Free Practice Questions for ADEX Dental
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Key Facts: ADEX Dental Exam
ADEX Dental is administered by the American Board of Dental Examiners after the August 2025 CDCA-WREB-CITA/ADEX merger.
The exam covers approximately 98% of U.S. dental licensure jurisdictions per ABDE 2025 data.
Full exam fee is $2,795 plus a facility fee that varies by clinical testing location.
The DSE OSCE is two computer-based sections of approximately 4 hours total with a 15-minute mid-break.
Passing score is 75 scaled; results report to candidates and boards as Pass/Fail only.
Effective August 1, 2026 the Periodontal section becomes a required clinical component.
Class III composite preparation requires a 0.25-0.5 mm bevel at 45 degrees to the cavosurface margin.
Posterior restorative offers candidate choice of Class II amalgam or composite on the assigned typodont tooth.
ADEX Dental is the clinical/manikin licensure exam for dentists, accepted by ~98% of U.S. jurisdictions and administered by the American Board of Dental Examiners (the merged CDCA-WREB-CITA/ADEX entity, finalized August 2025). It combines a computer-based DSE OSCE (~4 hours, two sections, 15-minute break) with five typodont clinical sections; the Periodontal section becomes required August 1, 2026. Minimum passing score is 75 reported as Pass/Fail. This 100-question free practice bank targets the knowledge tested on the OSCE and the criteria sheets used to score the clinical sections - it is not a substitute for hands-on typodont practice.
Sample ADEX Dental Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ADEX Dental exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Per the 2026 ADEX Dental Examination Series, which clinical section becomes a required component effective August 1, 2026?
2Approximately what percentage of U.S. dental licensure jurisdictions accept the ADEX Dental Examination as of 2026?
3When did the CDCA-WREB-CITA and ADEX organizations finalize their merger into the American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE)?
4Approximately how long is the ADEX DSE OSCE, and how is it organized?
5Which of the following item types is NOT used on the ADEX DSE OSCE?
6What is the minimum scaled passing score for the ADEX Dental Examination, and how are results reported to candidates?
7What is the 2026 fee for the full ADEX Dental Examination (DSE OSCE plus all clinical components), excluding facility fees?
8A candidate fails only the Endodontic Clinical Examination and wants to retake that single procedure. What is the 2026 ADEX retake fee for an individual clinical procedure?
9Which format is available to senior dental students at participating CODA-accredited schools, allowing the ADEX exam to be integrated into the dental school curriculum?
10For the ADEX Class III composite preparation, what is the required bevel specification at the cavosurface margin?
About the ADEX Dental Exam
The ADEX Dental Clinical Examination is the practical/clinical licensure exam accepted by ~98% of U.S. dental licensure jurisdictions. It is delivered in two integrated formats: a computer-based Diagnostic Skills Examination (DSE OSCE) covering anatomy, pathology, radiology, therapeutics, and systemic conditions, plus five typodont/manikin-based clinical sections - Anterior Restorative (Class III composite), Posterior Restorative (Class II amalgam or composite), Endodontic, Fixed Prosthodontic, and (effective August 1, 2026) Periodontal. This Q-bank covers the cognitive knowledge underlying the OSCE and the criteria-sheet scoring rules applied during the clinical sections.
