NDEB AFK practice test: find your weak areas first
The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge is the first exam in the Equivalency Process for internationally trained dentists. Take a free 50-question self-test across the AFK content areas and see where your study time should go.
About 60 minutes · no account needed · original questions, not NDEB questions
Which nerve supplies motor innervation to the muscles of mastication?
- A. Facial nerve (VII)
- B. Mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3)
- C. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
- D. Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
In the self-test you see answers and explanations at the end.
The AFK at a glance
Graduates of dental programs that are not accredited in Canada go through the NDEB Equivalency Process. It has three exams, and the AFK comes first.
| Full name | Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) |
|---|---|
| Run by | The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) |
| What it tests | Biomedical science and applied clinical science knowledge |
| Format | 200 single-answer multiple-choice questions, in two parts |
| Time | Two hours for each part |
| Where | Computer-based at Prometric test centres, or booklet format at select exam sites |
| Why it matters | You need a pass on the AFK before you can continue to the Assessment of Clinical Judgement (ACJ) and the NDECC |
Sources: NDEB, Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge and 2026 AFK Protocol; NDEB, Why the NDECC was developed. Exam rules change: always confirm dates, fees and policies with the NDEB.
AFK content areas
The NDEB's 2026 AFK Protocol groups questions into these areas. The self-test follows the same grouping, so your results map straight onto your study plan.
- Applied Biomedical Sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, biomaterials, cariology, growth and development, histology, immunology, microbiology, oral embryology, physiology)
- Restorative dentistry, prosthodontics and implants
- Oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology
- Pharmacology and therapeutics, local anesthesia and medical emergencies
- Orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, geriatric dentistry and special needs patients
- Periodontics
- Oral surgery, trauma, orofacial pain and dental emergencies
- Endodontics
- Evidence-based dentistry, prevention, infection control, ethics and jurisprudence
Source: NDEB, 2026 AFK Protocol, blueprint.
How the self-test works
One sitting, exam-style: no answers until the end, so the score reflects what you know today.
Answer 50 questions
Spread across all nine AFK content areas, weighted roughly like the blueprint.
See your overall score
Right away, on screen, with no account.
Get your breakdown
Enter your email to unlock your score by area plus every answer with its explanation.
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Questions
How many questions are on the NDEB AFK?
According to the NDEB, the AFK has 200 single-answer multiple-choice questions delivered in two parts, with two hours for each part.
Do I have to pass the AFK before the ACJ and NDECC?
Yes. The NDEB states that a passing grade on the AFK is required before you can continue to the other examinations in the Equivalency Process.
Are the self-test questions real AFK questions?
No. They are original practice questions written for AxonQuiz and grouped by the content areas in the NDEB's 2026 AFK Protocol. They are not NDEB questions, and your self-test score does not predict your AFK result.
What happens to my email?
We store it with your self-test score. We only send you emails if you tick the box to receive AxonQuiz study tips and early-access news, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell it. See our privacy policy.
Is AxonQuiz affiliated with the NDEB?
No. AxonQuiz is an independent study app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada.