Candidate Guide - Official Guide to the Dental Aptitude Test (Canada) - Updated March 2023

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora

Official guide for the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) in Canada, updated March 2023, explaining the test’s purpose for dental school admissions and how results support selection of first-year students. Describes the DAT’s two main components—computer-based written test and the Manual Dexterity Test—and notes current suspension of the manual portion due to COVID-19. Outlines the registration and testing workflow, eligibility confirmation requirements, and where to monitor official program updates during the six-month testing window.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

NOTICES

REVISION HISTORY

EXAMINATION PURPOSE

EXAMINATION CONTENT AND PREPARATION MATERIALS

RESULTS INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

TEST REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

TEST CENTRE PROCEDURES

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

EXAMINATION REGULATIONS AND RULES OF CONDUCT

APPENDIX 1: DENTAL APTITUDE TEST REFERENCE TEXT LIST

Candidate Guide Official Guide to the Dental Aptitude Test (Canada) Updated March 2023 NOTICES At the time of publication, COVID-19 continues to have an impact on Canadians and the administration of tests such as the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) . You should regularly monitor the DAT News on the DAT web page for COVID-19 updates, and also the webpages of the test centre where you intend to write the DAT. You are required to read this document before you apply to take the examination. At the time of registration, you must confirm that you have read this document, understood its contents, and agree to comply with the policies and procedures it contains. Changes to the DAT Program might occur after publication of this Guide and will be posted at [www.cda](www.cda)[adc.ca/dat](adc.ca/dat. You will)[. You will](adc.ca/dat. You will) be subject to the policies and procedures in effect at the time you write the DAT. Therefore, it Is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of the policies and procedures in effect at that time. Acknowledgements The Canadian Dental Association acknowledges the assistance of the Department of Testing Services atthe American Dental Association for their ongoing collaboration in providing a Dental Aptitude Test of the highest calibre. Copyright © 2023 American Dental Association All Rights Reserved 2023-03-22 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTICES ................................................................................................................................................... I REVISION HISTORY .................................................................................................................................. II EXAMINATION PURPOSE ......................................................................................................................... 1 EXAMINATION CONTENT AND PREPARATION MATERIALS ....................................................................... 3 RESULTS INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................... 5 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................................................... 6 EXAMINATION INFORMATION ................................................................................................................. 7 TEST REGISTRATION PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................ 9 TEST CENTRE PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................... 10 TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS................................................................................................................ 13 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS AND RULES OF CONDUCT........................................................................ 14 APPENDIX 1: DENTAL APTITUDE TEST REFERENCE TEXT LIST .................................................................. 21 REVISION HISTORY Listed below are significant revisions to the DAT Candidate Guide. March 2022 • Initial publication. August 2022 • Refund policy updated. • Accessing food, medicine and drink during breaks updated. December 2022 • DAT registration fee for 2023 added. March 2023 • DAT Accommodation Supporting Doc Requirements Updated. EXAMINATION PURPOSE The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) Program is provided by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) to assist dental schools in selecting first-year students. Dental schools use information concerning candidates’DAT performance to inform admissions decisions. While most dental schools require applicants to participate in the DAT Program, DAT results are just one factor considered in evaluating applicants. Validity studies have shown that test scores in conjunction with academic performance are useful in predicting success in dental

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) in Canada?

The DAT Program is provided to help dental schools select first-year students. Schools use candidate DAT performance information as part of admissions decisions, and results are one factor among several.

What are the two main parts of the DAT?

The DAT has a computer-based “written” test and a Manual Dexterity Test. The Manual Dexterity Test is currently suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions and related logistical challenges.

How does the registration and testing process work after receiving an Eligibility ID?

After registering on the CDA website, CDA emails an Eligibility ID and the start of the six-month testing window. Using the Eligibility ID, candidates book a test appointment at a Prometric test centre through the Prometric website.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Aurora