Saudi Nursing Licensing Exam

SNLE

Applicant Guide

Note: Read this guide before submitting an application to test. At the time of application, you will be
required to acknowledge that you have read and understood this guide and the policies and procedures
contained within.
General Rules
Saudi Nursing Licensure Examination
Congratulations to those who are a year away from BSN graduation and the ones who have already
graduated! We share the excitement and pride you feel at this moment of your life. Your future career
is bright and holds many opportunities from being a great nurse to pursuing your postgraduate studies.
We wish you all the success in your future endeavors and dreams.
At this stage, you must take the Saudi Nursing Licensure Examination (SNLE) if you want to practice
the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia or get admitted to a postgraduate nursing program at the Saudi
Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).

What is the SNLE?

The SNLE is an exam that assesses your readiness to practice and/or proceed to postgraduate training.
It consists of 200 MCQs, which may include up to 10% of pilot questions. It is divided into two parts of
100 questions, each with a time allocation of 120 minutes for each part. There is a scheduled 30-
minute break between the two parts. These questions have four options from which the candidate will
choose one best answer.
The examination shall contain recall questions that test knowledge and questions with scenarios that
test other skills (interpretation, analysis, decision making, reasoning, and problem-solving).

Note: See Important Instructions: for Important Exam Instructions.

What is a test blueprint, and what is its purpose?

A test blueprint is a document that reflects the content of the SNLE. The blueprint is the plan used for
"building" the SNLE. The blueprint was established by the SNLE steering committee. The purpose of the
blueprint is to ensure not including questions that are not related to what you were taught and to
include what you were expected to learn.

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 Application and Eligibility
How to apply for the SNLE?
To apply for the SNLE, you must have a recognized primary degree (BSN or equivalent) from an
accredited health science program or commenced training the internship year or student who is one
year away from graduation.

Saudi Nursing Licensure Examination Blueprint

Note:
1. Blueprint distributions of the examination may differ up to ±5% in each category.
2. See the SCFHS website for the most up-to-date information.
3. Patient safety principles will underscore all of the domains.
4. As a validity measure, items are further classified to ensure they sample various domains of practice.

 See related DEFINITIONS on next page

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Definitions
Competencies

 Health Applied Sciences

The direct application of sciences to the practice of nursing that includes pharmacology, nutrition,
rehabilitation, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, quality, and laboratory sciences.

 Assessment, Planning, Implementation & Evaluation of Care

The full nursing care spectrum related to the delivery of patient care using the nursing process to
support patient recovery from illness by using care plans, carrying out care procedures focusing on
the comprehensive needs of the patient rather than the isolated illness or condition. Nurses usually
work within a multidisciplinary team but are the main point of contact for patients, often providing
the most continuity of care. They will have contact with the patients' families, particularly in cases
of chronic illness where the patient may be returning regularly for treatment.

 Health Promotion & Disease Prevention including Infection Control, Community and Psychiatric
Aspects of Care
Health promotion, disease prevention, and intervention at the individual and population level
related to essential components of baccalaureate generalist nursing practice that include caring for
the well-being and mental health of the patient and family in the community.

 Ethics & Professionalism including Communication & Collaboration

Aspects of conduct in professional practice that are guided by ethical principles and professional
values that are fundamental to the discipline of nursing, and includes interprofessional
communication and collaboration as essential elements to providing high quality and safe patient
care aimed at excellence.

 Evidence-Based Practice including Research & Epidemiology

The representation of professional nursing practice that is grounded in the translation of current
evidence into practice that includes scientific inquiry and scientific rationale arising from the
research process and results.

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Sections

 Nursing Fundamentals
An emphasis on the spectrum of basic human needs and related nursing competence in basic skills
as a prerequisite to respond to patient needs at the basic levels, including prioritization of care
delivery.

 Adult Nursing
This is the range of care provided to adult patients in medical and surgical nursing in the context of
in-patient or out-patient settings for patients who are suffering from a variety of health conditions,
ranging from minor injuries and ailments, to acute and long-term illnesses and diseases, and
includes the nursing care of patients with complex and comprehensive needs (critical care).

 Maternal-Child Nursing
Maternal-child nursing refers to a framework of health care provided for child-bearing women and
their families. Maternal-child nursing strives to approach the birth process as a natural life event
rather than a medical procedure. This field of nursing includes prenatal care to pregnant women,
and health care to mothers and their newborn infants, and extends to the family. The range and
impact of this care include the neonates and children up to adolescence, usually in an in-patient,
out-patient or day-clinic context.

