What's On Dental Admissions Test? Sample Questions Guide

The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that is required for admission to most dental programs in the United States. It is designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge and skills in areas such as natural sciences, perceptual ability, and reading comprehension. The DAT is administered by the American Dental Association (ADA) and is typically taken by students who are applying to dental school.

The DAT consists of four sections: Survey of Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. Here’s an overview of what’s on the DAT, along with some sample questions to help guide your preparation.

Survey of Natural Sciences (100 questions, 90 minutes)

This section tests your knowledge of biology, chemistry, and physics. You’ll be asked questions on topics such as:

• Biology: cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology
• Chemistry: general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry
• Physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics

Sample questions:

• What is the primary function of the mitochondria in a cell? A) To synthesize proteins B) To generate energy for the cell C) To store genetic information D) To regulate cell growth

• Which of the following types of chemical bonds involves the sharing of electrons between atoms? A) Ionic bond B) Covalent bond C) Hydrogen bond D) Electrostatic bond

Perceptual Ability (90 questions, 60 minutes)

This section tests your ability to perceive and understand spatial relationships and patterns. You’ll be asked questions on topics such as:

• Spatial reasoning: identifying shapes, patterns, and relationships
• Visual perception: identifying objects, shapes, and patterns

Sample questions:

• Which of the following shapes is a mirror image of the shape shown? A) B) C) D)

• What is the next shape in the pattern? A) B) C) D)

Reading Comprehension (50 questions, 50 minutes)

This section tests your ability to read and understand passages on a variety of topics, including science, literature, and social sciences. You’ll be asked questions on topics such as:

• Main idea: identifying the main idea or purpose of a passage
• Supporting details: identifying specific details that support the main idea
• Inferences: making inferences based on the information in the passage

Sample questions:

• What is the main idea of the passage? A) The importance of proper dental care B) The benefits of regular exercise C) The impact of climate change on the environment D) The history of the American Dental Association

• According to the passage, what is the primary cause of tooth decay? A) Poor oral hygiene B) Genetics C) Diet D) Environmental factors

Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions, 45 minutes)

This section tests your ability to reason and solve problems using mathematical concepts. You’ll be asked questions on topics such as:

• Algebra: solving equations, graphing functions
• Geometry: points, lines, angles, planes
• Trigonometry: triangles, waves, functions

Sample questions:

• If 2x + 5 = 11, what is the value of x? A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5

• What is the measure of the angle between the two lines? A) 30 degrees B) 45 degrees C) 60 degrees D) 90 degrees

准备DAT需要花费时间和努力，但通过练习和复习，你可以提高你的知识并在考试中取得好成绩。记得在准备过程中关注你的弱项，并利用样题来评估你的进步。

要准备DAT，必须：

• 复习自然科学、心图能力、阅读理解和量化推理的基本概念
• 练习每个部分的样题，找出需要改进的领域
• 使用在线资源、教科书和模拟考试来评估你的进步
• 制定学习计划，帮助你保持专注和按计划进行

通过仔细准备和练习，你可以在DAT中取得好成绩，并实现成为一名合格牙医的梦想。