If you have been thinking about taking a DAT course, Varsity Tutors can set you up with private DAT classes to help you reach for your professional goals. The DAT is a high-stakes exam used by the American Dental Association (ADA) to assess the academic skills of dental school applicants. It includes sections on general academics, scientific information comprehension, and perceptual ability. If you feel as though a DAT prep class could help you improve your self-confidence heading into the exam, contact us today to get the process started!
One of the first questions asked in most DAT courses is about the format and content of the exam. The test is administered at testing center nationwide, meaning that you need to sign up for a testing date and then go to a testing lab to complete your exam. If you have any questions about how this process works, your DAT course instructor will be happy to help you.
The chart below illustrates each section of the test, as well as how long you have to take it:
DAT Administration Schedule
Item |
Est. Duration |
Optional Tutorial |
15 Min |
Survey of Natural Sciences |
90 Min |
Perceptual Ability Test |
60 min |
Scheduled Break (optional) |
30 min |
Reading Comprehension Test |
60 min |
Quantitative Reasoning Test |
45 min |
Option Post Test Survey |
15 min |
Total Time |
5 Hours |
Five hours is a long time for one testing session, so you may wish to work on your intellectual stamina during your DAT class. Here are the content areas you'll be facing during this time:
DAT Content Areas
- Biology
- 40 questions
- Organic Chemistry
- 30 questions
- General Chemistry
- 30 questions
- Reading Comprehension
- 25 questions
- Perceptual Ability (90 questions)
- Apertures
- View recognition
- Angle discrimination
- Paper folding
- Cube counting
- 3D form development
- Reading Comprehension (50 questions)
- 3 passages on various scientific topics
- Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)
- Math problems
- Word problems
Working through sample problems may help you identify where your areas of opportunity lie. For example, if you do considerably better on the biology questions than the general chemistry ones, your future DAT prep courses should probably focus on chemistry to improve your study efficiency.
Each of our DAT prep classes also involves one-on-one study time with a knowledgeable instructor. Should you have any questions, your instructor can provide an on-the-spot answer. Likewise, all of your work receives immediate feedback so that you can correct any mistakes while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Your instructor may also be able to tailor your DAT class to your unique needs. For instance, a visual learner might use scale models to better understand the biology of the mouth, while an auditory learner might get more out of listening to a lecture on the topic. You are also free to spend as much or as little time on each topic as you need to. Unlike many competing products, our DAT prep course offerings have no artificial time constraints or set curricula to distract you from what you need to do.

Richard: Camillus DAT course instructor
...guide you through subject material is a factor that can prove to be a difference maker in achieving at the highest level. From my experience in undergrad at Cornell University to the many test-prep classes I have taken, I feel that I am knowledgeable in science subjects and mathematics and have developed strategies to best apply these techniques to standardized tests. I look forward to working with Varsity Tutors to help others the same way...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Social Studies
- Physics
- DAT Survey of the Natural Sciences
- +87 subjects

Rachel: Camillus DAT course instructor
...I earned my bachelor's degree in psychology at Miami University and my master's degree at Indiana University, where I studied the neuroscience of learning and memory, and mentored undergraduate students in the biological sciences. I enjoy working with students on written assignments, college application essays, science concepts, and statistics. While working with me, you will receive quality instruction, support, and guidance as you improve your subject knowledge as well as your study habits, organizational skills,...
Education & Certification
- Miami University-Oxford - Bachelor in Arts, Experimental Psychology
- Indiana University-Bloomington - Master of Arts, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- GMAT
- +136 subjects

Molly: Camillus DAT course instructor
...helping students because really great teaching, teaching that connects and communicates, will stay with a student for life. Teaching well means listening well. I love to learn how people think about the tasks they are facing--it is always interesting in its own right and shows me how they can build on their strengths and re-shape what they are doing in order to get good results now and, even more importantly, develop lasting skills. These abilities...
Education & Certification
- Colorado College - Bachelor in Arts, English
- Cornell University - Doctor of Philosophy, English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GRE Subject Tests
- GMAT
- +68 subjects

