November 20, 2025

For anyone pursuing a career as a Certified Dental Assistant in Canada, writing the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Written Examination is an important and exciting milestone. It is the moment when months of studying, hands-on practice, and classroom learning finally come together. Naturally, it also brings up one of the most common questions future dental assistants ask: Is the NDAEB exam hard? 
 

The answer depends on your preparation, your confidence, and your understanding of what the exam involves. Many candidates describe the exam as challenging, but thousands pass every year. With the right approach and the right training, the NDAEB is absolutely manageable. In fact, students from structured and accredited dental assisting programs often perform exceptionally well because their learning is aligned with the NDAEB’s official competencies. 
 

If you are beginning your NDAEB journey, here is everything you need to know about the exam, how difficult it truly is, and how you can position yourself for success. 
 

What Is the NDAEB Exam? 

The NDAEB Written Exam is a national standardized assessment required in most Canadian provinces for dental assistants who want to become certified. Certification is important because it gives you the authority to perform expanded clinical duties, and it signals to employers that you meet professional standards for safe and competent practice. 
 

The exam is held four times each year in March, June, September, and December. It is taken at approved testing sites or through remote proctoring. The NDAEB is a one-time certification requirement, and once you pass, you never have to write it again. 
 

What Makes the NDAEB Exam Challenging? 

Even though thousands of candidates pass the exam each year, the NDAEB has a reputation for being demanding. There are several reasons for this. 
 

1. The exam covers a large amount of clinical content 

The NDAEB Blueprint outlines seven major competency domains that reflect real clinical practice. These include: 
 

• Professional and legal responsibilities 
• Dental sciences 
• Preventive dentistry 
• Radiography 
• Clinical procedures 
• Restorative and surgical assisting 
• Practice management and communication 
   

Each domain contains multiple skills, knowledge areas, and subcompetencies. The exam expects you to be comfortable switching quickly between topics such as infection control, tray setups, anatomy, dental materials, patient safety, and radiographic interpretation. 

2. The exam uses clinical scenarios rather than simple recall questions 

Candidates often notice that the NDAEB exam is not filled with basic definitions or straightforward questions. Instead, many questions present a patient scenario followed by an applied question about the best clinical response. This requires a genuine understanding of how procedures work, not just memorizing terms. 

3. Time management can feel tight 

The exam includes two hundred multiple-choice questions and lasts four hours. That translates into a little over one minute per question. Many candidates report that the timing can feel quick, especially with more detailed scenario questions that require careful reading. 

4. The passing score changes based on exam difficulty 

The NDAEB adjusts its scoring scale to ensure fairness across different exam versions. Less difficult exam forms may require a slightly higher score to pass, while more difficult forms may require a slightly lower score. Typically, the passing score falls within the low to mid-sixty percent range. 

Is It Hard to Get a Passing Score? 

The NDAEB is designed to be rigorous, but it is not designed to be impossible. If you study consistently and use reliable resources, achieving a passing score is realistic. 
 

CDI College reports strong pass rates among their dental assisting students. These pass rates offer a helpful glimpse into how achievable the exam can be when candidates receive structured preparation. For example, students in well-supported Dental Assisting programs often report pass rates between ninety and one hundred percent. Some campuses have maintained perfect pass rate streaks for several exam sessions in a row. These results are not a coincidence. They reflect high-quality instruction, hands-on clinical experience, and exam preparation that mirrors the official NDAEB domains. 
 

CDI College is one of the institutions known for aligning its curriculum with the NDAEB requirements. This alignment helps students enter the exam feeling confident, well-practiced, and knowledgeable about what to expect. Throughout their studies, CDI College students' complete labs, clinical practice, and theoretical learning that directly support the competencies evaluated on the exam. While many schools help prepare students effectively, programs with this level of structure tend to see consistently strong results. 
 

Read More: How Do I Become a Dental Assistant in Canada? 

How to Prepare for the NDAEB Exam 

The most successful candidates are those who combine steady studying with strategic reviews. Here are a few NDAEB preparation strategies to help you succeed. 
 

1. Start early and build a realistic study plan 

Give yourself several weeks of preparation time. Break down your study sessions by domain so that you can review focused, manageable segments. Candidates who begin early feel more confident and less overwhelmed. 
 

2. Use the NDAEB Domain Description as your guide 

This document outlines exactly what the exam covers. If a skill or knowledge area appears in the Domain Description, it may appear on the exam. Use it as the foundation for your study notes. 
 

3. Complete practice tests 

Practice questions help you understand how the exam is structured, build your speed, and identify areas where you need more review. Many students say that doing multiple practice sets helped them feel calmer and more prepared on test day. 
 

4. Study in groups when possible 

Explaining concepts out loud improves memory and clarity. Group study also gives you the chance to ask questions, share summaries, and learn from different perspectives. 
 

5. Review core clinical skills 

Spend extra time on topics such as: 
 

• Radiography 
• Infection control 
• Emergency procedures 
• Dental materials 
• Instrument identification 
• Charting and chart notation 
   

These are common areas on the exam and worth reviewing deeply. 
 

6. Take care of yourself 

Rest, hydration, balanced meals, and sleep are essential to exam performance. A clear mind improves decision making and recall. 

Final Thoughts: So, Is the NDAEB Exam Hard? 

The NDAEB exam is challenging, but its difficulty reflects the responsibility and skill expected of Certified Dental Assistants in Canada. While the broad content, clinical scenarios, and time pressure can feel demanding, the exam is absolutely passable with thoughtful preparation and consistent study. 
 

Students who follow structured dental assisting programs, especially programs that include targeted NDAEB preparation, tend to perform extremely well. Colleges like CDI College design their curriculum around the NDAEB competencies, which helps students build confidence long before exam day arrives. If you approach your preparation with discipline, use official resources, and give yourself enough time to study, you will be ready to succeed.

Thousands of dental assistants across Canada pass the exam each year, launch rewarding careers, and make a difference in patient care. With the right preparation, you can be next.