DAT format and scoring: 280 questions and a new 200 to 600 scale
The DAT has four sections and 280 multiple-choice questions, with 255 minutes of timed testing. Since March 1, 2025 the ADA reports scores on a 200 to 600 scale instead of the old 1 to 30 scale, and unofficial scores are no longer shown at the test center.
Last checked October 2026. Based on a university pre-dental page and test-prep summaries of the ADA. Many older guides still describe the 1 to 30 scale, so check the ADA’s current DAT guide.
The sections
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Survey of the Natural Sciences | 100 (biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, 30 each for the chemistry parts) | 90 minutes |
| Perceptual Ability Test | 90 | 60 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 50, across three passages | 60 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 40 | 45 minutes |
Questions and times as listed by a university pre-dental page and test-prep guides.
There is an optional 15-minute tutorial, an optional 30-minute break and an optional 15-minute survey, bringing total administration to about 5 hours 15 minutes.
Scoring
A university page says the ADA moved from a two-digit 1 to 30 scale to a three-digit 200 to 600 scale on March 1, 2025, and that only the scoring changed. Your report carries eight standard scores. The Academic Average is the mean of the five non-Perceptual Ability scores, and Total Science combines your science score with reading comprehension and math, per the university page. Perceptual Ability is reported separately. Older guides’ 1 to 30 averages, such as 17 to 19, apply to the old scale.
Retakes
Guides say you must wait 60 days between attempts and can test at most four times in any 12 months. A guide says a third or later attempt needs ADA permission, so check the ADA’s current policy before you plan a retake.
Common questions
What is a passing score?
There is no official passing score. Each school sets its own expectations, and a university page says a competitive score is usually at or above the average for the previous entering class.
Is there a Canadian DAT?
Guides say the Canadian DAT is a separate exam run by the Canadian Dental Association and most Canadian schools require it, though some accept either.