Review on Canadian DAT vs. American DAT

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melatonin

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Hi guys.
As a person who wrote both Canadian DAT and American DAT in the past, I would like to go over with you some of the similarities and differences between these two tests. Hope this review helps you choose the right exam for your purpose. What is written inside the brackets is based on my own personal experience.

- Canadian DAT does not have the Organic Chemistry and Quantitative Reasoning
( It was a big minus for me as I am a strong student in math and my math skills did not influence my overall score at the end. Also, I found it kind of unfair because your total science was an average of only two sections (GC and BIO) on Canadian DAT. In that sense, the american DAT allowed me to score higher overall because of the presence of QR and Organic Chemistry.)

- Even though Canadian DAT does not have OC, GC is not harder than American GC
( In fact, I found American GC much harder. I scored 24 on Canadian GC and 23 on American GC. I found Canadian GC more focused on calculations than concepts. However, no OC means more time to study the other sections!

- Reading comprehension is pretty much the same for the two exams
( my eyes got so much tired after reading two passages on American DAT... I had to constantly massage my eyes to get through this section).

- PAT is the same: because Canadian DAT is paper-based, you can draw or fold a paper to get through some of the angle comparison and paper-folding questions. I scored much higher on Canadian PAT. (In terms of the difficulty, not a significant difference).

- Yes. Canadian DAT has this section called Manual Dexterity (now became optional): This section is very unique. Basically, you go into the exam room and there is a blade, cylinder-like soap, a ruler, and a volatile marker in front of you. Along with those, they give you a 2D representation of what they want you to carve (dimensions,etc). And for 30 minutes you carve to imitate what is presented on the page.
( I did a horrible job on this section. scored 7/30 (~15%) but most do not care about this section because only the West Coast schools inc. UBC look at your carving score. I was invited to a handful of interviews with that carving score.. so no worries on that)

- As previously mentioned, Canadian DAT is paper based vs American DAT computer based.
( I like Canadian DAT better in this regard. I do not know why but I feel more comfortable with older technology..)

- One expects around 6-8 weeks to get his/her scores on Canadian DAT (the results come to you by snail mail) vs. American DAT gives your scores right at the end of the exam.
(the wait time was painful for me.. scoring takes long because of time it takes to mark your carved product..)

-Canadian DAT is held only twice a year (Nov and Feb of each year) vs American DAT almost every day.
(cDAT takes place during the busiest time of the year. In Canada, midterms start around in November and Feb.. it was a horrible experience for me to write such a big test after 4 midterms at school).

- As for studying material, I used Kaplan Blue book for the Canadian DAT. Ironically, it was not of great help. Many questions came from what I learned throughout my courses. Kaplan book was helpful for RC and GC. For the American DAT, I used Princeton Review and this was a good representative of material on the exam.

what else...

Overall, I would say American DAT takes much longer to prepare for than Canadian DAT. But, in terms of the difficulty, about the same. ( I scored AA 23 on Canadian DAT and AA 24 on American DAT..so pretty much the same difficulty).

Who writes Canadian DAT?
- For American students applying to Canadian schools, most schools accept American DAT. However, Canadian students applying to Canadian schools MUST submit Canadian DAT scores. Therefore, for those Canadian students considering Canadian options, write Canadian DAT well before the year of application. Also, for those Canadian students applying to American schools, I strongly advise to write the American DAT. Why? Some schools simply do not accept Canadian DAT (Some schools like Colombia explicitly state that they prefer American DAT). Also, there are more sections on the exam so that your weakness on one section can be overcome by a good score on the other.

Please leave any comments or questions below and I will do my best to answer your question!🙂

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I took both as well. And I agree with you on many points.

One thing I hated about the Canadian was the damn paper format. It slows you down so much, especially on RC section where time is everything. (I got 19 RC Canadian, 25 RC American, go figure)

Also, the wording on Canadian was much more confusing for me, especially in the Bio section. They really love those questions where the answers are all 0.1 away from each other or change of one word for another and you have to pick the best answer. American Bio was more straightforward, with answers that were either blatantly right or wrong. Process of elimination was a big help in American Bio but almost never useful in the Canadian.

I never understood the logic of hosting the Canadian DAT during the two absolute worst months of the year. November and February.. really?

On the other hand, American has the organic chemistry section that I had to deal with. Which wasn't much of a problem for me, but it definitely took a significant chunk of time away that could have been used for other sections.

I also got higher American AA, but lower TS.
 
