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ADC assessment for overseas-qualified dentists · Last updated November 2026

ADC Written Examination for Dentists (Australian Dental Council): free practice test

The second of the three stages of the ADC assessment for overseas-qualified dentists who want to register with the Dental Board of Australia. 280 scenario-based questions over two days test whether you know how to practise dentistry in Australia: diagnosis, management planning, treatment, professionalism and health promotion across 13 disciplines. It runs twice a year, usually in March and September.

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About the ADC Written Exam exam

The second of the three stages of the ADC assessment for overseas-qualified dentists who want to register with the Dental Board of Australia. 280 scenario-based questions over two days test whether you know how to practise dentistry in Australia: diagnosis, management planning, treatment, professionalism and health promotion across 13 disciplines. It runs twice a year, usually in March and September.

What's on the exam

ADC Written Exam
Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics
7 key facts
Periodontics and Implantology
7 key facts
Endodontics and Dental Emergencies
7 key facts
Oral Medicine, Pathology and Radiology
7 key facts
Oral Surgery and Pain and Anxiety Management
7 key facts
Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
7 key facts
General Medicine and Pharmacology
7 key facts
Prevention, Infection Control and Professionalism
7 key facts

Each branch is a topic in the official outline. Members see every key fact on the full mind map. Read the free study guide →

How to pass the ADC Written Exam exam

  • 70 questions in 2 hours is about 1 minute 40 seconds each, but each scenario carries 5 questions. Read the vignette once, carefully, then answer all five from it.
  • You must pass every cluster, not an overall total. Diagnosis and management planning and clinical information gathering are 30% each, so a weak area in either can fail you on its own.
  • Answers follow Australian practice: Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental for drugs and antibiotics, the ADA infection control guidelines, Dental Board of Australia codes and the 2019 Australian fluoride guidelines.
  • Pharmacology (10%) and radiology (10%) are tested across every discipline. Expect drug doses, interactions and radiograph choices inside restorative, surgical and paediatric scenarios.

Save your results and get your Readiness Score

Create a free account after the test: your score by topic, a mistakes bank, the complete study notes for the first topic, flashcards and the High-Yield Doses & Guidelines Sheet.

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What's in the premium ADC Written Exam prep

Premium ADC Written Exam prep is studied one topic at a time. Each step starts with that topic's key notes and flashcard deck, then its own question sets of 25, so you master one topic before you move to the next. When every topic is strong, the 6 full mock exams show you're ready.

3,000practice questions, every answer explained
6full-length mock exams, 280 questions each, timed
800flashcards with spaced repetition, sorted by topic
60comprehensive key notes across 8 topics

Your step-by-step study path

  1. 1
    Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Notes free with an account
  2. 2
    Periodontics and Implantology8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  3. 3
    Endodontics and Dental Emergencies8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  4. 4
    Oral Medicine, Pathology and Radiology8 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  5. 5
    Oral Surgery and Pain and Anxiety Management7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  6. 6
    Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  7. 7
    General Medicine and Pharmacology7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  8. 8
    Prevention, Infection Control and Professionalism7 key notes, 100 flashcards, then 375 practice questions in 15 sets of 25
    Premium
  9. Final step: 6 full mock exams280 questions each, timed like test day. Pass them, then book your exam.
    Premium
Free with an account

Read the complete ADC Written Exam study notes for “Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics”

Our first full set of comprehensive notes, about 16 minutes of reading: Caries as a disease, not just a cavity · Non-carious tooth surface loss · Choosing a direct material · Fixed prosthodontics: crowns, posts and bridges · Removable prosthodontics, a worked exam example, the traps examiners use and a one-minute recap. Create a free account to read it and see how premium notes work before you decide.

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Study tools included

3,000 practice questions

3,000 exam-style questions per exam, organized topic by topic in sets of 25. Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.

6 full mock exams

6 full-length timed mock exams per exam, with real question counts and time limits, so test day feels like practice day.

Exam Readiness Score

One 0 to 100 number that tells you when you're ready to book. Reach 80 and you're covered by our Pass Guarantee.

800 flashcards + spaced repetition

800 flashcards per exam, in a deck for each topic, that come back right before you'd forget them. Five minutes a day keeps every number fresh.

60 comprehensive key notes

60 key notes per exam, split across its topics and each explained in full: the concepts, worked exam examples, the traps examiners use and a quick recap. Your first set is free with an account.

Mind maps

See the whole exam on one screen: every topic and the facts under it.

Sample questions with answers

These are the questions in the free test above, with answers. Try the test first. You'll learn more by getting some wrong.

