Failed DAT (Dental Admission Test)? Here's Your Recovery Plan

Pro tip: Contact the exam provider directly for their specific retake policy.

• Treating the Perceptual Ability Test as a section you cannot study for and leaving it to the last fortnight.
  The PAT is 90 of the 280 items, the single largest section. All six subtests improve measurably with repetition. Start PAT drilling early and keep it running daily in short sets alongside your science work.
• Assuming the Academic Average includes the PAT and skewing preparation accordingly.
  The Academic Average is the rounded average of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Quantitative Reasoning and Reading Comprehension only. The PAT is reported separately, so it neither rescues nor drags down your AA.
• Comparing a pre-March 2025 score with a current one as if they used the same scale.
  The old 1 to 30 scale was replaced by a 200 to 600 scale on 1 March 2025. ADA's concordance table puts an old Academic Average of 20 at approximately 420 and an old 22 at approximately 460. Convert before you compare.
• Bringing a watch to keep track of section timing.
  Watches of any type, digital, analogue or smart, are on ADA's prohibited items list, as are all other timing devices. A timer is displayed on the computer screen throughout the exam.
• Bringing only one form of identification, or a digital copy.
  You need two original current IDs. The primary must be government issued with your photograph, name and signature. The secondary must carry your name and signature, such as a debit, credit or library card. Expired IDs are refused even with supporting documentation, and digital or paper copies are not accepted.
• Registering under a shortened or informal version of your name.
  If the name on your application does not exactly match the name on your IDs you will not be permitted to test, and you forfeit both the appointment and the application fee. Corrections to the application must be completed at least two weeks before your appointment.
• Taking an extra break between the Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning sections.
  The 30-minute break after the Perceptual Ability Test is the only scheduled break. Anything else is an unscheduled break, during which you may not access your locker or personal belongings, eat, drink, use a phone or leave the centre. Test administrators cannot authorise otherwise and will report the activity.
• Skipping questions to save time and planning to return, then leaving them blank.
  ADA states candidates are not penalised for guessing. A blank answer scores nothing while a guess has a real chance, so put an answer on every item before the section clock runs out.
• Walking out mid-exam intending to retake it with a clean slate.
  Partial testing is not permitted. ADA reports the lowest possible scale score for any assigned test not taken, and DAT scores cannot be voided at a candidate's request once any part of the exam has been completed. You would then need a new application and a new $580 fee.

• Four sections, Perceptual Ability is the outlier
• DAT Bootcamp or DAT Destroyer are top prep resources
• Perceptual Ability (PAT) section is unique, practice 3D visualization
• Target 20+ Academic Average for competitive schools, 22+ for top programs
• New scoring system since March 2025, scaled 400-600
• 60-day waiting period between retakes, max 3 attempts