Testimonials
Quotes from the October 15th, 2005 session:
"I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who is taking the DAT and wanting to get into dentistry." - UofA Student
"Great variety of strategies given in the one-on-one carving." - UofC Student
"The best part of the course was going over how to think and attack PAT questions." - UofC Student
From a current dentistry student who took the course in 2004:
"This course tremendously helped with my perceptual ability, manual dexterity and reading comprehension. I wrote the DAT once, and scored second highest on the carving portion in my current class!" - CHN, DDS Class of 2009

Upcoming DAT Exam Dates

Fall '10:               Saturday, November 6, 2010
Spring '11:          Saturday, February 19, 2011

Visit the CDA Web Site for more information on the DAT Exam.

 

DAT Prep Course FAQ

1. Why should I take a DAT Prep course?

There are several reasons to take the DAT Prep course.

1. Admission to dental schools is highly competitive. A student must score high on the DAT to be considered for admission.
2. The DAT is a national exam. Students are competing against the best and brightest from across the country for their DAT scores.
3. The DAT exam sittings are during the school year and many students find it conflicts with mid-term examinations making it difficult to properly prepare for.
4. Completing the DAT Prep course and Mock DAT will give the student an opportunity to gauge the level of preparedness needed to succeed when writing the DAT in November or February.

2. Why should I choose the ROCK THE DAT Comprehensive Prep Course?

ROCK THE DAT is a student-centered DAT Prep course designed to teach the skills necessary for success on the Canadian Dental Association DAT. The program is built on 7 years of experience and service. All of our instructors are dental students and have achieved high CDA DAT scores. We provide low student-instructor ratios and a price that is a fraction of the price of other DAT Prep courses, without sacrificing quality.

3. What do I need to bring to the DAT Prep course?

Each student should bring:

• Pen, pencil and notepad

• Knife handles, blades, rubber gloves – we will have some available for purchase, however, please pre-order online where possible

• Please note: Lunch is NOT provided. Access to cafeterias and restaurants will vary with location. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunches.

4. What should I expect during the course?

ROCK THE DAT courses are two days long plus a third day for a Mock DAT. During the first day, we will briefly cover Reading Comprehension and Survey of Natural Sciences followed by the basics to Perceptual Ability and Manual Dexterity components of the DAT. We will provide sample questions to practice our tips and techniques.

The second day will be devoted to PAT and carving with advanced tips, techniques and more one-on-one instructions to fine tune your skills. Two pieces of DAT Exam-style carving soap will be provided free of charge during this weekend. Please pre-order soaps if you think you'll need more than two pieces. You can order from the CDA Website.

On the third day (Saturday following the course), a Mock DAT will be administered in the same format and timeframe as the real DAT exam. This is followed by detail scoring and feedback of the complete exam. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions about the interview and admission processes.

5. Why do you focus on Manual Dexterity (soap carving), the Perceptual Ability tests, and Reading Comprehension? Why do you not cover biology and chemistry?

We do this for several reasons:

1. The Manual Dexterity and Perceptual Ability components of the exam are the most difficult for many students. In addition to direct instruction, we'll provide hints, tips and tricks to maximize success in these areas.
2. Most schools in Canada include Manual Dexterity and one of either Reading Comprehension or Perceptual Ability as part of their admission criteria.
3. Introductory Biology and Chemistry courses are prerequisites for most Dental Schools in Canada. These components of the DAT cover the material taught in first year university courses and most students prefer to review this material on their own time. Some dental schools do not consider these components in their admission criteria.

6. Why should I write the MOCK DAT?

The DAT can be a stressful and challenging experience. The Mock DAT will simulate the DAT writing conditions and time constraints so that students can be at their best for the real thing. The Mock DAT will also allow students to identify areas which need improvement before writing the CDA DAT.

7. Does the Mock DAT cover the same material as the real thing?

Yes. The Mock DAT will cover the same type of questions, in the same format and time restrictions. Chemistry, Biology, Reading Comprehension, Perceptual Ability and Manual Dexterity will all be examined and scored.

8. Will the Mock DAT be graded?

Yes. The Mock DAT will be graded, including the Manual Dexterity component. Each student will receive his or her results shortly after the day of the exam by email. The results will show the raw scores, the standardized scores and percentiles for each component.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About The DAT

1. What is the DAT?

The DAT or Dental Aptitude Test is a standardized test run by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). It is used by dental schools as part of their admission criteria. Apart from the Manual Dexterity or “soap carving” it is a multiple-choice exam that is about 5 hours in duration.

2. What does the DAT cover?

The DAT covers five areas: Chemistry, Biology, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Manual Dexterity. Perceptual Ability or “PAT” is made up of multiple question types designed to examine your angle-discrimination, spatial orientation, and three-dimensional visualization skills. The Manual Dexterity portion of the exam consists of carving a standardized cylinder of soap to specifications laid out at exam time.

3. When can I write the DAT?

The DAT can be written in NOVEMBER and/or FEBRUARY. Most schools require it be written the fall before the admission year or about 1 year before entry into dental school. This varies with each school.

4. What is considered a “good” DAT score and will it guarantee me entry into a Dental School?

The DAT is graded using a standard scale. Each of the five sections is scored out of 30. The minimum grade accepted at most schools is 15 out of 30, with mid-20's being considered competitive. This, again, varies with each school. NOTE: Scoring well on the DAT does not guarantee admission to any dental school and is only part of the admission criteria. GPA and interview and other criteria are considered.

5. Which Dental schools require the DAT for admission?

All dental schools in Canada require the Canadian Dental Association DAT for entrance. Most schools will look at three portions of the DAT and exclude the other two. Which portions are considered or excluded will vary from school to school. Canadian schools will not accept the American Dental Association DAT.

6. Can the DAT be used to apply to American schools?

Most dental schools in the USA will accept the Canadian Dental Association DAT for admission.

7. What is the difference between the American and Canadian versions of the DAT?

The American DAT does not include a Manual Dexterity component. The American DAT also includes Quantitative Reasoning (math) and Organic Chemistry on the exam.