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Changes_DAT_ScoringandReporting

Starting March 1, 2025, the Dental Admission Test (DAT) will transition from a 2-digit scoring system (1 to 30) to a 3-digit scale (200 to 600) to enhance accuracy in representing candidates' skills. Unofficial score reports will no longer be available at testing sites, and all scores will be reported to ADEA AADSAS on the new scale, including prior test results that will be converted. The content of the DAT will remain unchanged, and both 2-digit and 3-digit scores will be valid and comparable using a concordance table.

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3 views

Changes_DAT_ScoringandReporting

Starting March 1, 2025, the Dental Admission Test (DAT) will transition from a 2-digit scoring system (1 to 30) to a 3-digit scale (200 to 600) to enhance accuracy in representing candidates' skills. Unofficial score reports will no longer be available at testing sites, and all scores will be reported to ADEA AADSAS on the new scale, including prior test results that will be converted. The content of the DAT will remain unchanged, and both 2-digit and 3-digit scores will be valid and comparable using a concordance table.

Uploaded by

kissycooks321
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Upcoming Changes to DAT® Scoring and Reporting

Starting March 1, 2025, the American Dental Association (ADA) will implement a new scoring system
for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). At that time, the current 2-digit score reporting scale (1 to 30) will
be replaced by a 3-digit reporting scale (200 to 600).

What does this change mean for you?

• The new scoring system improves the DAT’s accuracy in representing your skills, giving you
and prospective dental schools stronger insight into your true level of preparedness for the
rigors of dental school.

• Beginning March 1, 2025, unofficial score reports will not be available at the testing site. This is
because the new scoring system requires additional analyses to provide a more precise score.

• There is no change to DAT content. The DAT will continue to assess the same topic areas it
does now.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is the timeline for this change, and how will results be reported?
DAT administrations occurring on or after March 1, 2025, will be scored using the new scoring system.
To assist dental program admissions officers and reduce the possibility of interpretational errors,
beginning March 1, 2025 all DAT scores will be reported to ADEA AADSAS on the new 3-digit scale
(200 to 600). This includes results from administrations prior to March 1, 2025 (the latter of which will
be psychometrically converted). Under the new reporting scale, DAT scores can range from 200 to 600
in 10-point increments (e.g., 200, 210, 220, … 600). Results from administrations prior to March 1,
2025 will still be available in their original 2-digit format in the DTS Hub, to assist those who wish to see
their prior test results in the original 2-digit format.

Why is the scoring system changing?


The DAT is a valid, reliable, and fair examination. The ADA is committed to continually improving this
state-of-the-art examination program, through the involvement of numerous subject matter experts with
expertise in relevant areas (content expertise, fairness expertise, and psychometric expertise). This
change represents a psychometric improvement to the performance of the examination, resulting in
greater precision and accuracy in estimating candidates’ skills. This improvement is anticipated to
benefit both dental admission programs and candidates.

Will 2-digit scores still be valid?


Yes. 2-digit and 3-digit scores will both be valid scores.

How can I compare 2-digit and 3-digit scores?


A concordance table is available to help candidates, admissions officers, and pre-health advisors
compare scores. This table provides a rough sense of the general correspondence between 2-digit and
3-digit scores, and is available on the DAT website at ADA.org/DATConcordanceTable.

Will I still be able to get my score at the testing site?


No, unofficial scores will no longer be available at the testing site as of March 1, 2025. The new scoring
system requires additional analyses to provide a more precise score. For score reporting timelines, visit
the ADA website.

© 2025 American Dental Association All rights reserved. Updated: 01/29/2025 DAT 2025 Upcoming Changes to DAT Scoring and Reporting | 1
How will this affect my ADEA AADSAS application?
Candidates will still be able to self-report their DAT scores, regardless of whether they are 2-digit or 3-
digit scores. All official DAT scores will be sent from the ADA to ADEA AADSAS. Some candidates may
be submitting applications for the 2025-2026 application cycle, while relying solely on DAT
administrations that took place prior to March 1, 2025. The ADA has provided ADEA AADSAS with
converted scores to assist candidates who are in this situation. These converted scores enable ADEA
AADSAS to present scores for all candidates on the 3-digit reporting scale, to help admissions officers
and facilitate accurate score interpretation.

The ADA grants a six-month window to take the DAT. How does this change affect that eligibility
window?
Candidates’ choice of when to apply will impact which scoring system will be applied when scoring their
examination. Candidates who test prior to March 1, 2025 will be scored using the 2-digit approach,
while candidates who test March 1, 2025 and later will be scored using the 3-digit approach. It is
important to note that—in either of these two cases—the scores that are ultimately reported to ADEA
AADSAS for the 2025-2026 application cycle will be reported as three digits (i.e., as directly calculated
using the new scoring approach, or by use of the aforementioned concordance table conversion).

Should I take the DAT before or after the scoring and reporting change?
You should take the DAT when you feel most prepared. The examination content remains the same.
Only the scoring and reporting system will change.

How will dental schools interpret and compare the 2-digit and 3-digit scores?
Admissions officers will use 3-digit scores to compare candidate performance (i.e., 3-digit scores as
directly calculated using the new scoring approach, or 3-digit scores as determined through use of the
aforementioned concordance table conversion). This concordance table is available on the DAT
website at ADA.org/DATConcordanceTable.

© 2025 American Dental Association All rights reserved. Updated: 01/29/2025 DAT 2025 Upcoming Changes to DAT Scoring and Reporting | 2

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