The Computerized Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)

The following statement is from a memo regarding the new computerized format of the DAT and the time frame for registering for and taking the exam. The memo was produced by the president of the National Association of Advisors of the Health Professions and the director of the Department of Testing Services of the American Dental Association.

Although the DAT has no deadline dates for submitting an application, it is very important that students take the DAT during the spring of their junior year. Dental schools send out their acceptance notices in the following December, so these applicants will have their credentials, including DAT scores, on the desk of the dental school admission officer well in advance of this December date. And if applicants want to repeat the test to improve their scores, there will also be time for a repeat examination after 90 days.

When an applicant submits a DAT application to the Department of Testing Services, it takes about two weeks to receive a notice that the application has been accepted. The applicant is then instructed to call an 800-number to register for a particular date and place for testing at a Sylvan center. Depending on the time of year, the applicant might not be able to find an open date for testing at a particular Sylvan center for three or four weeks. So, the time between submission of an application to the date of testing might be six weeks. Students, therefore, should submit their DAT application well in advance of the date on which they wish to be tested.