ADC Exam Dates 2026 — Written & Practical Exam Schedule and Deadlines
The ADC Written Exam for dentists runs twice in 2026 — March and September. The Practical Exam runs in fixed periods throughout the year in Melbourne. Missing an application window can delay your registration by six months or more. Here is every date you need.
ADC Written Exam dates 2026
The Australian Dental Council Written Examination for general dentistry is a computer-based exam delivered at Pearson VUE test centres worldwide. It runs over two consecutive days with four papers of 70 questions each — 280 questions total.
Application deadlines and booking windows
The ADC has shortened its application and date-selection periods compared to previous years. You cannot apply outside these windows, and late applications are not accepted under any circumstances.
Critical: Your initial assessment must be complete by the ADC's published deadline for the sitting you want. The ADC says a complete initial assessment takes about 8 weeks, but incomplete applications may take longer. Do not estimate a future deadline from the 2026 calendar; check ADC Connect.
ADC Practical Exam dates 2026
The ADC Practical Examination is held at the ADC examination centre in Melbourne, Australia — it is the only location worldwide. You cannot sit it in your home country. The exam runs over two days: a technical skills day (manikin procedures) and a clinical skills day (10-station OSCE).
Practical exam periods in 2026 run across multiple windows throughout the year. Specific dates within each period are assigned after application — you select your preferred date during a date-selection period, but assignment is not guaranteed for your first preference.
Applications are submitted through ADC Connect during the relevant application period. A written-examination pass from March 2026 onward is valid for 5 years; passes completed up to and including 2025 keep the earlier validity period.
New from March 2026: Written exam passes are now valid for 5 years (previously 3 years). This gives you more time to prepare for and schedule the Practical Exam. This change applies to candidates who pass the Written Exam from March 2026 onward.
Where to sit the ADC Written Exam
The Written Exam is delivered through Pearson VUE at locations made available to eligible candidates. Availability can change by sitting. Both examination days must be booked at the same centre, so check the options shown in ADC Connect as soon as your application period opens.
How to plan your ADC exam timeline
Here is a realistic timeline for a candidate starting from scratch in 2026:
Timing varies with document completeness, examination availability, preparation, results and registration. Build your plan from the current ADC dates and your own eligibility rather than treating a generic timeline as a guarantee.
Prepare for your next confirmed sitting.
Use the current ADC calendar to set your timeline, then build consistent clinical-reasoning practice around it.
Try Free Questions →Frequently asked questions
Official sources for dates and deadlines
Dates, application windows and available examination places can change. Use ADC Connect and the relevant ADC examination page as the source of truth for your own eligibility and booking.
- ADC written examination dates and application periods
- ADC practical examination dates and application periods
- ADC initial assessment timing
Primary sources checked 13 August 2026.
Independent ADC preparation
What is Reviz?
Reviz is an independent ADC Written Exam preparation platform for overseas dentists. Build clinical reasoning with source-cited ADC-style practice questions and daily revision support.
Reviz is not affiliated with the Australian Dental Council.
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