The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice test, required for admission to all U.S. dental schools. It is a computer-based test administered by Prometric on behalf of the American Dental Association (ADA).
The test is about five hours long and is divided into four sections. The following table provides the name of each of these sections, the amount of time allotted, the topics covered, and the number of questions:
| Survey of the Natural Sciences | 90 minutes | |
| Biology | 40 questions | |
| General Chemistry | 30 questions | |
| Organic Chemistry | 30 questions | |
| Perceptual Ability Test (P.A.T.) | 60 minutes | |
| Angle Discrimination | 15 questions | |
| Hole Punching | 15 questions | |
| Cubes | 15 questions | |
| Paper Folding | 15 questions | |
| Aperture Matching | 15 questions | |
| Orthographic Projections | 15 questions | |
| Break | 15 minutes | |
| Reading Comprehension | 50 minutes | |
| Three passages | 50 minutes | |
| Quantitative Reasoning Test | 45 minutes | |
| Applied Mathematics problems: | 40 questions | |
| Algebra, some Trigonometry, and Math reasoning word-problems. (no Calculus) | ||
Academic advising may be obtained on campus from:
Pre-Professional Advising Office
University of Utah
Building 44, Room 206
Registering for the DAT may be done at:
The Prometric Center
University of Utah
Student Services Building, Room 490
The test covers Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, first year College Algebra and Trigonometry (no Calculus).
The computer-based DAT is in Windows format. The test starts with an optional 30 minute tutorial. This tutorial can be ordered in advance, however, from the Dental Admissions Testing Program for use on a personal home computer.
The DAT should be taken in the Spring of your junior year up to the fall of your senior year. Taken on a computer at the time of your choice.