Dental schools are very competitive, so you need to do all you can to increase your chances of getting into your school of choice.
There’s a lot that goes into prepping for the DAT.
But students sometimes do not pay enough attention to practice tests, yet this is one of the most important resource if you want to ace the DAT.
This guide looks into some of the best DAT practice tests you will find in the market and how you can use them to ace the exam.
Quick Summary
- If you are looking for a DAT practice test that’s highly representative of what you will see on the actual DAT, we recommend DAT Booster.
- If you are looking for a DAT practice test that offers the most detailed and in-depth answer explanations, your best choice would be DAT Bootcamp.
- If you are looking for a DAT practice test with a similar difficulty level as the actual DAT, we recommend the Princeton Review.
DAT Practice Tests Comparison Table
DAT Bootcamp | DAT Princeton Review | DAT Booster | DAT Kaplan | |
Price | $497 | From $1,199 | $299 | From $499 |
No. of Subject Tests | 60 | - | 80 | 42 |
Full-Length Practice Tests | 10 | 3 | 10 | 7 |
Access Period | 90 Days | 1 year | 90 Days | 1, 3, or 6 Months |
Analysis Reports? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Free Practice Tests? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Best DAT Practice Tests in 2024
1. DAT Bootcamp Practice Tests Review
DAT Bootcamp’s practice tests are only available as part of the complete DAT prep course package.
The first option is Bootcamp Pro, whereby for $497, you get access to the 60 practice tests for 90 days.
On the other hand, should you opt for Bootcamp Plus, paying $1,197 gives you access to 90 practice tests for a period of 180 days. And do not forget to use our discount code “TESTPREPPAL10” to save up to $90.
The 60 practice tests are distributed as 10 subject tests in each of the 6 DAT subjects, i.e., Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning, and Perceptual Ability.
In addition to these 60 subject tests, DAT Bootcamp also has 10 full-length practice exams designed to simulate the actual DAT.
Bootcamp’s practice tests are very similar to the real Dental Admissions Test in terms of question types, how the questions are worded, and their distribution. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most representative DAT resources you will find in the market.
Better yet, Bootcamp’s practice tests are updated weekly to ensure that their content remains relevant all year round.
At the same time, Bootcamp’s interface and the website’s setup are very similar to the testing screen you’ll find when sitting for the real DAT. This is made possible via the Prometric mode feature in Bootcamp, which simulates the same interface you’ll see at the DAT testing center.
The advantage here is that the student gets to experience realistic testing conditions, therefore putting them more at ease when facing the DAT exam.
Up to $90 OFF
Code: TESTPREPPAL10
The all-in-one DAT prep that everyone is talking about is here, plus with a discount
Pros
Offers excellent answer explanations.
Top-notch chemistry videos.
High-yield practice tests.
Cons
Sometimes the videos can be too detailed.
Use code at checkout: TESTPREPPAL10
One thing you need to take into consideration is that Bootcamp’s DAT practice tests are slightly harder than the real DAT exam. This isn’t meant to discourage you. Rather, it guarantees that you get the rigorous practice necessary to ensure you are adequately prepared for the exam.
Nevertheless, the highlight of Bootcamp’s practice tests has got to be the solutions and detailed explanations. These in-depth answers will ensure you fully grasp the concept being tested and understand precisely where you went wrong.
Lastly, Bootcamp’s interface allows you to turn off the timer during full-length tests, and this would come in handy for students with testing accommodations.
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– In-depth answer explanations.
– Challenging level of difficulty.
– Exact test interface as the real DAT.
– Updated weekly.
– Slightly harder than the real DAT.
2. DAT Booster Practice Tests Review
DAT Booster’s practice tests are also only available as part of the comprehensive DAT prep course.
The advantage here, though, is that DAT Booster is quite affordable compared to other DAT prep courses in the market.
For $299 (unless you use our coupon code TESTPREPPAL to save 10% off), you gain access to 80 subject tests and 10 full-length tests for 90 days.
