The Dental Admission Test (abbreviated DAT) is a multiple-choicestandardized exam taken by potential dental school students in the United States and Canada (although there is a separate Canadian version with differing sections, both American and Canadian versions are usually interchangeably accepted in both countries' dental schools. This article will specifically describe the American DAT). The DAT is a computer based test that can be administered almost any day of the year. Tests are taken at Prometric testing centers throughout the United States after the preliminary application through the American Dental Association is completed. Each applicant may only take the test a total of three times before having to ask special permission to take the exam again. After taking the exam, applicants must wait 90 days before repeating it. Each exam costs $495, all of which is non-refundable.
Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning
Purpose
Admissions to dental colleges (mostly in United States and Canada).
Year started
1950 (1950)
Score / grade range
1 to 30 (in 1-point increments) for each of the 8 sections (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning, Total Science, and Academic Average ).[1]
Score / grade validity
Usually 2 to 3 years (depends on dental college being applied to).[1]
The DAT comprises four sections: survey of the natural sciences (90 minutes), perceptual ability (often called the PAT, 60 minutes), reading comprehension (60 minutes), and quantitative reasoning (45 minutes). The mathematics of the quantitative exam is similar to that of the SAT. The first section is divided into questions about biology (40 questions), general chemistry (30 questions), and organic chemistry (30 questions). The second section is divided into six different problem sets designed to test perceptual ability, specifically in the areas of three-dimensional manipulation and spatial reasoning. The third section of the DAT is divided into three academic essays, each of which is followed by questions about the passage's content. The final section tests basic mathematics skills, with emphasis placed on algebra, critical thinking, fractions, roots, and trigonometric identities.[citation needed]
Test breakdown
Section
Questions
Time Limit
Optional Tutorial
15 Minutes
Survey of Natural Sciences
100
90 Minutes
-Biology
40
-General Chemistry
30
-Organic Chemistry
30
Perceptual Ability Test
90
60 Minutes
-Keyhole
15
-Top/Front/End Visualization
15
-Angle Ranking
15
-Hole Punches
15
-Cube Counting
15
-Pattern Folding
15
Optional Break
30 Minutes
Reading Comprehension Test
50
60 Minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test
40
45 Minutes
-Mathematics
30
-Applied Mathematics (Word Problems)
10
Optional Post-Test Survey
15 Minutes
Total
280
5:00 Hours
Changes to the testEdit
The test specifications for the Biology section changed in 2014. These changes reflected a shift on the way that Biology is taught in survey courses. This means that the questions now focus on "complex interactions within biological systems, rather than viewing biology in a reductionist manner".[3] There are also changes to the Quantitative Reasoning section. It has been "revised to eliminate the sections for numerical calculations, conversions, geometry, and trigonometry. Items have been added in the following areas: data analysis, interpretation, and sufficiency; quantitative comparison; and probability and statistics." During 2014 and 2015, examinees may have seen some questions that reflect such changes, however, they were not scored. Actual changes to the sections did not take place sooner than 2015.[3]
ScoresEdit
Immediately after completion of the test, eight standard scores on a scale of 1–30 are calculated and passed on to the test taker. The first six scores come directly from the test: perceptual ability, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The remaining two scores reported are summaries of the previous six: the Academic Average is the average of five scores rounded to the nearest whole number: quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The Total Science score is a standard score based on all 100 questions in the biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry tests. Dental schools frequently summarize their applicant's scores by listing the academic, science, and perceptual ability (PAT) scores they typically see in their matriculating classes.[citation needed]
The mean (average) score for any scored section is set at 17, with the exception of the reading comprehension section, in which the 50th percentile score is a 19. Scores above and below this represent fractions of standard deviations from the mean. This probabilistic scoring system results in the maximum not occurring for the compiled section scores (natural sciences and academic average) in a given year. For example, in 2003 a 25 academic average was labeled as 100.0th percentile, such that less than eight people received this score, and none higher (approximately 13,000 people take the DAT per year).[citation needed]
The mean academic average score for admissions is commonly 19.[4] There are varying perspectives on the relative importance of sections, wherein the PAT or reading comprehension can be viewed as the most important or conversely, ignored. The PAT in particular is most often viewed as a threshold score, and therefore is the only score not included in the academic average; the threshold varies between 16 and 18.[citation needed]
Reporting scoresEdit
As of the 2011 dental application cycle, applicants no longer self-report their American DAT scores on their applications. Using the applicant's DENTPIN, the application service ADEA AADSAS will officially download all scores to the applicant's dental application. All test scores will be downloaded if the test is taken multiple times. During registration for the DAT, the applicant can indicate potential dental schools to send the scores to. As long as the applicant indicates at least one ADEA AADSAS-participating dental school in the DAT registration, the official DAT scores will be imported into the dental school application that is sent to every school designated in the ADEA AADSAS application. The only exception is if the school an applicant is applying to does not participate in the ADEA AADSAS application process.[5]
^ ab. ADA. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
^(PDF). ADEA. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
^. ADEA. 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2010-10-27.
