INBDE Pass Rate 2026: How Hard Is the INBDE for International Dentists?
In 2025, 65.1% of internationally trained dentists passed the INBDE on their first attempt, and 49.5% passed on a retake. Students from CODA-accredited US dental schools passed at 92.8% on the first attempt and 73.0% on a retake. These are the latest official figures, from the JCNDE’s own INBDE Technical Report. Below you will find the full table, six years of trend, why the international rate is lower, and what changes your odds.
How The Study Boards helps you pass on the first attempt
The international pass rate is lower because the exam is written around US dental schools, the bar went up in 2024, and the two days are long and case-based. Our INBDE course is built around exactly those gaps:
- One set of notes for the US curriculum: faculty-created Modules and Master Files cover US guidelines, drug names and standards, subject by subject.
- Stamina and case practice: daily tasks, nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time, the Master Test Series and the Grand Test Series of 8-hour mock exams.
- Extremely personalised: red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, the course learns from the way you are studying, and faculty are there to assist you.
Students who complete the course have a 99% first-attempt pass rate, backed by our Pass Guarantee. See what the course includes or read the INBDE course blueprint.
INBDE pass rates 2025: first attempt vs retake
From Table 16.1 of the JCNDE’s INBDE Technical Report (2025 edition), the latest published figures as of October 2026. The JCNDE publishes failure rates; each pass rate below is 100% minus that failure rate.2
| Candidate group | Attempt | Tested in 2025 | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| US dental students (CODA schools) | First attempt | 6,816 | 92.8% |
| US dental students (CODA schools) | Retake | 608 | 73.0% |
| International dentists (non-CODA) | First attempt | 3,480 | 65.1% |
| International dentists (non-CODA) | Retake | 1,335 | 49.5% |
| All candidates | All attempts | 12,239 | 79.2% |
CODA dental studentsfirst attempt
CODA dental studentsretake
International dentistsfirst attempt
International dentistsretake
All four figures: JCNDE, INBDE Technical Report, Table 16.1, 2025 results.2
The Study Boards: 99% first-attempt pass rate
99% of our students who complete the INBDE Premium Boards course pass on their first attempt.3 This is our internal figure for students who finish the course. It is not part of the JCNDE’s statistics: the JCNDE reports by candidate group, not by prep course. Every other number on this page is official JCNDE data.
Six years of INBDE pass rates, 2020 to 2025
The INBDE was first offered in August 2020. A new passing standard took effect on 1 June 2024, so 2025 is the first full year under it.2
| Year | US (CODA) first try | US (CODA) retake | Intl first try | Intl retake | All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 99.0% | 92.7% | 61.2% | 41.9% | 75.5% |
| 2021 | 98.7% | 84.0% | 66.9% | 44.2% | 77.7% |
| 2022 | 99.2% | 86.8% | 74.7% | 55.3% | 87.9% |
| 2023 | 99.6% | 86.0% | 84.1% | 66.2% | 91.3% |
| 2024* | 95.2% | 67.9% | 74.7% | 47.2% | 83.9% |
| 2025 | 92.8% | 73.0% | 65.1% | 49.5% | 79.2% |
International dentists, first-attempt pass rate by year
Why the international pass rate is lower
International dentists are not less capable. The gap comes from what the exam is built on, and from how most people prepare for it.
It is written around US dental schoolsThe JCNDE says its question writers draw on “their familiarity with the curriculum in accredited dental schools.” Its case writers are general dentists from CODA- or Canadian-accredited programs with at least five years of practice in the US or Canada.2 US students study that curriculum for four years. You meet it while preparing.
The standard went up in 2024The new passing standard from 1 June 2024 lowered pass rates for every group.2 Preparation that was enough in 2023 is no longer a safe margin.
Stamina: 500 questions in two daysDay 1 runs 8 hours 15 minutes and Day 2 runs 4 hours 15 minutes: 12 hours 30 minutes in total, including the optional tutorials, breaks and survey.1 Without full-length practice, the last sections are where marks are lost.
