How to Conquer the DAT – Tips on How to Succeed

Almost all graduate schools require that you to take the DAT exam before applying to dental school. First of all, it is important for you to know what will be on the test, so that you know what to expect and can properly prepare for the exam. The DAT test is composed of 4 main sections. The first section of the DAT is the natural sciences section. This section is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions that you will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. The second section is perceptual ability. You will have 60 minutes to complete 90 multiple-choice questions. The third section is the reading comprehension section. You will have 60 minutes to complete 50 multiple-choice questions. The final section of the exam is the quantitative reasoning section, where you will have 45 minutes to complete 40 multiple-choice questions. This test is now offered exclusively as a computer-based examination.

In order to be prepared for the exam you will also need to have mastered the key concepts in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.

Now that you have an idea of what is included on the exam, you will need to take the necessary steps to prepare for the exam. Since everyone prepares for major tests and exams differently, you will need to follow a course of action that will allow you to best prepare for the exam.

#1 Make a plan. Whether you need to take a DAT preparation course or you can study on your own with a DAT practice exam book, choose the way that you are going to go about studying for the exam.

#2 Create a schedule. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to devote to studying for your exam. Allot yourself enough time in these study sessions to complete the areas that need to be covered in order to keep you on schedule.

#3 Practice, practice, and then practice some more. Set up simulated practice test sessions. Use practice tests from books or online. Go back to the areas that you still need to work on and review, practice and study until you have mastered those areas as well.

So now you know the format of the test, what is going to be on the test, and how to study for the test. Now you need to know what to do while you are actually taking the test to totally conquer it.

#1 Read the questions carefully. Do not rush through the exam because you think that you know it like the back of your hand. Be sure to carefully read each question and make sure you know what the question is asking. Missing just one word can totally throw you off from the correct answer.

#2 Do not leave answers blank. On the DAT you are not penalized for wrong answers. You are graded on the number of correct answers. If you do not know the answer to a question, then use the process of elimination to narrow down the choices given as much as possible. If you can narrow down the choices to two options, then you now have a 50/50 chance of getting the answer correct.

If you do not know the answer and cannot make an educated guess then randomly fill it in. The odds are better for you to answer those questions that you cannot figure out at random than it is to leave them completely blank.

#3 Manage your time. Since each section of the test is timed, you will need to be able to manage your time effectively so that you have enough time to complete each question on the exam. Don’t spend too much time on any one question that will cause you to not have enough time to answer the remaining questions.

#4 Check your work. When you have completed a section and you have time left before the end of that portion of the exam, go back and check your answers. First, make sure that you have answered all of the questions. Revisit the questions that you were having trouble with and recheck your answer choice now that you have a few more minutes to spend on it.

Relax, take a deep breath, and prepare for your DAT exam. The material on the DAT is based on information that you have already learned and should know. When you are studying, you are not really studying to learn new material. You are really refreshing your memory and learning test taking techniques to help improve your score. By taking the necessary steps to prepare for the exam, you will have everything you need to conquer the DAT.

Kristie Lorette is a frequent contributor to