External linksEdit
Preparing for the DAT (American Student Dental Association)
Official ADA Website for the DAT
Prometric Services (the testing center)
October 16, 2023
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The Dental Admission Test abbreviated DAT is a multiple choice standardized exam taken by potential dental school students in the United States and Canada although there is a separate Canadian version with differing sections both American and Canadian versions are usually interchangeably accepted in both countries dental schools This article will specifically describe the American DAT The DAT is a computer based test that can be administered almost any day of the year Tests are taken at Prometric testing centers throughout the United States after the preliminary application through the American Dental Association is completed Each applicant may only take the test a total of three times before having to ask special permission to take the exam again After taking the exam applicants must wait 90 days before repeating it Each exam costs 495 all of which is non refundable Dental Admission TestAcronymDATTypeComputer based standardized testDeveloper administratorAmerican Dental AssociationKnowledge skills testedBiology General Chemistry Organic Chemistry Perceptual Ability Reading Comprehension and Quantitative ReasoningPurposeAdmissions to dental colleges mostly in United States and Canada Year started1950 1950 Score grade range1 to 30 in 1 point increments for each of the 8 sections Biology General Chemistry Organic Chemistry Perceptual Ability Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning Total Science and Academic Average 1 Score grade validityUsually 2 to 3 years depends on dental college being applied to 1 OfferedYear round 2 Restrictions on attemptsCan be taken maximum 3 times Additional retesting requires authorization by the ADA 1 Countries regionsUnited States Canada Guam Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 1 LanguagesEnglishPrerequisites eligibility criteriaCandidate must be preparing to apply to a dental school 1 Fluency in English assumed FeeUS 475 1 Fee Assistance Program available to U S citizens permanent residents or refugees demonstrating financial need 1 Scores grades used byDental colleges mostly in United States and Canada Websitewww wbr ada wbr org wbr en wbr education careers wbr dental admission test wbr Contents 1 Test sections 2 Changes to the test 3 Scores 4 Reporting scores 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksTest sections EditThe DAT comprises four sections survey of the natural sciences 90 minutes perceptual ability often called the PAT 60 minutes reading comprehension 60 minutes and quantitative reasoning 45 minutes The mathematics of the quantitative exam is similar to that of the SAT The first section is divided into questions about biology 40 questions general chemistry 30 questions and organic chemistry 30 questions The second section is divided into six different problem sets designed to test perceptual ability specifically in the areas of three dimensional manipulation and spatial reasoning The third section of the DAT is divided into three academic essays each of which is followed by questions about the passage s content The final section tests basic mathematics skills with emphasis placed on algebra critical thinking fractions roots and trigonometric identities citation needed Test breakdownSection Questions Time LimitOptional Tutorial 15 MinutesSurvey of Natural Sciences 100 90 Minutes Biology 40 General Chemistry 30 Organic Chemistry 30Perceptual Ability Test 90 60 Minutes Keyhole 15 Top Front End Visualization 15 Angle Ranking 15 Hole Punches 15 Cube Counting 15 Pattern Folding 15Optional Break 30 MinutesReading Comprehension Test 50 60 MinutesQuantitative Reasoning Test 40 45 Minutes Mathematics 30 Applied Mathematics Word Problems 10Optional Post Test Survey 15 MinutesTotal 280 5 00 HoursChanges to the test EditThe test specifications for the Biology section changed in 2014 These changes reflected a shift on the way that Biology is taught in survey courses This means that the questions now focus on complex interactions within biological systems rather than viewing biology in a reductionist manner 3 There are also changes to the