If you have been thinking about taking a DAT course, Varsity Tutors can set you up with private DAT classes to help you reach for your professional goals. The DAT is a high-stakes exam used by the American Dental Association (ADA) to assess the academic skills of dental school applicants. It includes sections on general academics, scientific information comprehension, and perceptual ability. If you feel as though a DAT prep class could help you improve your self-confidence heading into the exam, contact us today to get the process started!
One of the first questions asked in most DAT courses is about the format and content of the exam. The test is administered at testing center nationwide, meaning that you need to sign up for a testing date and then go to a testing lab to complete your exam. If you have any questions about how this process works, your DAT course instructor will be happy to help you.
The chart below illustrates each section of the test, as well as how long you have to take it:
DAT Administration Schedule
Item |
Est. Duration |
Optional Tutorial |
15 Min |
Survey of Natural Sciences |
90 Min |
Perceptual Ability Test |
60 min |
Scheduled Break (optional) |
30 min |
Reading Comprehension Test |
60 min |
Quantitative Reasoning Test |
45 min |
Option Post Test Survey |
15 min |
Total Time |
5 Hours |
Five hours is a long time for one testing session, so you may wish to work on your intellectual stamina during your DAT class. Here are the content areas you'll be facing during this time:
DAT Content Areas
- Biology
- 40 questions
- Organic Chemistry
- 30 questions
- General Chemistry
- 30 questions
- Reading Comprehension
- 25 questions
- Perceptual Ability (90 questions)
- Apertures
- View recognition
- Angle discrimination
- Paper folding
- Cube counting
- 3D form development
- Reading Comprehension (50 questions)
- 3 passages on various scientific topics
- Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)
- Math problems
- Word problems
Working through sample problems may help you identify where your areas of opportunity lie. For example, if you do considerably better on the biology questions than the general chemistry ones, your future DAT prep courses should probably focus on chemistry to improve your study efficiency.
Each of our DAT prep classes also involves one-on-one study time with a knowledgeable instructor. Should you have any questions, your instructor can provide an on-the-spot answer. Likewise, all of your work receives immediate feedback so that you can correct any mistakes while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Your instructor may also be able to tailor your DAT class to your unique needs. For instance, a visual learner might use scale models to better understand the biology of the mouth, while an auditory learner might get more out of listening to a lecture on the topic. You are also free to spend as much or as little time on each topic as you need to. Unlike many competing products, our DAT prep course offerings have no artificial time constraints or set curricula to distract you from what you need to do.
Kristine: DAT course instructor
...I am applying for dental school with a DAT score in the 98th percentile. For more than eight years, I have taught students in many different subjects such as DAT, SAT, Chemistry (General and Organic), Biology, and Physics in both classroom and tutoring environments. Besides academics, I have even taught swimming and dance. My tutoring style focuses on tailoring the lesson to target the students weaknesses. I am very attentive and adaptable ensuring a more...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelors, Genetics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Chemistry
- DAT Reading Comprehension
- Algebra 3/4
- +30 subjects
Emily: DAT course instructor
...Biology Department at my university. I ran weekly tutorial sessions for students taking Genetics. Then, after my junior year of college, I also began working for the Physics Department as an exam proctor and weekly quiz grader for the General Physics I & II courses. I was also available for tutoring for students taking the course. I really enjoy working with students of all different learning styles and creating a plan that helps them achieve...
Education & Certification
- Villanova University - Bachelors, Biology, General
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Dentistry (DDS)
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- Genetics
- +24 subjects
Christopher: DAT course instructor
...connect with students more easily and understand their perspective when approaching difficult topics. I am patient with my students and always do my preparation before a lesson so that my time with the student is efficient. I strive to not only teaching the material in an effective manner, but instill the confidence needed so that the student can flourish in the classroom setting. I believe it is my combination of subject mastery, diligence and desire...
Education & Certification
- University of Maryland-College Park - Bachelor of Science, Neurobiology & Physiology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Social Sciences
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Microbiology
- +17 subjects
Stefan: DAT course instructor
...Upon realizing this, I looked for further opportunities to tutor other students, at which point I came across Varsity Tutors. My strongest subjects include English, ACT, DAT, Algebra,and Biology. I enjoy tutoring these subjects because a lot of progress can be made in them by simply looking at different strategies to approaching the subject material. I have come to understand that a great tutor is someone who can understand how a particular student learns and...
