NDEB AFK Exam 2026: Format, Dates, Fees and Pass Rate
The AFK (Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge) is the first of three NDEB exams that dentists trained outside Canada must pass in the Equivalency Process. It has 200 multiple-choice questions in two 2-hour parts, costs $1,000 CAD, runs every February and August, and you get a maximum of three attempts.124
Only about half of candidates pass. Here is exactly how the exam works, when you can sit it next, what it costs, and what the official pass rates say.
How The Study Boards helps you pass the AFK
- Built on the NDEB blueprint: faculty-written Modules for every subject, Master Files with over 20,000 exam-relevant points, and a daily task so you cover the high-weight areas first.
- Timed practice every day: the Master Test Series, Grand Tests and nightly live tests at 9 PM New York time train you to answer 200 single-best-answer questions under time pressure.
- Built around you: The Study Boards courses are extremely personalised. Red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, the course learns from the way you study, and faculty are there to assist you.
Questions are answered by US-licensed dentists, not AI, and the AFK Pass Guarantee backs the plan. See the AFK Course Blueprint.
What the AFK is and who takes it
The AFK tests your knowledge of biomedical science and applied clinical science. You need a pass before you can move on to the other exams in the Equivalency Process.2 NDEB rules say you must pass the AFK before you can sit the ACJ (Assessment of Clinical Judgement).6
You take the AFK if your dental degree comes from a government-authorised university whose program is not accredited in Canada. That covers BDS graduates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Middle East.5 The NDEB says the AFK has a second job too: some Canadian degree completion programs use it as an admission requirement.3
Get approved firstYour Equivalency Process application must be approved before you can register for the AFK. Credential verification currently takes about 10 weeks.17
No visa or PR needed to applyYou do not need permanent residency or Canadian citizenship to apply. The NDEB cannot help you get a visa to travel for an exam.7
Then the ACJ and NDECCAfter the AFK come the ACJ and the NDECC. Our NDEB Equivalency Process guide walks through every step.
AFK exam format
The 2026 AFK Protocol (effective 19 January 2026) sets out the format.2
Questions are short and direct. The protocol’s own sample asks for the most appropriate antibiotic for infections of pulpal origin, with four options.2 Expect clinical decisions, not long patient cases.
What the AFK covers: the official blueprint
Approximate share of questions per area. Each figure can move by 5 points either way.2
Exam-day rules worth knowing
- Bring current government photo ID in English or French, with your name exactly as in your online profile.2
- Watches and all electronic devices stay in the designated area, even during the break.
- Water is allowed only in a clear bottle with the label removed. Earplugs are provided; you cannot bring your own.
- At Prometric, you watch the NDEB’s electronic exam orientation before the exam.
AFK exam dates and registration, 2026 to 2027
The AFK runs twice a year, in February and August. Both 2026 sittings have already taken place. These are the next ones listed by the NDEB, as of October 2026.18
| Exam date | Where | Registration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 February 2027 | Canada | Open now | 4 January 2027, 21:00 ET |
| 6 February 2027 | Australia and New Zealand | Open now | 4 January 2027, 21:00 ET |
| 13 August 2027 | Canada | Opens 2 March 2027, 10:00 ET | 12 July 2027, 21:00 ET |
Where you can take the AFK
The AFK is given on paper at locations in Canada, and on computer at Prometric centres in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.8 In 2024 it was also offered at Prometric centres in the USA, and paper sittings ran in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton.3 The 2027 listings show no centre in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or the Middle East, so plan the travel and the visa early.
To book a computer-based seat, register and pay in your NDEBConnect account. After the registration deadline, scheduling instructions appear under Documents, and you choose your seat through Prometric.1
AFK fee and the full cost of the Equivalency Process
The NDEB charges all fees in Canadian currency. Exam fees are effective 1 July 2025.49
Other NDEB fees: score verification $200, Equivalency Process re-application $400. Withdrawing from an exam also carries a fee.24 Travel, visa, hotel and prep costs are on top of these figures.
AFK scoring, results and attempts
The NDEB equates every AFK form to a reference exam and re-scales it, so the passing score is always 75. A score of 75 or more is a Pass. Below 75 is a Fail, and only failing candidates see their score.2
How many questions do you need right? The 75 is not a percentage. In the NDEB’s 2024 technical report, the pass mark worked out to 59.89% raw correct in February 2024 and 64.26% in August 2024.3 Aim well above 65% in your practice tests so a harder form does not catch you out.
ResultsNormally released within eight weeks. You get an email, then see the result in your online profile. Results are never given by phone or email.2
Score verificationIf you fail, you have 30 days from the release of results to request a verification of your score ($200).24
AttemptsThe AFK can be taken a maximum of three times.2
AFK pass rate
The NDEB publishes AFK results for each calendar year. In 2025, 1,549 candidates sat the AFK and 52.29% passed.10
2025 AFK pass rates
All candidates1,549 sat
First-time takers532 of 1,073 passed
Repeat takers278 of 476 passed
All candidates, 2024610 of 1,843 passed
2025: the NDEB publishes the overall rate and the counts; we divided passes by candidates for each group. 2024: from the NDEB’s AFK technical report.310
2024 AFK pass rates by attempt3
| Attempt | February 2024 | August 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| First attempt | 32.1% (203 of 632) | 35.5% (211 of 594) |
| Second attempt | 24.9% (67 of 269) | 43.5% (83 of 191) |
| Third attempt | 25.2% (26 of 103) | 37.0% (20 of 54) |
| Overall | 29.5% (296 of 1,004) | 37.4% (314 of 839) |
The NDEB Equivalency Process: where the AFK fits
The standard route from a foreign dental degree to a licence in Canada.4679
Create an NDEBConnect account, download the Application Guide and send your documents. The NDEB checks that they are authentic, confirms your identity and confirms you graduated from a recognised dental program.
