Take our Free Practice Tests for the 2025 DAT.

• About the Dental Admission Test (DAT)
• Sections of the DAT
  • Perceptual Ability
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Survey of the Natural Sciences
• What to Expect on Test Day
  • What to Bring
  • What Not to Bring
• Best Ways to Study for the DAT Test
  • Take Practice Tests
  • Use Alternative Study Methods
  • Simulate the Testing Experience
• DAT Test Tips and Tricks
  • Plan the Timing of Your Test
  • Plan for Study Time
  • Use Personal Resources
  • Remain Calm
• DAT Test FAQ:
  • 1. What level of content is covered by the DAT?
  • 2. What should be my score goal on the DAT?
  • 3. Why is there a section on perceptual ability on this test?
  • 4. Can I retake the DAT?

About the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The DAT is only one tool used by dental schools to make admission decisions, but it can be an important one. This test assesses specific skills in reading, math, spatial perception, and science that dental schools deem important for success in the study of dentistry. The entire test will occupy nearly five hours of your day, and it may be as much a test of perseverance as of knowledge. As such, proper preparation is crucial.

Sections of the DAT

Perceptual Ability

This DAT test section evaluates your visual and mental ability concerning spatial relationships, in both two and three dimensions. You will be presented with 90 questions from six domains of spatial awareness and given 60 minutes to complete them. The questions will be divided into six 15-question sets.

Quantitative Reasoning

In this section of the DAT, you will find two types of questions. First, 30 mathematical problem questions will cover discrete skills in the areas of algebra; data analysis, interpretation, and sufficiency; quantitative comparison; and probability and statistics. You will also be presented with 10 applied mathematic problems that consist of a scenario and a problem to solve using a variety of the above-mentioned math skills. To complete all 40 questions, you’ll have 45 minutes.

Reading Comprehension

Reading, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting scientific passages will be assessed in this section of the DAT. The content of the passages is related to topics studied in undergraduate college science courses, but all the necessary information will be in the passage. You may need to analyze and interpret that information using skills learned in college science courses. You will have 60 minutes to complete the 50 multiple-choice questions. There will be three reading passages with 16 or 17 questions about each of them.

Survey of the Natural Sciences

The 100 multiple-choice questions in this section of the DAT assess your knowledge, reasoning, and analytical skills related to the concepts covered in three college-level undergraduate courses: biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. You will have 90 minutes to complete the questions.

What to Expect on Test Day

Your DAT test day will be a long one, so be sure to be prepared, but also get plenty of sleep and solid nutrition before you go. This way, you’ll have the energy to apply all that knowledge you’ve gained in undergraduate classes and do the best you can on the test.

What to Bring

To be admitted to take the DAT, you’ll need to present two IDs: one government-issued with your picture, name, and signature, and a secondary ID that has your name and signature. Only current (non-expired) IDs are accepted. Other than these IDs, you’ll need to bring very little.

What Not to Bring

These items will not be allowed in the testing center:

• jewelry (except for wedding or engagement rings)
• electronic devices
• books, papers, or study materials
• any kind of personal item
• any type of headphones or earplugs not approved by the test vendor
• outerwear
• food, candy, gum, or beverages

Best Ways to Study for the DAT Test

Take Practice Tests

There’s nothing like getting prior practice of representative test questions before the day of a test. Doing so before taking the DAT can be a vital part of your preparation. Sure, you can stare at books and notes all day, but having to call up that knowledge to answer questions can prepare you more effectively for test day.

Use Alternative Study Methods

In addition to practice questions, be sure to access other study methods and materials. You may find that watching related videos about the tested study areas works best for you. Study groups can help you refresh your academic memory with others. Flashcards can be another quick and useful study tool. There is no single study method that is right for everyone.

Simulate the Testing Experience

Being able to take your time to answer questions is one thing, but you will not have that luxury during the DAT administration. Every section is timed, and you will be given between 45 seconds and a little over a minute to answer each question, depending on the section. So speed will be your ally. When you take practice tests, set a timer and try to finish before it sounds. Also, remember that there is no penalty for guessing, so try to at least mark an answer for every question.

DAT Test Tips and Tricks

Plan the Timing of Your Test

It is suggested that you take the DAT either during the spring semester of your junior year of college or during the following summer. This will enable you to both have your scores in time to apply to dental schools and take all the courses from which test content will be derived. Also, be aware that you should apply to take the test six to eight weeks before the test date, so you’ll need to plan well in advance.

Plan for Study Time

Given the wide span of content covered by the DAT, be sure to allow plenty of preparation time. Yes, you’ve already taken or are taking the courses covered, but it will take an extended time to review it well. Start with the test date and count backward at least eight to 12 weeks. That should allow the minimum of study time necessary. Then, map out what you will work on each day and stick to that schedule.

Use Personal Resources

Except for the section on perception, you should have books and course notes on all of the subjects covered by the test. Use them to bolster your knowledge when you encounter difficult practice questions. To study for the perceptual section, find similar games online to gain perceptual skills.

Remain Calm

Yes, the DAT is important, and yes, you want to do well. Remember, though, that dental schools do not use it as the only criterion for admission. All you can do is set a study plan and stick to it, and you will feel prepared on test day.

DAT Test FAQ:

1. What level of content is covered by the DAT?

The DAT covers content at the college level, so you should focus on that material. You may have taken biology and chemistry in high school, but the test level is more advanced than that, so refer to your undergraduate course experience for help.

2. What should be my score goal on the DAT?

There is no set “passing score” for the DAT. Each dental school determines what score range they will accept for admission. The value of the scores is in helping schools find the dental students who will be most likely to succeed in dental school studies. Obviously, a higher score is more likely to gain you acceptance, so attempt to do your very best on the DAT.

3. Why is there a section on perceptual ability on this test?

This may seem like an odd section for an admission test to graduate school, but its inclusion has a valid purpose. Dental work requires expertise in visual awareness and perception as well as skill in visualizing what something could look like if changed. Studies have shown that acuity in these areas is valuable for success in dentistry.

4. Can I retake the DAT?

Yes, but you must wait 60 days after the first test to do so, and you may not take the DAT more than four times in a 12-month period. There are other stipulations for retakes after the third and fifth attempts.