Free Practice Questions for LDS Part 1
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Key Facts: LDS Part 1 Exam
2 papers
Paper A and Paper B are taken on the same day for LDS Part 1
RCS England - LDS Part 1
300 questions
150 single best answer items in each of the two LDS Part 1 papers
RCS England - LDS Part 1
6 hours
Two three-hour papers make up the full LDS Part 1 examination
RCS England - LDS Part 1
Pass both at once
Candidates must pass Paper A and Paper B at the same sitting
RCS England - LDS Part 1
GBP 1,025
Listed fee for the October 2026 LDS Part 1 sitting; subject to change
RCS England - LDS Part 1 fees
Safe Practitioner Framework
GDC Safe Practitioner Framework provides the LDS Part 1 syllabus blueprint
General Dental Council
4 attempts max
LDS Part 1 allows one initial sitting plus up to three re-sits
RCS England - LDS Part 1
100
Free original LDS Part 1 practice questions here
OpenExamPrep
LDS Part 1 is the written knowledge stage of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Licence in Dental Surgery, a route by which overseas-qualified dentists may apply for UK GDC registration after passing all three parts. It is delivered online as two remotely monitored papers, three hours each. Each paper contains 150 single best answer questions, giving 300 questions overall. RCS England does not publish a fixed percentage pass mark or numerical topic weights; candidates must pass both papers at the same sitting and may make four Part 1 attempts in total. This 100-question bank provides original syllabus-based practice.
Sample LDS Part 1 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the LDS Part 1 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 116+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 58-year-old patient takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation and needs a single dental extraction. Their INR measured today is 2.6. What is the most appropriate management?
2A patient becomes pale, sweaty and loses consciousness shortly after sitting up from the dental chair. Their pulse is slow. What is the most likely diagnosis?
3Which drug should be given first to a conscious adult patient experiencing severe anaphylaxis in the dental surgery?
4A type 1 diabetic patient on insulin becomes shaky, confused and sweaty during a long morning appointment. They are still conscious and able to swallow. What is the immediate management?
5Which of the following is the most important reason to take a careful drug history before prescribing an NSAID such as ibuprofen for dental pain?
6A patient reports a history of rheumatic fever and a replacement heart valve. According to current NICE guidance in the UK, antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis before dental procedures is:
7Which laboratory finding is most characteristic of a patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus?
8A patient taking a long-term oral corticosteroid for autoimmune disease may be at risk during stressful dental treatment because of:
9Which viral infection is transmitted by blood and body fluids and poses the greatest occupational risk of transmission to a dental professional following a needlestick injury from an infected source?
10A patient with chronic liver disease may have impaired haemostasis during oral surgery primarily because:
About the LDS Part 1 Exam
The Licentiate in Dental Surgery (LDS) Part 1 is a written knowledge examination run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England. It is one of the routes by which overseas-qualified dentists can demonstrate the knowledge required to apply for General Dental Council registration in the UK after passing all three parts. The examination is delivered online as two remotely monitored, computer-based written papers. Paper A focuses on clinically applied dental science and clinically applied human disease, while Paper B covers aspects of clinical dentistry together with law, ethics, health and safety. Each paper uses single best answer (SBA) questions only, and there is no practical or clinical component at Part 1. Candidates get a maximum of four total attempts. The syllabus follows the GDC Safe Practitioner Framework; RCS England does not publish numerical topic weights for Part 1.
Exam sponsor: Royal College of Surgeons of England. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Two computer-based written papers taken on the same day. Paper A covers clinically applied dental science and clinically applied human disease; Paper B covers aspects of clinical dentistry, law and ethics, and health and safety. Each paper has 150 single best answer (SBA) items.
Time Limit
Six hours in total: Paper A is three hours (180 minutes) and Paper B is three hours (180 minutes), taken on the same day.
Passing Score
No fixed percentage is published on the current RCS England Part 1 page; candidates must pass both Paper A and Paper B at the same sitting to pass LDS Part 1.
