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How to Study for the DAT: Tips to Help you Prepare

Are you an aspiring dental student and you are studying for the DAT? We have published some tips to guide you on how to study for the DAT. Continue reading “How to Study for the DAT: Tips to Help you Prepare” to get more information. We hope that this article helps you to prepare; good luck!

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The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is an examination that is accepted by dental schools in the U.S. and in Canada. DAT is designed to provide dental education programs with a means to assess applicants’ potential for success.

The test takes 4.5 hours to complete and is offered year-round by Prometric test centers in the United States, and its territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Canada.

Examinations and tests make a lot of students nervous, the DAT is not an exception as it also gives Dental Students the jitters. Most students are faced with the issue of not knowing what to read, how long to read, etc.

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We will go over a few tips in this article to help you prepare better for this test.

How to Study for the DAT: Tips to Help you Prepare

Before Test Day

1. Apply to take the DAT

The first step will be to obtain a DENTPIN (Dental Personal Identifier Number). A DENTPIN is a unique, eight-digit number that helps protect your personal identifying information. The next step is to apply to take the Dental Admission Test.

2. Choosing a date

Once your application has been approved and Prometric has contacted you, the next step is to choose a date for the DAT

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Setting the date for the DAT is very important, the date must be set on a day that you are sure of. Rescheduling this test will incur extra costs, so setting a date is very important.

If you do need to reschedule your test, visit the Prometric website and click on the reschedule link to begin the process for a list of the fees for rescheduling an exam.

Points to consider when selecting a date:-

a. Sign-up Early

Signing up for your test date at least six weeks in advance of your prospective date. It is important to sign-up early so that you are able to get your preferred date. Seats are limited and can fill up quickly at Prometric centers so don’t delay.

b. Pick the right day of the week

Considering what day of the week would work best for your schedule while setting the date is very important. Weekends are better so that after the test, you can take some time and rest.

c. Pick the right time of the day

Picking the right time of the day to take the test is also as important as picking the right date. There are typically different times available on certain days to take the DAT. Not all days will have the same time options nor will all days have more than one option.

You have to consider if you are a morning person or if you are an afternoon or night person.For instance,  if you are a morning person, then you should pick the morning test

3. Designing a study schedule

Designing a study schedule will help you to cover a lot of areas, it will also help you to keep track of how much you have covered. It is important to design the study schedule weeks before the test.

4. Maintaining good healthResting is also a very important part of this exercise; get enough sleep and rest, this way, your brain will remain active so that you can assimilate whatever you are reading.

You need to rest your body and your brain needs to rest, forcing your body to stay up read might make you break down and this may cause you to miss your test.

The Test 

These are the things you must do a day before the test and on the test day.

1.  Ensure that you get enough rest the night before the test. sleep early so as to wake up at a good time.

2. Wake up at a reasonable time so that you can have a few hours to refresh your memory, and also prepare without rushing so that you will not forget important items.

3. Perhaps set an extra alarm just to make sure that you are awake when you need to be.

4. Do some simple exercises to keep your mind and body alert. It will also help you to calm your nerves and be able to perform.

5. Eat a healthy breakfast

6. Ensure that you arrive at the Prometric center early. Arrive at least thirty minutes before the exam time so that you can get a hang of the venue.

7. You can also read over your notes to revise minutes before the test.

Now you are ready for the test!

What to expect when you check in at the testing center:

  1. The Testing coordinator will greet you upon entering the testing center
  2. You are to go to your testing centre with your two forms of identification – 1 identification with a photo (driver’s license, passport, state ID, etc.) and the other form can be with just your name and signature on it (debit card, credit card, etc.). Your name must be matching on both forms of identification as well as on your Prometric reservation.
  3. Your photo will be taken along with a finger print scan of your index finger.
  4. You will be assigned a locker and asked to empty your pockets and lock any items you have on you in the locker.
  5. You will keep your ID as well as your locker key with you while taking the test.
  6. You will be given two note boards and two fine tip erasable markers to use on the test. Do not bend them or distort them in anyway! Do not touch the monitor while taking the test!
  7. All of the rules of the exam will be explained to you by the examination coordinators.
  8. Before entering the testing room you will be required to sign a daily log that will state the exact time you entered the exam and a full body scan with a metal detector will be conducted. This is to make sure you are not bringing anything into the testing room with you except the allotted items.
  9. After signing-in in the book and completing the scan you will be escorted into the room to your assigned desk by a testing coordinator.
  10. Upon completing the first half of the test you will bring your ID and locker key with you and exit the testing room. You will have to sign the daily log again stating what time you left  and another fingertip scan will be done.
  11. Make sure to return at least five minutes before your break ends so that you won’t be rushed or start late on the second half of the test.
  12. After your  lunch break you will be asked to repeat the check-in procedure with a fingertip scan, full body scan, and sign-in.
  13. Bathroom breaks are allowed during the exam, but you will have to sign out and go through the entire procedure when you return. I would recommend not taking any breaks during the exam!
  14. If you do have any questions while taking the test, or if there is an issue with your computer or test then you can raise your hand while in the testing room and a coordinator will assist you.

After The Test

Once you are done writing the test, an unofficial score report will appear on your computer screen and the testing center will print the results and you will be given a copy.

Your results will still be checked to confirm the results, but it is rare and almost impossible for one to be presented with different scores on the official report from the unofficial report that was given upon completion of the test.

We hope that this write up on “How to Study for the DAT: Tips to Help you Prepare” nis just what you need to give you a sense of direction in your preparation for the DAT test.

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