, or not at all.
A. Pneumothorax I. Polycythemia
B. Pleural effusion J. Hypoglycemia
C. Tracheomalacia K. Hypothermia
D. Pneumonia L. Ventricular-septal defect
E. Hyaline membrane disease M. Meconium aspiration syndrome
F. Transient tachypnea of newborn N. Coarctation of aorta
G. Septicemia O. Broncho-pulmonary dysplasia
H. Anemia P. Tracheo-esophageal fistula