How to Read Your DAT Percentile (2025–2026 Update)
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 (based on the new 200–600 scoring system)
Your percentile
Most students focus only on the score — but dental schools pay close attention to percentiles, because they reflect how you performed compared to every other test-taker nationwide.
If you’re new to the exam, start with our full overview:
👉 What Is the DAT Exam?
And if you are planning ahead, here is our guide to exam timing and scheduling:
👉 DAT Test Dates and Registration Guide
What Is a DAT Percentile?
Your percentile tells you the percentage of test-takers you performed better than.
Examples:
70th percentile → Better than 70% of all students
90th percentile → Top 10% nationwide
50th percentile → Around the national average
Percentiles help schools compare applicants across different versions of the exam and interpret how competitive you are in the current cycle.
The New DAT Scoring System (200–600)
Starting in 2025, DAT scores now follow a three-digit scale:
200 = lowest possible score
400 = national average
600 = highest possible score
However, your percentile is what tells schools how you compare to thousands of other applicants.
Why Dental Schools Use Percentiles
Admissions committees use percentiles to:
Compare students across different DAT versions
Understand an applicant’s competitiveness
Predict academic readiness
Make fair comparisons using national data
Percentiles provide context that the three-digit score alone cannot.
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 schools
85th–90th percentile → Very competitive
90th+ percentile → Excellent; top 10% of all test-takers
⭐ Prepare for the DAT and OAT With Trusted Resources
For over 35 years, Dr. Jim Romano has helped thousands of students earn top DAT and OAT scores and enter competitive dental and optometry programs.
👉 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. Jim Romano — offered in-person at Snug Harbor and online for remote students.
👉 https://orgoman.com/pages/dat-classes
More Helpful DAT Resources
If you want to understand how scores convert across sections under the new 200–600 scale, read this next:
👉 DAT Score Conversion Chart (2025 Update)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a competitive DAT percentile?
A competitive percentile is generally 75th percentile or higher.
Top schools may prefer 85th–90th percentile and above.
2. Do dental schools care about percentiles?
Yes. Percentiles help schools compare you directly to the entire applicant pool.
3. Can study materials help raise my percentile?
Absolutely. Many students improve substantially with structured practice and resources like the DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer.
FAQ
Q: What is a competitive DAT percentile?
A: Competitive DAT percentiles are typically 75th percentile or higher, with top-tier programs preferring 85th–90th percentile.
Q: Do dental schools look at percentiles?
A: Yes. Percentiles help schools evaluate your performance relative to all test-takers nationwide.
Q: Can study materials help raise my percentile?
A: Yes. Students often increase their percentile with structured practice and high-quality resources like the DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer.