An update on written and practical examinations

As the situation regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, the Australian Dental Council (ADC) has made some further decisions regarding the delivery of written and practical examinations in 2020.

Written examinations

Following close consultation with test delivery partner, Pearson Vue, the ADC will hold a written examination for candidates with existing examination bookings on 21 and 22 September 2020.

This examination is only open to candidates who were booked to sit for the postponed written examination in March 2020.  It is likely that some venues in specific countries will continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and we will continue to work with Pearson Vue to ensure as many venues are available as possible to all impacted candidates.

We are continuing to work closely with Pearson Vue to determine how and when we can deliver future written examinations for all candidates in 2021.

Practical examinations

In response to the ongoing situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the ADC has made the difficult decision to postpone practical examinations scheduled to 30 November 2020.

This means there is no application period in June and July for practical examination places in October and November 2020.

This update replaces the application period announcement first published on the ADC website on 7 February and updated on 15 April and covers all scheduled examinations to 30 November 2020.

COVID-19 policy

The ADC understands the situation surrounding COVID-19 is disruptive to candidates across all stages of the dental practitioner assessment process. For those candidates booked into a postponed examination, we are committed to delivering you a rescheduled examination. For candidates who were unable to book an examination due to a postponed application period, we understand this situation has affected you too.

To help describe the measures put in place regarding postponed examinations, the ADC has developed the COVID-19 policy for assessments and examinations (the Policy). This Policy outlines the provisions we have introduced to support all candidates through their candidature during this time. The Policy provides more information on validity periods, as well as an overview of what options are available to those candidates with existing written and practical examination bookings who may not want the ADC to hold a seat in the next available written or practical examination.

The Policy is available for download here.

Future updates

The ADC would like to thank all of our candidates for their patience during this time. We continue to ask for your patience as we work through the challenges the current situation present to candidates, examiners and staff. Updates on upcoming examinations will be made via the ADC website and the dedicated dental practitioner assessment COVID-19 page as soon as new information is available.

We understand this continues to be an uncertain time for you and you may have enquiries regarding the impact of this situation on your assessment. To respond to your enquiries as quickly as possible, we ask you to contact us via the contact form on the Contact Us page as this page is monitored regularly.