The D.A.T.     The Dental Admission Test (DAT), conducted by the American Dental Association, is required for acceptance by all dental schools in the United States. The test is administered on computer on almost any day of the year at Sylvan Technology Test Centers located throughout the country. It is recommended that the DAT be taken in the spring of the year preceding the anticipated date of entry into dental school. The DAT is comprised exclusively of multiple-choice questions, and contains four different sections. Once you complete you test, the answers are immediately available to you. The sections are as follows: Part I - Survey of the Natural Sciences Biology: UNCW Course- BIO 201, 202, 240, 241 o Cell and Molecular Biology - origin of life; cell metabolism (including photosynthesis)/ enzymology; cellular processes: thermodynamics; organelle structure and function; mitosis/meiosis o Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (monera, planti, anamalia, protista, fungi, etc.) using the five kingdom system o Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology: Structure and Function of Systems - integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, and reproductive o Developmental Biology - fertilization, descriptive embryology, and developmental mechanisms o Genetics - molecular genetics, human genetics, classical genetics, and chromosomal genetics o Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior - natural selection, population genetics/speciation, cladistics, population and community ecology, ecosystems, and animal behavior (including social behavior) General Chemistry: UNCW Course- CHM 101, 102 o Stoichiometry and General Concepts - (percent composition, empirical formulae, balancing equations, moles and molecular formulas, molar mass, density, and calculations from balanced equations o Gases - kinetic molecular theory of gases, Dalton's, Boyle's, Charles, and ideal gas laws o Liquids and Solids - intermolecular forces, phase changes, vapor pressure, structures, polarity, and properties o Solutions - polarity, properties (colligative, non-colligative), forces, and concentration calculation o Acids and Bases - pH, strength, Bronsted-Lowry reactions, and calculations o Chemical Equilibria - molecular, acid/base, precipitation, calculations, and Le Chatelier’s principle o Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry- laws of thermodynamics, Hess’ law, spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies, and heat transfer o Chemical Kinetics - rate laws, activation energy, and half life o Oxidation-Reduction Reactions - balancing equations, determination of oxidation numbers, electrochemical calculations, and electrochemical concepts and terminology o Atomic and Molecular Structure - electron configuration, orbital types, Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theory, quantum theory, molecular geometry, bond types, and sub-atomic particles o Periodic Properties -representative elements, transition elements, periodic trends, and descriptive chemistry o Nuclear Reactions - balancing equations, binding energy, decay processes, particles, and terminology o Laboratory - basic techniques, equipment, error analysis, safety, and data analysis. Organic Chemistry: UNCW Course- CHM 211, 212 o Mechanisms (Energetics, Structure, and Stability of Intermediates) - SN1, SN2, elimination, addition, free radical, and substitution mechanisms o Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules and Organic Analysis - inter and intra molecular forces, separation, introductory infrared spectroscopy, 1HNMR spectroscopy, 13CNMR, chemical identification, stability, solubility, and polarity o Stereochemistry - conformational analysis, optical activity, chirality, chiral centers, planes of symmetry, enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds o Nomenclature - IUPAC rules, and functional groups in molecules o Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds o Acid Base Chemistry - resonance effects, inductive results, and prediction of products and equilibria o Aromatics and Bonding - concept of aromaticity, resonance, atomic orbitals, molecular orbitals, hybridization, bond angles, and bond lengths. Return to Top Part II - Perceptual Ability Angle discrimination, form development cubes, orthographic projections, apertures, and paper folding. Return to Top Part III - Reading Comprehension Ability to read, organize, analyze, and remember new information in dental and basic sciences. Ability to comprehend thoroughly when studying scientific information. Reading materials are typical of materials encountered in the first year of dental school and require no prior knowledge of the topic other than a basic undergraduate preparation in science. The Reading Comprehension Test contains three reading passages. Return to Top Part IV - Quantitative Reasoning Mathematical Problems: UNCW Course- MAT 111, 112, 115, 141-142, 215 , 315 o Algebra - equations and expressions, inequalities, exponential notation, absolute value, ratios and proportions, and graphical analysis o Numerical calculations - fractions and decimals, percentages, approximations and scientific notation o Conversions - temperature, time, weight, and distance o Probability and Statistics o Geometry o Trigonometry, and Applied Mathematics (Word) Problems   Test Session The candidate will have a total of 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete the four tests in the DAT battery. A 15 minute break is optional after completing the second test in the battery. If a candidate opts to take the break, the testing session will resume automatically after 15 minutes have elapsed. Eating and drinking are not permitted in the testing room. The DAT battery includes: Survey of Natural Sciences 90 Minutes Perceptual Ability Test 60 Minutes Break (optional) 15 Minutes Reading Comprehension Test 60 Minutes Quantitative Reasoning Test 45 Minutes  An individual receives his or her test score report immediately following the completion of the test. http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/registering.asp     In order to register for the DAT, go to the website above. Candidates must submit an application form and fee payment to the Dental Admission Testing Program. You must have a credit card to register online. The cost for the test is $160.00 for each time you take the test. Once this is processed, the candidate will receive instructions in the mail, which takes about a week with an 800-number to arrange the day, time, and place to take the DAT at a Sylvan Technology Test Center. The only way to get the 800 number is to register with the ADA. The registration center requires at least a 48 hour advance notice for scheduling a test, although it is recommended that individuals call several weeks in advance to insure a better chance of receiving their desired date and location. To receive a registration booklet, although it is much easier to do it online, contact: Dental Admission Testing Program Department of Testing Services American Dental Association 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846 Chicago , IL 60611 Phone: (800) 621-8099               (312) 440-2500     There are several options available that can help an individual prepare for the DAT. To start, a sample test is included in the registration booklet provided by the Dental Admission Testing Program. Computerized versions of the test with automatic scoring are also available on CD-ROM through www.scholarware.com. Finally, several private preparatory testing services such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review offer instructional courses and testing material for the DAT. What is the minimum acceptable DAT score? Although we have no minimum score, applicants should try to achieve competitive scores of 18 or better in each category. A low score in one area might be ignored if the applicant does very well in that academic discipline later on. For how long a period of time are my scores good? There is no limitation on the length of time scores are valid. However, we recommend that scores are no older than three years. How many times may I take the DAT? We recommend a maximum of four attempts. You must wait 90 before you are allowed to register to take the test again. Are there courses I should complete before taking the DAT? Yes. The DAT contains sections on Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry that require a substantial knowledge base. Physics is not required for the DAT. The Perceptual Ability Test section requires extensive practice.