Can you take the DAT online?

ADA’s online practice tests

ADA sells practice tests through Prometric, with questions written by real DAT test constructors. Single sections cost $20 each and give you 24 hours of access. There are sections for biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, reading, quantitative reasoning and three for Perceptual Ability.

The full practice test is $100. It has six sections and runs 3 hours 5 minutes with no break. It isn’t the full length of the real DAT, and you only see how many you got right, not a 200 to 600 score.

Practice like the real thing

• Time yourself: 90 minutes for 100 science questions, then 60 for Perceptual Ability, 60 for reading and 45 for math.
• Take only one 30-minute break, after the first two tests, because that’s all you get.
• Use a basic calculator only for math practice. On the real test, the on-screen calculator is available in Quantitative Reasoning only.
• Answer every question. There’s no penalty for guessing.

See the test center before you go

Prometric runs a paid Test Drive. It walks you through scheduling, check-in and a 15-minute generic sample test at a real center. It doesn’t contain DAT questions. ADA also offers a short tutorial at the start of your real test.

What happens on test day

Prometric staff check two IDs and capture your photo, fingerprint or palm vein scan. They inspect glasses and hair accessories and may use a wand. Your phone, food and other things go in a locker, and you can’t open it during unscheduled breaks.