 Unit Management and Leadership

This pertains to the performance of leadership functions at the frontline on a nursing unit level that
ensures that nursing care is delivered safely and that all patients on a nursing unit are receiving
adequate care, and includes the essentials of nursing informatics. It embraces elementary and
common management processes such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling
that involves technical, human, and conceptual skills with corresponding responsibility, authority,
and accountability.

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Saudi Nursing Licensure Examination Content Outline

This outline provides a common organization of SNLE content. SNLE supervisory committee
continually reviews the outline to ensure content is relevant to the practice of nursing. As practice
guidelines evolve or are introduced, the content on SNLE is reviewed and modified as needed.
The examination will emphasize certain parts of the outline, and no single examination will include
questions on all aspects. Questions may include content that is not included in this outline.

Nursing Fundamentals
Fundamentals of nursing
Basic science
Pharmacology
Nutrition
Adult Nursing
Medical nursing
Surgical nursing
Critical care nursing
Community nursing
Mental / Psychiatric nursing
Maternal-Child Nursing
Obstetric
Gynecology
Newborn
Pediatric medical
Pediatric surgical
Unit Management and Leadership
Unit resources to support and coordinate patient care
Unit quality and safe patient care at the frontline
Unit nursing teams and interprofessional relations
Unit nursing informatics for safe and legal delivery of patient care

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Applying for the SNLE

When applying for the examination, you must apply through the e-application. Once your
application is processed, a scheduling permit with your eligibility period will be issued. You will
receive an email with instructions for accessing your permit.
After obtaining the scheduling permit, you may visit the specified website to schedule a test date.
Scheduling may not be available for more than three months in advance. Refer to SCFHS for testing
windows availability.

Important Notes:

o Saudi university/college students can sit for SNLE during the final year of undergraduate studies.
o Scheduling the allowed test attempts during the year is the sole responsibility of the candidate.
o SCFHS is not responsible for delaying the test attempts until the end of the year and not finding a test
spot.
o Candidates can test in any SCFHS approved Prometric testing center locally and internationally as
locations appear upon scheduling.
o A candidate is not allowed to sit for the test twice in the same testing window. In this instance, the
result of the first dated test will be announced, and the second will be considered an attempt and
result invalid.
o All candidates must review the applicant guide before taking the test.

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 Exam Preparation Resources
The following resources will help you prepare for the SNLE:

Section Textbooks

 Leda M. McKenry, Tessier, and Mary Ann Hogan. Mosby's Pharmacology in Nursing, Mosby Publishers,
Latest Edition.
 Dudek, SG, Nutrition Essentials for Nursing Practice; Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams
and Wilkins, Latest Edition.
 Berman, A and Snyder, S. Kozier and Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts, Process and Practice,
USA: Pearson International, Latest Edition.
Nursing Fundamentals
 Pamela Lynn and, Marilee LeBon, Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process
Approach, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Latest Edition.
 Jarvis, C. Physical Examination and Health Assessment, St. Louis, Missouri, Saunders Elsevier, Latest
Edition.
 Allender, Judith A. and Rector, Cherie, Community Health Nursing Promoting and Protecting The Public
Health, Lippincott: New York, Latest Edition.
 Morton, P. G., Fontaine, D. K., Critical Care Nursing a Holistic Approach. 9th edition, lippincott: Wolters
Kluwer.
• Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing, 10e (Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing
(Stuart)) 10th Edition: St. Louis: Mosby.
• Stanhope M & Lancaster, J. (Latest edition). Community and Public Health Nursing. St. Louis; Mosby.
Adult Nursing • Medical-Surgical Nursing - 2-Volume Set 10th Edition Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems
Authors: Sharon Lewis Linda Bucher Margaret Heitkemper Mariann Harding Jeffrey Kwong Dottie
Roberts Paperback ISBN: 9780323355933 Imprint: Mosby
• Smeltzer, S.C., & Bare BG (Latest edition). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook of medical surgical nursing.
Philadelphia: Lippincott.
 Murray, S., McKinney, E. Foundation of Maternal- Newborn Nursing, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier, Latest
Edition.
Maternal-Child Nursing
 Wong, D.L., and Hockenberry, M.J, Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children, Philadelphia: Mosby,
Latest Edition.
Unit Management and
 Sullivan E. (2017) Effective Leadership and Management in Nursing (9th edition). Pearson: Indianapolis.
Leadership
 ANA Code of Ethics, Latest Edition.
 SCFHS: Ethics for Health Professional Booklet, Latest Edition.
Patient Safety
 Sherwood G. & Barnsteiner J. (2017) Quality and Safety in Nursing: A Competency Approach to
Improving Outcomes (2nd edition). Wiley Blackwell: New Jersey.
 Anne Griffin Perry RN EdD FAAN, Patricia A. Potter RN MSN PhD FAAN and Wendy Ostendorf RN MS
EdD CNE. Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques, 9e 9th Edition.
Clinical Component  June M. Thompson RN DRPH, Gertrude K. McFarland RN DNSc FAAN, Jane E. Hirsch RN MS), Susan
Martin Tucker MSN RN PHN, June M. Thompson Gertrude McFarland. Jane Hirsch Susan Tucker and
Mosby's Clinical Nursing, 5th 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 from these sources.

