DAT Exam & DAT Certification Info

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Who is the DAT?

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a multiple-choice standardized exam taken by potential dental school students in the United States and Canada. The American Dental Association (ADA) conducts the DAT.

Where do you take their certification exams?

The DAT is typically administered year-round at test centers operated by Prometric Inc. throughout the United States, its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), and Canada.

Step 1: Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for the DAT, a candidate must be planning to apply to a dental education program. You can apply online for the DAT through the ADA’s website. During the application process, you will be asked to read the DAT Guide, fill out an application, and submit a fee.

Step 2: Scheduling the Exam

Once your application is approved, you will receive an email notification with instructions to schedule your test appointment. You can then schedule your DAT exam at a Prometric Test Center of your choice.

Step 3: Taking the Exam

On the day of the exam, bring two forms of identification to the test center. The test takes approximately 4.5 hours, including optional breaks. It is divided into four sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. After the exam, your unofficial scores are presented on the screen, and an official score report is sent to the dental schools you designated in about three to four weeks.

Location Information and Website

The ADA does not provide a specific location for the DAT as it can be taken at any Prometric Test Center across the United States, its territories, and Canada. The official website for information about the DAT and to apply for the exam is the ADA's website, which is https://www.ada.org. For scheduling the exam, you would need to visit the Prometric website at https://www.prometric.com.