Furthermore, Booster offers several free DAT practice tests in each subject. This will allow you to get a feel of what the platform provides before signing up for the course.
Up to $70 OFF
Code: TESTPREPPAL
This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to premium DAT prep programs.
Pros
The best PAT section content in the industry.
Representative practice tests that closely resemble the real thing.
Beautifully illustrated videos that get right to the point.
Cons
Tutors take a little longer to respond to queries during weekends.
Use code at checkout: TESTPREPPAL
The 80 subject tests are spread out among the 6 DAT subjects, and these tests typically appear at the end of a topic to test how well you have grasped the core concepts covered.
The full-length tests are more general in content coverage, just like you would find in the actual exam. Additionally, Booster does a great job of simulating the testing conditions you will encounter on test day.
This DAT course closely follows the American Dental Association as far as adaptations to the exam go. Booster’s study material is pretty up-to-date, including the practice questions included within the practice tests.
One thing to keep in mind is that Booster is much harder than the actual DAT, and this is particularly true for Quantitative Reasoning.
The advantage, though, is that working on more challenging questions will offer excellent practice for the exam, so you feel confident and adequately prepared. It is no wonder that most students who study using DAT Booster will typically score about 2 points higher on the actual test.
The Biology questions in this course are particularly good and very representative of what you are likely to encounter in the true test. Furthermore, the Biology questions are styled similarly to the real DAT exam.
– Excellent value for money.
– Challenging level of difficulty.
– Highly representative of real DAT.
– Has free practice tests.
– Simulates the real DAT’s testing conditions.
– You cannot tag questions as ‘reviewing,’ ‘learning,’ or ‘mastered.’
3. DAT Princeton Review Practice Tests Review
Similar to Bootcamp, Princeton Review’s DAT practice tests are only available as part of the entire prep course.
However, the upside is that Princeton Review offers a free full-length test, which you can take first, before committing to paying for the prep courses.
Once you are ready to sign up for a course, the Fundamentals option which costs $1,199 will give you access to 3 full-length practice tests for a period of 1 year.
On the other hand, the DAT 20+ option costing $1,999 will give you access to 4 full-length practice tests for a period of 1 year. You will additionally get 2 extra tests in the Cracking the DAT book included in this course.
This may sound costly, but keep in mind that Princeton Review’s DAT 20+ option offers a higher score guarantee. So if after taking their practice tests you still don’t perform satisfactorily in the exam, you can get your money back.
The practice tests in the Princeton review are very similar to the actual DAT exam in terms of levels of difficulty, and content, with regards to how some of the tricky questions are presented.
At the end of each test, you are presented with a detailed analysis report that highlights how you performed in each section, outlining your strengths and weaknesses in the process.
This score report will come in handy in helping you realize the topics where you might need to put in more effort to better prepare for the real exam.
– Similar level of difficulty as actual DAT.
– Higher score guarantee.
– Has a free DAT practice test.
– Top-notch quality.
– Quite costly.
4. DAT Kaplan Practice Tests Review
Unlike other prep programs, with Kaplan, you can access the practice tests as a stand-alone package without having to pay for the entire DAT prep course.
This can be done through the Kaplan practice test pack, whereby paying $149 gives you access to 2 full-length DAT practice tests for 90 days. These tests come complete with explanations for each question.
As much as you do not need to pay for the entire DAT prep course to access the tests, doing so would give you access to more tests and study materials contained within Limitless Prep by kaplan™.
You can choose between the 1-month, the 3-month, or the 6-month access periods for $499, $999, or $1,499, respectively. Whichever access period you choose, you’ll still get access to 42 subject tests and 7 full-length tests.
Kaplan has a very realistic test interface that looks and feels exactly like the real DAT exam.
However, the best part of Kaplan’s practice tests is the detailed nature of the answer explanations for each question. Everything is clearly laid out for the student in in-depth explanations, so you fully understand why a particular answer is the right or wrong choice.
