You have taken the Dental Admission Test, or you are about to, and one question sits at the top of your mind: what is a good DAT score? It is a fair question. Your score is one of the most visible parts of your application.
The answer depends on the schools you are applying to. A score that is competitive at one program may be average at another. In this guide, you will learn how the DAT is scored today, what changed in 2025, and how to read your score report. You will also learn how to judge your score against the schools on your list, and what to do if your results are lower than you hoped.
The American Dental Association (ADA) runs the DAT. In 2025, it moved to a new scoring scale. According to ADEA's DAT FAQ, tests taken on or after March 1, 2025, are reported on a three-digit scale from 200 to 600, in 10-point steps. Tests taken on or before February 22, 2025, keep the older two-digit scale from 1 to 30.
Both scales remain valid. The ADA publishes concordance tables to help schools and students compare older scores with the new scale. If you took the test under the old scale, your score still counts.
The DAT has four main parts: the Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning. Your report shows scores for these areas, including separate scores for biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. It also includes an Academic Average, which combines several section scores.
Schools look at the whole report. Some pay close attention to the Academic Average. Others also look closely at Perceptual Ability, because dentistry depends on spatial skills.
A "good" score is one that sits comfortably within the recent range at the schools you are targeting. To find that range:
Then sort your schools by how your score compares. A score near or above a school's average is a strong sign. A score toward the lower end means the rest of your application needs to carry more weight there.
For help timing your test, our pre-dental timeline shows when to test and apply.
Admissions committees review applications as a whole. Your GPA, experiences, letters, personal statement and interview all matter. A strong DAT score helps, and it works best alongside clear evidence that you understand dentistry and work well with people.
First, look at your section scores. A lower score in one area tells you where to focus. Then ask yourself a few questions:
The ADA allows retakes with waiting periods and limits on attempts. Check the current DAT Candidate Guide before you decide. Talk with your pre-health advisor about whether a retake fits your timeline.
Our guide to the Dental Admission Test explains how to plan study time while staying involved in other activities. If you are still building your science foundation, our guide to the best pre-dental majors covers how to plan prerequisites.
Strong preparation for the DAT and steady experience in dental settings support each other. A dental service learning trip can fit into a school break before or after test season. On Smiles Movement trips, students shadow local dental professionals at mobile clinics and help with oral health education for children in partner communities.
A good DAT score is one that fits your target schools, and your full application tells the rest of your story. If you want to add meaningful experience during a break, Smiles Movement can help. Fill out the form or download our brochure to get more information about upcoming programs and trip dates.
Tests taken on or after March 1, 2025, are scored from 200 to 600 in 10-point steps. Earlier tests used a scale from 1 to 30.
Yes. Both two-digit and three-digit scores remain valid. The ADA provides concordance tables to compare them.
Compare it with recent class data from each school on your list. Many schools publish these numbers, and the ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools collects them.