American Dental Association (ADA)
DAT
Dental Admission Test
The standardized admission exam required by nearly every US dental school. A multiple-choice battery covering the natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading, and quantitative reasoning that is the primary gatekeeper to a DDS or DMD seat.
What's on the exam
ADA DAT test specifications (four-section format)
Survey of the Natural Sciences
100 of 280 items (~36%)Biology (40 items): cell and molecular biology · Biology: organ systems and physiology · Biology: genetics, evolution, ecology · General chemistry (30 items): stoichiometry, kinetics, equilibrium · Organic chemistry (30 items): mechanisms, stereochemistry, reactions
Perceptual Ability
90 of 280 items (~32%)Apertures (keyhole) · View recognition (top/front/end) · Angle discrimination · Paper folding · Cube counting · 3D form development
Reading Comprehension
50 of 280 items (~18%)Scientific passage comprehension · Locating explicit detail · Inference and reasoning · Tone and purpose · Data interpretation
Quantitative Reasoning
40 of 280 items (~14%)Algebra · Numerical calculations · Conversions · Probability and statistics · Applied/word problems
Frequently asked questions
How much does the DAT cost?
The DAT costs $580. $580 examination fee includes administration and score reporting to programs selected at application; partial fee waivers cover 50% of a first attempt for qualifying candidates.
How long is the DAT and how many questions does it have?
280 items (Survey of the Natural Sciences 100, Perceptual Ability 90, Reading Comprehension 50, Quantitative Reasoning 40) — About 5 hours 15 minutes including optional break and tutorial.
What do you need to pass the DAT?
Scale scores (no pass/fail); competitive Academic Average and section scores vary by program.
Can you retake the DAT?
Must wait 60 days between attempts; maximum of four attempts in any 12-month period; three or more total attempts require special permission to reapply.
What is the best way to study for the DAT?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Survey of the Natural Sciences 100 of 280 items (~36%), Perceptual Ability 90 of 280 items (~32%), Reading Comprehension 50 of 280 items (~18%), Quantitative Reasoning 40 of 280 items (~14%)). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.
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