These tests are actually pretty comprehensive, guaranteed to build your confidence in readiness for test day.
In addition to the free full-length practice test, Kaplan offers some free practice questions in each DAT section.
– Has a free full-length practice test.
– Very detailed answer explanations.
– Comprehensive content.
– Money-back guarantee.
– Realistic test interface.
– Poor PAT section.
Do You Really Need Practice Tests to Ace The DAT?
Yes, you do need practice tests to ace the DAT.
It is nearly impossible to pass the DAT by merely studying the content in different subjects and sitting for the Dental Admission Test straight away without having done any practice tests. This is also why the best DAT prep courses will always include practice exams in their packages.
First off, practice tests enable you to take note of the areas you are struggling with so that you can hone in on those topics and internalize the material in a more in-depth sense.
Think of it as a way of testing your content retention ability, which is why you should make a habit of taking these tests frequently.
Secondly, DAT practice exams allow you to build on your test-taking stamina. The DAT is a very long test, lasting 5 hours and 15 minutes and without having been adequately prepared, you can quickly feel drained before the test is even halfway through.
The more you simulate the entire 5-hour exam through practice tests, the more you will gradually build up your stamina with time. Such that eventually, on test day, you will be able to endure the 5-hour exam.
Thirdly, practice exams are an opportunity to practice your pacing. Each section in the DAT has specific time limits within which you should answer the questions in that section.
It is very easy to run out of time if you haven’t mastered the art of pacing yourself, and this is precisely where practice tests come in handy.
Lastly, practice tests allow you to familiarize yourself with the real exam regarding the types of questions you are likely to encounter, the content being tested, and overall, the look and feel of the DAT.
Once you familiarize yourself with what to expect, you’ll be able to be more composed when taking the exam.
Practice tests aren’t primarily designed to estimate your score in the DAT exam. Rather, these are meant to challenge you, ensuring you are adequately prepared for the real test.
So do not worry too much and get overly discouraged when you get a low score in the practice exams. Instead, focus on the questions you are getting wrong, and understand why your answer is incorrect. That’s the whole purpose of practice tests.
Verdict: Which DAT Practice Tests Package Is The Best?
The Dental Admissions Test is a rigorous exam, and taking plenty of practice tests while studying will go a long way in preparing you for what to expect on test day.
Different practice tests have their strengths and weaknesses, and so what appeals to one student might not necessarily be beneficial to another test-taker.
Bootcamp’s DAT practice tests have very detailed solutions and explanations that clearly outline what was being tested in the question and why a particular answer is a correct choice.
On the other hand, DAT Booster’s practice tests are highly representative of what you are likely to find on the real DAT.
Princeton Review’s DAT practice tests are very similar to the DAT in terms of difficulty, whereas Kaplan’s are easier than the real exam.
Ultimately, your chances of getting into a good dental school depend solely on your DAT score, and practice tests can help get you a great score on the real exam.
Always pay keen attention to the answer explanations given after each practice test. These will help you understand why a particular answer is wrong and why another choice is correct.
In addition to the answer explanations, pay attention to the score analysis report presented to you at the end of each test.
These reports summarize how you performed in each section, so you know where you might be falling behind and how exactly you could improve on that section.
FAQs About DAT Practice Tests
How Much Do DAT Practice Tests Cost?
DAT practice tests cost as much as you are willing to pay.
You can find practice tests for under $200 just as easily as you can find tests costing well over $1,000. At the same time, you can otherwise opt for free practice tests which won’t cost you a dime.
Are DAT Practice Tests Harder?
Some practice tests are harder than the actual DAT, others have a similar level of difficulty, and others are easier when compared to the actual exam. It all depends on the provider.
The more challenging practice tests seem to be better because they offer you vigorous exercise, allowing you to cover topics more vastly.
Will DAT Practice Tests Help Improve Your Score?
Yes, DAT practice tests will help improve your score.
The answer explanations and score analysis reports presented at the end of every test will help you understand your areas of weakness, so you know where you need to focus more of your study time.
