ADA test guide:
The examinations are comprised exclusively of multiple-choice test items presented in the English language. Each edition of an examination is developed according to the examination outline. There are four examinations included in the Dental Admission Testing Program. The entire program requires just over one half-day for administration. The examinations included are:
I. Survey of the Natural Sciences
Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology - origin of life; cell metabolism (including photosynthesis)/enzymology cellular processes: thermodynamics; organelle structure and function; mitosis/meiosis:
Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (monera, planti, anamalia, protista, fungi, etc.) using the five-kingdom system; Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology: Structure and Function of Systems - integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, and reproductive; Developmental Biology - fertilization, descriptive embryology, and developmental mechanisms; Genetics - molecular genetics, human genetics, classical geneics, and chromosomal genetics; Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior - natural selection, population genetics/speciation, cladistics, population and community ecology, ecosystems, and animal behavior (including social behavior).
General Chemistry: Stoichiometry and General Concepts - (percent composition, empirical formulae, balancing equations, moles and molecular formulas, molar mass, density, and calculations from balanced equations; Gases - kinetic molecular theory of gases, Dalton's, Boyle's, Charles, and ideal gas laws; Liquids and Solids - intermolecular forces, phase changes, vapor pressure, structures, polarity, and properties; Solutions - polarity, properties (colligative, non-colligative), forces, and concentration calculations; Acids and Bases - pH, strength, Bronsted-Lowry reactions, calculations; Chemical Equilibria - molecular, acid/base, precipitation, calculations, and Le Chatelier?s principle; Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry- laws of thermodynamics, Hess? law, spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies, and heat transfer; Chemical Kinetics - rate laws, activation energy, and half life; Oxidation-Reduction Reactions - balancing equations, determination of oxidation numbers, electrochemical calculations, and electrochemical concepts and terminology; Atomic and Molecular Structure - electron configuration, orbital types, Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theory, quantum theory, molecular geometry, bond types, and sub-atomic particles; Periodic Properties -representative elements, transition elements, periodic trends, and descriptive chemistry; Nuclear Reactions - balancing equations, binding energy, decay processes, particles, and terminology; Laboratory - basic techniques, equipment, error analysis, safety, and data analysis.
Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms (Energetics, Structure, and Stability of Intermediates) - SN1, SN2, elimination, addition, free radical, and substitution mechanisms; 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; Stereochemistry - conforma?tional analysis, optical activity, chirality, chiral centers, planes of symmetry, enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds; Nomenclature - IUPAC rules, and functional groups in molecules; Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds; Acid-base chemistry - resonance effects, inductive results, and prediction of products and equilibria; Aromatics and Bonding - concept of aromaticity, resonance, atomic orbitals, molecular orbitals, hybridization, bond angles, and bond lengths.
Back to Top of Page
II. Perceptual Ability
Angle discrimination, form development cubes, orthographic projections, apertures, and paper folding.
Back to Top of Page
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 typi?cal of materials encountered in the first year of dental school and require no prior knowledge of the topic other than a basic undergraduate prepa?ration in science. The Reading Comprehension Test contains three reading passages.
Back to Top of Page
IV. Quantitative Reasoning
Mathematical Problems: Algebra - equations and expressions, inequalities, exponential notation, absolute value, and ratios and proportions, and graphical analysis; Numerical calculations - fractions and decimals, percentages, approximations and scientific notation; Conversions - temperature, time, weight, and distance; Probability and Statistics; Geometry; Trigonometry, and Applied Mathematics (Word) Problems.
A number of procedures are used to insure that tests are fair to all examinees regardless of racial, ethnic, gender, or regional background. The test construction process involves a review of questions to insure that they are not differentially familiar to any groups of individuals. Further, as part of the scoring process, test-question data are analyzed for fairness. Any questions that may appear differentially familiar are evaluated and, if appropriate, modified.
Validity studies are published annually containing correlations between test scores and dental grades. These reports are available upon request from the Department of Testing Services, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2678.
<a href="http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/scope.html" target="_blank">ADA DAT guide</a>
I hope this helps,
DesiDentist
