the German permanent Medical license exam

Written By: Dana Mustafa AlKahlout, Reviewed By: Dr. Ibrahim Abu Riash, Edited by: Majed Jaber. 

The German permanent Medical license exam is an examination that doctors who wish to practice medicine in Germany indefinitely must pass. The exam tests the doctors’ general medical knowledge and is conducted in German. In this post we gathered all what you need to know in one place. Answering all the commonly asked questions about the exam.

What topics does the exam focus on?

The German permanent Medical license exam mainly focuses on internal medicine, general surgery, and common bone fractures, but other topics may also be included. Here is a list of some of the topics that may be covered on the exam:

1. Internal Medicine: This includes topics such as cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, and hematology.
2. General Surgery: This includes topics such as abdominal surgery, vascular surgery, breast surgery, and thoracic surgery.
3. Emergency Medicine: This includes topics such as trauma management, resuscitation, and triage.
4. Orthopedics: This includes topics such as common bone fractures, joint disorders, and spinal injuries.
5. Radiology: This includes topics such as interpreting X-ray images, CT scans, and MRIs.
6. Pharmacology: This includes topics such as drug interactions, contraindications, and dosages.
7. Ethics and Legal Issues: This includes topics such as patient confidentiality, informed consent, and medical malpractice.

It is important to note that the exam may cover additional topics or vary in emphasis depending on the specific examiners and clinical scenarios presented during the exam. Therefore, candidates should prepare thoroughly and be well-versed in a broad range of medical topics to have the best chance of passing the exam.

The German permanent Medical license exam mainly focuses on internal medicine, general surgery, and common bone fractures, but other topics may also be included. Here is a list of some of the topics that may be covered on the exam:

1. Internal Medicine: This includes topics such as cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, and hematology.
2. General Surgery: This includes topics such as abdominal surgery, vascular surgery, breast surgery, and thoracic surgery.
3. Emergency Medicine: This includes topics such as trauma management, resuscitation, and triage.
4. Orthopedics: This includes topics such as common bone fractures, joint disorders, and spinal injuries.
5. Radiology: This includes topics such as interpreting X-ray images, CT scans, and MRIs.
6. Pharmacology: This includes topics such as drug interactions, contraindications, and dosages.
7. Ethics and Legal Issues: This includes topics such as patient confidentiality, informed consent, and medical malpractice.

How is the exam performed?

The German permanent Medical license exam is an oral exam that is conducted in German. Here is some information on how the exam is taken:

1. Exam Format: The exam is typically divided into three parts, each conducted by a different examiner who is a specialist in a particular medical field.
2. Clinical Scenario: Each part of the exam will include a clinical scenario, which is a description of a patient’s symptoms and medical history. Candidates will be asked to diagnose the patient’s condition, explain their reasoning, and propose a treatment plan.
3. Questioning: The examiners will ask a series of questions to test the candidate’s knowledge of the relevant medical topics. These questions may include inquiries about the patient’s symptoms, potential causes of the condition, treatment options, and possible complications.
4. X-Ray Interpretation: The exam will also include an X-ray film, and candidates may be asked to interpret the image and explain their findings.
5. Pharmacological Questions: Candidates may also be asked questions about drugs, including their indications, contraindications, and dosages.
6. Exam Duration: The exam usually takes around 60-90 minutes, but the exact duration may vary depending on the specific clinical scenarios presented during the exam.
7. Pass/Fail: There are no grades for the exam, and candidates will be informed whether they pass or fail as soon as the exam is completed.

There are no grades and you will be told whether you pass or fail as soon as you finish the exam.

Note: you only have three attempts after which you are permanently prohibited from practicing medicine in Germany.

study sources for the exam

There are several study sources available to help candidates prepare for the German permanent Medical license exam. Here are some of the most commonly used study materials:

1. Fallbuch and Chekliste Books: These books are available for the three major specialties the exam will focus on: internal medicine, general surgery, and emergency medicine. Each book includes multiple clinical scenarios, questions, and explanations in a way that mimics the exam.
2. Kenntnisprufung Book: This book was written by a specialist Arab doctor in collaboration with other specialists, specifically for students preparing for the German Medical license exam. It covers a wide range of topics, including internal medicine, surgery, pharmacology, radiology, and emergency medicine. Click here to get the book!
3. Protocols: The protocols are a set of questions and sources for each doctor who will examine the candidate. Candidates can study the protocols for the examiners who will be conducting their exam to get a better idea of what topics to focus on.
4. Online resources: There are several online resources available that can help candidates prepare for the exam. These include websites, online forums, and study groups that offer practice questions, clinical scenarios, and other study materials.

when do u get to know your examiners?

Candidates are typically notified of their examiners three weeks before the German permanent Medical license exam. The notification is sent by email and includes the names of the three examiners who will be conducting the exam. It is important to note that it is illegal to contact the examiners in any way prior to the exam. Candidates should focus on preparing for the exam using the available study materials and practice extensively to ensure they are well-prepared for the clinical scenarios and questions that will be presented during the exam.

How hard is the exam?

he German permanent Medical license exam is known to be a challenging exam, but its level of difficulty can vary depending on the candidate’s level of knowledge, preparation, and experience.