The ADC Part 2 practical exam: what to expect and how to think about it

If you are an overseas-trained dentist aiming to register in Australia, the Australian Dental Council (ADC) practical examination is one of the big hurdles. It is also one of the least talked-about, because candidates rarely get to see what a station feels like until they are in one. This guide covers how to think about it, what examiners are looking for, and where to start. For exact current details such as dates, fees and format, the ADC website is the only source to trust.

What kind of exam is it?

The practical exam is built around OSCE-style stations: timed, structured scenarios in which you are assessed on what you do and say. Some stations involve talking with a simulated patient. Others test clinical judgement and technical skills. Because the format and timings are set by the ADC and can change, check their candidate information for the current version.

What are examiners really assessing?

Two broad things run through almost every conversation-based station:

• Clinical content: do you gather the right information, reach a sensible assessment, explain options and manage risk safely?
• Communication: are you clear, kind, organised and willing to involve the patient in decisions?

Many candidates over-prepare the first and under-prepare the second. In our own practice data, communication, and especially how organised the consultation is, is where marks are lost most often. See our breakdown of the communication criteria for how to improve it.

ADC communication marking criteria, explained →

Why practising out loud matters

Reading a textbook teaches you facts. A station tests whether you can use those facts, in order, in your own words, to a worried person, against a clock. That is a skill, and like any skill it improves with repetition. Candidates who talk through stations aloud tend to find gaps they would never spot while reading silently: a missing question, a jargon-heavy explanation, an option they forgot to mention.

How to start

1. Read the ADC's current candidate information so you know the format and timings.
2. Pick the clinical areas you feel weakest in and plan short, regular practice sessions.
3. Practise stations out loud, against a timer, with feedback on both content and communication.
4. Redo stations you found hard. Repeat attempts are where the biggest improvements tend to happen.
5. Protect your energy: short focused blocks beat marathon days.

Free guide: Own Your Exam Mind (a Pomodoro-style study plan) →

A worked example: what a strong station sounds like

Imagine a station where a patient asks about replacing a missing tooth. A weak response jumps to a recommendation. A strong one follows a rhythm you can learn:

• Opens: "I'd like to understand what you're hoping for, then talk through your options. Is that okay?"
• Listens and reflects: "So you're worried about how it looks when you smile, and about cost."
• Explains plainly: gives two or three realistic options with one pro and one con each.
• Checks: "What are you leaning towards, and what questions do you have?"
• Closes: summarises the plan and gives a safety net.

None of that needs fancy knowledge. It needs structure, plain words and genuine interest in the patient, which is exactly what communication marking rewards.

A five-minute drill for today

Pick any topic you know well. Set a timer for five minutes and explain it out loud to an imaginary patient: what it is, what you'd suggest, and what could go wrong. Then play it back or write down where you used jargon, skipped a step or rushed. Doing this once a day for a week changes how you sound.

OSCE Coach is a practice tool. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Australian Dental Council (ADC). Always check the ADC website for the current exam format and requirements.