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Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ®)

Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ)®

The Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ) assesses your ability to formulate a diagnosis and make clinical decisions, as well as evaluate your knowledge in oral radiology and ability to make a radiographic interpretation and diagnosis.

Format and Content

The ACJ is a 5.5 hour examination with one scheduled break. The ACJ consists of 120-150 single-answer and multi-answer multiple-choice type questions. Each section of the ACJ will contain case-based diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical decision-making questions, and radiographic interpretation questions.

Case-based diagnosis, treatment planning and clinical decision-making questions evaluate your ability to formulate a diagnosis and to make clinical decisions. Case histories, dental charts, radiographic images, and photographs may be provided.

Radiographic interpretation questions evaluate your knowledge in oral radiology and ability to make a radiographic interpretation and diagnosis using radiographic images.

The ACJ is delivered on computers at Prometric and other test centres. The NDEB’s e-Exam Orientation should be viewed prior to taking the ACJ.

The ACJ Question and Answer Framework containing examples of questions is available in the How to prepare section of the website.

Protocol

The ACJ Protocol provides specific details regarding the format and scheduling of the examination as well as the examination blueprint. The Protocol should be read carefully.

Download the ACJ Protocol.

Terminology

The NDEB updates examination questions on a regular basis as new knowledge becomes available.

Scoring

A test equated, re-scaled score of 75 or greater is reported as a Pass. A test equated, re-scaled score of less than 75 is reported as a Fail. Candidates who receive a Fail will also receive their test equated, re-scaled score. No further breakdown of results is available.

Read more

Passing Standard

In order to ensure the consistency of scores on all the versions of the examination, the NDEB uses a test-equating procedure. This procedure correlates a standardized reference examination with the current version of the examination and determines the standardized mark. The NDEB maintains a standardized passing score of 75 on all examinations.

For more information regarding the processes used to select questions and analyze and test equate examinations, visit Scoring and Equating.

Repeats

You can take the ACJ a maximum of three times

Appeals and Rescoring

Registering for the ACJ

Once you pass the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK), you are eligible to register for the ACJ.

Registration for the ACJ is a three step process.

Step 1: Register

Log in to your NDEB online profile to register and pay for the examination.

Step 2: Notification

After the registration deadline, NDEB will email you with instructions for scheduling your seat time with Prometric.

Step 3: Schedule

Go to Prometric.com and select “find my exam” and follow the instructions.

Upcoming Examination Dates

Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ)

Exam Date6 May, 2025 Registration Deadline02 April, 2025 21:00 ET
Registration is open Login to Register

Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ)

Exam Date25 November, 2025 Registration Deadline15 October, 2025 21:00 ET
Registration open date: 10 June, 2025 10:00 ET