The INBDE result process is intentionally simple on the candidate side — pass or fail, delivered online, shared automatically with your dean if applicable. The technical work happens upstream: the JCNDE applies criterion-referenced scoring, multi-form equating, and routine quality audits to make every candidate’s result comparable and accurate.

Below is the operational breakdown.

The INBDE is a criterion-referenced examination. The minimum passing score is determined by subject matter experts through rigorous standard-setting activities — periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practise safely.

Results are reported as “pass” or “fail” only. For candidates who pass, no numeric score is provided. The minimum passing score continues to be 75.

Many different forms of the INBDE are administered, so candidates do not all see the same set of questions — a test-security safeguard.

Each form includes equating questions that place all forms on a common measurement scale. This adjusts for minor differences in difficulty across forms, so your result has the same meaning regardless of which form you received on test day.

Candidates are not penalised for guessing. Your skill is estimated based on responses in conjunction with known characteristics of each administered question — difficulty, question quality, and susceptibility to guessing.

For candidates who do not pass, the JCNDE provides performance information to support remediation — highlighting areas where additional preparation is needed.

This feedback is intentionally constructive: it tells you where to focus, not just that you fell short.

Examination results are typically available three to four weeks after the examination date. Results can be viewed online by logging into DENTPIN using your DENTPIN and password to access your My Account page.

By signing their application, candidates educated by accredited programs (currently enrolled or graduated within the last five years) give express permission for their results to be shared with the program dean and the dean’s designee(s).

Additional results reports can be sent to other entities at the candidate’s request, or where required by JCNDE policy.

As a routine part of quality assurance procedures, candidate examination responses and results are audited for accuracy before results are distributed. This is automatic and does not require any candidate action.

Candidates can request an additional results audit beyond the routine check. To request:

• Log in to your DENTPIN account and follow the audit request instructions.
• Request within 30 days of the reporting date indicated on the official report of results.
• Additional audits take approximately four to six weeks to complete.
• An additional charge applies (see the Examination Fees section).