The DAT is a standardized test that dental schools use to assess the knowledge and skills of applicants.
A good DAT score is crucial to a successful dental school application.
A good DAT score is crucial to a successful dental school application.
The Exam
The DAT is comprised of several sections that test over natural sciences (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry), perceptual ability, reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning.
Ranging from 45 to 90 minute sections the test takes a total of about 5 hours to complete. Although changes to the DAT have been speculated for quite some time, the actual changes will not be visible until 2015.
Scoring
The ADA is the official website for the DAT and contains necessary information regarding the test, the DENTPIN and many more. The DAT can be taken a maximum on three times a year and costs $385 per exam.
The test score is based on the number of correct answers submitted (so if you were to run out of time, guess away!) The standard scores are graded on a scale of 1 to 30 where a 17 or an 18 is usually the average score.
After taking the test the scores are automatically downloaded unto the application using the applicants's DENTPIN (personal DAT identification number).
The test score is based on the number of correct answers submitted (so if you were to run out of time, guess away!) The standard scores are graded on a scale of 1 to 30 where a 17 or an 18 is usually the average score.
After taking the test the scores are automatically downloaded unto the application using the applicants's DENTPIN (personal DAT identification number).
Helpful links and websites
- The Gold Standard DAT Prep:
For over 25 years, Gold Standard has helped tens of thousands of students improve their chances of medical school admissions. They have constructed our books, videos, online materials and apps with problem-based learning (PBL) as the foundation.
They offer a wide range of FREE resources for pre-dental students:
Free Practice test, which also comes with one-hour online science video access: http://www.dat-prep.com/free-dat-practice-test.html
DAT PAT video tutorials: http://www.dat-prep.com/dat-pat-perceptual-ability-test.html#PATvideos
DAT PAT practice test: http://www.dat-prep.com/dat-pat-perceptual-ability-test.html#PATque1
DAT Chemistry Key Reactions Summary: http://www.dat-prep.c om/dat-organic-chemistry-reactions-review.html
DAT Scores: http://www.dat-prep.com/dat-scores-for-dental-schools
FREE DAT Flashcards apps for iPhone and Android: click on the link from the homepage: http://www.dat-prep.com/ - The American Student Dental Association provided several tips and guides to help students prepare for the DAT.
- Crush the DAT exam provides a relatively in depth study schedule to help students "crush DAT exam" (pun intended).
- The ADA has also kindly provided some free practice DAT exams that are not super great but work as a good starting point.
References
- http://www.asdanet.org/predental/dat-prep.aspx
- http://crushthedatexam.com/dat-study-schedule/