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SNLE Practice Examination
To experience a test that resembles the actual test blueprint and sampled from the SNLE item bank,
you can apply for SNLE mock test. Please visit the link.

Important Instructions
What to Expect on Test Day?

 All test centers follow the same procedures and rules, which you should get familiar with before
test day.
 Testing sessions for the Saudi Licensing Examinations are monitored by test center administrators
(TCA), in person and through audio and visual recording. Staff are required to report any
violations of assessment bylaws or test center rules.
 You must follow instructions from TCA throughout the examinations; failure to do so may result
in a finding of irregular behavior.
 TCAs are not authorized to answer questions regarding registration, examination content or
format, testing software, scoring, or retesting.

Registration on Test Day

SCFHS test centers open at 7:30 a.m. If you are late more than 30 minutes from the time noted on
your admission ticket or absent on test day, you will not be allowed to sit for the test, and this will
be considered an attempt unless an acceptable reason with required documentation is presented
and accepted by the committee supervising the test as per the assessment rules and regulations.
When you arrive at the test center, you must present your scheduling permit and the required
identification.
Acceptable forms of unexpired identification include:
 Passport
 National/Residence Identity Card (KSA Only)
Your name, as it appears on your scheduling permit, must match the name on your form(s) of
identification exactly.
 If you do not bring your scheduling permit on paper or electronically (e.g., via smartphone) and
acceptable identification, you will not be admitted to the test and will be required to pay a fee to
reschedule your test. Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your eligibility period.
 During check-in, test center staff will conduct the appropriate security check before entering the
testing room to confirm that you have no prohibited items.

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 You will be asked to repeat this process each time you return to the testing room after a break.
Additionally, your photo ID and fingerprint may be scanned electronically and you must sign the
test center log.
 Before you enter the test room, TCA will give you laminated writing surfaces, erasers and
markers to use for making notes and/or calculations during the testing session. They should be
used only at your assigned testing station.
 You must return laminated writing surfaces\e-tablets to test center staff at the end of the
testing session. Do NOT write on anything other than the laminated writing surface\e-tablets
(e.g., your hand, other body parts, tissue, etc.). Failure to comply may result in a finding of
irregular behavior.
 TCA will escort you to your assigned testing station and provide brief instructions on the use of
the computer equipment. A brief tutorial is available before each examination.
 Your test session is scheduled for a fixed amount of time, and the computer keeps track of the
time allocated for each block and for breaks.
 Once you begin a testing block, the block time continues to run even if you leave the testing
room (e.g., for a personal emergency).
 If you leave during the block without permission from the test proctor, the test center will file a
report of the incident. Additionally, the unauthorized break screen, described in the examination
tutorial, will appear on the monitor after a defined period of inactivity.
 Each time you leave the testing room, you are required to sign out and sign in when you return.
You must present your identification each time you sign in.

Breaks between Test Blocks

 Each time you leave the testing room, you are required to sign out and sign in when you return.
You must present your identification each time you sign in.

 If you take too much break time and exceed the allocated break time, the next test block will
start automatically, and the excess time will be deducted from your testing time.

 Ensure you arrive 5-7 minutes before the start of your next block to allow time for sign-in as the
signing process may take more around 10 minutes based on testing capacity.

Test # of Test Block(s) Duration of Each Block Break Time

SNLE 2 120 min 30 minutes

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End of Test

The test session ends when you have started and exited all blocks, or the total test time expires. You
will receive a notice during checkout that you have appeared for the test.

After you start taking an examination, you cannot cancel or reschedule that examination. If you
experience a computer issue during the test, notify the test center staff immediately. The testing
software is designed to restart the test at the point that it was interrupted.

You will maintain the confidentiality of the materials, including, but not limited to, the multiple-
choice items. You will not reproduce or attempt to reproduce examination materials through
recording, memorization, or by any other means.

You will not provide information relating to examination content to anyone who may be taking or
preparing others to take the examination. This includes postings regarding examination content
and/or answers on the internet.

Test results will be available online 2-6 weeks after the testing window you are currently taking the
test on.

For more information, please visit the following link:

https://www.scfhs.org.sa/examinations/TrainingExams/OverallEntranceExam/Pages/default.aspx

Exam Day
Instructions for examination day

 You will be continuously monitored by video, physical walk-throughs and the observation
window during your test. All testing sessions are video and audio recorded.