Exam / Certification Fees
GBP 1,025 for the October 2026 sitting; confirm the current date and fee with RCS England because both may change.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, 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.
Clinically applied human disease and medicine
General medicine and pathology that affect dental care: cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine (including diabetes), haematological, hepatic and renal disease, bleeding disorders, anticoagulants, medical emergencies in the dental chair, and the safe management of medically compromised patients.
Oral biology, dental anatomy and embryology
Tooth morphology and FDI numbering, development of the face, palate and dental tissues, the structure and function of enamel, dentine, pulp, cementum and periodontium, eruption sequences, and salivary gland physiology.
Oral and maxillofacial pathology and oral medicine
Caries and periodontal pathology, odontogenic cysts and tumours, potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma, vesiculobullous and ulcerative conditions, oral infections, and the clinical and histological diagnosis of mucosal and bony lesions.
Microbiology and infection control
Oral microflora, dental plaque biofilm, cariogenic and periodontal pathogens, candidal and viral infections, cross-infection control, decontamination and sterilisation, and the rational use of antimicrobials in dentistry.
Pharmacology and therapeutics
Local anaesthetic agents and toxicity, analgesics, antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals, sedation pharmacology, drugs affecting haemostasis and bone metabolism, drug interactions, and prescribing using the BNF and Dental Practitioners' Formulary.
Dental materials science
Composition, properties, setting reactions and clinical handling of amalgam, composite resin, glass-ionomer cements, dental ceramics, impression materials, gypsum products, luting cements, casting alloys, and the principles of adhesion and bonding.
Clinical dentistry and principles of practice
Operative dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, fixed and removable prosthodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, dental radiography and radiation protection, diagnosis and treatment planning across the full scope of clinical dentistry.
Behavioural sciences, law, ethics and health and safety
Professionalism and the GDC Standards for the Dental Team, valid consent, confidentiality and data protection, communication and behaviour change, health and safety, radiation legislation (IRR/IRMER) and the legal framework of UK dental practice.
Preparing for the LDS Part 1 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No fixed percentage is published on the current RCS England Part 1 page; candidates must pass both Paper A and Paper B at the same sitting to pass LDS Part 1.
- Assessment: Two computer-based written papers taken on the same day. Paper A covers clinically applied dental science and clinically applied human disease; Paper B covers aspects of clinical dentistry, law and ethics, and health and safety. Each paper has 150 single best answer (SBA) items.
- Time limit: Six hours in total: Paper A is three hours (180 minutes) and Paper B is three hours (180 minutes), taken on the same day.
- Exam / certification fees: GBP 1,025 for the October 2026 sitting; confirm the current date and fee with RCS England because both may change. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 116 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
LDS Part 1: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How many papers and questions are in LDS Part 1?
LDS Part 1 has two written papers, Paper A and Paper B, taken on the same day. Each paper contains 150 single best answer (SBA) questions, so there are 300 questions in total.
How long is the LDS Part 1 exam?
Each paper lasts three hours (180 minutes), so the full examination is six hours of testing in one day, plus scheduled breaks and instructions.
What is the pass mark for LDS Part 1?
RCS England does not publish a fixed percentage pass mark on the current Part 1 page. It does state that candidates must pass both Paper A and Paper B at the same sitting to pass Part 1.
How much does LDS Part 1 cost?
RCS England lists GBP 1,025 for the October 2026 sitting. Dates and fees may change, so always confirm the current listing before applying.
How is LDS different from the GDC's ORE?
The LDS is a three-part examination run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, while the ORE is a separate two-part examination run by the General Dental Council. Both may provide routes to registration for eligible overseas-qualified dentists, but candidates should follow the format and rules published for the examination they are taking.
Are these official RCS England or GDC questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions written to match the LDS Part 1 syllabus and SBA style. They are for study only and do not reproduce official RCS England or GDC examination material.
How many times can I re-sit LDS Part 1?
Candidates get a maximum of four total attempts at LDS Part 1: one initial sitting plus up to three re-sits.