Best time to take DAT

[Mr PS09]

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When is the best time to take the DAT...as a soph. or junior...what are the strategies behind considering some people like to retake it and whatnot

 

[yappy]

When you're ready but before you apply.

 

[slm266]

I didnt take any classes during summer 1 term and used it to finish studying for the DAT. I had hoped to take it around around the beginning of May of the year I applied (this year), but ended up taking it june 10th. The idea was to take it early enough so that I could still take a retake in Aug if I absolutely needed to. So if you can manage it, try to take it before June.

I would try to time it right after taking Ochem II (assuming you've taken an equal amount of bio classes along with your chemistry). Plan your classes around the DAT, not the other way around. So if you are still a freshman/soph, try to take bio/chem classes every semester because they will help you on the DAT. Some take it earlier in their undergrad, but I felt like i really didnt have to study much after taking classes like cell bio, molecular, evolution, ecology, anatomy, physiology.

 

[Habbas]

soph year summer, then apply in summer after junior year would be good

i unfortunately was too busy soph summer, so i studied april and may of junior year and took it at the end of may, and then waiting for aadsas to open in june

 

[Cabetz2]

This really depends on what you want to do. Are you taking the DAT now just to practice or do you want to take it while applying to Dental School? My advice is for practice take it anytime. If you're wanting to apply most schools will only take DAT scores 6mos to a year prior to application. You need to find out what your dental school requires. It's not a cheap test so I personally took it once one month prior to submitting my application. Hope this helps.

 

[AmpedUp]

I feel the best time to take the DAT is right after taking the Organic Chemistry series...However, I would also hold until completing a few courses in Biology, such as Microbiology or Cell Bio and Anatomy & Physiology (Biochemistry would be a good background to have in the DAT as well), especially if you're a little shaky to handle biology after taking the general courses...although it's not totally necessary to do that. Heads up: The Bio portion of the DAT is quite random and can be challenging - I doubt a general background in biology is sufficient (because the questions were very specific).

General Rule of Thumb: Take the DAT BEFORE the you begin the application for the next cycle - which opens up around the beginning of June (make sure you allow some time to work on the personal statement - I started/finished mines all in the month of May). For example, during your Jr. year, you want to take it before May of the spring semester (I took mines in March). Whatever you do...don't take the exam when you're filling out applications - it can get very hectic!