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Hey, great post. I actually found american GC to be alot easier than Canadian. But yeah that darn RC. One more thing to add:

Canadian DAT has a 15 min break (could be 10 min, not sure) between every section. American DAT has just one 15 minute break. I actually got the same RC articles for american that I got in fall 2012 Canadian DAT. God knows how I managed to score lower on american lol
 
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Hey, great post. I actually found american GC to be alot easier than Canadian. But yeah that darn RC. One more thing to add:

Canadian DAT has a 15 min break (could be 10 min, not sure) between every section. American DAT has just one 15 minute break. I actually got the same RC articles for american that I got in fall 2012 Canadian DAT. God knows how I managed to score lower on american lol

i also found it shocking when the proctor used this metal detector and scanned all over my body.. the level of security is five star for the american DAT. no such procedure for Canadian DAT lol
 
- As previously mentioned, Canadian DAT is paper based vs American DAT computer based.
( I like Canadian DAT better in this regard. I do not know why but I feel more comfortable with older technology..)

Then how were you able to 'wrote' the American DAT?
 
Semantics. We don't usually say we "typed" an exam. We "write" or "take" exams.

There was no typing involved on the American DAT either. Unless you counted the registration process, arrow keys, page up key, or page down key; but wouldn't it be impossible to complete the American DAT with just that?
 
There was no typing involved on the American DAT either. Unless you counted the registration process, arrow keys, page up key, or page down key; but wouldn't it be impossible to complete the American DAT with just that?

Okay..so how would you say it? Clicked an exam? Interfaced an exam? Lol..

I am lost as to why you are so focused on that trivial and completely irrelevant detail😕
 
Okay..so how would you say it? Clicked an exam? Interfaced an exam? Lol..

I am lost as to why you are so focused on that trivial and completely irrelevant detail😕

I suppose "I took the American DAT."

I don't think this might be trivial matter at all. What if OP was, in fact, able to write the American DAT. I'm sure there are many individuals out there who would prefer a pencil and paper test.
 
I suppose "I took the American DAT."

I don't think this might be trivial matter at all. What if OP was, in fact, able to write the American DAT. I'm sure there are many individuals out there who would prefer a pencil and paper test.

Fact of the matter is that American DAT was never pencil and paper, just like Canadian DAT was never computerized. What you prefer or not isn't at all relevant especially when it comes to something that's so beyond your control. Just making a random assumption and putting a random "what if?" still doesn't explain why you're so caught up in this minor detail that completely derailed the point of this thread.
 
@melatonin

Definetly better security than airport security in canada lol
 
Fact of the matter is that American DAT was never pencil and paper, just like Canadian DAT was never computerized. What you prefer or not isn't at all relevant especially when it comes to something that's so beyond your control. Just making a random assumption and putting a random "what if?" still doesn't explain why you're so caught up in this minor detail that completely derailed the point of this thread.

Fact of the matter is that American DAT was pencil and paper, but only for a period of time as evidenced here on (http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_users_manual.pdf) page 5, second paragraph. I did not derail from this thread at all. The OP's intent for this thread was to address the similarities and differences, and I am trying to figure out which version he/she took. The anecdotal evidence of the OP's scores would otherwise be useless for the intent of this thread.

You do realize the dental profession prides itself upon attention to details even as minute as it may be, correct?
 
Fact of the matter is that American DAT was pencil and paper, but only for a period of time as evidenced here on (http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_users_manual.pdf) page 5, second paragraph. I did not derail from this thread at all. The OP's intent for this thread was to address the similarities and differences, and I am trying to figure out which version he/she took. The anecdotal evidence of the OP's scores would otherwise be useless for the intent of this thread.

You do realize the dental profession prides itself upon attention to details even as minute as it may be, correct?

Of course the OP mentioning him/herself that the American DAT is computer-based vs. Canadian DAT paper-based didn't trigger to you the fact that he/she took the computerized test? The OP made the comparison right there for you without you having to deduce anything. Dental profession prides in details indeed. And in 1999? The dental profession also requires people to be logical and common sensical.
 
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Fact of the matter is that American DAT was pencil and paper, but only for a period of time as evidenced here on (http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_users_manual.pdf) page 5, second paragraph. I did not derail from this thread at all. The OP's intent for this thread was to address the similarities and differences, and I am trying to figure out which version he/she took. The anecdotal evidence of the OP's scores would otherwise be useless for the intent of this thread.

You do realize the dental profession prides itself upon attention to details even as minute as it may be, correct?

Not to interject on you two lovebirds, but the OP did say computer vs. pencil already himself...................reading comprehension helps 😉
 
😵

This is ridiculous. Canadians say they write an exam. Americans say they take an exam.

Sure, you can't really "write" an exam that is computerized. But can you "take" it? My DAT didn't leave the room with me, nor did I ever possess it.

We have our own "slang," for lack of a better word. I don't get all tied up in knots when I hear a British person call a car trunk a "boot," LOL! :laugh:
 
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😵

This is ridiculous. Canadians say they write an exam. Americans say they take an exam.

Sure, you can't really "write" an exam that is computerized. But can you "take" it? My DAT didn't leave the room with me, nor did I ever possess it.

