reading comprehension, biology, and inorganic
and organic chemistry test scores; the
latter is an average of the two- and
three-dimensional Perceptual Ability Test scores.
Dental schools place varying degrees of emphasis
on the two average scores and the
individual subtest scores (see Tables 18.1 and
18.2). In any case the DAT scores are not
taken out of context, but rather they represent
one of the four major elements considered
by admissions committees. The other elements are
the grade point and science averages,
letters of recommendation and evaluations, and
the dental school interview. Good DAT
scores will reinforce a strong applicant's
chances for admission and help a weak candi-
date get in-depth consideration and possibly an
interview. Poor DAT scores will raise
doubts about a strong candidate's true
abilities and serve to defeat a weak candidate's
chances completely.
CONTENTS OF THE DAT
There are four examinations included in the
Dental Admission Testing Program. The
entire program requires one half day for
administration. The examinations included are:
I.
Survey of Natural Sciences
BIOLOGY--Origin of Life. Cell Metabolism
(including photosynthesis).
Enzymology. Thermodynamics. Organelle Structure
and Function. Biological
Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa
(monera, angiosperms, arthropods, chor-
dates, etc.) using the five-kingdom system.
Structure and function of the following ver-
tebrate systems: integumentary, skeletal,
muscular, circulatory, immunological, diges-
tive, respiratory, urinary, nervous, endocrine,
and reproductive. Fertilization, Descriptive
Embryology, and Developmental Mechanics.
Mendelian Inheritance, Chromosomal
Genetics, Meiosis, Molecular and Human
Genetics. Natural Selection, Population
Genetics, Speciation, Population and Community
Ecology, Animal Behavior (including
social behavior).
GENERAL CHEMISTRY--Stoichiometry (percent of
composition, empirical for-
mulas from percent of composition, balancing
equations, weight/weight, weight/vol-
ume, density problems). Gases (kinetic
molecular theory of gases, Graham's, Dalton's,
Boyle's, Charles', and ideal gas laws). Liquids
and Solids. Solutions (colligative proper-
ties, concentration calculations). Acids and
Bases. Chemical Equilibrium (molecular,
acid/base, precipitation, equilibria
calculations). Thermodynamics and Thermo-
chemistry (laws of thermodynamics, Hess's law,
spontaneity prediction). Chemical
Kinetics (rate laws, activation energy, half
life). Oxidation-Reduction Reactions (bal-
ancing equations, determination of oxidation
numbers, electro-chemical concepts and
calculations). Atomic and Molecular Structure
(electron configuration, orbital types,
Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theories, molecular
geometry, bond types, quantum
mechanics). Periodic Properties (include
categories of nonmetals, transition metals, and
non-transition metals). Nuclear
Reactions.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY--Bonding (atomic orbitals,
molecular orbitals,
hybridization, Lewis structures, bond angles,
bond lengths). Mechanisms (energetics,
structure & stability of intermediates:
SN1,
SN2, elimination,
addition, free radical and
substitution mechanisms. Chemical &
Physical Properties of Molecules (stability, solu-
bility, polarity, inter- and intra-molecular
forces: separation techniques). Organic
Analysis (introductory infrared and H NMR
spectroscopy, simple chemical tests).
Stereochemistry (conformational analysis,
optical activity, chirality, chiral centers,
places of symmetry, enantiomers, diastereomers,
meso compounds). Nomenclature
(IUPAC rules, identification of functional
groups in molecules). Reaction of the Major
Functional Groups (prediction of reaction
products and important mechanistic general-
ties). Acid-Base Chemistry (resonance effects,
inductive effects, prediction of products
and equilibria). Aromatic (concept of
aromaticity, electrophilic aromatic substitution).
Synthesis (identification of the product of, or
the reagents used in, a simple sequence of
reactions).
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