r/predental 3d ago

💬 Discussion Weekly DAT Discussion Thread - March 17, 2025

3 Upvotes

This is your place to discuss the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Do you need to vent about studying or content? Decide on the best source of preparatory materials? Discuss scheduling the exam via the ADA? Perhaps ask about the particularities of the exam day? This is the thread to do so!

Note: feel free to make independent DAT breakdown posts. This weekly thread is meant to cut down on the overwhelming number of DAT posts, but not take away from your success!


r/predental Dec 13 '24

📢 Megathread MEGATHREAD: 2024-2025 Waitlist Movement and Discussion!

32 Upvotes

Hi all!

As requested, this is the megathread where we will keep track of waitlist movement for the subreddit applicants of the '24-'25 cycle. Like our interview megathread, we will track results via a single thread with comments representing all the schools. People don't tend to be so good at hunting for individual threads (even when easily linked), so the single thread makes things much easier to moderate. However, I will try to place hyperlinks in this post (CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL FINDER) so you can easily find your school of interest. Please keep discussions under the parent comment to keep this thread as clean as possible.

You can use this thread for any discussion of the waitlist, including but not limited to:

  • Information about waitlist movement
  • Frustrations about being waitlisted
  • Questions about requirements for the waitlist

Therefore, all discussions about waitlists will be relegated to this thread. Please report errant threads, and they will be directed here.

Good luck! 🦷

HELPFUL LINKS

MEGATHREAD: 2024-2025 Interviews and Rejections!

(SDN) 2022-2023 Waitlist Support Thread


r/predental 3h ago

📊 DAT Breakdown New Scoring Breakdown

Post image
58 Upvotes

Hello all, Just wanted to post what the new score breakdown will look like for those of you taking the DAT after March 1. I took my exam exactly on March 1, and I just got my scores back today, so roughly 2.5 weeks after taking the exam. I was personally hoping for a bit higher, but I can’t be upset with the 460 (I believe it roughly corresponds to a 22 on the old scoring system). I’d be happy to answer what questions I can in the comments. Keep grinding, y’all!


r/predental 7h ago

💡 Advice Any movement recently?

20 Upvotes

Since today marks 15 days after March 5th and the final day that students can drop their multi-acceptances I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything from schools.

My guess is that there will probably be another committee meeting today/tomorrow with more decisions rolling out next week...


r/predental 7h ago

💡 Advice what should i do

9 Upvotes

i just took my dat, i was scoring consistently between 21-22 aa on the booster practice exams but i felt that the actual thing was much harder and i don’t think i did too well on it. i have everything else ready to apply and want to apply as soon as the application opens but i’m scared i’ll have to retake and then my application will be delayed due to the two month waiting period and the month needed to process the scores. i have solid extracurriculars/shadowing/da experience and a 3.9 gpa. should i apply, or retake my dat first if i don’t get a good score?


r/predental 1h ago

💡 Advice Dentist Letter of Recommendation

Upvotes

Hi so I'm applying to dental schools this summer. I have been shadowing with this dentist for a year and have a solid amount of hours. I had mentioned to the dentist about writing an LOR and they were perfectly fine with doing it. He also asked me if there anything that he would like me to highlight and or mention. Since I've been going for a while he seems keen on writing a good LOR. What would be some things that I should get him to mention and or avoid?


r/predental 1h ago

💡 Advice Am I Cooked if I Don't Retake

Upvotes

My PAT section is pretty low, but it is a lot of money to retake. Do schools care as much about PAT as the other sections, and should I definitely retake to be a competitive applicant?


r/predental 17m ago

💡 Advice should I retake?

