Your guide to the DAT’s quantitative reasoning (QR) section

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When you take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), you will need to demonstrate your math proficiency on the quantitative reasoning (QR) section. We’ve compiled a complete guide to QR, with tips and tricks for scoring high. Read on for an overview of the QR section and its question types, and our advice for how to prepare!

What to expect

The QR section is the fourth and final section of the DAT, following the Survey of Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability Test, and reading comprehension section. You will have 45 minutes to answer 40 questions. All of the questions will be multiple choice. As with all sections of the DAT, you can skip around as you wish.

Additionally, unlike the Survey of Natural Sciences, you will be provided with a simple on-screen calculator. It will look like this:

Common QR question types

There are many different types of QR questions. Here are the common ones:

1. Algebra. Many of the questions on the QR section will involve algebraic expressions and variables. Example question: “If x = 1/2 and z = 14/35, which is equal to 1/x ÷ z?”
2. Conversions. You will likely encounter unit conversion questions on the QR section (the same is true of the General Chemistry section). Get comfortable keeping track of units in a neat, organized way, because units matter on the DAT! Example question: “If 1 inch equals 2.5 centimeters, then 25 meters equal how many inches?”
3. Numeric calculations. You will need to be able to manipulate and work with fractions, decimals, scientific notation, exponents, equations with logarithms, and more! Example question: “Evaluate the expression 5 x 10⁷ x 3 x 10⁷.”
4. Geometry. Some QR questions will require you to calculate surface area, volume, and area. Example question: “When each of the sides of a square is increased by 1 yard, the area of the new square is 53 square yards more than that of the original square. What is the length of the sides of the original square?”
5. Trigonometry. Get familiar with the properties of triangles (including “special right triangles”) and the acronym SOHCAHTOA (Sin = Opposite/Hypotenuse, Cosine = Adjacent/Hypotenuse, Tangent = Opposite/Adjacent)! Example question: “In a right triangle ABC with right angle at C and AB = 6, BC = 3, find AC.”
6. Probability and statistics. Expect lots of questions about dice, cards, permutations, and combinations! Example question: “Justin throws 5 dice. What is the probability of getting 5 ones?”
7. Word problems and applied math. Many of the QR questions are word problems that require you to correctly set up and solve an algebraic equation based on a scenario. A classic DAT word problem is the “combined work” problem —e.g., if it takes Person A x hours to complete a task, and it takes Person B y hours to complete that same task, how many hours will it take them working together? Example question: “Gerald spent exactly $28 on breakfast at the grocery store. If boxes of granola bars are $4, and boxes of breakfast sandwiches are $5, and he bought at least 2 boxes of each item, how many boxes of breakfast sandwiches did he buy?”
8. Quantitative comparison. These questions are relatively new on the DAT. These questions require you to use logic, math, and estimation to determine the greater of two quantities relatively quickly. Example question: “Which quantity is greater (or are the quantities equal)?: Quantity A: The area of a circle with r=5 inches. Quantity B: The area of a square with s=5 inches.”
9. Data sufficiency. These questions are also relatively new on the DAT and tend to be some of the trickiest questions you will encounter. You will be given a question and two statements. You will need to determine which statement(s) is/are sufficient to be able to solve the question. Example question: “Determine the sufficiency of statements (1) and (2) in answering the question: Is the product of x and y a positive number? (1) x is negative. (2) the absolute value of y is 5.” (In case you’re curious, these statements are both insufficient to answer the question, even when considered together. We know x is negative, but we have no idea whether y is positive or negative!)

With CrackDAT, you can easily structure your practice by question type! In addition to these sets, CrackDAT also has question sets for Quantitative Comparison and Data Sufficiency.

How to practice and prepare

As with all DAT sections, practice is absolutely key! One of the biggest problems that people face is time management — 45 minutes flies by! However, the more you study, practice, and learn useful strategies, the more efficient you will become. Here is some of our best advice for preparing for the QR section.

1. Make yourself a QR “cheat sheet.” CrackDAT offers a plenitude of notes for the QR section, which we highly encourage you to take advantage of! However, there is value in making your own “cheat sheet” with formulas. For example, you might compile exponent rules, logarithm rules, formulas for calculating interest, surface area/volume formulas, permutation/combination formulas, and trigonometry formulas on one document. Then, review your “cheat sheet” as often as you can — until everything you’ve written on it feels second nature — and add to it as needed.
2. Simulate the real DAT QR section. This is the best way to prepare yourself for the real DAT. CrackDAT.com offers 25 full-length, realistic, timed practice QR tests. Intersperse these throughout your studying!
3. Don’t rely too much on the calculator! As great as it is to have a calculator, relying on the calculator too much can slow you down. It’s helpful to practice estimating, using the answer choices, and using mental shortcuts to save time. To illustrate this, imagine you were asked to determine which value is bigger, 101/210 or 180/350. Sure, you could plug both fractions into your calculator — or you could look at these fractions and realize that 101 is less than half of 210, while 180 is more than half of 350. No need to calculate the exact values — you know 180/350 is greater and can move right along!
4. If you’re stuck on a question, move on and come back to it. Remember that all of the QR questions are equally important. If you’re stuck on a question, it’s okay to take a guess, flag the question, and come back to it if you have time. Often, when you read a question a second time, you’ll have new ideas for how to approach it. And if you’re absolutely stumped, that’s okay too — use your time to answer the questions you do know how to solve!
5. Remember that there are often multiple ways to tackle a problem. If you’re stumped and can’t figure out how to solve an algebraic equation, try a different strategy — for example, plugging in the answer choices and seeing which answer solves the equation. If you remember that many problems have more than one correct approach, you’ll be more likely to bounce back when you feel stuck.

The QR section, like all DAT sections, is about practice and testing different strategies. With Crack the DAT, you can have confidence that you have all the tools you need to ace your QR section. We wish you the best of luck!

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