We have our own "slang," for lack of a better word. I don't get all tied up in knots when I hear a British person call a car trunk a "boot," LOL!

That's what I'm saying. It's semantics, I don't know why someone would be so caught up in it 🙄
 
Of course the OP mentioning him/herself that the American DAT is computer-based vs. Canadian DAT paper-based didn't trigger to you the fact that he/she took the computerized test? The OP made the comparison right there for you without you having to deduce anything. Dental profession prides in details indeed. And in 1999? The dental profession also requires people to be logical and common sensical.

Yes indeed the OP mentioned "Canadian DAT is paper based vs American DAT computer based," and the following examples would lead one to believe that the OP did take the post 1999 computerized version of the American DAT. But, since the OP has also claimed status of 'dentist' and no further information can be deduce on how long this individual has practiced dentistry, it is also possible that he/she may have written the American DAT.

However, the statement "As a person who wrote both Canadian DAT and American DAT in the past" was ambiguous from the start, we may very well be dealing with recounts of two different individuals: the one who wrote both Canadian DAT and American DAT and the other who provided anecdotal evidence of taking the post 1999 computerized version of the American DAT. Since the OP has made no mention thereof, we may never know what really occurred.

Since took is a past tense form of the verb take, and the meaning is also inclusive with act of writing -such as 'I took notes'. It would make more logical sense to just say "As a person who took both Canadian DAT and American DAT in the past."

The OP also left "Please leave any comments or questions below and I will do my best to answer your question!🙂" And I'm doing just that. You know, instead of trying to induce a straw man argument with me, you could have allowed me or us to wait patiently for the OP to answer my question, and we could all happily move on with our lives.
 
Yes indeed the OP mentioned "Canadian DAT is paper based vs American DAT computer based," and the following examples would lead one to believe that the OP did take the post 1999 computerized version of the American DAT. But, since the OP has also claimed status of 'dentist' and no further information can be deduce on how long this individual has practiced dentistry, it is also possible that he/she may have written the American DAT.

However, the statement "As a person who wrote both Canadian DAT and American DAT in the past" was ambiguous from the start, we may very well be dealing with recounts of two different individuals: the one who wrote both Canadian DAT and American DAT and the other who provided anecdotal evidence of taking the post 1999 computerized version of the American DAT. Since the OP has made no mention thereof, we may never know what really occurred.

Since took is a past tense form of the verb take, and the meaning is also inclusive with act of writing -such as 'I took notes'. It would make more logical sense to just say "As a person who took both Canadian DAT and American DAT in the past."

The OP also left "Please leave any comments or questions below and I will do my best to answer your question!🙂" And I'm doing just that. You know, instead of trying to induce a straw man argument with me, you could have allowed me or us to wait patiently for the OP to answer my question, and we could all happily move on with our lives.

Lol okay tldr. Sorry for causing a ruckus, there seems to be emotional rollercoasters on this forum since the start of the application cycle.

Anyway, I'll be outta your hair and let the OP repeat what he said multiple times throughout his original post.
 
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Ohhh I am sorry.. I am not a dentist.
I am one of a predent student like you.
I noticed that my status is checked as dentist on profile ( i don't know why)

I 'wrote' my Canadian DAT in 2011 and American DAT a week ago
so this gives you pretty fresh information on those two tests?
 
Ohhh I am sorry.. I am not a dentist.
I am one of a predent student like you.
I noticed that my status is checked as dentist on profile ( i don't know why) Thank you, that's good to know.

I 'wrote' my Canadian DAT in 2011 and American DAT a week ago
so this gives you pretty fresh information on those two tests? Yes and no.

I appreciate your attempt for addressing the similarities and differences between these two tests.

Although I feel that my initial question is still left unanswered, at this point now, what I am trying to ask is, was the American DAT you claim to 'wrote' the post-1999-computerized version provided at the Prometric center or was it the Web-based DAT Practice Test in conjunct with the print format DAT Practice Test available from http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx for $37 and $27+ tax and shipping, respectively, in which you're basing your Review on Canadian DAT vs. American DAT off of?
 
I appreciate your attempt for addressing the similarities and differences between these two tests.

Although I feel that my initial question is still left unanswered, at this point now, what I am trying to ask is, was the American DAT you claim to 'wrote' the post-1999-computerized version provided at the Prometric center or was it the Web-based DAT Practice Test in conjunct with the print format DAT Practice Test available from http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx for $37 and $27+ tax and shipping, respectively, in which you're basing your Review on Canadian DAT vs. American DAT off of?

it was post-1999-computerized version you write at the Prometric Centre ( $400 +tax)
 
Is material covered in bio and gc same for both canadian dat and american dat? What about level of difficulty?

What study material would you recommend for canadian dat?
(I heard ppl recommend Chads video for gc/oc and cliffnotes ap bio for bio for american dat)

Thanks in advance
 
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