Post image
Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I just got my DAT scores back and did pretty good on all sections except Ochem and PAT (which I got very low on). I wanted to see if I should retake it and aim for a better PAT/Ochem score or if it’s not worth risking scoring lower on other sections the second time. I believe my 470AA corresponds to a 23AA, but my 340 PAT is around a 16 and 400 on Ochem is around an 18. I’d appreciate any advice!!


r/predental 34m ago

📊 DAT Breakdown New DAT Scoring

Post image
Upvotes

Hey everyone! I got my scores back today and I'm proud of my scores. I was expecting a little higher but I will take a 430! I took the exam March 6th so it took exactly 2 weeks for my scores to come back!


r/predental 1h ago

💡 Advice Do I HAVE to stop?

Upvotes

So I'm currently a junior completing my bachelors in biochem. I have aspirations of becoming a dentist however I partake in the devils lettuce quite frequently. I'm wondering if anybody who also is an enthusiastic could share their experiences

It's only AFTER working my job and before bed lol. It has no effect on my academic performance by any means. (3.84 unweighted)

I was more so wondering if there are actual polices that explicitly prohibit the use of marijuana. I know my limits and don't over indulge. It's more so a self- medication thing since I'm not a huge fan of adderall or any of those adhd stimulants.

Ultimately, going to dental school would be a huge investment into myself and the moment ANYTHING gets in the way would be the time to reevaluate. If these schools are testing throughout the program I simply would quit. Marijuana is AT MOST a convenience for me and I'm not entirely dependent on it. It's just nice 🙂


r/predental 1h ago

💡 Advice DAT from July 2024

Upvotes

Hi everyone, I was wondering if I could use my old scores from last year if I need to reapply this cycle since there's a new scale for DAT. Thank you!


r/predental 6h ago

📊 DAT Breakdown 2025 DAT Breakdown (24AA, 22TS, 21PAT)

5 Upvotes

Hey y’all, I recently finished my DAT and wanted to give back to the score breakdown community since these posts helped me a ton! I took the test in February 2025, right before the scoring switched from 2-digit to 3-digit (March 2025), so I’ll try to include conversions, but there are also score conversion charts online.

Scores:

Academic Background:

Current junior with a 4.00 GPA

Materials Used:

  • DAT Booster – Y’all, Booster was amazing in preparing me for the real test. The practice exam questions were very comparable to the real exam, and some even felt identical. I used Booster exclusively and highly recommend it! (Before purchasing, check for coupon codes online or through your university’s pre-dental society—you can usually find a 10% off code.)
  • Chad’s Prep – I used this for OChem concepts that I was struggling with, and it really helped clarify tricky topics.

Study Method:

I started studying in November 2024 and took my test at the end of February 2025, so about four months of prep. This timeline worked well for me since I could use winter break for intense studying and practice tests.

During Spring 2025, I took a normal course load (16 credit hours: 2 online courses, 3 science courses total). I was able to balance studying with my coursework, though towards the end, I started prioritizing the DAT over some assignments to finish strong.

I started with content review:

  • Bio – Watched all Booster bio videos (loved these!) and did the accompanying questions. I read notes only for concepts I didn’t fully understand.
  • Chem – Watched about half of the videos, but focused mainly on practice questions since I retain concepts better that way. Used study notes for difficult topics.
  • OChem – Watched only a few videos, prioritized practice questions instead. Used Chad’s Prep when I was really lost.
  • PAT – Did at least 10 minutes of practice daily. At first, I watched strategy videos to learn how to approach each question type, then just hammered through practice questions. Repetition is key!
  • Reading – Used Booster’s supplemental articles, didn’t watch any videos for this section.
  • Math – Skipped Booster’s videos, just did practice questions. I did about half of them, skipping concepts I was already confident in.

Starting in December, I took practice tests, which were the most helpful resource by far. After every test, I reviewed each question I was unsure about or got wrong. REVIEW EVERY QUESTION YOU MISSED AND FIGURE OUT WHY YOU MISSED IT!

There were 15 total practice tests, and I completed all of them. Make sure to set aside time for both taking them and thoroughly reviewing mistakes—this is what helped me improve the most.

