Do most people retake the DAT?

Started by lcheng0428
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lcheng0428

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Hey guys....

I was just wondering, out of curiosity, do most people take the DAT? what's the statistics?

Also, do dental schools really mind it if you take it twice?

Thanks!
 
From what I've noticed, most people do not generally retake it. Most people don't want to take it twice so spend a lot of time and resources studying in the hopes that they will get a high enough score on their first try that a retake won't be necessary. I would say the goal of dental applicants is to have to take it only once.

I was at a dental school open house and had the chance to talk to some dental students. One of them said that the first time he took the DAT he got a low score but still applied. He didn't get any acceptances. Before applying again he retook the DAT and after considerable time and effort he was able to get a higher score (I don't remember the exact scores, sorry :/). He got into pretty much all of the schools he had wanted to get into. He told us that dental schools liked seeing this drastic improvement as it showed how determined and dedicated he was to get into dental school. So yes, it can be an advantage. However I wouldn't recommend trying to purposely get a low score the first time and then getting a higher score on purpose the second time (and that's against the DAT rules anyways).

As others on this forum will tell you, take the DAT like you won't get the chance to take it again--give it your best shot the first time around. Best of luck.
 
Sweet_Tooth said:
From what I've noticed, most people do not generally retake it. Most people don't want to take it twice so spend a lot of time and resources studying in the hopes that they will get a high enough score on their first try that a retake won't be necessary. I would say the goal of dental applicants is to have to take it only once.

I was at a dental school open house and had the chance to talk to some dental students. One of them said that the first time he took the DAT he got a low score but still applied. He didn't get any acceptances. Before applying again he retook the DAT and after considerable time and effort he was able to get a higher score (I don't remember the exact scores, sorry :/). He got into pretty much all of the schools he had wanted to get into. He told us that dental schools liked seeing this drastic improvement as it showed how determined and dedicated he was to get into dental school. So yes, it can be an advantage. However I wouldn't recommend trying to purposely get a low score the first time and then getting a higher score on purpose the second time (and that's against the DAT rules anyways).

As others on this forum will tell you, take the DAT like you won't get the chance to take it again--give it your best shot the first time around. Best of luck.
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Thanks! I was just wondering because I'm taking mine on May 7th, and I'm actually really nervous and scared that I might not do well because I don't know what the real DAT is like exactly...
 
there was an official chart somewhere. Cant really recall the percentage.
 
I took the DAT 3 times (17,17,20) and was accepted at two schools this cycle. If you buy the ADEA guidebook, the schools will say how they handle multiple tests. Some look at most recent score, others might average scores together
 
Like someone said above, take it like you don't get another chance. And make sure you study and practice every section. Don't skimp on a section because you think you'll be fine in that section. I took the DAT 3 times unfortunately. The first time, I hadn't done my research on the DAT, and barely studied at all. I didn't even apply with my scores. 2nd time, I used Kaplan only, and did well on everything but the PAT. I didn't get accepted because of my PAT score. I thought I was pretty good at that section, but the Kaplan practice questions were just way too easy. The 3rd time I took the DAT, I took several months and just studied and studied and studied, and did tons of practice questions with several study sources. I improved my score drastically, and got accepted to my top choice.

I was accepted with a 3.86 gpa, and 20AA/21TS/23PAT
The admissions committee really liked that I kept trying and improved my scores.
I'm now about to finish my first year of dental school.

So yea, definitely do your research on the DAT, and make sure you put in all the necessary work the first time. But if you need to retake, it's fine. Just work harder the next time.

Good luck!
 
The first time I took the DAT I did terrible. The second time I did a lot better (improved by 4 points). The dental school I am going to stated my upwards trend in both the DAT and my academics is what put me over the top for their admissions committee.
 
When I was studying for the DAT, I was planning on re-taking it (saving up money for the test, saving for renewal of study materials, etc.); not because I wasn't confident but I know sometimes stuff happens and I know I'm not willing to give up dentistry easily just because of some measly test. But I did okay enough that I didn't need to, and I ended up having some extra cash under my mattress ^^. So yea just plan for it but still do your best for the first time taking it!
 
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