Quantitative Reasoning section It has been revised to eliminate the sections for numerical calculations conversions geometry and trigonometry Items have been added in the following areas data analysis interpretation and sufficiency quantitative comparison and probability and statistics During 2014 and 2015 examinees may have seen some questions that reflect such changes however they were not scored Actual changes to the sections did not take place sooner than 2015 3 Scores EditImmediately after completion of the test eight standard scores on a scale of 1 30 are calculated and passed on to the test taker The first six scores come directly from the test perceptual ability reading comprehension quantitative reasoning biology general chemistry and organic chemistry The remaining two scores reported are summaries of the previous six the Academic Average is the average of five scores rounded to the nearest whole number quantitative reasoning reading comprehension biology general chemistry and organic chemistry The Total Science score is a standard score based on all 100 questions in the biology general chemistry and organic chemistry tests Dental schools frequently summarize their applicant s scores by listing the academic science and perceptual ability PAT scores they typically see in their matriculating classes citation needed The mean average score for any scored section is set at 17 with the exception of the reading comprehension section in which the 50th percentile score is a 19 Scores above and below this represent fractions of standard deviations from the mean This probabilistic scoring system results in the maximum not occurring for the compiled section scores natural sciences and academic average in a given year For example in 2003 a 25 academic average was labeled as 100 0th percentile such that less than eight people received this score and none higher approximately 13 000 people take the DAT per year citation needed The mean academic average score for admissions is commonly 19 4 There are varying perspectives on the relative importance of sections wherein the PAT or reading comprehension can be viewed as the most important or conversely ignored The PAT in particular is most often viewed as a threshold score and therefore is the only score not included in the academic average the threshold varies between 16 and 18 citation needed Reporting scores EditAs of the 2011 dental application cycle applicants no longer self report their American DAT scores on their applications Using the applicant s DENTPIN the application service ADEA AADSAS will officially download all scores to the applicant s dental application All test scores will be downloaded if the test is taken multiple times During registration for the DAT the applicant can indicate potential dental schools to send the scores to As long as the applicant indicates at least one ADEA AADSAS participating dental school in the DAT registration the official DAT scores will be imported into the dental school application that is sent to every school designated in the ADEA AADSAS application The only exception is if the school an applicant is applying to does not participate in the ADEA AADSAS application process 5 See also EditAmerican Student Dental Association American Dental Association Dentistry List of dental schools in the United States Optometry Admission TestReferences Edit a b c d e f g Archived copy PDF Archived from the original PDF on 2018 10 21 Retrieved 2018 10 20 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Dental Admission Test DAT a b DAT Newsletter Dental Admission Test ADA 2013 Archived from the original on 2014 08 12 Retrieved 2014 08 10 ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools PDF ADEA 2008 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 20 Retrieved 2008 11 08 ADEA Frequently Asked Questions Standardized Tests ADEA 2010 Archived from the original on 2010 07 02 Retrieved 2010 10 27 External links EditPreparing for the DAT American Student Dental Association Official ADA Website for the DAT ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools Prometric Services the testing center Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dental Admission Test amp oldid 1180341992, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
