II.
Reading Comprehension
Ability to read, organize, and remember new
information in dental and basic sci-
ences. Ability to comprehend thoroughly when
studying scientific information. Reading
materials are typical of materials encountered
in the first year of dental school and
require no prior knowledge of the topic other
than a basic undergraduate preparation in
science. The Reading Comprehension test will
contain three reading passages.
III.
Quantitative Reasoning
Algebraic Equations, Fractions, Conversions
(pounds and ounces; inches and feet),
Percentage, Exponential Notation, Probability
and Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry,
and Applied Mathematics Problems.
IV.
Perceptual Ability
Angle Discrimination, Form Development, Block
Counting, Orthographic
Projections, and Object
Visualization.
(Reprinted with permission of the American
Dental Association.)
PREPARING FOR THE DAT
To do well on the DAT you should start
preparing for the test two to three months prior
to the test date. Preparation should be done on
a regular basis, devoting a set number of
hours each week exclusively to reviewing the
necessary material. A study plan that takes
into consideration your strong and weak areas
of knowledge should be thoughtfully pre-
pared prior to initiating your study program.
Special emphasis should be placed on
learning facts that are organized around
principles and concepts, rather than on isolated
details, since the former will be retained
longer. Frequent review at regular intervals will
be of special help in retaining details that
are not of primary importance. Study and
review sessions should be terminated as soon as
signs of mental fatigue become evident.
Since the DAT is a multiple-choice test, some
general considerations may prove
helpful. Too much should not be read into a
question; it is best to take the questions at
face value. Avoid the impulse to change answers
when some uncertainty develops. Look
for the general principle involved in the
question and try to recall specific details you
have memorized.
When taking the DAT make certain that
you
1. have a good night's sleep before the day of
the exam. Also, try to relax between
the various parts of the exam;
2. avoid taking medications that will inhibit
your performance (such as antihista-
mines or tranquilizers);
3. use regular reading glasses rather than
contact lenses;
4. carefully read all directions before you
start to answer the questions;
5. answer the questions in the exact manner and
the exact place specified;
6. concentrate exclusively on the question
under consideration;
7. determine how much time you have for each
question (divide the number of
questions in the subtest by the time allotted
for that subtest);
8. respond first to all questions you are sure
of the answers to;
9. next, answer those questions that require
guessing (since the test score is based
on the total number of questions answered
correctly);
10. finally, answer questions that are time
consuming. (Coding these and "guess-
ing" questions for identification at the outset
may save time later.)
The exam will usually begin at 8:00
A.M. and will last until 1:30
P.M. For individual
tests the time limit is indicated on the cover
of each of the four exam booklets.
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