By Dr. Jim Romano and Nancy Steen — creators of the DAT Destroyer Series.
Preparing for the Dental Admission Test can feel like a full-time job. Between lectures, labs, and the pressure to get into dental school, it’s easy to fall into habits that waste time or even lower your score.
After helping students for more than 35 years, Dr. Romano and I have seen the same mistakes repeated again and again — even by very capable students. The good news? Every one of these errors is preventable once you know what to look for.
Here are the ten most common DAT mistakes and what you can do instead.
1. Starting Without a Study Plan
Jumping in without a structured plan is the fastest way to burn out.
Before you open a single book, map out your study weeks. Decide how much time you’ll spend on each subject, and build in review days. Consistency matters more than marathon study sessions.
2. Focusing Too Much on One Subject
Many students obsess over Biology or Organic Chemistry and neglect Reading or PAT.
Balanced preparation wins every time. The DAT rewards all-around thinkers, not one-section specialists.
3. Ignoring the Basics
You can’t solve advanced problems if you’ve forgotten the fundamentals.
Review your general chemistry formulas, key biology definitions, and math conversions regularly. Dr. Romano always says: “The DAT rewards depth of understanding, not trivia.”
4. Memorizing Instead of Understanding
Flashcards have their place, but memorization alone won’t get you through the DAT.
The DAT Destroyer was created to teach concepts, not shortcuts. Work each problem until you understand why the right answer works — and why the others don’t. That’s how you become test-proof.
5. Avoiding the Hard Questions
It’s tempting to skip problems that make you uncomfortable, but those are the very ones that push your score higher.
Mark them, revisit them, and dissect them. Growth happens where you struggle.
💡 For daily study motivation and free practice questions, join our DAT Destroyer Facebook Study Group, where Dr. Romano posts new problems every day to keep your skills sharp.
6. Relying Too Much on Timed Practice Tests
For years, there was no such thing as endless timed DAT practice exams — and truthfully, students often scored higher without them. Timed tests can create unnecessary anxiety and rarely predict how you’ll perform on the real DAT.
Over the years, thousands of students have contacted us after relying heavily on timed test “score predictions,” only to be disappointed on exam day. The truth is simple: spending hours on repeated mock tests doesn’t build mastery — building a strong foundation does.
That’s why Dr. Romano and I always tell students to spend their study time working through the DAT Destroyer, understanding each concept, and learning why every answer is right or wrong. That kind of preparation trains your mind to tackle any question that appears on test day.
If you must take a timed exam, use the official ADA practice test — but treat it as a diagnostic tool, not a fortune teller. Use it to find your weak areas, strengthen them, and move forward.
There are no shortcuts to a high DAT score. Taking timed tests over and over only traps you on what we call the Timed-Test Merry-Go-Round — lots of spinning, but no progress. Step off, refocus, and put your energy where it truly matters: mastering the material.
7. Neglecting Reading Comprehension
Even strong science students lose points here. Reading isn’t about speed; it’s about strategy and stamina.
Over the years, I’ve worked with students from all over the world — whether English is your first, second, or even third language, the biggest issue is often the same: students just don’t read anymore. Most of what they see each day is short, scrolling content — not full paragraphs that require focus and comprehension.
If Reading Comprehension is a weak point for you, the solution isn’t taking endless timed tests or clicking through passages that only build anxiety. The real key is to start reading again — consistently.
Pick up a real newspaper or magazine. National Geographic is one of my favorites — it’s interesting, informative, and you can usually find used copies for just a few dollars at thrift stores. Or grab any book that genuinely interests you; it doesn’t have to be science-related. The goal is to get words in front of you and practice understanding what you read. As you do that regularly, your comprehension and speed will naturally improve.
And here’s something many students overlook — Dr. Romano posts daily reading passages in our free DAT Destroyer Facebook Study Group. If you make it a habit to read those every day, you’ll start developing a consistent reading routine without even realizing it. Over time, that small daily effort builds the focus and rhythm that make Reading Comprehension feel easier on test day.
Those are the habits that raise scores — not another timed Reading section or app that promises quick fixes. You have to be able to read at a steady pace and truly understand what you’re reading. That’s the bottom line.
(Alt-text suggestion for image: “Student reading National Geographic magazine to improve DAT Reading Comprehension.”)
8. Ignoring PAT Practice
The Perceptual Ability Test requires consistency, not cramming.
Fifteen minutes a day builds spatial intuition far more effectively than marathon study weekends. Treat it like daily exercise — short, steady practice adds up.
9. Comparing Yourself to Others
Scrolling through Reddit and seeing 25 AAs everywhere can be discouraging, but remember: you’re seeing highlight reels, not full stories.
Stay focused on your own growth. The DAT rewards preparation and calm thinking, not panic.
10. Cramming the Last Week
Your brain consolidates information during rest, not all-nighters.
During your final week, lighten the load. Review notes, do light Destroyer problems, sleep well, and visualize success. Walk into test day confident, not exhausted.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Avoiding these ten traps can raise your score more than memorizing another hundred facts. The secret to success on the DAT isn’t magic — it’s smart, consistent effort.
Focus on learning the why, not chasing fake “predictive” numbers. Build a foundation so strong that no question can shake you. That’s the Destroyer way — and it’s what turns hard-working students into confident test-takers.
📚 Next Steps
If you’re ready to study smarter and learn directly from Dr. Romano’s decades of experience, explore the DAT Destroyer Study Guide and Dr. Romano’s Dynamite Biology Review.
📘 Dr. Romano’s Dynamite Biology Review can also be downloaded for free in our DAT Destroyer Facebook Study Group under the “Files” section.
Dr. Romano posts daily practice questions in the group to help students strengthen weak areas, and it’s a great way to stay consistent while connecting with others who are on the same journey.
And if you prefer to learn visually, don’t miss our official DAT Destroyer YouTube Channel — it’s filled with hundreds of free lessons that cover Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Math.
These are the same resources that have helped thousands of students earn interviews — and eventually, seats in dental schools across the country.