Microbiology questions for the DHA lab exam.
Microbiology in the DHA lab technologist exam covers bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and virology, with an emphasis on specimen processing, culture media and organism identification. Candidates are expected to interpret Gram stains, biochemical tests and susceptibility results as they would in a laboratory licensed by the Dubai Health Authority.
Free · no card needed · every answer explained
1,412
microbiology practice questions
- 15%
- of the exam
- 8
- subtopics
- Oct 2026
- updated
Inside this topic.
The subtopics our microbiology questions cover.
- Bacteriology
- Virology
- Helminths
- Mycology
- Culture Media
- Protozoa
- Nematodes
- Trematodes
Key facts to remember.
High-yield microbiology points to revise before the exam.
- 1
Staphylococcus aureus is catalase positive and coagulase positive, whereas Streptococcus and Enterococcus species are catalase negative.
- 2
MacConkey agar is selective for Gram-negative bacilli and differentiates lactose fermenters (pink colonies) from non-lactose fermenters (colorless colonies).
- 3
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an oxidase-positive, non-lactose-fermenting Gram-negative rod that often produces a blue-green pigment (pyocyanin) and a grape-like odor.
- 4
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is isolated on modified Thayer-Martin agar, a selective chocolate agar, incubated in a CO2-enriched atmosphere.
- 5
Ziehl-Neelsen staining detects acid-fast bacilli such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen medium or in liquid broth systems.
Sample questions with answers.
10 practice questions for the DHA Medical Laboratory Technologist & Technician Licensing Examination - Dubai UAE (Microbiology). Pick an answer to see if you're right, with a full explanation.
Question 1
Which organism causes pseudomembranous colitis?
Question 2
Enterococcus species can be differentiated from streptococci by their ability to?
Question 3
Which virus causes hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Question 4
A patient with fever, rash, and Koplik spots is infected with?
Question 5
Which organism is associated with rheumatic fever following infection?
Question 6
Which organism produces beta-lactamase most commonly causing penicillin resistance?
Question 7
Which virus causes bronchiolitis in infants?
Question 8
Corynebacterium diphtheriae produces disease primarily through?
Question 9
Which specimen is preferred for diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis?
Question 10
Buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) agar is used to culture?
Other topics in this exam.
Questions, answered
Start with the core screening tests: Gram stain, catalase, coagulase, oxidase and lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar. Most identification questions narrow an organism down with these before moving to specific tests such as optochin, bacitracin or urease. A simple flow chart for Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods is an efficient way to revise.
Focus on the diagnostic stage of each common parasite and the specimen used, for example ova and cysts in stool and thick and thin blood films for malaria. Learn the distinguishing morphology, such as the banana-shaped gametocytes and multiple ring forms of Plasmodium falciparum. Comparison tables of similar-looking organisms help with description-based questions.
Ready to practise microbiology?
All 1,412 microbiology questions, with explanations and a readiness score for this topic.