The Primary Dental Sciences Examination consists of study and examination in the areas of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology, Pathology and Physiology.
Event information
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- $3,025 - All Subjects in AUD
- $3,509 - All Subjects in NZD
- $700 - One Subject in AUD
- $812 - One Subject in NZD
- $1,400 - Two Subjects in AUD
- $1,624 - Two Subjects in NZD
The Primary Dental Sciences Examination consists of study and examination in the areas of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology, Pathology and Physiology.
OnlineRegistrations have been extended and will now close on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
The aim of the Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination is for candidates to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of the basic sciences and more importantly, their relationship to clinical dental practice.
Successful candidates of the Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination are eligible to apply for Membership in Primary Dental Sciences (PDS), entitling the use of post-nominals MRACDS(PDS). You may then choose to progress to Fellowship with the College by sitting the Fellowship Examination.
Subjects assessed:
Anatomy, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Histology, Microbiology, Pathology and Physiology
The exam is in two parts:
- six (6) two-hour written papers with two subjects scheduled on each of the three consecutive days
- viva voce examinations of ten (10) minutes duration are conducted in each of the six (6) subjects
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For more detailed information on the Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination please click here.
Please ensure you hold current Affiliate membership prior to enrolling.
Examination Information
Written and viva voce Examination dates:
Written Examinations:
- Monday, 22 June – Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Viva Voce Examinations*:
- Wednesday, 15 July – Saturday, 18 July 2026
*For scheduling purposes, please ensure you are available for all viva voce examination dates listed above.
From 2026, payments will be available in AUD and NZD. Read important notes below.
Enrolment Fees in AUD:
PDS Examination Enrolment (All subjects) – AUD$3,025
Repeat of one subject – AUD$700
Repeat of two subjects – AUD$1,400
Enrolment Fees in NZD:
PDS Examination Enrolment (All subjects) – NZD$3,509
Repeat of one subject – NZD$812
Repeat of two subjects – NZD$1,624
Enrolments close: Sunday, 10 May 2026
To register for this course, you must hold current Affiliate or Provisional Affiliate membership with RACDS. For more information, visit the Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination page.
Affiliate membership
Open to registered dentists. To apply for Affiliate membership click here.
Provisional Affiliate membership
Individuals who are not registered dentists – including undergraduate dental students and new graduates who are not yet registered – should apply for Provisional Affiliate membership. To apply for Provisional Affiliate membership click here.
To register, simply click on the “Sign in to Register” button located in the right-hand panel, and log in using your RACDS credentials. If you are already logged in, please click the “Register Now” button. Should you not have an account, please create one here. Please ensure to complete the registration process entirely.
Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Preparation Course
Maximise your chances of passing the examination with our Primary Dental Sciences Preparation Course. The Preparation course is designed to cover all six disciplines and provides focused preparation for the examination, including examination strategies, viva voce techniques and written paper preparation. Registrations for the 2026 Preparation Course are now open. Click here to register. Registrations for the Preparation Course close on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Primary Dental Sciences (PDS) Examination Exemption
The College also offers a Primary Dental Sciences Examination Exemption pathway to fast track your journey to Fellowship, to check eligibility please click here.
Important notes:
- Candidates are required to hold membership with RACDS prior to enrolling and at the time of the examination. Apply for Affiliate membership or Provisional Affiliate membership now. If you hold an active Subscription you are eligible to apply.
- Candidates are required to submit a profile photo before checkout. The photo needs to be with a light/white background and under 5MB.
- The College does not set any specific requirements for demonstration of English language skills however, it should be noted that all assessments are written and marked in English and that proficiency in English at the level equivalent to a 7.5 in all subjects in the IELTS (or a B in the OET) is expected of candidates in all assessments.
- The written paper and viva voce will be conducted remotely via computer-based examination software. Examinations are recorded as per the RACDS Recording of Examinations Policy, and candidates must consent to recording upon enrolment. By enrolling for this examination, you acknowledge and accept the ExamSoft Privacy Policy for the recording of the written paper.
- Candidates must have a laptop or PC that meets the system requirements outlined in the ExamSoft minimum system requirements and a working microphone and camera.
- Candidates must make themselves available for all days of viva voce examinations. A timetable will be released approximately three (3) weeks prior to the examinations.
- Candidates who pass at least four (4) subjects in a single sitting will be given credit for three years for the subjects satisfactorily completed.
- Candidates who do not have subject credits are required to present for all six (6) subjects at the examination.
- The enrolment fee may be refunded as per the RACDS Refund Policy.
- Enrolment is valid only for the examination sitting to which the candidate has been admitted.
- The College reserves the right to amend the timing and dates of examinations whenever conditions warrant. Where examinations are cancelled or postponed, a full refund of the examination enrolment fee will be issued. The College takes no responsibility for any other costs incurred by the candidate.
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Payment can be made in either Australian Dollars (AUD) or New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Please pay in the currency applicable to your location – in NZD if you are based in New Zealand, and in AUD for all other locations.