1. A 34-year-old drinks three cans of cola a day and has reflux. The palatal surfaces of the upper incisors are smooth and glassy, the occlusal surfaces of the molars show cupped lesions, and the amalgam restorations stand proud of the surrounding tooth. What is the most likely cause of the tooth surface loss?
Answer: Erosion from intrinsic and dietary acids. Smooth, glassy palatal surfaces, occlusal cupping and restorations standing proud of the tooth are the classic signs of erosion: acid dissolves the tooth but not the amalgam. Reflux (intrinsic acid) affects the palatal surfaces of the upper teeth; soft drinks add extrinsic acid. Attrition makes flat, matching wear facets, and abrasion is usually cervical and linked to brushing.
2. A root-filled maxillary premolar needs a post-retained crown. How much sound vertical tooth structure above the core margin (ferrule) should the crown preparation ideally encircle?
Answer: 1.5 to 2 mm. A ferrule of at least 1.5 to 2 mm of sound, parallel-walled tooth structure all the way round improves fracture resistance of post-retained teeth. Without it, the post and core take the load and root fracture is more likely. If there isn't enough, crown lengthening or orthodontic extrusion may be needed first.
3. A 40-year-old non-smoker without diabetes has periodontitis. At the worst-affected tooth, radiographic bone loss is 60% of the root length. Using the 2017 AAP/EFP classification, what is the grade?
Answer: Grade C. When there are no earlier radiographs, grade is estimated from percentage bone loss divided by age: 60 / 40 = 1.5. A ratio below 0.25 is Grade A, 0.25 to 1.0 Grade B, and above 1.0 Grade C (rapid progression). Smoking 10 or more cigarettes a day or an HbA1c of 7.0% or more would also shift the grade to C.
4. An implant crown placed 3 years ago has bleeding and suppuration on probing, probing depths that have increased by 3 mm since the baseline record, and radiographic bone loss beyond the initial remodelling. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Peri-implantitis. Peri-implantitis is inflammation (bleeding and/or suppuration on probing) with progressive bone loss after the initial bone remodelling. Peri-implant mucositis has the inflammation but no bone loss beyond remodelling. The implant is still integrated, so it isn't a failed implant yet.
5. A healthy 45-year-old has spontaneous throbbing pain from 3.6, cold makes it worse and the pain lingers for over a minute. The tooth isn't tender to percussion and there is no periapical change or swelling. Following Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental, what is the most appropriate emergency management?
Answer: Remove the inflamed pulp under local anaesthesia (pulpotomy or pulpectomy) and advise ibuprofen with paracetamol if needed. Lingering pain to cold and spontaneous pain point to symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The pain comes from the inflamed pulp, so the treatment is to remove it (pulpotomy or pulpectomy) or extract the tooth. Antibiotics don't relieve pulpitis pain and aren't indicated; Australian guidelines stress this to limit antimicrobial resistance.
6. A 24-year-old's maxillary central incisor (mature apex) was avulsed playing football and replanted at the scene within 10 minutes. You confirm the position clinically and radiographically. According to the 2020 IADT guidelines, what is the next step?
Answer: Flexible splint for about 2 weeks and start root canal treatment within 2 weeks. Replanted avulsed teeth get a flexible (passive) splint for about 2 weeks. A tooth with a closed apex won't revascularise, so root canal treatment should start within 2 weeks to prevent inflammatory resorption. Waiting for revascularisation is only an option for immature teeth. Rigid, long splinting increases the risk of replacement resorption (ankylosis).
7. A 58-year-old smoker has a 2 cm white patch on the left lateral border of the tongue that doesn't rub off. A sharp cusp was smoothed 3 weeks ago and the patch hasn't changed. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Arrange a biopsy, or refer urgently for one. A persistent white patch that doesn't rub off and doesn't resolve once a suspected cause is removed is a leukoplakia until proven otherwise. The lateral tongue is a high-risk site, and smoking adds risk. Only histology shows whether there is dysplasia or carcinoma, so the lesion needs a biopsy, usually incisional of the most suspicious area, by you or through urgent referral.
8. Which measure most reduces the patient's effective dose for intraoral radiographs?
Answer: Rectangular collimation matched to the receptor size. Rectangular collimation limits the beam to the receptor and cuts patient dose substantially compared with round collimation; Australian radiation protection guidance recommends it for intraoral radiographs. Slower film raises the dose, a shorter source-to-skin distance increases skin dose, and a lead apron adds little for intraoral views.
9. A healthy 70 kg adult needs extensive treatment. Using a maximum dose of 7 mg/kg (up to 500 mg) for lidocaine with adrenaline, about how many 2.2 mL cartridges of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline is the maximum?
Answer: 11 cartridges. 2% lidocaine is 20 mg/mL, so a 2.2 mL Australian cartridge holds 44 mg. The maximum is 7 mg/kg × 70 kg = 490 mg. 490 ÷ 44 = about 11 cartridges. Always use the lower of the weight-based dose and the absolute maximum, and reduce it for children, older or medically compromised patients.
10. Three days after extraction of 4.6, the patient has severe throbbing pain radiating to the ear and bad breath. The socket is empty with exposed bone, and there is no swelling or fever. What is the most appropriate management?
Answer: Gently irrigate the socket with saline, place an obtundent dressing and advise analgesics. This is alveolar osteitis (dry socket). Management is local: irrigate with warm saline, place a soothing dressing, and advise regular ibuprofen with paracetamol. Antibiotics aren't indicated without spreading infection. Aggressive curettage adds trauma and pain. Review in a few days and change the dressing if needed.
11. A 3-year-old at low risk of caries lives in a fluoridated area. Following the 2019 Australian fluoride guidelines, what toothbrushing advice should the parent receive?
Answer: A pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste twice a day, spit out and don't rinse. For children aged 18 months to 5 years, Australian guidelines advise brushing twice a day with a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste (0.5 to 0.55 mg/g), spitting out and not rinsing, with an adult helping. From 6 years, standard toothpaste is used. Children at higher risk may be advised differently by a dental professional.
12. A 12-year-old has a Class II molar relationship, retroclined maxillary central incisors, proclined maxillary lateral incisors and a deep, complete overbite. How is this malocclusion classified?
Answer: Class II division 2. Retroclined upper central incisors (often with proclined laterals) and a deep overbite on a Class II skeletal or molar base are the hallmark of Class II division 2. Division 1 has proclined or normally inclined upper incisors with an increased overjet.
13. A patient with a prosthetic aortic valve and no drug allergies needs a tooth extraction. According to Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental, what is the recommended endocarditis prophylaxis?
Answer: Amoxicillin 2 g orally 60 minutes before the procedure. A prosthetic heart valve is one of the highest-risk cardiac conditions, and an extraction manipulates the gingiva, so prophylaxis is indicated: a single dose of amoxicillin 2 g orally 60 minutes before. Prophylaxis is one pre-procedure dose, never a post-operative course. For penicillin allergy, the guidelines give alternatives such as cefalexin or clindamycin depending on the type of allergy.
14. Minutes after a rubber dam is placed, a 75 kg adult develops widespread hives, wheeze and a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. After calling for help and laying the patient flat, what is the first drug to give?
Answer: Adrenaline 0.5 mg (0.5 mL of 1:1000) intramuscularly into the outer mid-thigh. This is anaphylaxis, probably to latex. ASCIA guidance is intramuscular adrenaline 0.01 mg/kg up to 0.5 mg (0.5 mL of 1:1000) into the outer mid-thigh, repeated every 5 minutes if needed, with oxygen and an ambulance. Undiluted intravenous adrenaline can cause fatal arrhythmias. Antihistamines and steroids don't treat airway swelling or shock and must not delay adrenaline.
15. Under the ADA Guidelines for Infection Control, how should a surgical elevator used for an extraction be reprocessed?
Answer: Clean it, package it and steam sterilise it so it's sterile at the point of use. An elevator penetrates soft tissue and contacts bone, so it's a critical item. Critical items must be cleaned, packaged and sterilised, and stay sterile until they're opened at the chair; batch information is recorded for traceability. Disinfection isn't enough, and unwrapped items stored in an open drawer are no longer sterile.

