DAT Test

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) was created as a gauge of a candidate’s broad educational skills, scientific understanding and perceptual skills. Every dental school uses the DAT, but the test is not the only thing that schools use when deciding whether a candidate will be admitted or not.

DAT Study Guide | DAT Flashcard Review

This computer-based examination has four sections, all of which are formed with multiple-choice questions. It takes about 4½ hours to finish. The content of the test is broken down as follows:

1. The quantitative reasoning assessment has 40 questions, as follows: • 30 math - Including nine algebra, six numerical calculations, three conversions, four probability and statistics, four geometry, and four trigonometry questions. • 10 applied math questions.

2. The perceptual ability assessment has 90 questions.

3. The reading comprehension assessment has 50 questions.

4. The survey of the natural sciences has 100 items, as follows: • Biology has 40 questions, as follows: 13 on cell and molecular biology; three on diversity of life: biological organization and relationship of major taxa (five-kingdom system); four on developmental biology; seven on genetics; four on evolution, ecology and behavior; and nine questions on structure and function of systems. • General chemistry has 30 questions, as follows: three on stoichiometry and general concepts; two on gases; three on liquids and solids; three on solutions; three on acids and bases; two on chemical equilibria; two on thermodynamics and thermochemistry; two on chemical kinetics; two on oxidation-reduction reactions; three on atomic and molecular structure; two on periodic properties; one on nuclear reactions; and two questions on the laboratory. • Organic chemistry has 30 questions, as follows: five on mechanisms: energetics, structure, and stability of intermediates; five on chemical and physical properties of molecules and organic analysis; three on stereochemistry; two on nomenclature; nine on individual reactions of the major functional groups and combinations of reactions to synthesize compounds; three on acid-base chemistry; and three questions on aromatics and bonding.

The results are scaled from the candidate’s raw score. There is no pass or fail; instead, the candidate just receives a result. The unofficial results will be given to the candidate at the examination site as soon as the test is finished. The official score goes to dental school of the candidate’s choice.