Applying for the Examination

Candidates that meet the Eligibility Requirements may apply to sit for the GS Examination (MCQ). Application is a two-step process, as described below.

Step 1 : Submission of Application Form and Fees

• Online Application Form
  Please refer to the website for updates on the examination application details and deadlines. Candidates must use current application materials to apply. The system only accepts electronic payment for examination registration.
  
  
• All necessary forms, supporting documents and payment of fees must reach MOH by the closing date of examination application. Late and incomplete applications will not be accepted for processing. MOH reserves the right to reject an application without disclosing the reasons for rejection.
  
  
• All fees are non-refundable as the examinations are heavily subsidised. The responsibility lies with the candidates to ascertain their own eligibility prior to application.

Step 2 : Registration with Test Vendor (Pearson VUE)

• Candidates will be informed of their successful application via a Letter of Eligibility Status, which will indicate the following:
  
  
  • Candidate’s Name;
  • Candidate's Number / NRIC / MCR Number;
  • Details of the Examination for which a candidate had registered for; and
  • URL to download Practice Tutorial 
• Candidates must ensure that their personal details contained within the Letter of Eligibility Status are correct. Any inaccuracies should be reported to MOH via email at ser@ams.edu.sg and MOH_PMES@moh.gov.sg within five (5) working days from the date of the Letter of Eligibility Status. No changes will be permitted thereafter.
  
  
• Pearson VUE will automatically schedule candidates for the examination. Upon successful scheduling, candidates will receive a Confirmation Email no later than eight (8) working days before the examination date, indicating the allocated Test Centre, from Pearson VUE. Candidates should write to ser@ams.edu.sg and MOH_PMES@moh.gov.sg if they do not receive the Confirmation Email by the stipulated date. Due to space constraints, Pearson VUE may allocate candidates to different Test Centres.
   

Back to Top
 

Summary of Application Process

1. For Residents – Approach Programme Coordinators (PCs) to ascertain the eligibility to sit for GS Examination (MCQ).
   
   
2. Complete the Online Application Form before the application closing date. Candidates should verify that their name on their application form exactly matches how their name appears in their (i.e. NRIC for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, or Passport for foreigners). Candidates may be denied access into the Test Centre on the examination day if the name does not match the ID. The name entered on the application form will also appear on the Pass/Fail Letter issued to candidates.
   
   It is the sole responsibility of the candidates to be aware of and comply with the examination registration process.  Candidates are required to save copies of all relevant documents necessary for claim purposes.
   
   
3. Receive a Letter of Eligibility Status from MOH confirming the candidate's eligibility to sit for the examination. Candidates must ensure that the details in the letter are correct. This letter will likewise be sent to notify candidates in the event that MOH has determined that a candidate as not eligible for admission to the examination. This letter will also advise candidates on the appeals process.
   
   
4. Receive a Confirmation Email from Pearson VUE.
   
   
5. Print the Confirmation Email from Pearson VUE for registration purposes on Exam Day.
   
   

Note:
As significant subsidies have been provided to candidates for the GS Examination (MCQ), there will be no refund of application fees or examination fees, regardless of eligibility status. [see "Withdrawals and Refunds"]

Back to Top
 

Checklist of Items to be Submitted

• Completed Online Application Form
  
  
• Recent Passport-sized Photograph
  
  • JPEG format ('jpg' extension)
  • File size must be less than 1MB
  • Dimension of the photo image should be 400 by 514 pixels
     
• Payment for the examination

Back to Top
 

Key Dates

Table 2 : Key Dates for the General Surgery MCQ Examination

Back to Top
 

Responsibility for Deadline Compliance

It is the sole responsibility of the candidates to be aware of and comply with registration deadlines. In fairness to all candidates, MOH adheres firmly to its published deadlines for registration. Candidates are strongly urged to apply early during the registration period.

Back to Top
 

The Pledge for Professional Conduct for Examinations

Part of the application form will require candidates to read and accept the Pledge for Professional Conduct for Examinations as follows:

"I, understand that by applying, I am entering into a contract with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to take the General Surgery MCQ Examination.

I give and shall be deemed to have given my consent under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012, as amended by the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2020, and any other applicable law to the collection, use and disclosure of my personal data by the MOH, ABMS Singapore, LLC (ABMS-S), Pearson VUE, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC), Specialists Accreditation Board (SAB), and all other organisations participating in the examination programme for the purpose of programme administration and professional regulation.

I agree to be bound by the terms, conditions, and rules set forth in the General Surgery MCQ Examination (GS Examination (MCQ)) Bulletin of Information and the website (http://www.oma.gov.sg), as they may be updated from time to time.

I, understand that that all materials are protected by the Singapore Copyright Act (Cap 63) and the U.S. Federal Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101, et seq. I further understand that the examinations are trade secrets and are the property of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or ABS together with ABMS-S, LLC with content licensed to MOH for the purposes of conducting the examination. Access to all such materials, as further detailed below, is strictly conditioned upon agreement to abide by the respective Copyright Acts and to maintain examination confidentiality.

I understand that the examination is confidential, in addition to being protected by all applicable laws protecting copyright and trade secrets. I agree that I will not directly or indirectly copy (including by the taking of pictures), reproduce, adapt, disclose, solicit, use, review, consult or otherwise transmit in any manner the examination, in whole or in part, before or after taking my examination, by any means now known or hereafter invented of any kind or nature. I further agree that I will not directly or indirectly reconstruct examination content from memory, by dictation, or by any other means now known or hereafter invented of any kind or nature or otherwise discuss or otherwise communicate examination content with others. I further acknowledge that disclosure or any other use or other communication of the examination content constitutes professional misconduct, copyright infringement and breach of contract, and may expose me to criminal as well as civil liability, and may also result in the imposition of penalties against me, including but not limited to, invalidation of examination results, exclusion from future examinations, suspension, revocation of certification, and other sanctions.

I understand that if I need to leave the room or if I have questions at any time during the testing experience, I would need to raise my hand for a Testing Administrator to assist me, and that the Administrator will not answer examination-specific questions.

I understand that Pearson VUE is empowered by MOH, ABMS-S and ABS to ensure that the examination is conducted ethically, and that Pearson VUE test administrators are required to report to ABMS-S and the MOH any candidate who exhibits irregular or improper behaviour as described in the bulletin of information.

I understand that all irregularity reports will be investigated by MOH and ABMS-S. Irregular or improper behaviour in examinations that is observed, made apparent by data forensics, statistical analysis, or uncovered by other means will be considered a subversion of the certification process and will constitute grounds for invalidation of my examination. In addition, MOH may at its discretion suspend or revoke certification, exclude me from future examinations, and inform Program Director(s), licensing bodies, or law enforcement agencies of MOH’s actions.

I pledge to comply with the instructions of test administrators and with all rules of this examination. I confirm that the information provided in my application to the MOH is true and correct.

I, agree to the above statements and AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THE FOREGOING.”

Back to Top