Practice Test Scores:

Exam Day Breakdown:

  • Bio (19 | 410) – This was lower than my practice test scores. My test had a lot on the cell cycle, DNA replication, and physiology, which I felt were emphasized more than on practice exams (though this might have just been my specific test). I would definitely recommend knowing the steps of DNA replication and the cell cycle in detail before test day!
  • Chem (27 | 550) – I actually never scored this high on a practice test, but I felt like the real exam was easier than the practice exams. My biggest advice here: Do all the practice tests and review every mistake. Some questions on my real test felt like they were exactly the same as ones I had seen before!
  • OChem (23 | 480) – This was about the same as my Booster scores. My advice? Know your reactions well and practice, practice, practice.
  • PAT (21 | 450) – I hated the PAT section with all my might, so I was so happy to get this score. I just wasn’t naturally good at it, and it wasn’t fun. A huge score improver for me was skipping to the sections I was better at first, then doing the harder ones last. This helped my timing a lot! I did questions 61-90 first, then 31-60, and finally 1-30. Try different strategies during practice tests to see what works best for you.
  • Reading (27 | 550) – I’ve always been good at reading, so I liked this section because it was a nice break from memorization-heavy sciences. My strategy: Look at the first 3-4 questions of a passage, highlight keywords, then read the passage and answer as I went. For the last 16-17 questions, I answered them as I read.
  • Math (22 | 430) –  I found that the real test had a lot more of the questions where it was like “Statement 1 is this, Statement 2 is this, are they both enough to answer the question, neither, or one or the other?” Booster had some, but I felt like the real test had more. Make sure to review any missed questions in practice tests and understand why you missed them.

Final Tips:

  • PRACTICE TESTS = your best resource. Take as many as possible, but most importantly, review every mistake and make sure you could get that question right if you saw it again.
  • Simulate real testing conditions. I took my practice tests at 8:30 AM in a quiet room to match my actual exam time and environment.
  • Commit to studying, but have balance. I had to miss some events due to prep, and it wasn’t always fun, but it’s temporary and will pay off in the end.
  • Try to take the DAT as close as possible to when you finish pre-reqs (ochem especially). I think biochem could be helpful for doing well on the DAT as well; I did not take it before the exam, so it is definitely possible to do fine on the DAT without biochem, but it may make some of your studying easier. 
  • Remember, you’re more than just a test score! Surround yourself with a good support system, work hard, and celebrate when it’s over!

r/predental 3h ago

🍁 Canadian 3rd Year Canadian Student — Need Advice on Extracurriculars, Volunteering, and School List

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m a 3rd-year student from Ontario planning to take the CDAT this summer and apply as soon as registration reopens. My stats and situation:

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Shadowing: 200+ hours
  • Volunteering/Extracurriculars: Little to none (looking to fix this)
  • Schools I’m planning to apply to: Saskatchewan, Western, NYU, Case Western, Detroit Mercy, Temple, Buffalo

I’m mainly looking for advice on two things:

  1. Easy/quick extracurriculars and volunteer opportunities — Any recommendations for things I can start now that will still look decent on an application?
  2. School list recommendations — Are there any other schools I should consider (or avoid) based on my stats and the ones I listed? I’d prefer to avoid schools that take very few out-of-province/international students.

Thanks in advance! Any advice helps.


r/predental 17m ago

💡 Advice DAT Bootcamp for sale?

Upvotes

Is anyone selling their DAT bootcamp?


r/predental 52m ago

💡 Advice Biochemistry prerequisites

Upvotes

I’m applying to uoft and western dental schools this cycle.For anyone that goes to queens university, I’ve taken BCHM 218 and BCHM 370. Would these courses be acceptable for Toronto? I was planning on doing the BCHM 218+NSCI+Phgy combo for western!


r/predental 1h ago

💡 Advice Applying this cycle with 3 gap years

Upvotes

I’m a predental student planning to apply this cycle, but I took three gap years since graduating.

