Empowering The Next Generation of Dental Professionals
The purpose of the ORE Part 1 exam is to assess the knowledge and clinical understanding of overseas dentists who wish to practise in the UK. Administered by the General Dental Council (GDC), it tests clinically applied dental science and human disease, plus clinical dentistry, law, ethics, and health and safety.
To be eligible, candidates must first join the GDC candidate list. We can assist with all documentation and processing so your application is accepted first time.
The exam is two computer-based papers:
- Paper A — clinically applied dental science and clinically applied human disease.
- Paper B — clinical dentistry, including law, ethics, health and safety.
Each paper lasts three hours (extended matching and single best answer questions). You must pass both papers to progress to Part 2.
Location & Cost
From August 2026 the ORE is delivered by UCL Consultants Ltd under a new GDC contract. Current fees for 2026/27 are:
ORE Part 1 fee: £485 · Application processing fee: £115
Fees are set under the GDC (Dentists) (Fees) Regulations 2026 and VAT now applies. Fees are not normally refundable.
2026/27 Part 1 sitting dates
- 25–26 August 2026 (600 places)
- 14–15 October 2026 (600 places)
- 2–3 February 2027 (600 places)
- 6–7 April 2027 (600 places)
Candidates book through their MyGDC account. The booking window for the August 2026 sitting opens on 30 June 2026. Always confirm the latest dates on the GDC ORE booking dates page.
Results
You are scored out of 100, with a pass mark around 50%. On passing, your name is added to the Part 2 candidate list. You are allowed four attempts at Part 1, and must pass Part 2 within five years of passing Part 1.
Am I eligible?
Before sitting the ORE you must join the GDC candidate list. You’ll generally need a recognised dental qualification, evidence of post-graduation clinical experience, and proof of English language competence (commonly IELTS). See our GDC Candidate List Registration guide for the full checklist and how we help.
How to prepare
- Work through the whole syllabus systematically — basic sciences and clinical dentistry.
- Practise large volumes of EMQ and SBA questions under timed conditions.
- Sit full mock papers to build exam stamina and pinpoint your weak areas.
How Visage Dental Academy helps
Our Part 1 Comprehensive Course and mock-exam question bank cover every topic and mirror the real paper, with tutor support throughout.
At a glance: 2 computer-based papers · 3 hours each · pass mark ~50% · up to 4 attempts · pass Part 2 within 5 years · Part 1 fee £485 + £115 application fee (2026/27).
Location and Cost
The ORE Part 1 is held at King’s College London and currently costs £806.
Examination fees are not normally refundable.
The fee for sittings of the ORE Part 1, held after 1 January 2025, will be £485.
Part 1 examination dates
- For the next ORE Part 1 dates and information, visit: https://www.gdc-uk.org/registration/overseas-registration-exam/ore-latest-information
- Bookings usually open eight weeks in advance of the exam.
Results
Normally, the results are released 30 days after the exam is conducted.
You are scored out of 100 for the exam. The passing criteria are around 50 per cent. Upon passing Part 1, your name will be added to the Part 2 candidate list. You are allowed 04 attempts for the ORE Part 1 exam.