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 marked as complete before the application window opens. The ADC takes approximately 8 weeks to process initial assessments. If you have not started your initial assessment yet and want to sit the September 2026 exam, apply for your initial assessment immediately — do not wait.
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.
You are eligible to apply for the Practical Exam within three years of passing the Written Exam (or five years for passes from March 2026 onward under the new validity rule). Applications are submitted via ADC Connect during the relevant application 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 at Pearson VUE test centres. You can sit it in any country that has a centre — this includes major cities in Australia, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, UK, USA, and many more. Both days must be booked at the same centre.
Popular centres for ADC candidates include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Karachi, Lahore, Manila, Dubai, Melbourne, Sydney, and London. Centres fill up during ADC booking windows, so book your seat as soon as the application period opens.
How to plan your ADC exam timeline
Here is a realistic timeline for a candidate starting from scratch in 2026:
Most candidates take 18 to 24 months from initial assessment to AHPRA registration if they pass everything on their first attempt. Many take 2 to 4 years including preparation time and retakes.
Start preparing for September 2026.
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