Format at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Papers | Paper A and Paper B, taken in the same sitting |
| Time | 3 hours per paper |
| Question types | Single best answer (SBA) and extended matching questions (EMQs) |
| Delivery | Computer-based, at a London exam venue allocated by the exam provider |
| Pass mark | Standard-set for each paper and sitting; August 2026 minimums were 50.5% (A) and 54.3% (B) |
| Fee | £485 per attempt, plus the one-time £115 ORE application fee |
| Attempts | Up to four |
What Paper A covers
Paper A covers dental science and human disease. The GDC lists anatomy, bacteriology, biochemistry, dental anatomy and embryology, dental materials, immunology, pathology and human disease, pharmacology, physiology and statistics. Questions are applied: the science behind a clinical problem, at the level of a just-qualified UK dentist.
What Paper B covers
Paper B covers clinical dentistry, including law, ethics and health and safety. Expect restorative dentistry and endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry and orthodontics, oral surgery and oral medicine, radiography and radiation protection, consent and capacity, the GDC's Standards for the Dental Team, infection control and medical emergencies.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free ORE Paper A practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
How it's marked
You get a percentage for each paper and an overall pass or fail. Each paper is standard-set, so the pass mark depends on the difficulty of that paper and isn't announced in advance. In August 2026 the minimum pass scores were 50.5% for Paper A and 54.3% for Paper B. The GDC reported average Part 1 pass rates of 73% (April 2025) and 75% (August 2025), and 81.2% passed both papers in August 2026.
Dates and booking
Part 1 runs several times a year with about 600 places per sitting. Published dates include 2 to 3 February 2027 and 6 to 7 April 2027. Places are booked and paid for through your GDC online account when a booking window opens, and they have sold out within minutes, so have your account ready and your payment method set up. Results are emailed, usually within 30 working days.
A 12-week plan
- Weeks 1-2: take both free tests, then read the GDC's Preparing for Practice learning outcomes and start daily flashcards.
- Weeks 3-6: Paper A sciences, two topics a week, with questions after each topic.
- Weeks 5-9: Paper B clinical topics, starting with law, ethics, radiography and medical emergencies, which overseas candidates find least familiar.
- Weeks 10-11: a full timed mock of each paper, then drill your weakest topics.
- Week 12: mistakes bank, the UK guideline numbers and rest before the exam.
Frequently asked questions
How many papers are in ORE Part 1?
Two: Paper A (dental science and human disease) and Paper B (clinical dentistry, law, ethics and health and safety). Each lasts 3 hours and you must pass both.
What is the ORE Part 1 pass mark?
It's standard-set for each paper and sitting and not given in advance. In August 2026 the minimums were 50.5% for Paper A and 54.3% for Paper B.
How many questions are on each paper?
The GDC describes each paper as single best answer and extended matching questions but doesn't publish the number of items. Practise to time so you can finish comfortably in 3 hours.
Can I sit ORE Part 1 online?
No. It's computer-based but sat in person at an exam venue in London.
How many attempts do I get?
Up to four attempts at Part 1. You must pass Part 2 within five years of your first Part 1 attempt.
Official sources
Practice tests for these certifications
ORE Part 1 Paper A: Dental Science and Human Disease
Paper A is the science half of ORE Part 1, the written exam overseas-qualified dentists must pass before the ORE Part 2 clinical exam and GDC registration.
ORE Part 1 Paper B: Clinical Dentistry, Law, Ethics and Health and Safety
Paper B is the clinical half of ORE Part 1. It covers clinical dentistry (restorative, endodontics, periodontology, prosthodontics, paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, oral medicine and radiography) plus law, ethics and health and safety as they apply in the UK. You sit it with Paper A and must pass both in the same sitting.
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. the General Dental Council rules change; confirm with the General Dental Council before you apply.
