2021 DAT dates and registration deadlines

1 March 2021

Upcoming DAT dates

Applying to the 2022 intake at an Australian dental school?

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Learn more about studying dentistry

Many pre-dentistry students will be writing the Canadian DAT. The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) is conducted by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) to help students assess their aptitude for a career in dentistry and to assist dental schools in selecting first-year students. Of course, test dates have been all over the place lately. Here’s what we know:

Candidates should register for only one of the available DAT dates. Availability will vary based on the testing facility in your region. The registration opening date remains TBD. Please visit the CDA website frequently for updates.

Date Details
March 16, 2021 (10 a.m. EDT) Registration opening date
March 31, 2021 (23:59:59 EDT) Registration deadline
May 29 to June 30, 2021 DAT exam dates

What is on the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test?

There are four examinations included in the English DAT and three examinations included in the French DAT. The tests are administered over a half day and include the following tests:

1. Manual Dexterity Test – 30 minutes (N/A for Australian or New Zealand dental school applicants)
Please note, the University of Melbourne, the University of Sydney, and the University of Western Australia do not require this section to be completed to be considered for entry. This test consists of carving a specified model out of a cylindrical bar of soap specially made for the DAT, and must be registered for separately from the DAT for 2021.

2. Survey of Natural Sciences – 60 minutes

3. Perceptual Ability – 60 minutes

4. Reading Comprehension (English DAT only) – 50 minutes

Australian Dental Schools Requiring the DAT

University of Western Australia Dental School
Take into account: Reading comprehension, biology, and chemistry. Minimum score of 16 required in each section to be considered. Academic average is used for ranking. It should be noted that due to the competitive nature of applicants for previous intakes, the university was required to increase the minimum to 17. So, the 16 minimums can be increased due to the quality of applicants who apply.

During the interview portion of the assessment process, UWA will administer a spatial awareness test. This is very similar to the PAT section of the DAT and therefore the PAT section of the DAT is not assessed.

University of Melbourne Dental School
Take into account: Reading comprehension, biology, chemistry, science total, academic average, and PAT. No minimum score in each section is required.

University of Sydney Dental School
Take into account: Reading comprehension, biology, chemistry, and PAT. Minimum score of 15 required in each section to be considered.

Dental Schools Without DAT Requirement

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Discover more about studying dentistry in Australia! Contact OzTREKK’s Dentistry Admissions Officer at dentistry@oztrekk.com.

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