NDEB Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) — Information & Free Practice

About NDEB Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK)

NDEB Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) · CA

Key exam facts

Provider

The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) develops and administers the examination. Prometric provides computer-based test delivery.

Format

Single-answer multiple-choice questions, delivered by computer at Prometric test centres or in booklet format at select sites.

Exam questions

Total questions: 200.

Time limit

Four hours of answering time: two hours for each part, with one scheduled break; check-in is separate.

Passing score

Minimum test-equated, re-scaled score of 75; this is not a raw percentage-correct threshold.

Exam fee

CAD 1,000 examination fee, effective July 1, 2025. The separately listed application fee is not included.

Topics covered

The authority publishes percentage ranges for each content area. The practice percentages below use the midpoint of each range, normalized to 100%; they are not exact percentages published by the authority. Practice question counts may differ slightly because of rounding.

• Applied Biomedical Sciences (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biomaterials, Cariology, Growth and Development, Histology, Immunology, Microbiology, Oral Embryology, Physiology) — Official range: 15–25% (Practice allocation: 20%)

• Restorative, Prosthodontics, Implants — Official range: 11–21% (Practice allocation: 16%)

• Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology — Official range: 10–20% (Practice allocation: 15%)

• Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Local Anesthesia, Medical Emergencies — Official range: 9–19% (Practice allocation: 14%)

• Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Geriatric Dentistry, Special Needs Patient — Official range: 3–13% (Practice allocation: 8%)

• Periodontics — Official range: 3–13% (Practice allocation: 8%)

• Oral Surgery, Trauma, Orofacial Pain, Dental Emergencies — Official range: 3–13% (Practice allocation: 8%)

• Endodontics — Official range: 1–11% (Practice allocation: 6%)

• Evidence-Based Dentistry, Prevention, Infection Control, Ethics & Jurisprudence — Official range: 0–10% (Practice allocation: 5%)

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• AFK Protocol, effective January 19, 2026

  p. 5, Blueprint

• NDEB official protocol.pdf

  p.5, Blueprint, final content row

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for a Beginning Dental Practitioner in Canada

  p.1, scope and organization

• NDEB official examination resources

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities section

• NDEB official examination resources

  p.5, Content

• NDEB Exam Resources — protocol listing

  Protocols; AFK listing

• NDEB official protocol.pdf

  p.1, effective date

• AFK Protocol, effective January 19, 2026

  p. 6, Format

• AFK Protocol, effective January 19, 2026

  p. 10, Passing Standard

• NDEB Equivalency Process Fees

  Examination Fees: Effective July 1, 2025; AFK row

• NDEB official fees.html

  Currency and effective date

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.