Case-based, integrated questions40% of the questions sit inside patient cases that mix history, radiographs, medicine and treatment planning.2 You must connect subjects, not recall them one at a time.
US standards and drug namesTreatment guidelines, infection control, ethics and jurisprudence follow US rules, and drugs appear by US names. Answers that are right at home can be wrong on the INBDE.
Reading speed in EnglishLong stems under time pressure punish slow reading. Timed practice is the only real fix.
Breadth of the syllabusTen foundation knowledge areas sit alongside the clinical content, from microbiology to research methods.1 Studying from scattered sources leaves gaps.
Preparing aloneWithout someone checking your progress, it is easy to keep studying your favourite subjects and avoid your weakest ones.
Seven things that change your odds
The official numbers show the risk. These are the habits that move you from the 65% toward a confident first-attempt pass, and each one is built into how we train our students.
The Study Boards: a complete INBDE course
INBDE Premium Boards covers every step above in one structured program, built by US-licensed dentists who were once international dentists themselves.
Master FilesThe high-yield concepts and questions for every subject, organised in one place.
Master Test SeriesSubject-wise and cumulative tests that rank you against your batch.
Diagnosis Series and case setsPractice with the integrated, case-based questions the INBDE is built on.
Two full 2-day simulationsThe full INBDE length and format, before your real exam.
Nightly live testsA timed live test every night at 9 PM New York time, plus Rapid Fire and daily tests. We run live tests, not live classes.
Queries and Help SectionAsk any question and a US-licensed dentist answers it. Real teachers, not a bot.
Where are you now?
Pick the option that fits you best.
1. Read the INBDE course blueprint to see the whole road at once.
2. Pick a pace with the month-by-month study plan.
3. Register only once your plan has a realistic finish date: see INBDE registration step by step.
1. Follow the 6-month plan for working dentists.
2. Use Rapid Fire and daily tests for the short gaps in your day.
3. Book your two full simulations on days off, well in advance.
1. Rank the 13 areas on your report and start with the weakest three: see how to read a fail report.
2. You can retest after 60 days, so plan backwards from a realistic date: see the 2026 retake rules.
3. Message our Admin Team with your report so we can map your plan with you.
1. Prioritise timed, mixed practice over new reading.
2. Sit a full-length simulation as early as you can.
3. Use your weakest areas from each test to decide tomorrow’s study.
How to prepare: our full plans
Every plan below runs on the same complete course.
INBDE Premium BoardsThe complete course, section by section:
- 12 sequenced sections, from basics to full simulations
- Master Files, Master Test Series and Grand Tests
- Two full 2-day simulation exams
- US-licensed dentists answering your questions
Choose your pacePlans for full-time students and working dentists:
Frequently asked questions
What is the INBDE pass rate?
What is the INBDE passing rate for international dentists?
Is the INBDE pass rate going down?
What is the INBDE retake pass rate?
What score do I need to pass the INBDE?
Is The Study Boards’ 99% pass rate an official figure?
INBDE Premium Boards by The Study Boards
12 sections, 35,000+ focused questions, two full 2-day simulations and US-licensed dentists answering your questions, backed by our Pass Guarantee.
Not sure where to start?
Message us and tell us where you are in your preparation. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp.
References
- Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE). INBDE 2026 Candidate Guide (updated 08/04/2026): criterion-referenced scoring and the 75 standard, administration schedule, retest rules, examination and international processing fees. jcnde.ada.org
- JCNDE. INBDE Technical Report, 2025 edition: Table 16.1 failure rates by candidate group and year, 2020 to 2025; new standard implemented 1 June 2024; first administration August 2020; item format (60% standalone, 40% case-based); test constructors and case development teams. jcnde.ada.org
- The Study Boards: first-attempt pass rate of students who complete the INBDE Premium Boards course (internal figure, not JCNDE data). INBDE question bank and course blueprint
Current as of October 2026. Pass rates are calculated as 100% minus the failure rates the JCNDE publishes, to one decimal place. The 99% figure is The Study Boards’ own and is not JCNDE data. Confirm current exam rules with the JCNDE before you apply.