200 questions on biomedical and clinical science. Maximum three attempts.
Assessment of Clinical Judgement. You can only sit it after passing the AFK. Maximum three attempts.
Clinical Skills and Situational Judgement, at the NDECC Test Centre in Ottawa. You must pass within 60 months of first passing the ACJ.
Passing the three exams makes you equivalent to a graduate of an accredited program. You then apply to the Certification Process and sit the Virtual OSCE.
With your NDEB certificate, you apply to the dental regulatory authority in the province where you want to practise.
For a plain-English walk-through of every step from India, read how Indian dentists can practise in Canada.
Three routes to DDS-level practice in Canada
Whether your goal is a DDS in Canada or a licence to practise with your current degree, the AFK sits at the start of two of the three routes. Tap a route.
AFK, ACJ, NDECC, then the Virtual OSCE. No citizenship or permanent residency is needed to apply. You prepare on your own schedule and pay exam fees only: $11,950 CAD in NDEB fees if you pass everything first time.479
Full guide: NDEB Equivalency Process for Indian dentists.
AFK and ACJ, then an 8-month bridge program instead of the NDECC. From 1 July 2026, graduates of non-accredited programs who complete a bridge training program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada can apply to the Certification Process without taking the NDECC.12
- Run by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry at the University of Alberta (English), Dalhousie University (English) and Université Laval (French).5
- For people who have passed the first two Equivalency exams and are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.12
- About eight months long. It is still a two-year pilot with preliminary accreditation.512
Who qualifies and how to apply: NDEB Bridge Training pathway.
A degree program of at least two years at a Canadian faculty of dentistry.6 Qualifying and degree completion programs help international graduates adjust to dentistry in Canada. Graduates enter the NDEB Certification Process directly.5
The NDEB lists programs at the University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, Western University, University of Toronto, McGill University, Dalhousie University and Laval University.5 Some use the AFK for admission; others ask for the ADAT, so check each program.3 See ADAT and Canadian degree programs and our ADAT prep plan.
Comparing all three, with costs and timelines? Start at our hub: how to become a dentist in Canada.
How to prepare: our full plan
The AFK rewards wide, accurate coverage of the blueprint and a lot of timed practice. That is how our AFK course is built.
AFK Premium BoardsA 12-section program built by US-licensed dentists:
- Faculty-written Modules for every subject, with a daily task
- Master Files with over 20,000 exam-relevant points
- Master Test Series by subject, cumulative and full syllabus, plus Grand Tests
- Master Diagnosis Series and Rapid Fire drills
- Live tests every night at 9 PM New York time
Meet the benchmark, or we refund youFinish the course on time with no overdue days and score 60% or more on every test. If you still do not pass the AFK, we refund your course fee and your AFK exam fee (about $1,000 CAD).11
Frequently asked questions
What is the AFK pass rate?
How many times can I take the AFK?
When are the next AFK exam dates?
Can I take the AFK in India?
What score do I need to pass the AFK?
How long do AFK results take?
AFK Premium Boards by The Study Boards
12 course sections, over 20,000 Master File points, Grand Tests and nightly live tests, with US-licensed dentists answering your questions, not AI.
Not sure when to sit the AFK?
Message us on WhatsApp with your graduation year and target sitting. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp.
References
- NDEB. Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK): format, scoring, attempts, eligibility, registration, February 2027 dates and extra-seat notice. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. 2026 AFK Protocol (revised, effective 19 January 2026): purpose, blueprint, format, sample question, exam-day regulations, withdrawals, results, passing standard, appeals, repeats. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. 2024 Technical Report for the AFK (revised): dual purpose, locations and candidate numbers, standard setting, Table 6 pass rates by attempt and passing raw scores. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. Equivalency Process Fees (examination fees effective 1 July 2025; all fees in Canadian currency). ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. Equivalency Process and Entry to Practice Education Programs: eligibility, BTDPC pilot sites, qualifying and degree completion programs. ndeb-bned.ca and ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. By-law 2: Certification and Equivalency Process (approved 10 July 2026, effective 15 July 2026): sections 12 to 16. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. How to Apply: three steps, credential verification time, no PR or citizenship requirement, visas. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. Examination Dates and Locations and Equivalency Process Dates and Locations. ndeb-bned.ca and ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. Certification Process Fees: Virtual OSCE and certification application. ndeb-bned.ca
- NDEB. Equivalency Process Exam Results: 2025 AFK candidates and passes, first-time and repeat. ndeb-bned.ca
- The Study Boards: AFK Premium Boards course blueprint, Pass Guarantee terms and first-attempt results of students who complete the AFK track. Course blueprint
- NDEB. New entry to practice pathway for internationally trained dentists, 25 June 2026. ndeb-bned.ca
Current as of October 2026. Exam rules, dates, fees and pass rates come from the NDEB’s website, its 2026 AFK Protocol, By-law 2 and its 2024 AFK Technical Report. Rules and dates can change; confirm with the NDEB before you apply. The Study Boards is an independent prep provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDEB.