DAT Practice Test

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is administered by the American Dental Association to assess the readiness of applicants for dental education programs.

Click “Start Test” to take a free DAT practice test!

DAT Exam Eligibility

There are no specific eligibility requirements for this exam, though it is recommended that you have completed at least one year of college education that involved biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry courses. Most DAT test-takers have completed at least two years of college before taking the exam.

DAT Exam Outline

The DAT exam contains 280 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 4 hours and 15 minutes.

The exam is split into four sections:

1. Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 questions)

This section of the exam is split into three subsections, and you will be given a time limit of 90 minutes.

Biology (40 questions)

• Cellular biology
• Molecular biology
• Diversity of life
• Structure and function of systems
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Ecology

General Chemistry (30 questions)

An image of the periodic table will be available for reference during this subsection.

• Stoichiometry
• Gases, liquids, and solids
• Solutions
• Acids and bases
• Chemical equilibria
• Thermodynamics and thermochemistry
• Chemical kinetics
• Oxidation-reduction reactions
• Atomic and molecular structure
• Periodic properties
• Nuclear reactions
• Laboratory

Organic Chemistry (30 questions)

• Mechanisms
• Chemical and physical properties of molecules
• Stereochemistry
• Nomenclature
• Individual reactions of the major functional groups
• Combinations of reactions to synthesize compounds
• Acid-base chemistry
• Aromatics and bonding

2. Perceptual Ability (90 questions)

This section of the exam is split into six subsections, and you will be given a time limit of one hour.

1. Apertures
2. 3D form development
3. Paper folding
4. View recognition
5. Cube counting
6. Angle discrimination

3. Reading Comprehension (50 questions)

This section of the exam requires you to read three passages and answer the corresponding questions. Each passage will be about a different scientific topic, and everything you need to answer the questions is contained within each passage. You will be given a time limit of one hour to complete this section.

4. Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)

This section of the exam covers various mathematical problems, including applied mathematics problems. You will be provided with a digital four-function calculator to use during this section, and you will be given a time limit of 45 minutes.

DAT Exam Registration

To register for the DAT exam, you must first obtain a Dental Personal Identification Number (DENTPIN), which you can do by visiting the ADA’s website. Once you have a DENTPIN, you can submit an online application, which should include the examination fee of $525.

Once your application has been approved, you will be provided with instructions on how to schedule a day and time for your exam.

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Test Day

You should arrive at the testing center around 30 minutes early to allow enough time for the check-in process. Once you arrive, the administration vendor will biometrically scan your palm vein and/or fingerprint for security and identification purposes, and you will be asked to provide a valid form of government-issued identification.

Before you enter the testing area, any eyeglasses and hair accessories will be removed and inspected. No personal items or jewelry will be permitted in the testing room.

Once the vendor has determined you are ready, you will be led to the testing area, where you will have the option to take a 15-minute tutorial before starting the exam.

How the DAT Exam is Scored

The ADA uses a scaled scoring system for the DAT exam. This means that your raw score, which is simply the number of questions you answered correctly, is converted to a standard score set on a scale of 1 to 30.

There is no set passing score for the DAT, but a scaled score of 19 is generally considered an average score.

You will receive an unofficial score report before you leave the testing center, and you will be sent an official score report within 3 to 4 weeks.

FAQs

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