DAT Preparation

We understand how important the DAT is to your application. We’ll target the areas where you have the greatest potential for improvement, and then help you wring every last point from them.

Interested in learning more? Get in touch

Process

Ready to tackle the DAT?

The good news: what you learned in your pre-dental courses is actually on the test. Studying for the DAT is about taking that knowledge, stored way back in the nooks and crannies of your mind, and adapting it to the test. Sound daunting? You’ve come to the right place.

1

Determine when you want to take the test

The DAT is a computer-based exam offered year-round by appointment only. You should only take the DAT after you have completed your academic prerequisites, which usually makes the summer after your sophomore or junior year the ideal time.
Download a sample dental school admissions timeline here
2

Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and official resources

The American Dental Association is a great place to start. Official practice resources cost anywhere between $20 to $100, so it’s worth it to be strategic about when you’re taking full practice tests.
Visit the American Dental Association north_east
3

Review the DAT’s content

We generally do not start our DAT students with a baseline diagnostic test because it does not make sense to waste practice material or put yourself through a practice test before you have comprehensively studied the DAT content. So, take a look at the material that’s covered on the DAT and consider where your holes are.  You’ll want to patch those holes before sitting for your first practice test. The ADA offers a comprehensive guide to the DAT every year.
Download the ADA's DAT Guide north_east
4

Create a preparation plan

The DAT covers a vast body of material, but it is also highly patterned and therefore coachable. Familiarity through coverage and repetition leads to dramatically superior outcomes. We recommend a minimum of 32 one-on-one sessions to cover the entirety of the test. Most of our students space these sessions out over the course of two to four months in our Comprehensive Package.

View a sample syllabus
5

Start tutoring, and later practice testing

You’ll meet with your tutor regularly (ideally, at least once per week), complete homework in between sessions, and take practice tests. Practice tests are the best way to measure how well you’re applying the methods you’re learning in tutoring sessions, and to gauge the progress of your score. 

Tutor spotlight

We are a group exceptional dental school students and working professionals. As a prerequisite, all of our tutors have scored in the 99th percentile on the exam. But, we also look for effective communicators, savvy interpreters of testing data, and structured thinkers.

Meet everyone

We are a group exceptional dental school students and working professionals. As a prerequisite, all of our tutors have scored in the 99th percentile on the exam. But, we also look for effective communicators, savvy interpreters of testing data, and structured thinkers.

Jennie K.

Jennie is currently a dental student at Harvard Dental School. She earned her Bachelor's in Human Biology, Health, and Society, with a minor in Health Policy and Human Development at Cornell University.

Alice L.

Alice is currently a dental student in the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She received her BS in Neurobiology and Physiology from the University of Maryland Honors Program.

Aisha

Aisha is a second-year dental student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Previously, she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania where she developed and implemented Dental Bridges.

Jenna Z.

Jenna is currently a dental student at the Harvard Dental School. Previously, she earned her Bachelor's in Biology from Ohio State University, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Jen B.

Jen is pursuing her DMD degree at Harvard School of Dental Medicine; she plans to serve in the Navy after her time at HSDM through the Health Professions Scholarship Program.

Tara Z.

Tara graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a degree in Biology. She's presently a dental student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Hoda M.

Hoda is a dental student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She previously earned a BS in Biological Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Psychology at the University of Illinois in Chicago, graduating summa cum laude.

Yen

Yen majored in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University with a 3.93 GPA. Currently, she is a DMD candidate at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and is passionate about reducing oral health inequities.

Min

Min graduated summa cum laude from Ursinus College with a BS in Biology and Applied Ethics, and was awarded the Senior Alumni Award, recognizing her promise of making significant contributions to and leadership in their careers and their community. Min is now studying at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, hoping to give smiles to those in need.

Lauren Q.

Lauren is pursuing her DMD at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She previously he graduated cum laude with a BS in Psychology and Neuroscience from Yale, where she also received a certificate of advanced language study in Spanish.

Alex W.

Alex graduated from UCLA with a degree in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology. She's currently a National Health Service Corps Scholar at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM).

Annie L.

Annie earned her BA in Economics and Cell Biology from Rice University, graduating cum laude. She is now a dental student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Vinay

Vinay holds a DDS from Columbia University and an MA in Science and Dental Education from Teachers College. He is currently pursuing postgraduate specialty training at the University of Connecticut in the field of Periodontics.

Ben S.

Ben pursued a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery at the University of Michigan in a Dentist-Scientist Training Program (DSTP) supported by a fellowship from the federal government. He’s now pursuing a clinical residency in periodontal surgery at Harvard University.

Asli

Asli is currently a dental student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She graduated summa cum laude from Stony Brook University with a BS in Biology & Developmental Genetics and a minor in Health, Medicine, and Society.

Amy L.

Amy attended Wellesley College, where she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa pursuing a double major in Chemistry and German Studies. She is currently a dental student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM).
Meet everyone

FAQs

  • What is tested on the DAT?

    The DAT consists of four substantial sections: survey of the natural sciences, perceptual ability, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning.

  • When should I take the DAT?

    It is recommended that you take the DAT one year before you want to go to dental school. It’s important that you have completed your academic prerequisites before you do so, so most students take this test between their third and fourth years of college.

  • How long is the DAT?

    Total test time clocks in at 5 hours.

  • What is the retesting process like for the DAT?

    It’s not uncommon for students to consider retaking the DAT. You must wait 90 days in between attempts, and you may retake the test up to 3 times.

  • If I test more than once, do I choose the DAT scores I want to submit?

    No, the system will send out your most recent set of scores.

Plans

We’ve created a structured yet flexible pricing plan that offers everything you need to succeed on test day.

tips_and_updates Tips for choosing a plan

Choose a Tutor Tier

Hourly Rate

1 Hour

All of our tutoring is available on an hourly basis. If you're not sure how much tutoring you'll need or when you plan to test, you can enroll in our "pay as you go" option.

$ 140

$ 180

$ 260

$ 340

$ 550

First Time Package

6 Hours

The three session package is a good way to get your feet wet, evaluate the amount of tutoring you’ll ultimately need, and see if you feel comfortable with a tutor.

$ 840

$ 1080

$ 1560

$ 2040

$ 3300

1/2 Comprehensive Package

36 Hours 5% OFF

This is one half of our comprehensive program, and is not recommended to students who are looking for full support on content and strategy. Students who purchase the 1/2 Comprehensive Package will need to account for some content review and strategy on their own.

$ 4788 You save $252

$ 6156 You save $324

$ 8892 You save $468

$ 11628 You save $612

$ 18810 You save $990

Comprehensive Package

72 Hours 10% OFF

Our preferred approach to the DAT offers complete coverage of all testing sections. We pay extensive attention to section strategy, timing, and practice testing.

$ 9072 You save $1008

$ 11664 You save $1296

$ 16848 You save $1872

$ 22032 You save $2448

$ 35640 You save $3960

Package pricing for the Leader tier available upon request.

Tutor Tiers

We have 4 tiers of coaches. The coach’s tier is based on the experience level of the coach with our team. All coaches begin working with Cambridge Coaching at the Standard tier.

  • Standard

    0-150 hours
    $140/hour

  • Senior

    150-200 hours
    $180/hour

  • Guru

    250-300 hours
    $260/hour

  • Master

    350+- hours
    $340/hour

  • Leader


    Price upon request

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