The best unofficial prep for the DAT.

The current basic fee charged to take the DAT is $540.00. There is a list of rescheduling and other relevant fees you may incur in the DAT Candidate Guide.

You will need to bring two forms of ID to the DAT testing center: one primary and one secondary. The primary ID must be government-issued and include your photo, name, and signature. The secondary ID (e.g., debit/credit card, library card) must have your name and signature. Please note:

• All IDs must be current, and you cannot use a paper verification form stating a new ID has been ordered.

• All IDs except passports must be in English.

• The name on your testing application record (called DENTPIN) must exactly match the name on any ID used.

There are various items that are not allowed in the testing center, including any jewelry, except for wedding or engagement rings, and any type of electronic device. Also, you will be provided with either a pencil and paper or a noteboard and pen with which to make notes and do calculations. You are not allowed to bring your own writing materials.

Your score on the DAT will be a whole number between 1 and 30. There is no penalty for guessing, so make every attempt to select an answer for every question on the test. There is no established “passing” score for the DAT, as each prospective institution will determine what score they require for admission.

Dentists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of teeth, gums, and other parts of the mouth. Upon graduation from dental school, there will be a number of certifications to obtain through written and clinical exams. Once licensed, you will have the option to set up your own practice or work with a group of dentists. There are also positions available as associate dentists in established practices.

Prospective dental school applicants are encouraged to take the DAT during the spring of their junior year in college or the following summer. There are no requirements concerning previous coursework, but it is highly recommended that students have completed college-level courses in the subjects covered by the test, especially organic chemistry.

Before entry to the testing center, you must consent to have your biometric data taken. If you refuse this or are denied entry for any other reason, or if you do not attend your scheduled testing session, you will forfeit the test fee you paid.

The retake policy for the DAT states:

• The DAT may be retaken after 60 days.

• It may only be taken four times in a 12-month period.

• Beginning with the fourth attempt, you must apply to retake the test, submitting proof of your application to dental school for each subsequent retest request.

• After your fifth test attempt, you must wait 12 months to retake the DAT.

Your DAT score will not be the only source of information for dental schools to which you apply, but a good score can boost your chances of acceptance. The institution’s acceptance personnel will also review your academic record and possibly other pertinent statistics.

While you won’t realize the monetary value of working in dentistry until after you graduate from dental school, the prospects of significant income are outstanding. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median salary as nearly $160,000 per year.

The DAT is administered at Prometric test centers in the US and Canada. Be sure to plan ahead and apply at least six to eight weeks before you wish to take the test.

The entire DAT takes about four and a half hours to complete (including breaks), but with administrative procedures at the beginning and end of the test session, plan on being there closer to five hours. There is one 30-minute break in the middle of the test. If you choose to take other breaks (only allowed with proctor permission), the test timer will keep running.

The breakdown of question numbers and time allotted for each test section is as follows:

• Survey of the Natural Sciences: 100 questions in 90 minutes
• Perceptual Ability: 90 questions (in six 15-question sets) in 60 minutes
• Reading Comprehension: 50 questions in 60 minutes (three passages with 16-17 questions each)
• Quantitative Reasoning: 40 questions in 45 minutes