Pre-Dentistry: Dental Admission Test

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) covers natural sciences (biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry), reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning (mathematics), and perceptual ability. Each section is scored 1-30. The average score for people taking the test is ~17 for each section, and the average for people entering a dental school is ~18. Most dental schools use the academic average, but they differ in how they use the perceptual ability score.

For a general introduction to the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and online registration, see www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp.

The 2009 test fee is $205, and includes sending score reports to up to five dental schools. Additional score reports are $25 per school.

The DAT is a computerized test. In theory, you can schedule at an approved test center for any time which suites your preparation and application needs. In practice, it's important to schedule well in advance, as test centers are often booked by people taking the MCAT and other computerized tests. So, plan ahead!

The closest Prometric Testing Centers that offer the DAT are in Topeka and Overland Park.

It's important to complete introductory biology, chemistry and organic chemistry courses before taking the DAT, but you don't need to have physics or advanced biology courses. If you're following the suggested course schedule, I recommend reviewing and practicing over the summer between your sophomore and junior years, and taking the test before classes start in August before your junior year. Admittedly, most people wait until May of the summer between their junior and senior years. It's possible to apply with later scores, and you can retake after 90 days.

The UMKC Admissions Committee expects candidates to have taken the DAT at the time of application, and to have an academic average of at least 16, preferably 18 or better.

It's very important to thoroughly review and practice, practice, practice for the DAT!

If you want a comprehensive guide, Kaplan's DAT with CD-ROM may fit your needs.

Scholarware markets a set of practice tests on CD-ROM at www.scholarware.com.

For preparation courses, options include UMKC School of Dentistry & CE Webinar, http://www.cewebinar.com, and Kaplan, 842-5442 (local office), 1-800-KAP-TEST, www.kaptest.com.