In Canada, each of the ten dental schools requires Dental Aptitude Test (Canadian DAT) scores as part of the admission process. Even though the test is required, the results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of an applicant. The relative importance of DAT scores in evaluating the admission potential of an applicant is determined by each dental school and is not regulated by the DAT Program.
Canadian DAT scores are accepted by some US dental schools but because the US DAT does not include a manual dexterity component, results of the US DAT cannot be used for admission to all Canadian dental schools. It is important to note that some Canadian dental programs no longer require the manual dexterity test so the latter is optional.
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DAT Scores and GPAs at Canada's Dental Schools
For many years, the Canadian DAT was held twice per year at numerous test centers across Canada (November and February) using paper booklets and answer sheets. In 2022, for the first time ever, the Canadian DAT began to match its US counterpart by offering the exam 12 months per year as a computer-based test held at Prometric test centers from coast to coast in Canada. General academic ability, comprehension of science (Biology and General Chemistry), two and three dimensional visual perception as well as manual dexterity are being evaluated in this 1/2 day exam.
Components and Duration of the Canadian DAT | ||
Manual (Carving) Dexterity Test | 30 min. | Optional |
Survey of Natural Sciences Test | 60 min. | 40 Biology and 30 General Chemistry questions |
Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) | 60 min. | 90 questions |
Reading Comprehension (RC) | 60 min. | 50 questions (English DAT only) |
What is the difference between the Canadian DAT and the US DAT?
The Canadian DAT has the optional Manual Dexterity Test. The US DAT has 2 additional sections: (1) 30 questions in Organic Chemistry added to the Natural Sciences Test; (2) 40 questions in a Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Test which covers math. Some Canadian students choose to take the US DAT because it is accepted as equal to the Canadian DAT by Canadian dental schools, and doing so has the added benefit of being able to apply to US dental schools.
DAT Scores and GPAs at Canada's Dental Schools
Source: 2021/2022 ADEA Official Guide to Dental School
Canadian Dental Schools | Minimum GPA | Average DAT | Average GPA |
School of Dentistry, University of Alberta | 3.5 | NR | 3.85 |
Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia | 2.8 on a 4.0 scale | 22.3 | NR |
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba | 3.6 | 20.6 | 4.06 |
Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University | 3.7 | 21 | 3.7 |
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto | 3.6 on a 4.0 scale | 23 | NR |
School of Dentistry, Western University | 3.7 | 21 | 3.9 |
Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University | 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4 | N/A | 3.82 |
College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan | 2.75 on a 4.0 scale | 19.9 | 87.14 |
Université de Montréal Faculté de Médecine Dentaire | |||
Université Laval Faculté de Médecine Dentaire |
Please keep in mind that the percentile rank indicates your test performance relative to all the students who did the same test on the same day. It records the percentage of students whose scores were lower than yours. Percentile ranks are not used as dental school admissions criteria and the following percentile ranks fluctuate significantly from year to year.
DAT Percentile Rank Chart with Quantitative and Qualitative DAT Score Estimates
DAT Score (Quantitatively) | Percentile | DAT Score (Qualitatively) |
17-18 | 50th | Average |
19-20 | 75th | Usually Good |
22-23 | 98th | Very High |
For information about Canada's French language dental programs, please click here:
Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université de Montréal
Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval
For information about DAT scores at US dental schools, please click here:
DAT scores/GPAs for US dental schools
Disclaimer: Gold Standard has compiled the information on this page without warranty nor guarantee. We have done our best to verify the authenticity of the data. However, it is the student's individual responsibility to confirm information directly with the institution of interest, and depending on circumstances, via online, phone or in person.
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Can't I use MCAT books instead?
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The Gold Standard DAT includes an ambitious and comprehensive review of all DAT subjects. Natural Science (NS) subjects are covered in remarkable detail with full-color illustrations (biology and general chemistry) plus a thorough preparation and innovative strategies for PAT and RC. On the cover of this 4-book set, we promised 2000 practice questions, now we have developed over 3000 practice questions covering all DAT subjects including strategy-type questions, chapter review questions and 2 full-length practice tests with explanations: 1 pull-out exam in the book plus 1 practice DAT online.The Gold Standard DAT also provides advice as to how to improve your grades, how to prepare for the dental school interview, Recipe for DAT Success and there is a presentation of learning objectives prior to chapters in Natural Sciences. This 4-book boxed set comes with a unique online access code for bonus chapter review questions with explanations; ten hours of online NS teaching videos; an interactive forum and more.
Table of Contents for General Chemistry | |
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General Chemistry Equation List and Tables |
DAT PAT Table of Contents | |
Exam Summary Preface Dental School Admissions:
Understanding the DAT:
Perceptual Ability (PAT): |
Gold Standard DAT Exam (GS-1): |
DAT Biology Table of Contents | |
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Biology Index Note that the 2022 ADA updates are included: Epigenetics, Genomics, and other topics recently added to the DAT syllabus by the ADA. |
DAT Reading Comprehension Table of Contents | |
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5. Gold Standard DAT RC Practice Test |
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