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the DAT

The DAT is a standardized exam that is mandatory for dental school. It is composed of the following 6 sections:

* Biology
* Inorganic Chemistry
* Organic Chemistry
* PAT
* Reading
* Math

The maximum score is 30 for each section, but a 30 is almost impossible to achieve. The scale is not linear. For example, if you miss 10 problems you may get a 19. If you miss 1 problem, you may only get a 27. The highest score I ever personally heard anyone of getting is a 26.

Your scores for biology, chemistry, and organics are averaged together to get a combined science score.

If I recall correctly, the exam is approximately 4 hours long. You get a 10-15 minute break after the organic section. I always took my break to (1) use the bathroom, and (2) get more scrap paper. They send you in the room with only 4 sheets of paper. If you need more, you have to stop the exam and turn in the sheets you have to get more.

To register for the DAT, go to the ADA website. There you can find more detailed information about the exam and testing centers.

You can take the exam year round. First register on-line. You will receive a letter in the mail 2 weeks later with a 800 number to call to set up your exact testing appointment.

Once you take the exam, you cannot take it again for another 3 months. You can register for it prior to the 90 day limit, but the exam day must be after the limit.


DAT Sections

Here is what I thought of my DAT experience:

* Biology - Not too difficult, but it did cover a lot of information. Study the basics of Bio I and II - photosynthesis, respiration, Kingodms/species/etc., the cell, etc. I did not have a lot of anatomy on my exam.

* Chemistry - The problems were not difficult, you just had to remember the basic equations - partial pressure, chemical formulas, etc.

* Organics - Again, not too difficult - oxidixe an alcohol, you'll get what?; chair conformation of this compound is?; ortho, meta or para?

Definitely check out the ADA website for a break down of the exact topics of each section.

* PAT - This section you just have to use your mind's eye. They will show you 4 angles and you have to order them from narrowest to widest (or vice versa); fold a piece of paper mentally, punch holes and where are the holes in the unfolded paper?; given 2 of the 3 views (top, front, profile) guess which one is the missing view; given a 3D object, which hole will it fit through. Definitely practice this one on the computer!

* Reading - There will be 3 LONG articles you must read and then answer questions to. Definitely practice on the computer to get use to reading on the screen and scrolling through the article.

* Math - practice some problems. Basic geometry and algrbra. No calculus. Make sure you know how to do the ones you missed - and fast. I almost ran out of time on this section.


Study Aides
I purchased and used the following Study Aides.


Scores
Here are my scores. I took the DAT twice.

I took my first DAT in July 2004 after taking Biology I and Organics I and studying with the Kaplan text. I took this DAT even though I hadn't taken Bio II or Org II in order to quickly complete my AADSAS application, which was submitted in June 2004.

I was happy with my scores, except I did get a 13 in my Organic section and UF required a minimum of 15 in all sections of the DAT. So I retook the exam in December 2004 after taking Bio II and Org II and studying the TopScore Pro.

Download: Ping's DAT Scores (MS Excel)