 You must bring valid (unexpired) and acceptable ID(s) (Saudi ID, Resident ID, or Passport) and
exam schedule printed out to the examination hall, and present it at the registration desk.

 Any clothing or jewelry items allowed to be worn in the test room must remain on your person
at all times. Removed clothing or jewelry items must be stored in your locker.

 You may not leave the examination hall before thirty minutes have elapsed and always
accompanied by an invigilator if you wish to return.

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 You must conduct yourself in a civil manner at all times when on the premises of the testing
center. Exhibiting abusive behavior towards the Test Center Administrator (TCA), or any other
staff member of the test center, may result in legal prosecution.

 To protect the privacy of all testers, the TCA can neither confirm nor deny if any particular
individual is present or scheduled at the test center.

 Repeated or lengthy departures from the test room for unscheduled breaks will be reported by
the TCA.

 You must return all materials issued to you by the TCA at the end of your test.

 You are required to sign out on the test center roster each time you leave the test room. You
must also sign back in and show your ID to the TCA in order to be re-admitted to the test room.

 Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the test center.

Prohibitions
Before the examination

 Seeking, providing, and/or obtaining unauthorized access to examination materials, providing

false information or making false statements on or in connection with application forms,
scheduling permits, or other exam-related documents.

 Applying for an examination for which you are not eligible.

 Communicating or attempting to communicate about specific test items, cases, answers, and/or
exam results with an examiner, potential examiner, or formal or informal test developers at any
time before, during, or after an examination.

During the examination

 Taking an examination for which you are not eligible.

 Taking an examination for someone or engaging someone to take an examination for you
giving, receiving, or obtaining unauthorized assistance during the examination or attempting to
do so.

 Making notes of any kind while in the secure areas of the test center, except on the writing
materials provided at the test center for this purpose.

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 Failing to adhere to any exam policy, procedure, or rule, including instructions of TCA.

 Verbal or physical harassment of test center staff or other examination staff, or other disruptive
or unprofessional behavior during the registration, scheduling, or examination process.

 Possessing any unauthorized materials, including photographic equipment, communication or

recording devices, and cell phones, in the secure testing areas.

 Any other electronic communication device, not herein mentioned, are prohibited in the
examination hall irrespective if they are turned off, and no provision will be made to store them.

 Communicating or attempting to communicate about specific test items, cases, and/or answers
with another examinee, or formal or informal test preparation group at any time before, during,
or after an examination.

After the examination:

 Altering or misrepresenting examination scores.

 Any reproduction by any means, including, but not limited to, reconstruction through
memorization, and/or dissemination of copyrighted examination materials by any means,
including the internet.

 Communicating or attempting to communicate about specific test items, cases, and/or answers
with another examinee, potential examinee, or formal or informal test preparation group at any
time before, during, or after an examination.

 Failure to cooperate fully in any investigation of a violation of the SCFHS rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times can I retake the SNLE?

 All eligible candidates may take SNLE up to four times a year, starting from the first attempt to
obtain a pass score.
 SCFHS classification and registration rules and regulations apply to candidates who fail the SNLE
for two years after the graduation date.
 After obtaining a passing score in the SNLE each candidate is eligible for two further attempts to
improve their mark for the purpose of attaining a better opportunity for residency selection.

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 After one calendar year of the second attempt mentioned above, each candidate is eligible for
one further attempt annually to improve their mark for the purpose of attaining a better score
for residency selection.

2. How is the examination conducted?

SNLE is conducted using computer-based testing. After finishing the first set of 100 items, a 30-
minute scheduled break can be taken. Upon leaving the testing area candidates are required to sign-
out and when entering sign-in again and go through a security check.

3. How are SNLE results announced?

SNLE contains 200 multiple-choice questions with the possibility of including up to 10% unscored
items. Results are not provided instantly. During the window closing period, psychometric analysis
is conducted and results are announced within 2-6 weeks of the end of a test window. Two reports
will be provided to every candidate, statement of results and a feedback report on performance in
comparison to other test-takers.

4. How is the SNLE pass score established?

The SCFHS brings together a panel of Saudi nurses to define an acceptable level of performance and
establish the passing score for the SNLE through a standard-setting exercise. The panel then
recommends its pass score to the Central Assessment Committee (CAC) for approval.
In April 2017, the SCFHS conducted a rigorous standard-setting exercise with a diverse panel of 14
nurses. Following the standard-setting exercise, the panel recommended a passing score of 500 on
the reporting scale of 200-800. This passing score was reviewed and approved by the Central
Assessment Committee.

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