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- ACT Reading
- AP Statistics
- Study Skills
- +37 subjects
Tejas: DAT course instructor
...team which is a traditional Indian folk dance team that performs at campus events as well as inter-collegiate competitions. In addition, I was a teaching assistant for the Chemistry Department and a campus tour guide. Thus, I love to meet new people and help them out however I can whether it be walking them through the dining halls on campus or sitting down and explaining the Periodic Table of the Elements. I was also the...
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Binghamton - Bachelor of Science, Cell & Molecular Biology
- Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine - Doctor of Dental Science, N/A
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Chemistry
- College Algebra
- Algebra 3/4
- +21 subjects
Matthew: DAT course instructor
...I took it myself! I also provide application advice for applying to Dental school. After taking my DAT, I applied to 8 dental schools and was accepted to 7 of them! In my undergraduate semesters, I often took up multiple positions to be a resource for tutoring and mentoring to underclassman students. This included teaching an introduction to chemistry lab course and being a peer-mentor and President of the Making Doctors Club, a community of...
Education & Certification
- University of Delaware - Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
- University of Connecticut - Doctor of Medical Dentistry, Predentistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- OAT
- MCAT
- +61 subjects
Cheyne Ian: DAT course instructor
...favorite subjects to teach are math, biology, and chemistry. As a current student, I know that sometimes certain topics can seem impossible, but working at it is the only way to improve. I hope to provide the best possible tutoring experience for the student and the teacher in an environment conducive to learning. I am currently a junior at Creighton University seeking a degree in management and hope to attend dental school in the future....
Education & Certification
- Creighton University - Current Undergrad, Management
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- NBDE
- SSAT- Upper Level
- +50 subjects
Tevin: DAT course instructor
...junior and senior years. But I wasn't always someone who like to study notes and read books. It wasn't until my junior year when I met a mentor who changed how I would look at the rest of my career. He was an organic chemistry professor who began the class explaining how he got to where he was today. You see most professors are naturally brilliant at the college level. This professor of mine explained...
Education & Certification
- Saint Cloud State University - Bachelors, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- AP Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- ACT
- +28 subjects
Parsa: DAT course instructor
...I truly enjoy helping others learn. Knowledge and education are very valuable tools in life so I see tutoring as a gratifying duty of mine to help others learn material with which they are having difficulty. I graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2011 (B.S. Chemistry) and I have aspirations of becoming a dentist. Since graduating, I have worked full-time on weekdays with an oral surgeon for dental experience and plan on starting...
Education & Certification
- University of Georgia - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- Science
- College Essays
- +31 subjects
Miguel: DAT course instructor
...all of my sessions. I emphasize a strategy based approach to studying, and keep an updated list of strategies that my students are finding helpful. I prefer to test mastery of material via a role reversal in which I see if the student can teach me how to correctly solve problems and arrive at the correct answers. In my opinion, there is no better way to assess the depth and breadth of one's knowledge than...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelors, Computer Science / English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- PCAT
- LSAT
- GRE
- +176 subjects
Andrew: DAT course instructor
Aside from being an avid scholar, I am a world traveler and enjoy trying new things! I also love to run, draw, read, and cook, either with friends or simply by myself. I stay in shape both mentally and physically: I am constantly training to be my best. Whenever the opportunity arises to help elevate someone, I take it. Helping a student reach their goals is equally as rewarding for my student and myself.
Education & Certification
- Michigan State University - Bachelor of Science, Human Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Organic Chemistry
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Middle School Science
- +21 subjects
Dale: DAT course instructor
...from Saint Leo University with a biomedical sciences degree and a math minor. I played college baseball for 4 years. I'm from Florida so my favorite thing to do is spend time on the water wake boarding and fishing. I've always tutored in some way throughout my college career and love doing it. My main areas of focus are the DAT, NBDE part 1, GRE, GMAT, SAT/ACT test preparation, math (all levels), and science.... My teaching philosophy is simple. Confidence is key, so walking a student through problems is important until they are be able to do it on their own. I am very laid back, and enjoy seeing students succeed!
