DAT Registration is online only
In order to streamline the registration process, registration for the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) is now entirely online. Paper applications are no longer accepted.
** Registration for the February 2010 DAT is now closed. Preparation material may be ordered at the time of registration or separately at any point throughout the year. **
Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the DAT information available on this site before proceeding to the online registration.
Testing Dates and Registration DeadlinesTesting Dates and Registration Deadlines
Test dates and registration deadlines for upcoming DAT exams are as follows:
| Year | Test Date | Registration Deadline Midnight E.S.T. |
| 2009 | November 7 | September 15 |
| 2010 | February 20 | January 15 |
| November 6 | September 15 | |
| 2011 | February 19 | January 15 |
| November 5 | September 15 |
Results from the February DAT will be available 6 to 8 weeks following the date of the exam, which could compromise admission to dental school within the same year of writing the exam.
Applicants are encouraged to write the DAT well in advance of applying to dental school (e.g. no later than the November test session of the year preceding application to dental school[s]).
DAT online registrations must be submitted on or before the corresponding deadline dates of September 15 (23:59:59 EST) for the November DAT and January 15 (23:59:59 EST) for the February DAT. After the deadline, the online registration service will close.
Applicants who miss the September registration deadlines can still register for the February test. Applicants who miss the January deadline will have to postpone their registration until the DAT Office opens registration for the next series of DAT exams, typically in July for the upcoming academic year.
DAT online registrations must be completed in full and submitted electronically to the DAT Office on or before the registration deadline for the corresponding test date. Please ensure you accurately complete all portions of the application.
During registration, indicate all of the dental schools you would like to have your DAT scores sent to. Up to 5 official transcripts of your DAT scores are included in the DAT registration fee (and one personal copy), however, they are only included if they are selected at the time of registration. You can select more than 5 schools to receive your transcripts, however, there is a transcript fee for each additional school (6th and following, including any additional personal copies). See the DAT Fees section for more information.
Applicants may have applications sent to additional schools at another date, however, an administration fee is charged for transcript requests submitted after registration.
Because dental schools only accept the official transcripts sent directly from the DAT Office, and because an administration fee is charged for transcript requests submitted after registration, you are advised to carefully select all of the dental schools that are to receive your transcript whether you have completed an admissions application to those schools or not.
Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended that applicants order DAT preparation materials. You may order preparation materials at the time of registration, or separately at any time throughout the year. Separate orders and administrative requests can be submitted to the DAT Office online. Telephone, mail and email orders/requests are not accepted. For additional information on how to order, please see the DAT Preparation Materials section.
Once your registration has been processed, the DAT Office will send you a DAT Confirmation Letter and receipt indicating that you have been officially registered for the DAT. The letter confirms the location, time and date of the exam. DAT materials ordered at the time of registration are sent separately from the DAT Confirmation Letter and receipt and will be shipped to you as soon as your order is processed.
On the day of the exam, you must present the original copy of the DAT Confirmation Letter and receipt to the DAT Administrator, along with 2 pieces of government-issued identification (see the Test Centre Regulations section for more information).
Following the exam, all completed score sheets and carvings from across Canada are forwarded to the DAT Office for scoring. Once scored, the DAT Office sends you a copy of your test results (the student transcript), and also sends your DAT transcripts to each of the dental school(s) indicated on your registration form or requested thereafter.
Regulations and Procedures for DAT Registration
1. There is no limit on the number of times you can write the DAT. However, only the results of the most recent DAT written, along with the total number of times written, will be reported on the official DAT transcript. Applicants who want the results of a previous DAT sent to one or more faculties of dentistry must make such a request online.
2. Applications are accepted online only. Applicants should consider the Confirmation of DAT Registration page as verification that the DAT office has received their registration.
3. Registration fees must be paid at time of registration. Payment must be by VISA or MasterCard. DAT fees are neither refundable nor transferable.
4. It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly and accurately complete all portions of the online application. Applicants are urged to verify all personal information entered, and to carefully indicate the desired testing period, testing centre and language preference for writing the DAT exam. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
5. Requests for changes in test centre assignment will not be accepted after the registration deadline. When you register you reserve a seat at one test centre. If you register for a second test centre you will be charged a second registration fee.
6. Applicants should ensure they accurately input their name and address on the application as well as in any correspondence sent to the DAT Office. Notify the DAT Office in writing (email, fax or regular mail) of any change of name or address. Incomplete or incorrect address information may delay or even prevent the arrival of correspondence and preparation materials to applicants. Once assigned a DAT ID number, applicants must include this number in all correspondence sent to the DAT Office.
7. To be admitted into the DAT test centre on the day of the exam, all applicants are required to bring 2 pieces of government-issued identification bearing their signature. One piece of identification must include a photo of the applicant. See the Test Centre Regulations section for more information.
8. The University of Montreal and Laval University are French-language test centres, while the Universities of Moncton and Ottawa, and Laurentian University, are bilingual test centres. McGill University offers English-language testing only. Clearly specify language choice for the DAT on the registration form.
9. Applicants should note that the English-language exam contains a Reading Comprehension Test, while the French-language DAT does not. Applicants should ensure that this variation in the examination is acceptable to their selected faculties of dentistry.
10. Once an application is received and formally processed by the DAT Office, a DAT Confirmation Letter and receipt is sent to the applicant by regular mail. This letter includes the applicant’s unique DAT ID number, the applicant’s registered test date, time and location, as well as instructions for the day of the exam. To be admitted into the DAT test centre on the day of the exam, the applicant will be required to present the original of this DAT Confirmation and receipt to the DAT Administrator.
11. There are no additional testing periods, so it is important that all applicants arrange to take the exam during one of 2 scheduled testing periods.
12. Fees are not refundable or transferable. Applicants are required to submit a new application and fee for each exam. Applicants who do not appear for a scheduled exam will not be refunded their testing fee nor will they be assigned to an alternate testing session.
13. Applicants are required to take the complete examination. A score of zero will be reported for a submitted blank answer sheet. Applicants unable to complete the full exam are required to submit a new registration form and fee to participate in any subsequent testing period.
14. When registering, applicants are advised to carefully select the schools that are to receive a copy of their DAT scores (e.g. select up to 5 schools since 5 transcripts are included with the registration fee). Requests to delete any dental schools selected on the application must be submitted in writing to the DAT Office via fax, or regular mail. Schools can be removed the applicant’s list before transcripts are mailed to dental schools; however, there is no refund for the deleted school(s).
Once the transcripts have been formally processed, applicants will be charged a fee to send transcripts to any new or additional schools. These requests must be placed online. See the DAT Fees section for more information.
15. Applicants are advised to read the Rules and Notice Form of the Dental Aptitude Test. At the time of testing, applicants will be required to sign an acknowledgement that they have read and understand the Rules and Notice and agree to abide by them.
16. A cheating analysis is performed on the results during each test administration.
17. For a fee, applicants can request verification of carving scores and/or verification of the written portion of the test. Requests for verification of scores must be submitted in writing within 6 months following the DAT exam. See the Verification of DAT Scores and the DAT Fees sections for more information. Submit your request via fax or regular mail, or use the online order form.
18. The DAT Confirmation Letter and receipt is the applicant’s confirmation of a completed registration and payment. For a fee, the DAT Office will provide verification that your registration has been received. See the Fees for Verification Requests section for more information.
19. Applicants are advised to keep a copy of their DAT Confirmation Letter and any other correspondence they may have with the DAT Office and the admission offices of the dental schools to which they have applied.
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