Test of Knowledge (ToK) Assessment
This computer-administered test is aimed at assessing the extent of candidate’s knowledge in key areas such as understanding of the legislative, financial and regulatory issues pertaining to dentistry. It is a vital component of the all round competence of every dental professional as reflected in GDC standards for both the undergraduate dental curriculum and the profession as a whole.
You may practise as many times as you like from home, from your practice, or from any computer with an internet connection and the Secure Browser Software, before sitting the assessment under invigilated conditions.
Please note that no practice attempts may be made from 12:00am on the day of the official assessment, Checks will be made and anyone who is found to have attempted a practice test on the day of the assessment will have their results invalidated.
The assessment must be taken and passed within 6 weeks of completing Part 2 of the Mandatory Training (Induction to Scottish Dentistry)course.
You may make reference to the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) Guidelines on Drug Prescribing for Dentistry throughout the Prescribing Module.
Structure and Format
The assessment is comprised of two modules: The Prescribing module with a 100% pass mark and the Main (managerial) module with a 71% pass mark. The scores you obtain for both modules will determine whether you pass the assessment as a whole.
i.e. To pass the Test of Knowledge assessment you will need to achieve:
100% for the Prescribing Module plus at least 71% for the Managerial module. The combined pass mark must be at least 74%.
N.B. If you score 74% or higher overall, but did not get 100% in the Prescribing module, you have NOT passed the Test of Knowledge assessment.
Prescribing Module
You will start the test with a five question prescribing module in which you must answer all questions correctly (pass mark 100%). The use of the SDCEP Guidelines on Drug Prescribing for reference is permitted during the assessment.
Main (managerial) module
The second module is comprised of a random selection of forty questions from a large question bank. If you are taking the assessment more than once you will be presented with a different set of questions at each sitting. The questions are either in multiple-choice or multiple-response format.
Question Types
Multiple Choice Questions
Candidates select ONE answer from any number of (mutually exclusive) possible answers e.g.
1. You have a pair of steel forceps that must be sent back to the manufacturer for repair. Having just used them, you have cleaned them thoroughly to remove all visible deposits. Assuming all necessary sterilising equipment is available to you, which is the most effective process to use to decontaminate the forceps before their dispatch?
o Autoclave at 125-128 degrees Celsius for 5 mins
o Autoclave at 134-137 degrees Celsius for 3 mins
o Glutaraldehyde disinfectant
o Hypochlorite disinfectant
o UV light treatment
o Wash with water at 95-98 degrees Celsius
Multiple Response Questions
Candidates select ONE or MORE correct matching responses from any number of possible answers. To score on these questions, all of the correct responses must be selected, e.g.
1. A new patient attends for routine check-up. What should you record?
Any disabilities
Medical history
Social history
Smoking/ alcohol history
Email address
Sitting the Assessment
Before you can progress with the official sitting you need to have your sitting verified by an approved Invigilator.
Once the assessment starts, you will see an introduction screen describing the module you are on and the timer will start. You have a maximum of 1 hour to complete the assessment.
Results and Feedback
Once you have completed both the Prescribing module and the Managerial module you will receive a message indicating whether or not you have passed the assessment.
If you are unsuccessful, you will be given the option of re-sitting the assessment. You may only have 3 attempts within a 24 hour period to complete the assessment.
Successful candidates will be issued with a certificate of completion via email which they must forward to their Health Board to complete their application for NHS Dental Listing.
Question Bank
Please note that you must not share the questions with anyone and must not attempt to create access to the questions beyond what is presented to you during your use of the ToK system. This is to protect the integrity of the system. Any attempt to do so will be regarded as a breach of professionalism, will invalidate your assessment and may result in referral to the GDC.