A detailed explanation of the final medical examination (LEK: Lekarski Egzamin Końcowy) of Poland and when and why you should do it.
Table of Contents
What is LEK?
LEK is the final medical examination of Poland, conducted by the Center for Medical Examination (CEM: Centrum Egzaminów Medycznych), which is necessary to pass in order to apply for the licence to practice medicine in Poland as well as to complete your medical education under Polish and EU laws.
It is conducted in Polish as well as English.
Why do I need LEK?
In the EU guideline of automatic recognition of the controlled professions, such as a medical doctor, LEK is one of the 3 things, apart from Diploma and Postgraduate Internship (Staż), mentioned.
Read: What is Staz? – COMING SOON
If you want to continue your career in any of the EU countries and the UK, then you must have a positive LEK certificate * to be eligible for automatic recognition of your polish medical education in any one of these countries.
Read: How to Apply for Licence to Practice Medicine in the UK as Polish Medical Graduate? – COMING SOON
What consist of LEK?
LEK consists of 200 multiple choice questions with 5 options each. It covers all the subjects of the Medicine program. The breakdown of the content of LEK is as follow:
Content of LEK:
| Topics | Number of Questions |
| Internal Medicine | 39 Questions |
| Pediatrics (Including Neonatology) | 29 Questions |
| Surgery | 27 Questions |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 26 Questions |
| Psychiatry | 14 Questions |
| Family Medicine | 20 Questions |
| Emergency Medicine & Intensive Therapy | 20 Questions |
| Bioethics & Medical Law | 10 Questions |
| Medical Certification | 7 Questions |
| Public Health | 8 Questions |
There are at least 20 questions on oncology among questions on internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, as well as family medicine.
LAW of July 16, 2020 amending the Act on the Professions of Physician and Dentist and Certain Other Acts stated that 70% of questions (i.e. 140 from 200 questions) must be directly (without any changes) from the CEM database which is available on it’s website.
The CEM database is consist of approximately 1900-2000 questions from all the topics mentioned above.
When can I apply for LEK?
After successful completion of the 10th semester of the Faculty of Medicine, a student is eligible to apply and take part in LEK.
LEK is conducted twice a year, 2nd last Saturdays of September and February, by the CEM.
Deadline of Application:
- 15th of July for the September exam
- 30th of November for the February exam.
Read: How to Apply for LEK Exam?
How long the exam lasts?
LEK is 4 hours long exam without any breaks.
What is the passing score?
The minimal passing score is 56% of the number of valid questions (i.e. 112 if all 200 questions are valid).
When will I get the result?
The first Tuesday’s evening after the exam on Saturday is the official time when CEM usually publishes the results on its website.
CEM sends the certificate within 4 weeks from the result day to the registered address on the LEK application.
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