DAT Scoring Change: What You Need to Know for 2025
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) has implemented a significant scoring change that will impact all aspiring dental students. In March 2025, the American Dental Association (ADA) transitioned to a new 3-digit scoring system for the DAT, replacing the familiar 2-digit scale. DAT scores will now range from 200 to 600, offering a more precise assessment of your abilities for dental school admissions. Understanding how this new DAT scoring system works is crucial for anyone preparing to take the exam. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the 2025 DAT scoring update so you can navigate these changes with confidence.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- When does the DAT scoring change in 2025?
- What’s changing on the DAT in 2025?
- What’s not changing on the DAT in 2025?
- DAT Scoring Scale Changes
- DAT Score Report Changes
- DAT Scoring Change FAQs
- DAT Prep Resources
When does the DAT scoring change in 2025?
The DAT scoring change is effective for all tests taken on or after March 1, 2025. For the 2025-2026 dental school application cycle, all DAT scores reported to ADEA Associated American Dental Schools Application Service will be on the new 3-digit scale. This includes scores from DAT administrations prior to March 1, 2025, which will be psychometrically converted using concordance tables provided by the ADA. Previous 2-digit DAT scores will remain accessible in the Department of Testing Services (DTS) Hub.
What’s changing on the DAT in 2025?
The most significant changes to the DAT are about how your performance is measured, providing a more nuanced reflection of your skills. Here’s a quick overview of what is changing on the DAT in 2025:
- New DAT scoring scale: The DAT will transition from a 2-digit scoring scale (1 to 30) to a 3-digit scale (200 to 600).
- No more score reporting on test day: Unofficial score reports will not be available immediately at the testing site.
What’s not changing on the DAT in 2025?
While DAT scoring has changed in 2025, most other exam components remain the same:
- Exam content: The DAT will continue to test your knowledge of Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Perceptual Ability (PAT), Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.
- Exam structure: The overall format, number of questions, and approximate duration of the exam (around 5 hours including tutorials and breaks) are unchanged.
- Scoring components: The DAT will continue to provide individual section scores, a Total Science (TS) score, which is a combined assessment of Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry, and an Academic Average (AA), which is an average of all sections except PAT.
DAT Scoring Scale Changes
Effective March 1, 2025, the DAT has implemented a new 3-digit scoring scale, replacing the current 2-digit scale.
- Old DAT Scoring Scale: 1 to 30
- New DAT Scoring Scale: 200 to 600
This change applies to your scores for each individual section as well as your Academic Average. Your DAT scores will now be reported in 10-point increments (e.g., 200, 210, 220, etc.). This means finer distinctions can be made between different levels of achievement, providing a more accurate picture of your abilities for dental school admissions.
DAT Scoring Concordance Table
To help you and admissions committees understand how the new DAT scores relate to the old scale, the ADA has released concordance tables. Here’s a quick look at how some common Academic Average scores may translate:
| Old DAT Score (1-30 Scale) | New DAT Score (200-600 Scale) |
| 17 | 370 |
| 18 | 390 |
| 19 | 410 |
| 20 | 420 |
| 21 | 440 |
| 22 | 460 |
| 23 | 470 |
For a complete and official concordance table, please refer to the ADA’s resources.
DAT Score Report Changes
Another key DAT scoring change in 2025 is that you will no longer receive an unofficial score report at the testing center immediately after completing your exam. The new scoring model requires more detailed analysis to provide a precise score. Official DAT scores will be available approximately three weeks after your test date, so factor this delay into your dental school admissions timeline.
DAT Scoring Change FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the 2025 DAT scoring change below.
- Why is the DAT scoring scale changing?
This new, expanded DAT scoring scale allows for a more detailed differentiation between applicants, giving dental schools a clearer picture of your preparedness for their programs.
- Will my old DAT score still be valid?
Yes, old DAT scores from exams taken before the scoring change on March 1, 2025 will remain valid and technically do not expire. However, it’s important to note that most dental schools have a cutoff for how old DAT scores can be. DAT scores are generally considered valid for dental school admissions for up to two or three years after your test date.
- Is the new DAT scoring harder?
Since there is no change in the DAT content or structure, the exam itself will not be harder in terms of question difficulty. The transition from a 2-digit scale (1-30) to a 3-digit scale (200-600) allows for finer distinctions in exam performance. Previously, a few raw score points might lead to a significant score increase or decrease on the 1-30 scale. The 200-600 scale provides more “levels” of scores, meaning smaller differences in raw scores can be reflected more accurately.
- What is the difference between the old and new DAT scores?
The main difference between the old and new DAT scores lies in their reporting scale and the precision they offer. Old DAT scores were reported on a 2-digit scale (1-30), which could cluster test-takers. New DAT scores are reported on a 3-digit scale (200-600), which allows for greater precision and accuracy in measuring a test-taker’s skills.
- Will dental schools accept old and new DAT scores?
Yes, dental schools will accept both old (2-digit) and new (3-digit) DAT scores. If you took the DAT before March 1, 2025, your score will be psychometrically converted to an equivalent 3-digit score using official concordance tables provided by the ADA. This means dental schools will see your DAT score in the new format, even if you took the exam on the old scoring scale.
DAT Prep Resources
At Kaplan, we are always ahead of the game. Our DAT prep materials and practice tests are fully updated to reflect the new 2025 scoring system. When you prepare with Kaplan, you can be confident that you are getting:
- Realistic Practice: Our full-length DAT practice tests simulate the actual exam experience, now with the new 3-digit scoring, so you’ll know exactly what to expect on test day.
- Expert Guidance: Our DAT tutors and DAT prep course instructors are exam experts who will not only teach you the core concepts but also the strategies you need to excel.
- Confidence in Your Prep: With our comprehensive DAT resources, you’ll be able to track your progress on the new scale and walk into the DAT with the confidence that you are ready to achieve your best score.
The bottom line? The DAT is evolving to better reflect your abilities, and Kaplan is here to ensure you’re fully prepared for this change. Your path to dental school is clear—let us help you take the next step with confidence.
Test your readiness for the DAT with our free practice quiz.
Written by Kaplan experts, reviewed by Rich Maraggio and Dom Eggert. Rich Maraggio is the Executive Director of Pre-Health Programs at Kaplan North America. He has worked on the MCAT for over a decade and has assisted thousands of pre-med students. Dom Eggert is an MCAT Product Manager and the Editor-in-Chief of Kaplan’s industry-leading 7-book MCAT Review series. He has more than two decades of experience in education including more than a decade helping pre-med students at Kaplan.
