What to Expect on the Day of the DAT

I. Before Test Day

Checklist for Test Day

1. Pack your essentials: Bring two current, physical IDs: one government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, and one secondary ID with your name and signature, such as a debit card, credit card, or library card. Pack comfortable earplugs, if preferred, and snacks for your scheduled break.
2. Plan your commute: Confirm your Prometric testing center location, account for traffic, and plan to arrive early.
3. Dress comfortably: Wear layers, as testing center temperatures can vary.
4. Stay positive: You've put in the work. Focus on doing your best rather than stressing about the exam. If you want to read more on what to do the day before, click here.

Preparing for the Day Before the DAT

Many first-time test takers are worried about what to look forward to on test day. The DAT appointment takes approximately five hours and 15 minutes, including the optional tutorial, break, and survey. The day before your exam matters because thoughtful preparation can reduce stress and help students stay calm, focused, and refreshed. Follow these tips for what to do the day before the DAT:

• Stop studying early and let your brain rest.
• Prepare IDs, testing appointment information, clothes and necessary personal items for the next day.
• Choose a light snack for the break after the first testing session.
• Confirm the location of your Prometric testing service center and set an alarm to arrive 30–60 minutes early before your scheduled appointment.
• Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep.

II. Test Day Walkthrough

Test Day

It's finally your registered DAT test day, and hopefully, you just got a solid 8+ hours of rest. Most DAT exams begin in the morning, typically between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., although appointment times may vary by testing center. Make sure you are up at a time when you can be ready to leave and arrive 30-60 minutes prior to your assigned test time. My DAT was at 9:30 a.m., so I woke up at around 7:00 a.m. to get ready and left at 8:30 a.m. to get there well before my test started.

When getting ready in the morning, I highly recommend going through the checklist one more time to make sure you have everything ready to go. Don’t eat any new foods or go out of your regular routine to avoid an upset stomach during your exam. Plan a breakfast that will provide enough energy for the next few hours without making you feel too full. Bring a small bag of snacks, such as nuts, dark chocolate, or a protein bar to give your body the energy it needs for the second half of the DAT exam.

If possible, have a relative or friend take you to your DAT test date. This can give you extra time to relax, calm your nerves, and do some light review before the test. Arriving 30-60 minutes in advance also helps you find the testing center room without panicking and get a feel for the layout. My testing center was in a three-story building and it took me a few minutes to find the entrance. Use that extra time to locate the restrooms, break room and check-in/testing area that you have access to. Before heading into check-in, use the restroom if you need to (the next time you can use the bathroom is in 2.5 hours).

Check In

After entering the check-in area, the test center staff should guide you through every step of the check-in process, but here is a brief rundown of the instructions of what it will be like:

1. Your IDs will be verified before you're assigned a locker for your personal belongings.
2. You'll complete a security screening, including a metal detector scan, fingerprint, and photograph. You will be asked to remove glasses, roll up sleeves, invert all pockets and then used a metal detector to scan your person.
3. You'll receive two laminated sheets and fine-tip markers for scratch work.
4. You'll then be escorted to your assigned workstation.

What to Do/Expect on the Test

Now that you have finished your check-in and are at your desk, in front of you should be your computer and a tutorial screen. Once you begin the tutorial, you are allotted 15 minutes to complete it.

Prior to starting the DAT

Before beginning the exam, put on your earplugs or headphones and use the 15-minute tutorial to familiarize yourself with the testing software, calculator, periodic table, and navigation tools. Once you're comfortable, end the tutorial and begin the exam. Note that passage highlighting for the Reading Comprehension section is only available during the actual test, not during the tutorial.

The DAT consists of six sections, including the Survey of Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry & Organic Chemistry), Perceptual Ability Test, Reading Comprehension Test, and Quantitative Reasoning Test. Here's the schedule of the Dental Admission Test (DAT):

For the latest information on official score reporting, DAT fees and other updates regarding the dental school admission process, visit the American Dental Association website.

During the first half of the exam

1. Keep moving: Take a deep breath and begin. If a question takes longer than 30 seconds, mark it and return to it later. You should pace yourself and answer easier questions before returning to more difficult ones.
2. Anticipate brief delays: The computers may respond slowly, with a two-second delay between questions. This does not reduce your exam time. Mark questions for review so you can return to them directly.
3. Use the calculator strategically: The sciences appear in this order: Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry. If you need a calculator for a Biology or Organic Chemistry question, open a General Chemistry question to access it. Since the QR section includes 40 questions to answer in 45 minutes, you will also need to know how to use the calculator strategically.
4. Review efficiently: After the Survey of Natural Sciences and PAT sections, you can review all unanswered, or marked questions. DATBooster practice exams mimic this format so you can become familiar with it before test day.

30-minute Break

You receive one 30-minute break after the PAT and before Reading Comprehension. The timer starts automatically when you finish the PAT, so notify the supervisor as you leave and check the testing center clock. Return on time, since the test resumes automatically when the break ends. Use the break to eat a snack, drink some water, use the restroom, and walk around to recharge. Avoid drinking too much, as you may feel like needing the restroom during the RC or QR section. You’ve completed the toughest sections and are almost finished!

Second half of the DAT

1. Allow time to re-enter: Returning to the testing room requires another security check and fingerprint scan, so allow about five minutes. Request fresh laminated sheets and markers before resuming.
2. Manage your scratch sheets: You will receive double-sided, dry-erase laminated sheets, but you may not erase them. Raise a sheet to request replacements before you run out so the proctor can exchange them without interrupting your progress.
3. Complete the checkout process: After the test, complete the 15-question survey and review the results timeline shown on-screen. Then sign out, collect your completion record and belongings, close the locker, and leave the key in the lock.

III. Conclusion

You are finally finished! No matter what the result is, you have worked so hard. Go relax and celebrate!

Your DAT score now becomes a part of your initial application to dental school. After receiving your official DAT scores in 3 to 4 weeks, you can decide whether to submit your application or consider a retake. In case you are wondering whether you did well or if you should retake, I would recommend checking out some other useful articles on DATBooster, such as What Is a Good DAT Score? or How to Prep for a DAT Retake?

If you leave the exam feeling unsure, do not be discouraged! Your immediate reaction may not reflect how well you performed. Give yourself time to rest, recharge, and mentally unplug before evaluating your next steps. Remember, DAT testing appointments are offered year-round. Hence, if you decide to retake the exam, view it as an opportunity to build on what you learned and return with greater confidence and preparation.

If you're planning to submit a new application in a future admissions cycle, taking the time to prepare again can help improve your DAT score. You can schedule your DAT up to six months in advance, and we recommend booking your DAT 60–90 days in advance to secure your preferred testing center and time. Since every dental school sets its own score expectations, review each school's requirements and application deadlines. A strong score can support your candidacy, but each school also considers the rest of your application. For a competitive application, aim for a DAT score above your target school’s average for admitted students.

That said, I know when I took the DAT, I did not really know what to expect at all. I had to scour the forums for advice on what to do/expect on test day. With the help of my own experience, I hope that I was able to give a clear and complete idea of what to expect on the day of the DAT!