Should I retake my DAT?

[bruinbear250]

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This was my second time taking the DAT and i’m kind of unhappy with how I performed. All my practice DAT scores were 22-23 range, and when I took the real test, I felt just as confident with my answers as when I was doing practice. I’m conflicted if I should retake or not because this was already my second time and I genuinely don’t know what else I can do to restudy again. I am a California resident and the schools that I want to apply to are UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, NYU, UPenn, and UMich so far. My cgpa is 3.75 as of right now, but can go up to 3.8 by the time of applying. I would say my extracurriculars are very strong with numerous leadership positions, research experience, and dental experience. Would my DAT score be a reason why I wouldn’t get interviews/acceptances?

 

[macsak]

View attachment 399894
This was my second time taking the DAT and i’m kind of unhappy with how I performed. All my practice DAT scores were 22-23 range, and when I took the real test, I felt just as confident with my answers as when I was doing practice. I’m conflicted if I should retake or not because this was already my second time and I genuinely don’t know what else I can do to restudy again. I am a California resident and the schools that I want to apply to are UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, NYU, UPenn, and UMich so far. My cgpa is 3.75 as of right now, but can go up to 3.8 by the time of applying. I would say my extracurriculars are very strong with numerous leadership positions, research experience, and dental experience. Would my DAT score be a reason why I wouldn’t get interviews/acceptances?

fill out a full WAMC template...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

This was my second time taking the DAT and i’m kind of unhappy with how I performed. All my practice DAT scores were 22-23 range, and when I took the real test, I felt just as confident with my answers as when I was doing practice. I’m conflicted if I should retake or not because this was already my second time and I genuinely don’t know what else I can do to restudy again. I am a California resident and the schools that I want to apply to are UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, NYU, UPenn, and UMich so far. My cgpa is 3.75 as of right now, but can go up to 3.8 by the time of applying. I would say my extracurriculars are very strong with numerous leadership positions, research experience, and dental experience. Would my DAT score be a reason why I wouldn’t get interviews/acceptances?

Unhappy?

No, don't retake. Please give us a WAMC profile. What scores did you get the first time?

 

[DAT Destroyer]

View attachment 399894
This was my second time taking the DAT and i’m kind of unhappy with how I performed. All my practice DAT scores were 22-23 range, and when I took the real test, I felt just as confident with my answers as when I was doing practice. I’m conflicted if I should retake or not because this was already my second time and I genuinely don’t know what else I can do to restudy again. I am a California resident and the schools that I want to apply to are UCLA, UCSF, USC, UOP, NYU, UPenn, and UMich so far. My cgpa is 3.75 as of right now, but can go up to 3.8 by the time of applying. I would say my extracurriculars are very strong with numerous leadership positions, research experience, and dental experience. Would my DAT score be a reason why I wouldn’t get interviews/acceptances?

In my opinion, the only reason to consider retaking the DAT would be if one of your top-choice schools specifically recommended it. Congratulations on maintaining consistent scores! That said, given your high GPA, I was a bit surprised that your scores weren’t slightly higher. However, it's important to remember that timed tests don’t always accurately reflect a student’s true abilities.

I hope this advice is helpful.

Best regards,
Nancy
Co-owner, Destroyers

 

[capsoak]

how da heck did u manage a 28 PAT

 

[dlord]

what is a dat score that will get you into dental school? starting the process now. ive heard different things.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

what is a dat score that will get you into dental school? starting the process now. ive heard different things.

I’ve worked with students for a long time, and the truth is there isn’t one DAT score that “gets you in.” Different schools look for different things. But with the new 200–600 scale, most competitive applicants I’ve seen lately tend to fall somewhere around the low-400s. An AA and TS in the 400–430 range usually puts you in a strong position at most programs.


Remeber the DAT is only one part of the picture. I’ve seen students get interviews with scores below that because the rest of their application was solid, and I’ve also seen students with very high scores struggle if the interview didn’t go well. Schools still look at GPA, your overall preparation, your story, and how you present yourself in the interview.

If you’re starting the process now, I’d aim for “around 400 or a little above” as a general benchmark, but don’t panic if one section ends up lower. Admissions isn’t as rigid as people make it sound.


Hope that helps — always happy to help...Nancy

 

[Mr.Smile12]

what is a dat score that will get you into dental school? starting the process now. ive heard different things.

What do your dental school admissions officers say? Use their response as a baseline.

Adding to Nancy: read

2025 DAT Scoring Changes: What Pre-Dental Applicants Need to Know | Student Doctor Network | SDN

Beginning in March 2025, the American Dental Association will implement a new scoring system for the Dental Admissions Test (DAT). Those who take the exam

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Rick Sorkin]

I'm way too late to the party, and I'm not an expert, but you should 100% retake that. I don't know why people here are inflating the value of your stats. I wouldn't call either your dat or gpa "high." I want the best for you so I'm being blunt. You want UMich? Their average accepted gpa is 3.82 and dat is 22. UPenn? 3.8 and 24. UoP? 3.69 22.5. UCLA? 3.84 24. You need to study your ass off and get your score up. None of this "idk what else I can do - I did everything possible" bs