United States · Admission testWhere can you take the Prometric DAT test?
ADA’s DAT page sends you to Prometric’s website to find a test center near you and book, choosing American Dental Association as the test sponsor. Book early: ADA says schedules fill up and suggests contacting Prometric 60 to 90 days ahead.
Check-in and ID
- A primary ID: government-issued, with your photo, name and signature, such as a driver’s license, passport or passport card.
- A secondary ID with your name and signature, such as a debit card, credit card or library card.
- Both must be original, physical and not expired. Every ID except a passport must be in English.
- Prometric captures your photo, fingerprint or palm vein scan, checks your glasses and hair accessories, and may use a wand. Jewelry is banned except wedding and engagement rings.
What you get in the room, and what you can’t bring
The center gives you two note boards without grid lines and two fine-tip markers, and staff will swap a full board on request. You can’t write on them before the test starts or during the break. The periodic table appears on screen in general chemistry, and a basic on-screen calculator in Quantitative Reasoning.
Everything else goes in a locker: phone, watch, wallet, food and drink, pens, your own calculator, coats and bags. Staff watch the room, and your session is video and audio recorded.
If something goes wrong
If there’s a problem during the test, tell the staff and don’t carry on until it’s fixed. If it keeps happening, stop testing. Anything not sorted out at the center must be sent in writing to testingproblems@ADA.org within five business days. The same deadline applies if sudden illness or a death in the family stops you testing that day; send documents such as a doctor’s note.
Since March 1, 2025, you don’t get an unofficial score at the center. Scores reach your schools and your DENTPIN account in three to four weeks.
See a test center before your DAT
Prometric’s paid Test Drive takes you through booking, the full check-in and a 15-minute generic sample test at a real center. It has no DAT questions. ADA’s own short tutorial also runs at the start of your test.
Sources: ADA and 3 more. Checked October 2026.
- ADA: Dental Admission Test (DAT) 2026 Candidate Guide (PDF), Test Center Procedures, Identification Policy, Rules of Conduct, Testing Problems, Test Drive ↗
- ADA: Dental Admission Test (DAT) ↗
- ADA: Upcoming Changes to DAT Scoring and Reporting (PDF) ↗
- ADA: DTS Test Day Checklist (PDF) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.