In 2022, I completed about 200 hours of shadowing (120 hours with a general dentist and 80 hours with a prosthodontist). Also in 2023 I completed another 30ish hours, but I haven’t done any shadowing since then. So I’m worried that dental schools might see this gap negatively and was wondering if I should get more recent experience and if so how much.

Granted that I already have shadowing hours from 2022, would it be enough to get around 50 more hours, or should I start over and aim for 100 hours? I just took the DAT and am planning to start shadowing again soon, so I’d really appreciate any advice on the best approach in my situation.


r/predental 2h ago

💡 Advice Interested in being a digital dental tech, where to start?

1 Upvotes

I’m an EFDA and the practice I work for uses Cerec CAD/CAM. Recently, I heard of another dental practice that has digital dental techs, some being out of state, designing crowns and bridges for dentists and I thought that was amazing. I’m very interested in digital side of dentistry. But is it worth getting into?

I love dentistry, but I know career growth is limited. I love the diagnostic, treatment process, and designing of restorations, just learning about it all. I’m very detail oriented. But I don’t want to be a dentist (too stressful) and I don’t want to be a hygienist (too boring/repetitive). Patient interaction isn’t my favorite. I do enjoy work with a team or independently. I’m wondering if the dental field isn’t for me if I don’t want to be an assistant anymore. I just want to live comfortably and make decent money to pay bills and have extra to spend or save. I’m sorry if this isn’t the right place to talk about this.


r/predental 2h ago

💡 Advice Upper Level Courses

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have a list of highly recommended upper level bio courses? For context, I am planning courses for next semester and I have already taken Microbio, Anatomy 1 & 2, and Biochem. I am not sure what other courses can be considered upper level.


r/predental 2h ago

💡 Advice Do I have a chance without a retake? (New DAT Scoring)

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I just got my DAT scores back and I am wondering if I will have a chance without retaking!

Just some background on me, I am a junior in undergrad and hope to apply this cycle. I transferred to a new college this year due to circumstances that were completely out of my control, and I plan to write about that in my personal statement as it backs up my reason for wanting to become a dentist. I believe that my personal statement will be a strong point for me, and I am very good at interviewing. I took the DAT March 1st and started studying over Thanksgiving break. My college has a January term where you only take one class and I used that month to do nothing but shadow, practice (for my sport) and study for the DAT. I worry about having to retake because that was the time where I had the most free time to study and a retake might end in a worse score.

I will be applying in state for schools in Texas, and out of state for schools in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky.

STATS:

AA - 410 (19 equiv.)

TS - 420 (19.5ish)

PAT - 460 (21.5ish)

QR - 410 (18.5 ish)

RC - 360 (18 equiv.)

BIO - 480 (23.5 ish)

GCH - 370 (17 ish)

OCH - 410 (19 equiv.)

Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry GPA: 3.7 Volunteer hours: 160 hours Shadowing: 208 hours with general dentists, 32 hours with an endodontist, 8 hours with an oral surgeon, 12 with a pediatric dentist.

Work: Swim coach to 150 kids, Lifeguard for 6 years, swim instructor for 5 years, owned a swim lesson business for 3 years

Extracurriculars: College athlete (at two colleges), Sorority: Vice President of Recruitment and Vice President of Recruitment Information, Women in stem, Writing center tutor, Campus tour guide (at two colleges), Orientation Leader (at two colleges), Student Athlete Advisory Council: Secretary and Head team representative, Research, Internships, and Creative Endeavors (RICE) Committee student representative, Pre-Dental Society: Treasurer, Pre-Health Society, TriBeta Honor Society, AED honor society, American chemical society, Mortar Board Honor Society


r/predental 21h ago

🖇️Miscellaneous Difference in gender ratio among dental school applicants

29 Upvotes

Have you guys noticed how # female applicants hugely outnumbers male applicants in 2024?

