How to achieve your BEST score on the Dental Admission Test
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There’s no denying it: Studying for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) can be an incredibly daunting task. For many dental school applicants, it is the most difficult part of the dental school application process. But wherever you are in your DAT journey, whether you’ve barely gotten started or have been studying for a while but want to boost your score, we’ve got you covered. With the right mindset, resources, and support, you will be able to tackle the DAT and get the score of your dreams! Read on for advice on how to achieve your best score on the DAT, written by a student who scored a 27 AA.
Start by selecting the right resources.
If you’re at the beginning of your DAT journey, this is your first step. If you’re looking for a platform that offers a variety of resources (videos, notes, study guides), PAT generators, updated practice tests that look just like the real DAT, and in-depth explanations, Crack the DAT is a great choice. It offers everything you need to ace the DAT, all in one place. Plus, membership options are flexible, ranging from 1 to 6 months, depending on how long you need to study. Once you have your resources, you’ll be ready to tackle the DAT!
Take a diagnostic test to gauge your starting point.
I recommend that all test-takers start by taking a diagnostic test. This is the best way to figure out your strengths and weaknesses and to determine your starting point. It’s also a great way to get a sense of the types of questions you will encounter on the DAT. However, I encourage you not to worry too much about your predicted/estimated scores. Diagnostic tests are short, and you take them before you’ve done ANY studying. Your scores will improve drastically once you’ve started studying. The first time I took a diagnostic test, I was told that my predicted Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) score was a 12 (out of 30). I had never seen these types of questions before and was completely overwhelmed! After studying for the PAT, my actual score improved by more than 10 points on test day. The diagnostic test is a great tool, but remember that it only reflects your starting point.
Determine your target scores.
In all areas of life, having goals can be helpful and motivating, and having goal scores for the DAT is no exception. To figure out your goal scores, check the average score of accepted students at the dental schools you plan to apply to. Remember that average scores are, well, averages — so plenty of accepted students will score higher and lower. Still, this statistic is useful for giving you a sense of where you should be aiming to give yourself the best chances of admission at as many dental schools as possible.
Review/learn content as needed.
You’ve secured your study resources, taken diagnostic tests, and set your goal scores. Now what? I recommend starting off by doing a review of content, as needed. How much time you spend in the “learning” phase, and how thorough this phase will be, will depend on how much time you have to study for the DAT. You likely won’t have time (or need) to review everything, so start by focusing on your weaker areas, as indicated by the diagnostic tests.
In the “learning” phase, you’ll be watching videos, reading notes and study guides, and reviewing your notes. What types of resources you rely on most will depend on your learning style, but I recommend using a variety of resources. A great way to make information stick is to see it presented multiple ways (for example, to watch a video about it, then read about it). Regardless of what type of learner you are, CrackDAT has you covered with hundreds of videos, notes, and strategy guides for all the DAT subjects to make the information stick.
Use active learning strategies.
This is very important to keep in mind while reviewing content! There is a difference between engaging with a material passively (for example, skimming a text) and actively (highlighting a text, taking notes in the margins, and creating summary sheets or flashcards after you finish). When you study passively, you’re unlikely to retain much information. When you use active learning strategies, such as taking notes in your own words, summarizing, and quizzing yourself as you go, you interact with the content much more meaningfully and increase your likelihood of actually remembering what you’re studying. Use your study time wisely!
Incorporate practice tests into your DAT prep.
Once you are part of the way through your content review, it’s time to start incorporating practice tests into your study routine. Practice tests are the best way to get the best sense of what the real DAT will be like. Plus, since practice tests are timed, you will get the chance to work on your speed in addition to your accuracy. I encourage you to take as many practice tests as possible during your DAT journey and to simulate test conditions as best as possible (take the test in a quiet room, under time constraints, all in one sitting). However, when you’re just starting out — especially with the PAT — you might need a little extra time. That’s okay! CrackDAT gives you the option to alter the amount of time you receive on practice tests.
Importantly, be sure to review your mistakes! Taking the test is half the work. The second, very important step is to review your mistakes and the explanations. This is the best way to ensure that you won’t make the same mistakes twice.
Use PAT generators.
PAT generators were a lifesaver for me! When studying for the DAT, I used PAT generators every single day, even if only for 10–15 minutes each day. They offer a virtually unlimited number of practice questions, give you instant feedback, and are the best way to put your PAT strategies into action (by the way, if you’re wondering what the strategies are, check out the CrackDAT strategy guides and our blog PAT Breakdowns). Another great thing about the PAT generators is that you can do them on the go on your phone via the CrackDAT app. When you have a few moments of free time, get some practice in!
Review your mistakes.
I said it before, and I’ll say it again — review your mistakes! This was a huge part of my DAT studying process. I took notes on the questions I missed and reviewed those notes periodically. Also, try to understand why you made the mistakes you made. Did you forget a formula? Forget the definition of a biology term? Misunderstand what the question was asking? Classifying your mistakes can help you figure out what content you actually need to review again, and to identify patterns in the types of questions you most often miss.
Near the end of your studying, take full-length practice tests.
Towards the end of your DAT journey, it’s time to start incorporating full-length tests. These tests are unfortunately pretty grueling. You’ll need to set aside several hours to take the test (ideally with few breaks, to simulate the real test experience), plus a couple of additional hours to review your mistakes (but feel free to review your mistakes later, after a much longer break!) However, practice tests are an integral part of the studying process, and I encourage you to take at least a couple. You’ll feel much more confident on test day knowing you’ve done this before.
Have any questions about preparing for the DAT? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
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