The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized exam designed to assess the skills and knowledge necessary for success in dental school. It includes multiple-choice questions and is divided into four main sections:
1. Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 questions - 90 minutes)
- Biology (40 questions): Topics include cell biology, molecular genetics, evolution, diversity of life, structure and function of systems, developmental biology, and ecology.
- General Chemistry (30 questions): Topics cover stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, periodic properties, bonding, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, and kinetics.
- Organic Chemistry (30 questions): Topics include reaction mechanisms, organic synthesis, structure and stability, acids and bases, stereochemistry, and functional groups.
2. Perceptual Ability (90 questions - 60 minutes)
- This section assesses spatial visualization skills. You’ll encounter problems that involve 2D and 3D manipulations, including angle discrimination, paper folding, cube counting, hole punching, and pattern recognition.
3. Reading Comprehension (50 questions - 60 minutes)
- You will read three scientific passages and answer questions that test your ability to comprehend, analyze, and apply information from the text.
4. Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions - 45 minutes)
- This section evaluates mathematical skills and includes problems related to algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, statistics, and word problems.
Test Duration
The DAT takes about 4.5 hours to complete, including an optional 15-minute break.
Scoring
- Each section is scored on a scale of 1 to 30. A score of 17–18 is considered average, while scores of 20 or higher are competitive for dental school admissions.