DAT (Dental Admission Test) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the DAT (Dental Admission Test), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$560
Provider
ADA (American Dental Association)
Validity
2 years
Available
USA
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- There is no formal educational eligibility requirement to sit the DAT.
- ADA states that successful participants typically complete at least one year of college education including courses in biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Advanced level biology and physics are not required, and most candidates complete two or more years of college first.
- You must obtain a DENTPIN before applying, and use the same DENTPIN if you have previously applied for any dental testing programme.
- A new application and fee is required for every testing attempt.
- You must agree to the rules and regulations in the DAT Candidate Guide as part of the application, and agreement to arbitrate is a prerequisite to taking the DAT.
- You must use your legal name exactly as it appears on the government-issued ID you will bring, including either your full middle name or a middle initial.
Number of Questions
280 items: Survey of the Natural Sciences 100, Perceptual Ability Test 90, Reading Comprehension 50, Quantitative Reasoning 40. A small number of items are experimental and unscored, and they look identical to scored items.
Duration
Five hours and 15 minutes total administration time, comprising an optional 15-minute tutorial, 90 minutes for Survey of the Natural Sciences, 60 minutes for the Perceptual Ability Test, an optional 30-minute scheduled break, 60 minutes for Reading Comprehension, 45 minutes for Quantitative Reasoning and an optional 15-minute post-test survey
Question Format
Multiple choice items presented in Standard American English, Perceptual Ability items across six subtests including apertures, view recognition, angle discrimination, paper folding, cube counting, and spatial relations or 3D form development, Reading Comprehension items based on three scientific passages, where prior knowledge of the topic is not required, Quantitative Reasoning items including quantitative comparison, data sufficiency and applied word problems
Passing Requirement
There is no official passing score. ADA states that each educational program decides what constitutes an acceptable score. Scores run from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments on the scale introduced on 1 March 2025.
How It Is Delivered
Computer based at Prometric test centres, offered year round in the US and its territories and at selected Canadian locations, with ProGuardian workstation-level monitoring plus video and audio recording
Languages Offered
English
Visit the official ADA (American Dental Association) certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the DAT (Dental Admission Test)?
There is no formal educational eligibility requirement to sit the DAT.. ADA states that successful participants typically complete at least one year of college education including courses in biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Advanced level biology and physics are not required, and most candidates complete two or more years of college first.. You must obtain a DENTPIN before applying, and use the same DENTPIN if you have previously applied for any dental testing programme.. A new application and fee is required for every testing attempt.. You must agree to the rules and regulations in the DAT Candidate Guide as part of the application, and agreement to arbitrate is a prerequisite to taking the DAT.. You must use your legal name exactly as it appears on the government-issued ID you will bring, including either your full middle name or a middle initial..
How much does the DAT (Dental Admission Test) cost?
The DAT (Dental Admission Test) exam costs $560. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the DAT (Dental Admission Test)?
Visit the official ADA (American Dental Association) certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the DAT (Dental Admission Test)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for DAT (Dental Admission Test)?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View DAT (Dental Admission Test) Guide