Education & Certification
- Saint Leo University - Current Undergrad, Biology-Biomedical and Health Sciences (Math Minor)
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- Zoology
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- +55 subjects
Gary: DAT course instructor
...through courses of mathematics teaches much beyond what is on the page. It teaches problem-solving, critical and creative thinking. I try not only to teach the mechanics of math, but instill an appreciation for the skills the process can develop. And while math is my favorite subject to tutor, I have had training in and am qualified for all sections of SAT and ACT test prep, and enjoy working with students to help them learn...
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Albany - Bachelor of Science, Economics
- Pace University-New York - Masters in Business Administration, Analysis and Functional Analysis
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- AP Calculus AB
- Statistics
- +51 subjects
Daniel: DAT course instructor
...in tutoring individuals who are working towards acceptance into a professional school that might have been out of school for a while. I have experience in private tutoring to elementary/middle school through college level students in math and the sciences and have helped many achieve goals that seemed unattainable. I have done this by establishing what areas of the subject are most troubling to students and focusing on them by using a variety of different...
Education & Certification
- Arizona State University - Bachelor of Science, Microbiology
- University of California-Los Angeles - Doctor of Dental Science, Dentistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- College Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Physiology
- +21 subjects
Amir: DAT course instructor
...provided weekly instruction to fellow UH undergraduates during the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 academic semesters. The subjects I tutored ranged from college level science courses to advanced mathematics. In my opinion, the most rewarding aspect of tutoring is when I am able to convey a particularly challenging question to a student. I do this by approaching concepts from multiple perspectives and breaking things down into layman's terms. In my free time, I enjoy traveling,...
Education & Certification
- University of Houston - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- SAT Reading
- Elementary Math
- +30 subjects
Daniel: DAT course instructor
...struggle in their classes. I worked with a very diverse group of students whose age ranges from 16 to 40 and they come from many different backgrounds. I remember when I was a college student, I went through the same things that they are going through which makes it easier for me to work with them. With my experience and knowledge, I can help them succeed in their classes. While I tutor a very broad...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor of Science, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GMAT
- GRE
- +55 subjects
Jim: DAT course instructor
...tutor and friend. Thats my approach as a tutor: listen carefully and understand my student; respect their learning style and ignite (or maintain) their passion for learning (and meet their immediate goals). Leaven it all with some fun. Throughout my career, I have had the benefit of great mentor/tutors and have always tried to do the same for others. Formally, I have taught students at the high school and college level in math and history (Rutgers...
Education & Certification
- Princeton/Empire State College - Bachelor in Arts, History & Social Theory
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - PHD, American History
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- GMAT
- GRE Quantitative
- +110 subjects
Jonathan: DAT course instructor
...college. I began with college algebra and moved on to science courses such as chemistry, genetics, and biology. I also tutored some remedial math and english courses. No jobs other than teaching and medicine bring me everything I want in a career. I love to help others because I have benefited so much from others help in the past. My goal is to inspire a few other students to take up this job and give...
Education & Certification
- University of Houston Downtown - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- GMAT
- +113 subjects
Amin: DAT course instructor
...and teens has taught me the importance of patience and finding ways to keep the material interesting. I have found that the best way to learn is rarely by listening to someone, but instead by doing and having a conversation throughout the learning process. In my spare time, I love to play and watch rugby, basketball, football and other sports. I also like to paint, but given the choice, I would prefer to be outdoors...
Education & Certification
- University of Maryland - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Honors Chemistry
- College Chemistry
- Elementary School Math
- +25 subjects
Seth: DAT course instructor
...love to help teach various methods and techniques needed to conquer this test. My wife and I just had our first baby (boy) on August 7th and I'm loving being a dad. During my free time I love to exercise in any way I can. In particular, I like lifting weights, playing basketball, football, and tennis. I also ran cross country and played volleyball in high school. What I want most from this job is...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Idaho - Bachelors, Exercise Physiology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- DAT Reading Comprehension
- ISEE
- +29 subjects