Jonathan: Camillus DAT course instructor
...first began tutoring seriously in college. I began with college algebra and moved on to science courses such as chemistry, genetics, and biology. I also tutored some remedial math and english courses. No jobs other than teaching and medicine bring me everything I want in a career. I love to help others because I have benefited so much from others help in the past. My goal is to inspire a few other students to take...
Education & Certification
- University of Houston Downtown - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GRE
- LSAT
- +121 subjects

Kristine: Camillus DAT course instructor
...for dental school with a DAT score in the 98th percentile. For more than eight years, I have taught students in many different subjects such as DAT, SAT, Chemistry (General and Organic), Biology, and Physics in both classroom and tutoring environments. Besides academics, I have even taught swimming and dance. My tutoring style focuses on tailoring the lesson to target the students weaknesses. I am very attentive and adaptable ensuring a more productive experience. In...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelors, Genetics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Middle School Math
- Genetics
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- +30 subjects

Emily: Camillus DAT course instructor
...working with students of all different learning styles and creating a plan that helps them achieve their potential. Tutoring allows me to keep my skills in the sciences fresh, while helping other students. I am passionate about the sciences and like to apply concepts I learn in class to real life situations. In my first year of dental school I completed a rigorous biomedical science curriculum including anatomy (with cadaver dissection) and physiology. I received...
Education & Certification
- Villanova University - Bachelors, Biology, General
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Dentistry (DDS)
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GRE
- Physiology
- +24 subjects

Matthew: Camillus DAT course instructor
...8 dental schools and was accepted to 7 of them! In my undergraduate semesters, I often took up multiple positions to be a resource for tutoring and mentoring to underclassman students. This included teaching an introduction to chemistry lab course and being a peer-mentor and President of the Making Doctors Club, a community of aspiring health professionals (pre-med, dental, vet, PA, etc.) helping them in achieving their pre-health professional goals in addition to tutoring services.
Education & Certification
- University of Delaware - Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
- University of Connecticut - Doctor of Medical Dentistry, Predentistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GMAT
- LSAT
- OAT
- +61 subjects

Christopher: Camillus DAT course instructor
...more easily and understand their perspective when approaching difficult topics. I am patient with my students and always do my preparation before a lesson so that my time with the student is efficient. I strive to not only teaching the material in an effective manner, but instill the confidence needed so that the student can flourish in the classroom setting. I believe it is my combination of subject mastery, diligence and desire to teach that...
Education & Certification
- University of Maryland-College Park - Bachelor of Science, Neurobiology & Physiology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Math
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- Microbiology
- +17 subjects

Jason: Camillus DAT course instructor
...the questions, and ways to approach to solve the questions. I am a senior at university with Chemistry with Pre-dental degree. I am working at school as a peer tutor as well, teaching chemistry and math. I really like to teach students and feel happiness when they understand the concepts of questions! Outside of tutoring, I enjoy playing piano and bass. I also like to play rocket-ball. Moreover, I like to watch movies.
Education & Certification
- University of North Florida - Current Undergrad, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Math
- Korean
- Geometry
- +20 subjects

Cheyne Ian: Camillus DAT course instructor
...teach are math, biology, and chemistry. As a current student, I know that sometimes certain topics can seem impossible, but working at it is the only way to improve. I hope to provide the best possible tutoring experience for the student and the teacher in an environment conducive to learning. I am currently a junior at Creighton University seeking a degree in management and hope to attend dental school in the future. Outside of school...
Education & Certification
- Creighton University - Current Undergrad, Management
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- SAT Reading
- College Essays
- Algebra
- +50 subjects

Stefan: Camillus DAT course instructor
...strongest subjects include English, ACT, DAT, Algebra,and Biology. I enjoy tutoring these subjects because a lot of progress can be made in them by simply looking at different strategies to approaching the subject material. I have come to understand that a great tutor is someone who can understand how a particular student learns and who works to explain the concept in a manner that encourages learning rather than tedious memorization. I believe I am aptly...
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- AP Chemistry
- AP Statistics
- Writing
- +37 subjects

