Written and reviewed by oral and maxillofacial surgery residents and crosschecked with national guidelines and best practices.
Exam rules and fees change. Confirm the current details with AAOMS for the CBSE and JCNDE for the INBDE.
The short version
The CBSE is a basic science exam from NBME that dental students take through AAOMS when they plan to apply to oral and maxillofacial surgery residency. The INBDE is the Integrated National Board Dental Examination from JCNDE, the ADA's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, and it is part of the path to dental licensure. They are separate exams that measure different things.
Side by side
| CBSE | INBDE | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | NBME, registered through AAOMS for OMS applicants | JCNDE (the ADA's Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations) |
| Who takes it | Dental students interested in applying to OMS residency | Dental students and graduates on the path to licensure |
| What it tests | Basic science, organized by organ system, reflecting USMLE Step 1 content and formats | Foundation knowledge for the general dentist and clinical content, including diagnosis, treatment planning and patient management |
| Scoring | A scored exam, with an electronic score report from NBME and a copy to AAOMS | Pass/fail |
| Format | 200 questions, 5 hours and 15 minutes including an optional 15-minute break | See JCNDE for the current format and fees |
| Offered | Starting in 2027, May and November | See JCNDE for current testing options |
What the INBDE replaced
The INBDE replaced NBDE Part I and Part II. It became available on August 1, 2020, and Part I was discontinued on July 31, 2020. JCNDE describes it as a cognitive exam, so it does not test clinical skills, and it reports a pass or fail result instead of a numeric score.
Why OMS applicants care about the difference
A pass/fail exam can't rank applicants. The CBSE gives a score, which is why many programs look at it alongside the rest of an application. Passing the INBDE does not replace a CBSE score, and a CBSE score does not stand in for licensure exams. Check each residency program's requirements to see what they ask for.
How to prepare for each
- CBSE: organ-system basic science, with lots of clinical vignettes and timed practice. Start with what the exam covers, pick a study schedule, and try our free practice questions.
- INBDE: broad clinical dentistry plus the sciences behind it. Use JCNDE's own materials as your main guide.
OMS Collective prepares students for the CBSE. Our practice exams are not INBDE prep, and we are not affiliated with NBME, AAOMS, the ADA or JCNDE. Practice exams for the CBSE start with the CBSE Practice Exam 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the CBSE and the INBDE?
The CBSE is an NBME basic science exam that dental students take through AAOMS when applying to oral and maxillofacial surgery residency. The INBDE is a pass/fail exam from JCNDE that is part of the path to dental licensure.
Does the INBDE give a score?
JCNDE reports the INBDE as pass or fail. The CBSE gives a score report from NBME.
Does the INBDE replace the CBSE for OMS applications?
No. They measure different things. Check each residency program's requirements to see what it asks for.
OMS Collective is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by NBME, AAOMS or the ADA. CBSE and NBME are trademarks of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Nothing here predicts or guarantees a score.