The Dental Admission Test, also known as the DAT, is a timed multiple-choice exam conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA). The DAT measures the general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability of an examinee.

Dental school applicants are required to take the DAT in order for acceptance into any U.S. dental school. Although your DAT scores aren’t the only factor that dental schools consider while determining which applicants to select into their program; it is one, if not the most, heavily weighted factors.

Every dental school has specific requirements including minimal DAT scores that the applicants must meet in order to even have your application reviewed for an interview invite, let alone an acceptance into their program.

If you want to become a dentist then you need to score well on the DAT! I’ll go through the entire test, from start to finish, and break it down for you so you know exactly what you’re up against.

In order to take the DAT, you need to receive approval from the Department of Testing Services at the ADA. You will first obtain a DENTPIN and then submit an application, which can both be done from here.

Upon approval to take the DAT, you will only have 6 months to take it!  You will not be able to extend that time or receive a refund for your payment so make sure you are committed and ready to go.

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The current fee is $415, which is a non-refundable and non-transferable fee. The fee includes official score reporting to all of the schools that you have listed on your DAT application (regardless of the number), an unofficial score report issued at the testing center, and official score reporting to your pre-dental advisor (if you chose this option on your application).

You can submit updates to the schools you have selected on your DAT application as long as those are submitted to the ADA’s DTS before your testing appointment. If they are not received beforehand then there is a fee of $34 per report sent out to either a dental school or other recipient.

The ADA does offer a partial fee waiver for students that are U.S. citizens or resident aliens and have received financial aid at his/her educational institution. The waiver covers 50% of the fee, but does not cover any additional charges for score reporting after the time of the initial application. Examinees that have previously received a fee waiver or who have already taken the DAT are not eligible for the waiver.

Fee waivers are very limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis only. In order to be eligible to receive a waiver you must submit the fee waiver financial information form, your completed paper DAT application, and your educational institution financial aid award letter. You can request forms at [email protected]. Fee waivers must be requested in writing and you will not be eligible for a waiver if you submit an electronic DAT application.

The DAT is administered year round at test centers operated by Prometric Incorporated. Upon approval of your application to take the DAT, you will be notified via email to visit Prometric or contact them to schedule a testing appointment.

You have to wait at least 90 days after taking the DAT to retake it. You’ll be required to submit a new application and pay the fee again for each retake. If you have three or more test attempts then you must apply for permission to retest.

Requests for additional testing must be submitted in writing to the ADA’s Department of Testing Services and must include evidence that you have intended to apply to dental school within the last 18 months. Evidence could include:

• A copy of a completed and submitted ADEA AADSAS application
• A letter of rejection from a dental school
• A letter on school letterhead from a dental school admissions officer encouraging you to retest or reapply
• A letter on school letterhead from a college/university health profession advisor/instructor verifying that you are applying to dental school

Yes you can; however, you’ll be required to pay a fee for rescheduling. Best thing to do is pick a date and stick with it! However, if something does come up and you have to reschedule then here is a table that will let you know how much you will have to pay.

Days Before Test Date	Fee
1-5	$100
6-30	$60
31+	$25

The DAT is a timed exam. You will have 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete all sections of the test. There are also 45 minutes of additional time which is optional and used for a tutorial at the beginning of the test, a break at the halfway point, and a survey after completing the test.

I would highly recommend taking the time allotted to you for a break and give your brain a breather before continuing on with the rest of the test. It’s an endurance test, you need to be prepared mentally and physically. The more you prepare through studying, taking practice tests, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep; the better you will perform on the actual test. It’s just like a sport, you need to train and prepare in all aspects in order to perform well on game day. Enough ranting, here is a breakdown of the time for the test:

Optional Tutorial	15 minutes
Survey of Natural Sciences	90 minutes
Perceptual Ability Test	60 minutes
Optional Break	15 minutes
Reading Comprehension Test	60 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test	45 minutes
Optional Post Test Survey	15 minutes

The DAT is comprised of four tests: Survey of Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability Test, Reading Comprehension Test, and a Quantitative Reasoning Test. In order to master the material, you’ll surely need a DAT Prep Course. Let’s look at each test and see what material is covered on them.

1. Cell and Molecular Biology – origin of life, cell metabolism (including photosynthesis/enzymology), cellular processes, thermodynamics, organelle structure and function, mitosis/meiosis, cell structure and experimental cell biology
2. Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (Six-Kingdom, Three-Domain System) – plantae, animalia, protista, fungi, eubacteria (bacteria), archaea, etc.
3. Structure and Function of Systems – integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, reproductive, etc.
4. Developmental Biology – fertilization, descriptive embryology, developmental mechanisms, and experimental embryology
5. Genetics – molecular genetics, human genetics, classical genetics, chromosomal genetics, and genetic technology
6. Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior – natural selection, population genetics/speciation, cladistics, population and community ecology, ecosystems, and animal behavior (including social behavior)

Stoichiometry and General Concepts – percent composition, empirical formulae, balancing equations, moles and molecular formulas, molar mass, density, and calculations from balanced equations

1. Gases – kinetic molecular theory of gases, Dalton’s, Boyle’s, Charles’s, and ideal gas law
2. Liquids and Solids – intermolecular forces, phase changes, vapor pressure, structures, polarity, and properties
3. Solutions – polarity, properties (colligative, non-colligative), forces, and concentration calculations
4. Acids and Bases – pH, strength, Bronsted-Lowry reactions, and calculations
5. Chemical Equilibria – molecular, acid/base, precipitation, calculations, and Le Chatelier’s principle
6. Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry – laws of thermodynamics, Hess’s Law, spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies, and heat transfer
7. Chemical Kinetics – rate laws, activation energy, and half-life
8. Oxidation-Reduction Reactions – balancing equations, determination of oxidation numbers, electrochemical calculations, and electrochemical concepts and terminology
9. Atomic and Molecular Structure – electron configuration, orbital types, Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theory, quantum theory, molecular geometry, bond types, and sub-atomic particles
10. Periodic Properties – representative elements, transition elements, periodic trends, and descriptive chemistry
11. Nuclear Reactions – balancing equations, binding energy, decay processes, particles, and terminology
12. Laboratory – basic techniques, equipment, error analysis, safety, and data analysis

Mechanisms: Energetics, and Structure – elimination, addition, free radical, substitution mechanisms, and other

1. Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules – spectroscopy (1H NMR, 13C NMR, infrared, and multi-spectra), structure (polarity, intermolecular forces (solubility, melting/boiling point, etc.), and laboratory theory and techniques (i.e. TLC, separations, etc.)
2. Stereochemistry (structure evaluation) – chirality, isomer relationships, and conformations
3. Nomenclature – IUPAC rules and functional groups in molecules
4. Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds – alkene/alkyne, aromatic, substitution/elimination, aldehyde/ketone, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and other. For each area listed above, the following sub-areas apply: general, one-step, and multi-step.
5. Acid-Base Chemistry – ranking acidity/basicity (structure analysis and pH/pKa data analysis), and prediction of products and equilibria
6. Aromatics and Bonding – concept of aromaticity, resonance, atomic/molecular orbitals, hybridization, and bond angles/lengths

The Perceptual Ability Test is made up of six subtests which include:

1. Apertures
2. View Recognition
3. Angle Discrimination
4. Paper Folding
5. Cube Counting
6. 3D Form Development

The Reading Comprehension Test contains three reading passages on various scientific topics. Prior knowledge of the topics is not necessary; therefore, the purpose of this section is to test your ability to read, comprehend, and analyze basic scientific information. Time passes fast when you’re trying to read these scientific passages so you better get some practice in beforehand!