Canadian vs American DAT

What’s the difference between the Canadian and American DAT?

For starters, they are operated by two different independent organizations: the American DAT is operated by the ADA (American Dental Association) and the Canadian DAT is operated by the CDA (Canadian Dental Association).

Now, when you take a closer look at both exams, you can see that there are major differences that can impact your DAT scores if you use techniques and strategies meant for the American DAT on the Canadian DAT. This is why I always recommend using Canadian DAT resources rather than American resources to prepare for the Canadian DAT. But in case you were wondering what exactly these differences are, we will take a closer look at them below:

I. Exam Formats

The Canadian DAT has a completely different format

One major difference is that the Canadian DAT has a different format than the American DAT. The differences in sections, question numbers, and timing are shown below:

Canadian DAT Format

The Manual Dexterity Test (MDT), which involves carving a piece of soap according to exact specifications, has been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDA has indicated that it intends to reintroduce the MDT as soon as possible.

American DAT Format

The Canadian and American DAT differ in both format and content. The Canadian DAT includes 70 Natural Sciences questions covering Biology and Chemistry, while the American DAT has 100 questions covering Biology, General Chemistry, as well as Organic Chemistry. The American DAT also includes a 40-question Quantitative Reasoning section, while the Canadian DAT does not. Additionally, the Canadian DAT has two shorter breaks, compared to one longer break on the American DAT.

II. Score Scales

 The Canadian DAT has a completely different scale

Another major difference between the two exams is how they are scored. The Canadian DAT is scored on a 1 to 30 scale, with 30 being the highest possible score. This scale is used across all sections, including Biology, Chemistry, PAT, and Reading Comprehension. Your Academic Average (AA) is calculated by averaging the scores of all sections, excluding PAT.  

In contrast, the American DAT introduced a new 3-digit reporting scale in March 2025, with scores ranging from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments (e.g., 200, 210, 220, etc.). This change was made to improve score interpretation and better reflect performance distribution.  

Due to these fundamental differences in how scores are calculated and interpreted, strategies or benchmarks designed for the American DAT may not translate well to the Canadian DAT. It’s important to tailor your preparation accordingly.

III. Dental School Application

Which dental schools accept the Canadian DAT 

One of the biggest benefits of writing the Canadian DAT is that it can be used to apply to every Canadian dental school as well as some American dental schools. See our list of Canadian-Friendly American Dental Schools to learn more about applying to dental schools in the U.S. with your Canadian DAT score. However, the American DAT is not accepted by many Canadian dental schools, so it’s highly recommended that you write the Canadian DAT if you are applying to dental schools in Canada.

Therefore, we recommend that you use the appropriate resources based on which exam you are taking. If you are taking the Canadian DAT, we highly recommend using DATCrusher during your DAT preparation since all of the tools and content are geared toward the Canadian DAT. However, if you are taking the American DAT, we highly recommend using DATBooster since all of the tools and content on it are geared towards the American DAT.