Tejas: Camillus DAT course instructor
...I was a teaching assistant for the Chemistry Department and a campus tour guide. Thus, I love to meet new people and help them out however I can whether it be walking them through the dining halls on campus or sitting down and explaining the Periodic Table of the Elements. I was also the President of the Hindu Students Council and helped to coordinate our annual Holi festival which has grown to be one of...
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Binghamton - Bachelor of Science, Cell & Molecular Biology
- Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine - Doctor of Dental Science, N/A
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Arithmetic
- DAT Quantitative Reasoning
- Pre-Algebra
- +21 subjects

Andrew: Camillus DAT course instructor
Aside from being an avid scholar, I am a world traveler and enjoy trying new things! I also love to run, draw, read, and cook, either with friends or simply by myself. I stay in shape both mentally and physically: I am constantly training to be my best. Whenever the opportunity arises to help elevate someone, I take it. Helping a student reach their goals is equally as rewarding for my student and myself.
Education & Certification
- Michigan State University - Bachelor of Science, Human Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- DAT Perceptual Ability
- College Chemistry
- Pre-Calculus
- +21 subjects

Marcos Berrios: Camillus DAT course instructor
...you see things you could not see before. This is a magical process; my life is dedicated to facilitating this process for others. I began my own journey of higher education with the Biological Sciences. During my third year of college I constantly found myself in a position where I was helping my peers understand the material and I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I began working as a tutor at my college...
Education & Certification
- Mercy College - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GRE
- GRE Subject Tests
- +59 subjects

Tevin: Camillus DAT course instructor
...But I wasn't always someone who like to study notes and read books. It wasn't until my junior year when I met a mentor who changed how I would look at the rest of my career. He was an organic chemistry professor who began the class explaining how he got to where he was today. You see most professors are naturally brilliant at the college level. This professor of mine explained how he was just...
Education & Certification
- Saint Cloud State University - Bachelors, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Middle School Science
- ACT Math
- AP Biology
- +28 subjects

Daniel: Camillus DAT course instructor
...and knowledge, I can help them succeed in their classes. While I tutor a very broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about sciences such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, and math. I really enjoy helping students with their homework as well as preparing them for exams. In my opinion, the best study environment is fun and active learning. I help students participate in the session so they can learn better and retain what they...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor of Science, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- PCAT
- OAT
- +55 subjects

Matthew: Camillus DAT course instructor
...other students again through Varsity Tutors because I truly believe that education is absolutely imperative to a better quality of life and that everyone is fully capable of learning and making potentials to reality. As for tutoring, I put much emphasis on active participation and positive reinforcement. A learning environment should stay interactive, fun, but challenging. By encountering challenges, I believe a student's potential could rise. Besides my life in academia, I enjoy traveling, photography,...
Education & Certification
- Emory University - Bachelors, Anthropology and Human Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Test Prep
- 10th Grade Math
- Languages
- +71 subjects

Dale: Camillus DAT course instructor
...Maryland. I graduated from Saint Leo University with a biomedical sciences degree and a math minor. I played college baseball for 4 years. I'm from Florida so my favorite thing to do is spend time on the water wake boarding and fishing. I've always tutored in some way throughout my college career and love doing it. My main areas of focus are the DAT, NBDE part 1, GRE, GMAT, SAT/ACT test preparation, math (all levels),...
Education & Certification
- Saint Leo University - Current Undergrad, Biology-Biomedical and Health Sciences (Math Minor)
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- Physical Chemistry
- Test Prep
- +55 subjects

Amin: Camillus DAT course instructor
...taught me the importance of patience and finding ways to keep the material interesting. I have found that the best way to learn is rarely by listening to someone, but instead by doing and having a conversation throughout the learning process. In my spare time, I love to play and watch rugby, basketball, football and other sports. I also like to paint, but given the choice, I would prefer to be outdoors doing something active...
Education & Certification
- University of Maryland - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- College Algebra
- Physical Chemistry
- Statistics
- +25 subjects

Parsa: Camillus DAT course instructor
...the sciences but also in writing and math. I like to tutor because it is a very fulfilling task and I truly enjoy helping others learn. Knowledge and education are very valuable tools in life so I see tutoring as a gratifying duty of mine to help others learn material with which they are having difficulty. I graduated from the University of Georgia in May 2011 (B.S. Chemistry) and I have aspirations of becoming a...
Education & Certification
- University of Georgia - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- English
- Elementary Math
- Physics
- +31 subjects