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Certification guide

ADC written exam guide (2026-2027): The Australian Dental Council (ADC) Written Examination is the second of three stages for overseas-qualified dentists who want to register with the Dental Board of Australia. It's a two-day, computer-based exam of 280 scenario-based multiple-choice questions, and you must pass all four clusters, not just score well overall. Here's how it's built, what it tests and how to prepare.

ADC Written Exam exam FAQ

How many questions are on the ADC Written Exam exam?

280 scenario-based multiple-choice questions (240 scored, 40 unscored), in 56 clinical scenarios of 5 questions each, with a time limit of 8 hours: four 2-hour sections of 70 questions, two on each of two consecutive days. Format: closed book, computer-based, single best answer; no calculators and no scrap paper.

What is the passing score for ADC Written Exam?

No set pass mark. You must pass each of the four clusters at the standard of a minimally competent recent Australian graduate (modified Angoff with Rasch equating); cluster pass scores aren't published.

How much does the ADC Written Exam exam cost?

A$2,122 per attempt (2026); a valid ADC initial assessment (A$647) is needed first. The ADC sets and can change its fees, so confirm on the ADC website before you apply.

Which languages is the ADC Written Exam exam offered in?

English.

Where do I take the ADC Written Exam exam?

Pearson VUE test centres in Australia and other countries (the same venue on both days).

Is this ADC Written Exam practice test free?

Yes. The 15-question practice test on this page is free, with an explanation for every answer and no signup. A free account also unlocks the complete study notes for the first topic. The full ADC Written Exam prep is Premium at A$217 a month for this exam.

What's in the premium ADC Written Exam prep?

3,000 practice questions organized topic by topic (Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics: 375; Periodontics and Implantology: 375; Endodontics and Dental Emergencies: 375; Oral Medicine, Pathology and Radiology: 375; Oral Surgery and Pain and Anxiety Management: 375; Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics: 375; General Medicine and Pharmacology: 375; Prevention, Infection Control and Professionalism: 375), 6 full-length timed mock exams of 280 questions, 800 flashcards and 60 comprehensive key notes split across all 8 topics, plus a mistakes bank and the Readiness Score.

Related practice tests

Exam details are summarized from the official candidate information available in November 2026. the Australian Dental Council changes formats and fees, so confirm with Australian Dental Council (ADC) before you book. ADCWrittenExam is not affiliated with the Australian Dental Council, the Dental Board of Australia or Pearson VUE.

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