By Dr. Jim Romano and Nancy Steen — creators of the DAT Destroyer and OAT Destroyer Series
If you recently took the DAT, you probably walked out with two sets of numbers:
Your scaled score (under the new 200–600 system)
Your percentile
Most students focus only on the score, but dental schools pay close attention to percentiles because they show how you performed compared to every other test-taker nationwide.
If you are new to the exam, start with our full overview:
➡ What Is the DAT Exam?
https://orgoman.com/blogs/dental-admissions-test-and-road-to-dental-school-acceptance/what-is-the-dat-understanding-the-dental-admission-test-dat-for-students
And if you’re planning ahead, here is our guide to timing and scheduling:
➡ DAT Test Dates and Registration Guide
https://orgoman.com/blogs/dental-admissions-test-and-road-to-dental-school-acceptance/dat-test-dates-registration-guide-dat-destroyer-oat-destroyer
➡ How Hard Is the DAT? Difficulty Guide for 2026
https://orgoman.com/blogs/dental-admissions-test-and-road-to-dental-school-acceptance/how-hard-is-the-dat
What Is a DAT Percentile?
Your percentile tells you the percentage of students you performed better than.
Examples:
70th percentile → You scored higher than 70% of all test-takers
90th percentile → Top 10% nationwide
50th percentile → Around the national average
Percentiles allow schools to fairly compare students across different testing dates and exam versions.
The New DAT Scoring System (200–600)
Beginning in 2025, the DAT uses a three-digit scoring scale:
200 = lowest possible score
400 = national average
600 = highest possible score
Your percentile, however, tells schools how you compare to thousands of other examinees. This makes it a more meaningful number for admissions committees.
Why Dental Schools Use Percentiles
Percentiles help schools:
Compare students across different versions of the DAT
Evaluate competitiveness within the applicant pool
Predict academic readiness
Interpret performance using national norms
The three-digit score is important, but the percentile provides the context schools rely on.
DAT Percentile Ranges (What They Mean for You)
Below 40th percentile → Needs improvement
50th percentile → Average performance
60th–70th percentile → Stronger than most applicants
75th+ percentile → Competitive for many programs
85th–90th percentile → Very competitive
90th+ percentile → Excellent; top 10% of test-takers
Prepare With Trusted DAT and OAT Resources
For more than 35 years, Dr. Jim Romano has helped thousands of students earn top scores and enter competitive dental and optometry programs.
Most popular study guides:
DAT Destroyer — Complete Question Bank
Math Destroyer — Full Math Question Bank
OAT Destroyer — Full OAT Question Bank
General Chemistry Destroyer
Organic Chemistry Odyssey
Join our free study group and download Dr. Romano’s Biology Review in the Files section:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ZLZLePEWr/
Classes taught by Dr. Romano are offered both in-person at Snug Harbor and live online:
https://orgoman.com/pages/dat-classes
More Helpful DAT Resources
If you want to understand how individual section scores convert under the new three-digit system, read this next:
➡ DAT Score Conversion Chart (2025 Update)
And if you're still unsure where your score stands in terms of difficulty and national competitiveness, this guide will help:
➡ How Hard Is the DAT?
https://orgoman.com/blogs/dental-admissions-test-and-road-to-dental-school-acceptance/how-hard-is-the-dat
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a competitive DAT percentile?
A: Competitive percentiles are typically 75th percentile or higher, with top-tier programs preferring 85th–90th percentile and above.
Q: Do dental schools look at percentiles?
A: Yes. Percentiles help schools compare your performance directly to the national applicant pool.
Q: Can study materials help raise my percentile?
A: Yes. Students often see significant improvement through structured practice with resources like the DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer.