Study Tips for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) (2024)

FAQs

Study Tips for the Dental Admission Test (DAT)? ›

Take two or three real-time simulated practice tests—this is the best way to most accurately replicate the conditions you will experience on test day. Avoid spending excessive time memorizing small details. The DAT tests critical thinking and application, not restating facts. Focus on fundamental concepts.

3 months is usually enough time to effectively prepare for the DAT if you study for 100-120 hours per month. Alternatively, you can prepare for the DAT in one month if you study close to 10 hours per day.

A good length of time to study for the DAT is between three to four months. If you want to break it down by hours, aim for 200-250 hours total.

What makes the DAT difficult is the large amount of subject matter that it covers, as well as the length of the test. The exam covers an array of subjects, encompassing a large amount of information. It is a 4 hour and 15-minute exam, not including the recommended breaks, that is broken into 6 sections.

DAT Bootcamp is the best all-in-one study tool to ace the DAT. We have the most representative DAT practice tests, premium lesson videos, and performance analytics that make the DAT easy. It's not a coincidence over 90% of dental students used DAT Bootcamp to prepare for the DAT.

Some programs consider a score of 18 or higher to be competitive while others prefer applicants with a score of 20 or higher. To be most competitive for dental school admission, we advise students to aim for a score of 20 or higher in each section of the DAT.

The highest possible DAT score is 30. However, no one has ever actually achieved this “perfect” score. The ADA notes that there is no specific number of correct answers you need to achieve a particular score.

The Dental Admissions Test is required as part of your application to dental school. The test is science-based, and Sul described it as similar in structure to the math and science section of the SAT–except harder.

You will receive a scaled score for each section of the DAT, along with a composite score. This will provide you with an average of your overall performance on the exam. The average DAT score is around 17.

Generally speaking, you can only miss around 5-6 questions in each of the science and math sections to score a 20. Scores of over 23 are very rare (98th percentile and up). You can miss around 20 questions in the perceptual test to score a 20.

Which is harder, MCAT or DAT? ›

To wrap up, when choosing between the DAT vs. MCAT, remember that the MCAT is usually more challenging due to its broader content. Base your choice on your career goals: DAT for dentists and MCAT for various medical fields.

Organic Chemistry on the DAT

Often considered the most difficult section, organic chemistry has 30 questions. Concepts include: mechanisms, organic analysis, properties of molecules, stereochemistry, bonding, and more.

The average DAT score for any section is approximately 19/30; the average AA for admissions is usually 18-21 depending on the dental school; the AA for admissions to Harvard is around 23-24; the 100th percentile is usually 25 meaning that virtually 100% of the approximately 13 000 students who take the DAT every year ...

Take two or three real-time simulated practice tests—this is the best way to most accurately replicate the conditions you will experience on test day. Avoid spending excessive time memorizing small details. The DAT tests critical thinking and application, not restating facts. Focus on fundamental concepts.

The act of writing or typing notes aids in the retention and memorization of information. This is especially important for recalling details during the DAT, where memory recall is a crucial skill.

At a minimum, you want to give yourself three months of consistent study to have the best chance of entry into the 2% club. This will include content review and practice tests, as well as test strategy. We recommend a 300-hour minimum for overall study time for the DAT—and more to get a top score.

Some people suggest taking two months to study for the DAT, as it gives you enough time to thoroughly dive into the three main topics that appear on the test, but it is also not a long enough time to forget everything in the first few weeks you studied.

If you schedule out a few hours each week where you will focus on studying, a couple months can be enough to improve your scores. The chart above recommends around 80 hours of studying for a 200 point improvement. If you have three months to study, that comes out to about five hours a week.

The average DAT score for any section is approximately 19/30; the average AA for admissions is usually 18-21 depending on the dental school; the AA for admissions to Harvard is around 23-24; the 100th percentile is usually 25 meaning that virtually 100% of the approximately 13 000 students who take the DAT every year ...

The average score for acceptance is around 20 AA.

This is just an average though, a quick look at the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools shows that students get accepted with lower scores as well! A good score is 20 AA and should be most students' goal. Scores of 23+ AA are rare and exceptionally competitive.