Dental Aptitude Test (Canada)
source: www.cda-adc.ca
The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) Program is conducted by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), in coordination with the American Dental Association, and has been in operation on a national basis since 1966. Submission of DAT scores is an admission requirement of each of the 10 Canadian dental schools. Canadian DAT scores are accepted by U.S. dental schools, but because the U.S. DAT does not include a manual dexterity component, results of the U.S. DAT cannot be used for admission to Canadian dental schools.
Examinations are held twice a year, in November and February, at various test centres across Canada. The testing program is designed to evaluate general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, two- and three-dimensional visual perception and manual dexterity.
While all Canadian dental schools require applicants to submit DAT scores as part of the admission process, the test results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of an applicant. The relative importance of DAT scores in evaluating the admission potential of an applicant is determined by each dental school and is not regulated by the DAT Program.
Registration for the DAT is not an application to dental school(s). Information on admission requirements of individual dental schools must be obtained directly from each dental school.
Scope of the Dental Aptitude Test
There are 4 examinations included in the English DAT and 3 examinations included in the French DAT. The tests are administered over one half (½) day and include:
1. Manual Dexterity
Carving a specified model out of a cylindrical bar of soap specially made for the DAT.2. Survey of Natural Sciences
Biology - origin of life; cell metabolism (including photosynthesis); enzymology; cellular processes; thermodynamics; organelle structure and function; mitosis/meiosis; biological organization and relationship of major taxa (using the five-kingdom system: monera, planti; anamalia; protista; fungi); Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology - structure and function of vertebrate 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 genetics; Chromosomal genetics; Evaluation, Ecology, and Behaviour: natural selection; population genetics/speciation; cladistics; population and community ecology; ecosystems; animal behaviour (including social).General Chemistry – Stoichiometry and General Concepts (percent composition; empirical formulae; balancing equations; moles and molecular formulas; molecular formula weights; molar mass; density; 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; vapour pressure; structures; polarity; properties); Solutions (polarity; properties; colligative; non-colligative; forces; concentration calculations) Acids and Bases (pH; strength; BrØnsted-Lowry reactions; calculations) Chemical Equilibria (molecular; acid/base; precipitation; calculations; Le Chatelier’s principle); Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry (law of thermodynamics; Hess’s law; spontaneity; enthalpies and entropies; heat transfer) Chemical Kinetics (rate laws; activation energy; half-life) Oxidation-Reduction Reactions (balancing equations; determination of oxidation numbers; electrochemical calculations; electrochemical concepts and terminology) Atomic and Molecular Structure (electron configuration; orbital types; Lewis-Dot diagrams; atomic theory; quantum theory; molecular geometry; bond types; sub-atomic particles) Periodic Properties (representative elements; transition elements; periodic trends; descriptive chemistry) Nuclear Reactions (balancing equations; binding energy; decay processes; particles; terminology) Laboratory (basic techniques; equipment; error analysis; safety; data analysis)
3. Perceptual Ability
Angle discrimination, form development, cubes, orthographic projections and apertures.4. Reading Comprehension (English DAT only)
Consists of 3 reading passages. 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 typical of materials encountered in the first year of dental school and require no prior knowledge of the topic other than a basic undergraduate preparation in science.The English- and French-language examinations require approximately 5 and 4 hours respectively, with no formal lunch break. However, stretch breaks will be provided.
The duration of each component of the DAT is listed below:
Section Time Limit Manual Dexterity Survey of Natural Sciences Perceptual Ability Reading Comprehension
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Dental Admission Test (US)
source: wiki
The DAT is a computer based test that can be administered almost any day of the year. Tests are taken at Prometric testing centers throughout the United States after the preliminary application through the American Dental Association is completed. Each applicant may only take the test a total of three times before having to ask special permission to take the exam again. After taking the exam you must wait 90 days before repeating it. Each exam costs $320.
The DAT comprises four sections: survey of the natural sciences (90 minutes), perceptual ability (often called the PAT, 60 minutes), reading comprehension (60 minutes), and quantitative reasoning (45 minutes). The mathematics of the quantitative exam is similar to that of the SAT. The first section is divided into questions about biology (40 questions), general chemistry (30 questions), and organic chemistry (30 questions). The second section is divided into six different problem sets designed to test perceptual ability, specifically in the areas of three dimensional manipulation and spatial reasoning. The third section of the DAT is divided into three academic essays, each of which is followed by questions about the passage's content. The final section tests basic mathematics skills, with emphasis placed on algebra, critical thinking, fractions, roots, and trigonometric identities.
Section Questions Time Limit Optional Tutorial Survey of Natural Sciences - Biology - General Chemistry - Organic Chemistry Perceptual Ability Test - Keyhole - Top/Front/End Visualization - Angle Ranking - Hole Punches - Cube Counting - Pattern Folding Optional Break Reading Comprehension Test Quantitative Reasoning Test - Mathematics - Applied Mathematics (Word Problems) Optional Post-Test Survey Total
Raw Score/Standard Score Conversion Table source: ADA.org
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