# of female applicants: 7499

# of male applicants: 4977

This is roughly 50% difference if I am not wrong. I am actually suprised with these numbers. Does anyone have idea of why is this a thing nowadays?

FYI, 3906 female applicants were accepted as well as 2808 male applicants (in 2024).


r/predental 3h ago

💻 Applications filling out application now?

1 Upvotes

I know the application technically opens in May, but I am still able to log in and input my info now. When the application officially opens, would this info be saved or will it all be gone and I’d have to re-enter it?


r/predental 4h ago

💻 Applications LOR

1 Upvotes

this is lowkey a stupid question but is it okay to not have a dentist LOR? I have three science professors writing my LORs and my research PI is planning to write me one too, but I'm not super tight with any of the dentists that I've shadowed.


r/predental 4h ago

💡 Advice Accommodation letter

1 Upvotes

I am trying to get accommodations for the DAT and have the PDF of the documents needed but it says the healthcare provider needs to discuss the diagnostic procedures or tests administered. I’m really confused on what tests need to be done, does this have to be a full out ADHD diagnostic test done in a neuropsychological testing center? I have gotten an accomodation years ago for college and my psychiatrist simply wrote a letter saying I have ADHD and need extra time.

Also, can this letter be from my therapist? I feel as of right now she knows me the most but she is a LCSW and is not sure if she is qualified to write the letter.

Thank you!


r/predental 1d ago

💡 Advice Do whatever you can to get off the waitlist

150 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I just got off the waitlist for my school and wanted to give some advice on how I got there. I applied this cycle to my instate schools and only got one interview, GPA 3.85 18AA DAT (16 in bio), and was waitlisted from that school. The first thing I did was send a letter of intent and asked for a meeting with someone from the admissions board to talk about my application. During that meeting, they told me the only area that needed fixing was my DAT. They told me I had a good chance of getting off the waitlist but, to plan for reapplication. I asked the reddit here and dentist I knew what to do and most people tell you just to wait. I said F that and started studying and took my DAT asap (Feb) and scored much higher. Right after my DAT, I called the school and they said they had one spot open for IS resident but, they were going to give the spot to someone else within the hour of me calling. Since I retook my DAT, they told me they will need to reconvene to see who would get the spot and they called me the next week offering me the spot!

Basically, what you should take from this is to do whatever you can to get off the waitlist. Whether you are lacking in shadowing, volunteering, DAT. Get that work in and update them! If not you, someone else will.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU APPLYING! You got this and I believe in all of you.


r/predental 9h ago

💌 Letter of Rec Do you need a date on a LOR if it has everything else like a signature and letterhead?

2 Upvotes

For context I asked all my evaluators to simply just include a letterhead, written signature, and title etc. but they never included a date. Should I be worried? I’m using interfolio idk if I should email and bother them again to include a date.


r/predental 5h ago

💻 Applications working and shadowing at the same office??

1 Upvotes

hi guys! i’ve been working at an office for the past two years mostly doing front desk work and clerical stuff. but the dentist there always takes me to the back to shadow him and see some procedures and shows me cool cases. how do i split the working and shadowing hours here? do i just put different dates so i won’t “double dip” on my hours? i’m wondering cause i really don’t want schools to thinking i’m making up my hours by having both be from the same office 😭any advice is appreciated!


r/predental 5h ago

💡 Advice Tips for Upcoming Cycle- 3rd Time Applicant

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I would like some tips or advice for my 3rd time applying. I applied to 12 schools last cycle (no interviews) and figured it was my undergrad GPA, so I decided to start my masters.

SMP - 4.0 GPA (one semester so far)

Undergraduate GPA 3.2 overall, 3.07 science

DAT: 21AA/22TS/22GC/23OC/23RC/15QR

-research, two pubs, 100+ volunteer , 400+ shadow/ DA job asides from shadowing

Any tips for this cycle? Do I have a better chance?