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Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)

What is the DAT?

The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) is a standardized, computer-based exam administered by Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and taken at a Prometric Test Centre. It assesses your, “general academic ability; scientific understanding; 2- and 3-dimensional perception; and reading comprehension” (Canadian Dental Association, 2024).

What’s on it? And what kinds of questions can I expect? And how long does it take to complete?

It takes approximately three hours and 50 minutes to complete, including an optional 15-minute introductory tutorial, 15-minute breaks between sections and a 5-minute posttest survey.

The test is divided into 3 sections:

  1. Survey of the Natural Sciences

    • 70 question total

    • 60 minutes to complete

    • Tests your knowledge of biology and general chemistry

  2. Perceptual Ability

    • 90 questions

    • 60 minutes to complete

    • Tests your ability to accurately perceive object dimensions and mentally manipulate objects in space

  3. Reading Comprehension

    • 50 questions

    • 60 minutes to complete

    • Tests your ability to, “read, comprehend and thoroughly analyze basic scientific information” (American Dental Association, 2024a, p.4)

(American Dental Association, 2024a)

For more information, please review the Canadian Dental Association website for the most up-to-date candidate guide.

How can I request a testing accommodation?

Information on DAT testing accommodations process can be found on the CDA’s webpage “Testing Accommodations”.

Is there a test waiver available to subsidize the cost of fees?

There is not a test waiver available to subsidize the cost of fees.

What test preparation resources can I use to study?

  • The Canadian Dental Assocation provides candidates with a preparation manual for a fee

  • Consider visiting UWaterloo's Libraries and/or local libraries for additional aptitude test resources

  • Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development to explore your options further

American Dental Admission Test (DAT)

What is the DAT?

The American Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized, computer-based exam administered by American Dental Association (ADA) and taken at a Prometric Test Centre. The test is, “designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess applicants’ potential for success”

(American Dental Association, 2024b).

What’s on it? And what kinds of questions can I expect? And how long does it take to complete?

It takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes to complete, including an optional 15-minute introductory tutorial, 30-minute break after the Perceptual Ability section and a 15-minute posttest survey.

The test is divided into 4 sections:

  1. Survey of the Natural Sciences

  • 100 questions total

  • 90 minutes to complete

  • Tests your knowledge of, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry

  1. Perceptual Ability

  • 90 questions total

  • 60 minutes to complete

  • Tests your ability to, “accurately perceive object dimensions and mentally manipulate objects in space” (American Dental Association, 2024, p.7).

  1. Reading Comprehension

  • 50 questions total

  • 60 minutes to complete

  • Tests your ability to “read, comprehend, and thoroughly analyze basic scientific information” (American Dental Association, 2024, p.7).

  1. Quantitative Reasoning

  • 40 questions total

  • 45 minutes to complet

  • Tests your proficiency in math and assesses problem-solving skills (American Dental Association, 2024b)

  1. Survey of the Natural Sciences

    • 100 questions total

    • 90 minutes to complete

    • Tests your knowledge of, biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry

  2. Perceptual Ability

    • 90 questions total

    • 60 minutes to complete

    • Tests your ability to, “accurately perceive object dimensions and mentally manipulate objects in space” (American Dental Association, 2024, p.7).

  3. Reading Comprehension

    • 50 questions total

    • 60 minutes to complete

    • Tests your ability to “read, comprehend, and thoroughly analyze basic scientific information” (American Dental Association, 2024, p.7).

  4. Quantitative Reasoning

    • 40 questions total

    • 45 minutes to complet

    • Tests your proficiency in math and assesses problem-solving skills (American Dental Association, 2024b)

For more information, please review the American Dental Association website for the most up-to-date candidate guide.

How can I request a testing accommodation?

For information on DAT testing accommodations, please review the DAT Accommodation Request form.

Is there a test waiver available to subsidize the cost of fees?

The ADA offers a partial fee assistance program for American first-time examinees. For further details, check out the FAQ-Dental Admission Test (DAT) section of their website.

What test preparation resources can I use to study?

  • The American Dental Association provides candidates with practice tests and modules for a fee alongside other DAT resources (e.g., test day checklists)

  • Consider visiting UWaterloo's Libraries and/or local libraries for additional admission test resources

  • Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development to explore your options further

References

American Dental Association. (2024a). Candidate guide: Official guide to the candidate aptitude test (Canada). https://www.cda-adc.ca/_files/becoming/dat/documents/DAT_Candidate_Guide.pdf

American Dental Association. (2024b). Dental Admission Test (DAT): 2024 candidate guide. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/education/dat_examinee_guide.pdf?rev=f5301ff5c834429ea880c40763351786&hash=8BD8C9DBC001A50F8577DE4F7560C370

Canadian Dental Association. (2024). Dental Aptitude Test Information [Video]. https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/becoming/dat

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