Exam sponsor: American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE/ADEX) - formed by the August 2025 merger of CDCA-WREB-CITA and ADEX. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
DSE OSCE ~4 hours (2 sections with 15-minute break); clinical sections scheduled per testing site
Passing Score
Minimum scaled score of 75 (reported as Pass/Fail)
Exam / Certification Fees
Full exam $2,795 + facility fee; DSE OSCE $990 ($400 retake); individual clinical procedures $1,295; typodont $150 per procedure
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Not publicly released. ABDE/ADEX reports results as Pass/Fail and does not publish per-section pass rates Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
DSE OSCE - Diagnostic Skills Examination
Two-section computer-based OSCE (~4 hrs, 15-min mid-break) assessing diagnosis and treatment planning across Anatomy, Pathology, Radiology, Therapeutics, and Systemic Conditions. Item types include single-best-answer MCQ, multiple-response, extended match, drop-down, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, and drag-and-drop
Anterior Restorative (Class III composite)
Class III composite preparation and restoration on an assigned maxillary anterior typodont tooth. Bevel 0.25-0.5 mm at 45° to cavosurface. Restoration scored on 6 criteria including marginal integrity, surface finish, contour, and shade match
Posterior Restorative (Class II amalgam or composite)
Class II preparation (13 criteria) and finished restoration (6 criteria for amalgam, 7 for composite) on a posterior typodont tooth. Criteria include cavosurface (90° margin), proximal clearance >1.0 mm to ≤2.0 mm, occlusion, contact, and surface finish
Endodontic Clinical Examination
Access preparation, working length determination, instrumentation, and obturation on a typodont tooth. Scored on access outline form, perforation, working length accuracy, taper, and obturation density/length
Fixed Prosthodontic Clinical Examination
Full-coverage crown preparation on a typodont tooth, evaluated on axial reduction, occlusal/incisal reduction, taper (4-8°), finish-line clarity and geometry, and absence of subgingival damage
Periodontal Clinical Examination
Periodontal probing, calculus detection, and quadrant scaling/root planing scored on assigned key surfaces. Required component effective August 1, 2026 per ABDE/ADEX 2026 update
Preparing for the ADEX Dental Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Minimum scaled score of 75 (reported as Pass/Fail)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: DSE OSCE ~4 hours (2 sections with 15-minute break); clinical sections scheduled per testing site
- Exam / certification fees: Full exam $2,795 + facility fee; DSE OSCE $990 ($400 retake); individual clinical procedures $1,295; typodont $150 per procedure Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ADEX Dental: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ADEX Dental Exam a written or practical exam?
Both. It combines a computer-based written/diagnostic component (the DSE OSCE) with five hands-on typodont/manikin clinical sections. Candidates must pass each component; results are reported as Pass/Fail.
Who administers the ADEX Dental Exam in 2026?
The American Board of Dental Examiners (ABDE), formed by the August 2025 merger of CDCA-WREB-CITA with the ADEX exam-development consortium. The unified entity serves approximately 98% of U.S. dental licensure jurisdictions.
What clinical sections are required for ADEX Dental?
Five typodont/manikin sections: Anterior Restorative (Class III composite), Posterior Restorative (Class II amalgam or composite), Endodontic, Fixed Prosthodontic, and Periodontal. The Periodontal section becomes a required component effective August 1, 2026.
What does the DSE OSCE cover?
Two computer-based sections (~4 hours total, 15-minute break between) assessing Anatomy, Pathology, Radiology, Therapeutics, and Systemic Conditions. Items include MCQ, multiple-response, extended match, drop-down, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, and drag-and-drop.
What is the passing score?
75 minimum scaled score. Results are reported to candidates and licensing jurisdictions as Pass/Fail rather than a numerical score.
How much does the ADEX Dental Exam cost?
Full examination is $2,795 plus a facility fee that varies by clinical location. The DSE OSCE alone is $990 ($400 retake). Individual clinical procedures are $1,295 each, and a typodont fee of $150 applies per procedure.
Can I take the exam as a senior dental student?
Yes. ABDE offers a Curriculum Integrated Format (CIF) for senior students at participating CODA-accredited dental schools, in addition to the Traditional Format for graduates.
Will this Q-bank prepare me for the typodont clinical sections?
Indirectly. The Q-bank covers the knowledge tested on the DSE OSCE plus the written criteria sheets that examiners apply during the clinical sections (cavosurface angles, bevel measurements, contact/contour rules, working length). Use it alongside, not in place of, hands-on typodont practice.