If you are interested in pursuing a career as a dentist, you'll need to pass the DAT, or Dental Admission Test. If you are having a hard time preparing for the DAT, Varsity Tutors can help you find an expert tutor in your area who can help.
Private DAT tutoring allows you to work at your own pace, concentrating on your individual areas of need-unlike a traditional review course, where the majority dictate the focus. You also have the freedom to work in the learning environment of your choosing, free of unwanted distractions. Most importantly, you get privileged access to a knowledgeable instructor who can answer any questions you may have in a timely manner.
The first section of the DAT, "Survey of the Natural Sciences," represents the science portion of the exam. Topics include cell and molecular biology, evolution, general chemistry, genetics, human anatomy, and organic chemistry. The section consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that you only have 90 minutes to answer, making time management important. Your tutor can help you develop test-taking strategies to finish all the questions in the time allotted.
The second section is called "Perceptual Ability" and consists of six sub-tests: 3D form development, angle discrimination, apertures, cube counting, paper folding, and view recognition. You probably haven't been tested in any of these areas before, potentially allowing test anxiety to creep in. Your tutor can provide you with practice problems and other learning aids to help you get a feel for these types of questions, making you feel more comfortable on test day. This section lasts 60 minutes and contains 90 items.
The third section is called "Reading Comprehension" and consists of three reading passages about scientific subjects. You do not need an existing knowledge base in the material covered in order to pass this section. If you're not the fastest reader, your tutor can help you develop active reading skills so that you retain more of what you read. You may also save valuable time (you get just 60 minutes for 50 questions) if the answer to a question is already written in the margin or your notes.
The fourth and final section of the test is titled "Quantitative Reasoning" and consists of 40 math questions. Algebra, data analysis, statistics, and probability form the bulk of this test. You only get 45 minutes for this portion of the exam, so your tutor may be able to help you work on strategies to quickly eliminate incorrect responses so that you can take an educated guess and move on. (There is no penalty for guessing.)
If you're ready to work with a DAT tutor near you, reach out to Varsity Tutors today. We can help you find a qualified tutor with valuable DAT experience who can work wherever and whenever you wish, including via a mobile device. In fact, our Live Learning Platform facilitates digital study sessions that include access to a wealth of tools. Contact us today to get started!
