What 1,000+ practice stations show about the ADC Part 2 OSCE
By Dr Shrey Dhawan · 18 October 2026 · 5 min read
OSCE Coach passed 1,000 completed practice stations in October 2026. Here is what the numbers show. Everything below comes from AI-marked practice stations on our platform between June and October 2026 and is not an ADC result. Our marker is strict by design, so treat the numbers as a guide to relative strengths and weaknesses, not a prediction of exam outcomes.
1. Candidates are kind. They are not organised.
Of the five communication skills, organisation of information was the weakest by a distance: 77% of stations were graded borderline or below on it. Joint decision making followed at 62%. Demeanour was the strongest: only 3% were borderline or below, and 21% were rated very good.
- Fix organisation by signposting and chunking: tell the patient the plan, give two or three points at a time, and summarise before moving on.
- Fix joint decision making by asking, not telling: offer real options with pros and cons and ask what matters to them.
2. Repeating a station helps, mostly on the second go
Across 239 candidate-and-station pairs where someone redid a station, the average score rose from 56 on the first attempt to 61 on the second and 64 on the third. 67% scored higher the next time, and 49% of first attempts that were not a pass became a pass on the second go.
Why it works: once you know the patient's story, your attention moves from what you are hearing to how you say it. To redo well, read the feedback, pick one fix, and redo within a day.
3. No clinical area is easy
Practice pass rates were lowest in paediatric dentistry (45%), communication and ethics (46%) and prosthodontics (46%), and highest in endodontics (58%), restorative dentistry (56%) and oral surgery (55%). The spread is only 13 points, so do not skip an area because it looks friendly.
What to do with this
- Pick one communication skill per week, starting with organisation.
- Redo your hardest stations within a day.
- Spend most of your time on your weakest area, but touch every area.
ADC communication marking criteria, explained →
Sources: 1,070 to 1,082 AI-marked OSCE Coach practice stations from 45 candidates, June to October 2026; 239 repeat-attempt pairs. Small samples in some areas. Not an ADC result.
How to read these numbers
Our marker is strict by design, and the candidates in the data are people who chose to practise, so these figures aren't an ADC pass rate and don't predict anyone's result. What they do show is relative: where candidates tend to lose marks, how much a second attempt helps, and which areas feel hardest.
Three experiments to run on yourself
- Pick organisation for a week. Say your plan at the start of every station and summarise before each change of topic. Compare your scores before and after.
- Redo your three hardest stations within 24 hours of your first attempt. Note how much your score moves.
- Do one station from the area you've been avoiding. Variety beats comfort.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the ADC pass rate?
No. These numbers come from OSCE Coach practice stations marked by our AI marker, not from the ADC.
Why does a second attempt help so much?
Once you know the patient's story your attention moves from what you hear to how you say it.
How big was the sample?
About 1,070 to 1,082 AI-marked practice stations from 45 candidates between June and October 2026, with 239 repeat-attempt pairs. Some areas had small samples.