How to Prep for a DAT Retake?

Can you retake the DAT? Yes, while it can be a daunting task, with the right approach, it doesn't have to be. Over the years, we have noticed that the students who set themselves up for success always tend to improve their Dental Admission Test (DAT) score and perform better, which is important for gaining admission to dental schools.

I. Risks of a DAT Retake

What are the risks of retaking the DAT?

Retaking the admissions test requires both a financial and time commitment. As of 2026, each DAT attempt has a testing fee of $580 USD, so it is important to carefully consider whether a retake will meaningfully strengthen your application. Preparing for another attempt also requires a significant investment of time and effort, which may require you to balance DAT preparation with other academic or extracurricular commitments.

Preparing for the DAT a second time can also increase the risk of burnout, especially if you are balancing studying with coursework, research, employment, volunteer responsibilities, or other parts of the dental school application process. If your current score is already competitive, consider whether a retake is worth the additional time and stress. You do not want a DAT retake to take away from other important application components, such as your personal statement, CASPer preparation, interviews, or finalizing application materials. If you are unsure whether your score is competitive, check out our article on what a good DAT score is by clicking here.

Another important consideration is how dental schools evaluate multiple DAT scores. Since admissions policies vary between schools, understanding how your target programs review multiple DAT scores is an important part of deciding whether a retake is the right choice for you.

II. How Dental Schools Evaluate Retakes

How are multiple DAT scores evaluated by admissions committees?

While admissions committees can typically see your previous DAT attempts and scores, they do not necessarily weigh every attempt equally. Some dental schools may consider only your highest DAT score, while others place greater emphasis on your most recent attempt. Others may review all of your DAT attempts, consider the average of your scores, or combine your highest section scores across multiple attempts when evaluating your application.

Before scheduling another test date, ensure that you understand how multiple DAT attempts may be viewed by the dental schools you plan on applying to. Some schools do not publicly explain exactly how they evaluate multiple DAT scores, so if you are unsure how a specific dental school reviews DAT retakes, consider contacting the admissions committee directly for clarification. For additional guidance when researching dental schools, check out DATBooster’s Dental School Statistics page, which provides you with instant access to detailed information on individual programs, including how schools evaluate DAT scores, their average DAT scores, admissions requirements, and other key information.

If a school only considers your most recent DAT score, you may be at greater risk if your performance decreases on your latest retake. On the other hand, if a school considers your highest score, a lower score on a retake may have less impact on your application. Regardless of the evaluation method, a higher DAT score on a second attempt can demonstrate resilience, and stronger preparation.

III. Improving Your DAT Score

What are the odds that retaking the DAT will improve your score?

Many students can improve their DAT scores on additional attempts, but improvement is not guaranteed. The likelihood of earning a higher score depends on how well you can identify the factors that limited your previous performance and make meaningful changes to your preparation strategy. 

The best advice we have when starting your preparation for a retake is to understand why you are retaking the Dental Admissions Test. Specifically, it’s important for you to determine if it was a lack of knowledge of the content, not doing enough practice tests, or misinterpretations of the question? If your main challenge was content-based, you should dedicate more time and attention to reviewing the material and strengthening your understanding before your next attempt.

Furthermore, one of the biggest mistakes that students make while preparing for the DAT is committing to other time-consuming activities that interfere with DAT preparation. This can be anything from a part-time job, research projects, or even volunteer work that is time-consuming. While these experiences can be valuable, it’s important that none of these other obligations interfere with your DAT preparations leading up to test day. To help manage your time effectively, consider using DATBooster’s custom study schedule, which can help you create a structured preparation plan based on your commitments, timeline and study goals.

For your retake, focus your attention on the weakest subject areas, including any sections that you scored poorly on the previous attempt. Oftentimes, this may include subjects like organic chemistry or perceptual ability, depending on where you struggled most. This means that you should spend extra time reviewing those subject areas and taking practice tests, such as those in DATBooster to identify areas of weakness and reinforce your understanding of challenging concepts. These practice tests will allow you to assess your improvement, enhance your test-taking skills, and guide your study schedule. A realistic practice test environment can also help you become more comfortable with the timing and pressure of the actual DAT. For more information about exactly how you should prepare, we recommend checking out DAT prep guide by clicking here.

IV. Deciding Whether to Retake

Why you should or shouldn't retake the DAT?

A DAT retake can be worthwhile if your current DAT score is not competitive for each dental school you plan to apply to and you are confident that additional preparation will lead to improvement. However, if your score is already competitive, carefully consider whether the potential benefits outweigh the risks of another DAT attempt.

Before committing to a DAT retake, evaluate whether you have enough time to prepare effectively and whether you can make meaningful improvements compared to your previous attempt. A retake is most beneficial when you have identified your weaknesses, adjusted your study strategy, and are confident that you can achieve a stronger score. You should also consider how a retake fits into your overall dental school application timeline, as preparing for another attempt may affect when you are able to submit your application. 

It is also important to understand the timing requirements for scheduling your retake. The American Dental Association (ADA) requires you to wait at least 60 days between testing attempts. However, many students often require more time than that, depending on their individual study needs and their timeline. When determining your next test date, remember to also give yourself enough time to not only to prepare effectively, but also to be mentally and physically ready to go through the demands of DAT preparation again.  For more information about DAT retakes, testing policies, and what to consider before taking the exam multiple times, check out this article. 

Ultimately, the decision to retake the DAT should be based on your individual circumstances, including your current DAT score, your target dental schools, and your ability to dedicate enough time toward improvement. With a focused plan and meaningful changes to your preparation, a DAT retake can help strengthen your application and bring you one step closer to achieving your goal of becoming a dentist!