What you need to know about
Changes to DAT Scoring in 2025
Key changes to DAT scoring
Effective March 1, 2025, the American Dental Association (ADA) implements a significant change to the Dental Admission Test (DAT) scoring system. The traditional 1–30 scale will be replaced by a 3-digit scale ranging from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments. This shift is designed to provide a more precise assessment of candidates' abilities and readiness for dental school.
This scoring change will apply to your individual subject scores as well as your composite scores. The composite scores will still be calculated the same way:
The total science score, or survey of natural sciences (SNS) score, is determined from your raw score (# correct) in the SNS section of the exam, according to ADA conversions. It is not an average of your biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry scores but is determined by overall number correct.
The academic average (AA) score is the rounded arithmetic mean (average) of the quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, biology, and general and organic chemistry standard (scaled) scores.
If you need to review the sections and content of the DAT exam, click here. Otherwise, we’ve made a summary of scores reported on the DAT under the old scale and the new scale:
It allows for more precise scoring:
The transition to a 3-digit scale allows for a more detailed differentiation between test takers. For instance, a score range of 14-17 on the old scale now corresponds to a new score range of approximately 320-380; this means that these four scores (14, 15, 16, 17) used previously are now represented by at least seven separate scores (320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380). This adjustment gives admissions committees a clearer picture of each candidate’s performance.
It will delay score reporting:
Due to the new scoring calculations, unofficial scores will no longer be available immediately after completing the exam. Instead, official scores will be released approximately 3–4 weeks later. Candidates should factor this delay into their application timelines.
It will not change how you prepared for the DAT, or how your past scores are interpreted:
Despite the scoring update, several aspects of the DAT remain the same. The content and structure of the test have not changed. Because of this, previous scores (1–30 scale) remain valid and will continue to be reported alongside the new scores. Schools will be provided with a concordance table to interpret scores across the old and new systems.
Analyzing new scores
In addition to the concordance table (shown above) that shows how past scores relate to updated scores, the ADA has also provided this table so you can quickly view what different DAT percentiles look like on the new scoring system.
We’ve collected things like average DAT scores (average scores of test takers), as well as average scores of accepted students (who have been accepted to dental school!) Here we highlight these figures for the old scores versus the new scores. This will help you make sense of your scores and better understand the goals you set for yourself.
At this time, we can only provide narrow ranges for average DAT scores for accepted students, because there is more precision in the new scoring system. However, the ADA will provide new averages in time, once the new scoring system has been around long enough.
Our new scoring
In response to this scoring change, we’ve updated our full-length Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) scoring to align with the new 200–600 scale. Our practice exams now accurately reflect the new system, ensuring that your scores provide a realistic and reliable indication of where you stand in your preparation.
Accurate Score Reflection: Our full-length tests closely match the real exam in content and difficulty, as evidenced by our averages lining up with the real DAT averages. Your practice scores will accordingly give you a precise idea of your actual DAT performance.
Confidence in Your Preparation: Our scoring system ensures that when you take the DAT, you won’t be surprised by the new scale—your practice test scores will have prepared you for exactly what to expect.
Moving forward, we will apply this new scoring system to additional full-length practice exams, ensuring consistency across all your study resources. If you’re still conceptualizing things in terms of the old scoring system, remember to use the concordance table to make sense of your new scores.
More information on PAT problems
Additional links to our resources
More information on studying for the PAT
Additional links to our resources