About NBDE 1

Content and Structure

National Board Dental Examination. Part 1, is a one day examination with a morning and afternoon session. Each session is approximately tour hours long and consists of two tests of approximately 100 questions each. The entire day will contain tour tests with approximately 400 total questions. These questions will be from a wide variety of topical areas as follows: Microbiology and Pathology (approximately 100 questions), Anatomic Sciences (approximately 100 questions), Biochemistry and Physiology (approximately 100 questions), and Dental Anatomy and Occlusion (approximately 100 questions).

NBDE will score your National Board Dental Examination Part I on a scale of 49 to 99. A scaled score of 75 or above is considered a passing score. You will receive four individual scores for the subject areas listed above, as well as one combined average score.

These scaled scores are produced from your raw score (the total number of questions you answered correctly). The scaled scores can be converted into percentiles, using information received with your score report.

About Kaplan NBDE Targeted Training

Kaplan's training approach to studying for NBDE I consists of an initial Diagnostic Exam, Basic Science/Dental Anatomy Review notes, Topical Review Tests, and Released NBDE Exams in all subject areas. We've provided you with the gym in which to build your mental muscle-the Kaplan Training Library. In this section of the User's Guide we'll tell you how these pieces fit together to help you get in shape to master NBDE l.

Diagnostic

The Diagnostic Test (available in the Kaplan Centers), is a 200 question test modeled on the actual NBDE I in terms of content type and emphasis. It will diagnose both strengths and weaknesses and give you a personalized assessment as you begin your review.

Review Notes

The Basic Science/Dental Anatomy Review Notes cover all of the medical science areas tested on NBDE I and feature an efficient and focused review of important dental anatomy topics. Our notes have a unique 2-in-1 design. While the body comprises a comprehensive outline written by faculty experts, the margins contain student-suggested "margin notes" with high-yield tips, clinical correlates, mnemonics, and proven strategies for answering NBDE test questions.
Practice Materials

Topical Review Tests are designed by Kaplan to review specific areas or to update you on new information or new topics being introduced on the exam. They will help "modernize" your review and keep you abreast of topical or examination changes.
Released Tests are actual NBDE I examinations given in the past. These released exams serve as excellent subject reviews and give you the opportunity to combine content review with strategies and timing on actual test questions.

Video Lectures are available on select topics that are important for NBDE success. Dental Clinical Microbiology includes topics on sterilization, disinfection, hepatitis, HIV, and normal oral flora. Oral anatomy includes the tongue, salivary glands, mastication muscles, TMJ, bones, and related endocrine overview. The Video Companion Guide is designed to be used as notes while watching the videos. The videos include practice questions and review to help reinforce your topic knowledge.

ABOUT NBDE 2

Content and Structure

The National Board Dental Exam, Part 2, is a 2-day examination with a morning and afternoon session on the first day, and a morning session on the second day. Each session is approximately 4 hours long. Two sessions will consist of approximately 200 questions each (400 questions total). These questions will be from a wide variety of topical areas including: Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, Pedodontics, Orthodontics, Oral Surgery, Pain Control, Oral Pathology, Radiology, Pharmacology, Infection Control, Dental Public Health, and Behavioral Science, among others.

One session will consist of approximately 100 questions divided among a group of case studies. The case studies represent patients with a medical history, dental history, charting, x-rays, models, photographs, etc., the kind of information you would have with an actual patient.

Questions will ask about pretreatment-appropriate pre-medication, for example, or about the best possible treatment for a given tooth or condition. They may ask about patient management or social aspects of patient treatment.
For these case studies, your factual knowledge and clinical judgment are combined to obtain the best possible treatment for your case study "patient".
Scoring

The NBDE 2 is scored on a scale of 49 to 99. A scaled score of 75 or above is considered a passing score. You will receive one score for the entire 2-day examination. These scaled scores are produced from your raw score (the total number of questions you answered correctly). The scaled scores can be converted into percentiles using information received with your score report.

ABOUT KAPLAN NBDE 2 TARGETED TRAINING

Kaplan's training approach to studying for NBDE 2 consists of an initial Diagnostic Exam, NBDE 2 Review Notes, Topical Review Tests, Video Lectures, Practice Tests (with case studies), and released NBD exams in all subject areas.
Diagnostic Test

The Diagnostic Test is a 200-question test modeled on the actual NBDE 2 in terms of content type and emphasis. It will diagnose both strengths and weaknesses and give you a personalized assessment as you begin your review.
Review Notes

The NBDE 2 Review Notes cover all of the areas tested on NBDE 2 and feature an efficient and focused review of clinical cases.

Our NBDE 2 notes have a unique "2-in-1" design. While the body comprises a comprehensive outline written by faculty experts, the "margin notes" contain high-yield tips, clinical correlates, mnemonics, and proven strategies for answering NDB test questions.

Practice Materials

Topical Review Tests are designed by Kaplan to review specific areas, or to update you on new information or new topics being introduced on the exam. They will help "modernize" your review and keep you abreast of topical or examination changes.

Practice Tests ("Verisimuls") are half-Length imitations of NBDE 2. They contain a wide variety of multiple choice questions from all areas, as well as a group of case studies.

Released Tests are actual examinations given in the past. Prior to 1992, NBDE 2 was given in a seven-section format, with each section covering a specific area, such as prosthodontics. No case studies were given. These released exams serve as excellent subject reviews.

All practice materials are accompanied by full written explanations.

Video lectures are available on select topics that are important for NBDE 2 success. Infection Control includes topics on sterilization, safety, OSHA regulations, and related materials. Antibiotic Premedication updates you on need, drug selection, and dosages. Dental Public Health updates you on cariology, fluoride, and dental epidemiology.