do schools look at DAT percentiles or just the numeric scores?

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schen140

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there seems to be a very wide range of percentiles for a given number. for example i got a 20 on gchem and that was around 80th percentile, while i saw another person get a 20 and that was in the 93rd percentile.

anyone know if schools look at the specifics?
 
my print out from the testing center where i took the dat stated right under my scores that only the standard scores are reported to the dental schools not the percentiles.
 
nope. they only look at the scores, not the percentiles

Hey, did you call the schools and did they tell you this?
On Kaplan's blue book introduction, it says that the dental schools look at percentiles as well.
 
nope. just from what i gather from reading this board over the year. i think one of the posts says that when you order an official copy to yourself, your percentiles won't even be on there? not too sure about that but i'm pretty sure schools don't really care about percentiles, it just makes it even way more confusing for them
 
Hey, did you call the schools and did they tell you this?
On Kaplan's blue book introduction, it says that the dental schools look at percentiles as well.

I had a copy of my official score report sent to me - just to see exactly what is sent - and yes, it only has the numerical score, no percentile. It's also a really cheap 1/8th of a piece of paper... you'd think you'd at least get a full page, haha.
 
The only way the schools will even see the percentile is if you send them a copy of your prometric score sheet...
 
I beleive those percentiles change every year and schools base their acceptances ( most anyway) with minimum score that you have to get to attend the school. I have never heard of a minimum percentile at any school.
 
Can someone explain to me how the percentile works? Does it go by testing center or test versions?
 
Dental schools have a general feel for what each DAT score translates to in percentile. They do not actually get the percentile from your test. Percentiles are based off of versions of tests. Hope this helps
 
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