Understanding Changes to DAT Scores (2025)

Changes to the DAT Admissions Exam Scores: What You Need to Know

Welcome back readers! If you have found yourself at this blog post, you are likely a pre-dental student getting ready to challenge the DAT in 2025 and beyond. While the content and study techniques have remained the same, this blog post will detail changes to the scoring of the exam.

When completing any standardized testing in your professional career, we like to recommend to all our mentees to first understand how the exam was made and scored. Knowing how the exam is scored is integral in "reverse-engineering" your plan of action to conquer and excel in the test. While it maybe overwhelming to familiarize yourself with more changes to an already stressful process, you have made it to the right place to gain some information and peace of mind.

Effective March 1st, 2025, the ADA has published a new metric of scoring the Dental Admissions Test. The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a crucial component of the dental school admissions process, providing admissions committees with a standardized measure of a candidate's academic abilities. This blog post will outline these changes, their implications, and what prospective dental students should keep in mind. For a more detailed breakdown on the DAT test format, check out our previous blog post linked here.

Overview of the DAT Scoring System

Let's first discuss what stays the same:

• Test sections

  • Natural Sciences

    • Biology

    • General chemistry

    • Organic Chemistry

      
      

• Test Duration

  • 4.5 hours long

• Test Questions

  • 280 questions

• Each of these sections contributes to the overall score, which plays a significant role in determining a candidate's eligibility for dental school. Historically, the average competitive score to gaining acceptance to dental school in 2015-2024 was >21-22. A highly competitive student was considered to have a score >22-30+. Any score below 19 was considered a weak point and a score below 17 indicates performing below the national average with a recommendation to retest. With this background information in mind, let's discuss the changes...

Now... What is different?

Details of the Score Changes

Traditionally, the DAT has been scored on a scale ranging from 1 to 30, with a mean score of approximately 17, where most students gaining acceptance to dental school in their first attempt had an average score >21 with no section below 17. The ADA's recent announcement includes the following key changes to the DAT scoring system:

• New Score Ranges: The existing two digit score (1-30) will now be converted to a 3 digit score (200-600) in 10 point increments. This scoring system closely resembles the scoring of the MCAT. Why? The larger ranges in scores are designed to show a more accurate representation of your academic skill set.

  • In my experience, this is an added benefit to new students. Back when I studied for the DAT, I recall taking a practice test on DAT Bootcamp where I scored a 29/30 on O chem. While I only missed one point, my organic chemistry score was 27. Having a larger range of test scores will allow the test to provide more specificity to a student's performance.

• NO SAME DAY TESTING RESULTS. Beginning March 1st, 2025, unofficial score reports WILL NOT be available at the testing site. Similar to the MCAT, this is because the new scoring system requires further analysis of scores.

• Enhanced Performance Metrics: The ADA will now provide more detailed performance metrics, allowing students to see how they compare to their peers and where they may need improvement.

These changes aim to provide a more accurate representation of a candidate's abilities and readiness for dental school.

Questions for Prospective Students

With the changes in scoring, prospective dental students should consider the following:

• How do I convert my 2 digit score to 3 digit score?

  • The ADA has provided a conversion table linked here. Note: If you took the DAT prior to March 1st, 2025, you can use the ADA DAT Concordance Table to convert your score as AADSAS applications will be operating on the new score metric system.

• Is the DAT harder now that the scoring system is different?

  • No, the DAT content, questions, and tried and true study approaches remain the same. I recommend utilizing resources such as DAT Bootcamp, Booster, and DAT destroyer for content review, taking a series of full length practice tests, and having a thorough understanding on how the new scoring system can help you be a competitive dental school applicant.

• How does my application timeline affect my DAT score to the admissions commitee?

  • The score change DOES NOT affect your timeline to take the DAT. Take the DAT after completing a regimented study plan. When you register for a DENTPIN and sign up for the DAT, the ADA grants a 6 month time window for you to take the exam. The date you choose will determine whether your official DAT score is a 2 or 3 digit score (if you tested before or after March 1st, 2025). This ultimately does not make a difference to your application. Regardless of when you took the DAT, the centralized application system ADEA AADSAS will convert your DAT score to a 3 digit number for the 2025-2026 cycle. It will be a 3 digit score 2026 and onwards.

    
    

Conclusion

While staying up to date with changes can be stressful, change can often also be good. I am excited for the new generation of pre-dents to show off their hard-earned knowledge and obtain a more comprehensive score of their performance. At the end of the day, the DAT is another hurdle to overcome in your journey applying to dental school. While this blog post contains comprehensive research from the ADA and ADEA, you can also refer to the https://ada.org for future updates regarding the DAT.