Admission Officers and Advisors FAQ

• Scoring format: DAT scores will change from a 2-digit score to a 3-digit score. Under the new score scale, DAT scores will range from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments (e.g., 200, 210, 220, … 600).
  
  
• Scoring model: The DAT program used the 1PL model and will be moving to the three-parameter logistic (3PL). While both models are designed to precisely estimate candidate skills levels, the 3PL approach to scoring factors in the difficulty level of the question, the quality of the question, and the question's susceptibility to guessing.
  
  
• Unofficial scores: The new scoring model requires additional analyses to provide a more precise score. Prometric, the testing provider, does not have the capability to deliver immediate, unofficial results from the 3PL scoring approach, so beginning March 1, 2025, unofficial scores will not be available at the testing site.
  
  
• Official Scores: The DAT Candidate Guide notes that “official results are reported electronically within three to four weeks of the testing date”, although results may be released earlier. Many DAT candidates receive their official results within two weeks of their testing date.

• Content: The test content, security, test topic areas, questions, administration, schedule, and retest policy will not change. The score format for all sub scores (Academic Average, Quantitative Reasoning Test, Biology, etc.) will not change and candidates can still expect a score in each reporting area.
  
  
• ADEA AADSAS: Applicants will still be able to self-report 2-digit DAT scores in their application. Similarly, 2-digit official scores will continue to be sent from the ADA to ADEA AADSAS. Thus, both 2- and 3-digit DAT scores can be self-reported in ADEA AADSAS.

• For applicants: The test will be fairer, as it will more accurately reflect a candidate’s true skill levels in the specific areas measured by the DAT (Reading Comprehension, General Chemistry, etc.).
  
  
• For dental schools: Transitioning to the scoring approach will help achieve (1) greater precision and accuracy in estimating examinee skills, (2) greater ability to differentiate among candidates of different skill levels, and (3) a smoother overall distribution of candidate performance.

• The impetus for the change was a desire for continuous improvement for the DAT, to help ensure that the examination remains state of the art in accurately representing candidates’ skills in the areas measured by the examination. Based on discussions beginning in 2017, in 2020 the ADA’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) adopted resolutions to pursue changes to improve the accuracy of skill measurement.

• No. The scoring and reporting format change will not be delayed. The new approach will be used to score test administrations that occur beginning March 1, 2025.

• Through Feb. 22, 2025: Test administrations will continue to be scored using the current 2-digit score scale.
  
  
• Feb. 23–28, 2025: A blackout period when no tests will be administered.
  
  
• March 1, 2025: Tests administered on or after this date will be scored using the 3PL model and reported on the 3-digit score scale.

• No, the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) is not affected by this change.

• There is no fee increase resulting from the scoring model change. However, the ADA anticipates raising the DAT testing fee based on other considerations that include increased costs to administer the examination.

• Always. DAT scores remain valid indefinitely; they do not expire. The ADA will continue to report scores from all test administrations of a given applicant and ADEA AADSAS will post all scores sent by the ADA.

• No. If a candidate is happy with their prior results there is no need for them to retest. Test results under the older scoring approach remain valid.

• No, candidates will not be able to select their score format.

• Review your timeline: Per the DAT Candidate Guide, dental school applicants are encouraged to take the DAT well in advance of the dental school admission cycle. As unofficial scores will no longer be available, applicants should factor in additional time to receive official scores.
  
  
• Learn the new scores: The Concordance and Percentile Tables are publicly available. Applicants should educate themselves on the new scoring model and any adjusted admissions criteria for the dental schools they plan to apply to.

• Yes. All three tables are publicly available on the ADA Dental Admission Test (DAT) website at ada.org/dat.

• Yes. ADEA has and will continue to share updates to applicants through the ADEA GoDental email communications, ADEA AADSAS notifications, and messaging to affiliated communities. The DAT website will similarly be updated when the 2025 DAT Candidate Guide is published.

• Scores: Schools will receive all official scores from each applicant. All scores are valid for admissions purposes.
• Resource: ADEA is providing a Checklist — Preparing for the DAT Scoring Change (PDF) schools can use to prepare their Admission Committee and affiliated people and processes.

• Concordance Tables: The ADA Department of Testing Services (DTS) provided two tables, one that converts “old” to “new” scores, and a second that converts “new” to “old” scores. Use the Concordance Tables to:
  • Compare performance across candidates, where some candidates have taken the exam under the old approach and others have taken the exam under the new approach.
  • Identify new cut scores that correspond to the old cut scores a program may have been using.
• Percentile Table. Use the New Scale Score Percentile Table to understand:
  • how a given candidate’s performance compares to others in the overall applicant pool (i.e., the relative standing of the candidate compared to others).
  • DTS recommends users reference the concordance tables (as opposed to the percentile table) when the goal is to compare old and new scale scores.
• ADEA’s Checklist – Preparing for the DAT Scoring Change (PDF) for dental schools to use in their preparation for the change.

• A 20-point difference under the new scoring approach is roughly comparable to a 1-point difference under the old scoring approach.

• ADEA AADSAS and WebAdMIT information will be available in January 2025.
• Schools will need to review all processes in WebAdMIT to ensure new scores are accommodated regardless of whether any scores are converted.

• Yes. Schools can communicate changes in ADEA AADSAS through the Configuration Portal and on their website.

• ADA Website: To view Concordance and Percentile Tables, visit ada.org/dat and search for the document Understanding the New DAT Score Reporting Scale under the heading “Recent and Forthcoming Updates.”
  
  
• Networking: ADEA Connect is available to all dental school admissions officers to network, share ideas, and support one another. Two communities — DSAO and AFASA — are available to communicate.
  
  
• Updates: Dental school admissions officers will be notified of virtual and in-person updates as soon as they are available via ADEA Connect. Advisors will be notified via the NAAHP listserv.

Dental Schools and Advisors:

• ADA: datexam@ada.org
• ADEA AADSAS: Emily Rhineberger at RhinebergerE@adea.org
• ADEA Connect: connect.adea.org/home

Applicants:

• ADA: datexam@ada.org
• ADEA AADSAS: support@adeaaadsas.myliaison.com