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United States · Admission test

How long is the DAT? Sections, order and timing

Five hours and 15 minutes: that’s how long the DAT appointment runs in ADA’s schedule, counting an optional tutorial at the start, one optional 30-minute break and an optional survey at the end. The four tests always come in the same order, and each has its own timer. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, so set aside about six hours. ADA’s DAT page graphic says 4.5 hours; plan by the Candidate Guide’s 5 h 15 min schedule.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How long is each DAT section?

The four timed tests add up to 4 hours 15 minutes (our sum of ADA’s section times). Questions come one at a time. If a question is slow to load, the timer pauses, so that time doesn’t count against you.

PartQuestionsTime
Tutorial (optional)-15 minutes
Survey of the Natural Sciences10090 minutes
Perceptual Ability9060 minutes
Scheduled break (optional)-30 minutes
Reading Comprehension5060 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning4045 minutes
Post-test survey (optional)-15 minutes

How many questions are on the DAT?

280 in all. The 100 science questions split into 40 biology, 30 general chemistry and 30 organic chemistry. Perceptual Ability has 90 questions across six types, Reading Comprehension has 50 on three science passages, and Quantitative Reasoning has 40.

A few questions are unscored trial items, and you can’t tell which ones. There’s no penalty for guessing.

What each section covers →

How the break works

  • The only scheduled break comes after Perceptual Ability. It’s optional, and the test starts again by itself after 30 minutes.
  • Any other break is unscheduled. You can’t open your locker, use your phone, eat, study or leave the building during one.
  • Staff report every unscheduled break.

Can you skip a section?

No. You have to take all four tests. Any test you don’t take gets the lowest possible score, and to try again you need a new application and fee.

DAT requirements and retake rules →
Sources: ADA and 1 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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OverviewPractice testWhere to learnStudy plannerSign up and scheduleCostOfficial practice onlineDAT Candidate GuideTest datesSubjectsRequirementsTest centers and test dayQuantitative ReasoningPerceptual AbilityDAT in Canada