ADC Written Exam (Dental Hygiene) exam-day guide
ADC Written Exam (Dental Hygiene) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Original photo identification
Bring the original (not a photocopy or phone image) of the photo ID specified in your ADC admission information - typically a current passport or government-issued photo licence. The exact list of accepted documents and name-matching requirements must be confirmed with the ADC before test day.
Admission letter or booking confirmation
Carry a printed copy plus a screenshot on your phone of your exam confirmation showing your name, candidate number, venue and session time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Re-confirmed venue, date and reporting time
Re-check the address, building entrance and the reporting (arrival) time, which is usually earlier than the start time. Allow extra margin in an unfamiliar city; venues can change and public transport delays are common.
Written summary of permitted and prohibited items
Note in advance whether stationery, a basic calculator, water or a non-smart wristwatch are allowed at the desk. Ask the ADC directly about anything ambiguous rather than assuming - policies differ between computer-based and paper-based sittings.
Prohibited items planned for and left behind
Mobile phones, smart watches, fitness trackers, earbuds, notes and study material must not be taken to the desk. Where secure storage is not provided, leave these at your accommodation; confirm storage arrangements with the provider.
Approved testing accommodations confirmed in writing
If you have a disability, medical condition or breastfeeding needs, confirm in writing that your approved arrangements (extra time, separate room, rest breaks, etc.) are recorded for this sitting and know what evidence to bring.
Practical logistics: transport, parking, accommodation
Pre-plan the route and a backup option, and know the nearest food, water and toilet facilities. If travelling, arrive the day before so a delayed flight or train does not put your sitting at risk.
Physical preparation the day before
Protect sleep, eat a normal meal, and avoid last-minute cramming of new content. Fatigue and hunger affect accuracy more than one extra hour of revision.
A short, high-yield revision plan for the final days
Review your own summary sheets and previously missed concepts only. Do not start new topics or unfamiliar textbooks in the last 24–48 hours.
Contact and contingency details
Save the ADC/venue contact number and your emergency contact in your phone, and know what to do if you are delayed or unwell on the day. Confirm the provider's procedure for illness or absence, since many sittings have strict rules on withdrawals and transfers.
Plan the day
Re-read the ADC candidate information on exam conduct and permitted items, and send any unresolved question (ID type, storage of bags, calculator, accommodations) to the provider in writing so you have a reply on record.
Do a travel dry run or check timetables and parking; print or download your admission confirmation; pack ID, confirmation and any permitted stationery in one bag.
Switch to light review only: your own notes, formula/fact sheets and areas you previously got wrong. Stop studying early enough to sleep at your normal time.
Confirm the reporting time and venue once more, lay out clothes, ID and confirmation, charge nothing you cannot bring (leave devices behind), set two alarms and plan breakfast.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the venue at the stated reporting time - not the start time - and expect ID checks and a security briefing before you are seated. Confirm with the provider how late arrivals are handled, as entry may be refused after a cut-off.
Read the instructions and timing for each section before starting. Work at a steady pace, flag difficult items and return to them, and keep an eye on the clock so every question is attempted. If a computer or equipment fault occurs, raise your hand immediately and have it recorded rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Take only the breaks offered, follow the sign-out and sign-in procedure, and do not discuss the paper with other candidates. Confirm whether unscheduled rest breaks are possible and whether the clock stops.
Do not attempt to reproduce or share exam content. Note down only your own reflections on timing and question style for future study, and check the ADC's published timeframe for results release.
Rules to check
Bring and present the original photo ID specified by the ADC; you will normally be refused entry without acceptable identification, so confirm the accepted documents in advance.
Arrive by the reporting time stated in your admission information. Late arrival, absence due to illness and withdrawal or transfer requests are governed by the provider's rules - confirm these with the ADC, as they are usually strict and time-limited.
Do not take phones, smart watches, earbuds, notes or any unauthorised material to the desk. Devices must be switched off and stored as directed; possession at the desk can be treated as misconduct regardless of intent.
Follow all directions from invigilators and supervisors. Do not communicate with other candidates once the test has begun, and do not read or continue writing after the instruction to stop.
Only take breaks as instructed, sign out and back in if required, and accept that break time may not be added to your working time. Confirm whether water or medication can be kept at the desk for medical reasons.
Do not record, photograph, copy or later disclose examination content in any form; candidates are typically bound by a confidentiality undertaking, and breaches can invalidate results.
Scoring is criterion-referenced: the pass standard is set in advance by the provider and you are not competing against other candidates. Results and any appeal or re-marking process follow the ADC's published procedures, which you should confirm directly.
If you feel unwell, have a fault with your equipment, or believe you have been disadvantaged during the test, tell an invigilator immediately and ask for it to be documented - most providers will not consider a complaint raised only after you leave.