Scope of the Dental Aptitude Test
Many pre-dentistry students will be writing the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) this February. We have compiled some information from the Canadian Dental Association website about the DAT in order to help students in their preparation to plan to write the DAT, and to give a little bit of background information to students considering applying to an Australian dental school in the future.
Upcoming test dates:
- Saturday, February 20, 2016 (Must register before January 15, 2016 23:59:59 EST)
- Saturday, November 5, 2016
| SCOPE OF DENTAL APTITUDE TEST (DAT) | ||
| Component | Number of Questions | Time allotted |
| Manual Dexterity Test | N/A | 30 minutes |
| Survey of Natural Sciences | 70 questions ( Biology 1-40 chemistry 41-70) | 60 minutes |
| Perceptual Ability Test | 90 questions | 60 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension Test | 50 questions | 50 minutes |
There are 4 examinations included in the English DAT and 3 examinations included in the French DAT. The tests are administered over one half day and include the following:
1. Manual Dexterity Test – 30 minutes
Carving a specified model out of a cylindrical bar of soap specially made for the DAT. Please note that neither Melbourne Dental School nor Sydney Dental School require the manual dexterity portion for admission consideration.
2. Survey of Natural Sciences – 60 minutes
Biology – origin of life; cell metabolism (including photosynthesis); enzymology; cellular processes; thermodynamics; organelle structure and function; mitosis/meiosis; biological organization and relationship of major taxa (using the five-kingdom system: monera, planti; anamalia; protista; fungi); Vertebrate Anatomy and Physiology – structure and function of vertebrate systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, and reproductive); Developmental Biology – fertilization, descriptive embryology, and developmental mechanisms; Genetics: molecular genetics; human genetics; classical genetics; Chromosomal genetics; Evaluation, Ecology, and Behaviour: natural selection; population genetics/speciation; cladistics; population and community ecology; ecosystems; animal behaviour (including social).
General Chemistry – Stoichiometry and General Concepts (percent composition; empirical formulae; balancing equations; moles and molecular formulas; molecular formula weights; molar mass; density; calculations from balanced equations; gases (kinetic molecular theory of gases; Dalton’s, Boyle’s, Charles’, and ideal gas laws); liquids and solids; (intermolecular forces; phase changes; vapour pressure; structures; polarity; properties); Solutions (polarity; properties; colligative; non-colligative; forces; concentration calculations) Acids and Bases (pH; strength; BrØnsted-Lowry reactions; calculations) Chemical Equilibria (molecular; acid/base; precipitation; calculations; Le Chatelier’s principle); Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry (law of thermodynamics; Hess’s law; spontaneity; enthalpies and entropies; heat transfer) Chemical Kinetics (rate laws; activation energy; half-life) Oxidation-Reduction Reactions (balancing equations; determination of oxidation numbers; electrochemical calculations; electrochemical concepts and terminology) Atomic and Molecular Structure (electron configuration; orbital types; Lewis-Dot diagrams; atomic theory; quantum theory; molecular geometry; bond types; sub-atomic particles) Periodic Properties (representative elements; transition elements; periodic trends; descriptive chemistry) Nuclear Reactions (balancing equations; binding energy; decay processes; particles; terminology) Laboratory (basic techniques; equipment; error analysis; safety; data analysis)
3. Perceptual Ability – 60 minutes
The Perceptual Ability Test is comprised of six subtests: 1) apertures, 2) view recognition, 3) angle discrimination, 4) paper folding, 5) cube counting, and 6) 3D form development.
4. Reading Comprehension (English DAT only) – 50 minutes
Consists of 3 reading passages. Ability to read, organize, analyze and remember new information in dental and basic sciences. 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.
Students from Canada who have already completed an undergraduate degree may apply for entry into Australian dentistry programs at either the graduate-entry or undergraduate-entry levels.
Five of OzTREKK’s universities offer dental programs:
Griffith University Dental School
James Cook University Dental School
University of Melbourne Dental School
University of Queensland Dental School
University of Sydney Dental School
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