DAT vs MCAT comes down to the school you want. The DAT is the American Dental Association’s admission test for dental school, given by Prometric, scored 200 to 600, with Perceptual Ability and math sections. The MCAT is the AAMC’s medical school test, given at Pearson sites, scored 472 to 528, with physics, psychology and sociology.
The two exams overlap in biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, and that is where most of the confusion starts. After that they split sharply in length, format and what they reward. The DAT runs a little over five hours on test day, while the MCAT keeps you seated for about seven and a half. Our guide to how long the DAT is walks through the DAT clock minute by minute.
DAT vs MCAT Comparison Table
Every DAT figure below comes from the ADA’s 2026 DAT Candidate Guide, and every MCAT figure comes from the AAMC’s MCAT Essentials for Testing Year 2027.
| Feature | DAT (2026) | MCAT (Testing Year 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Who takes it | Dental school applicants | MD, DO, podiatric and veterinary applicants, plus other programs that accept it |
| Run by | ADA Department of Testing Services | Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) |
| Test vendor | Prometric | Pearson testing sites |
| Sections | 4: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning | 4: Chem/Phys, CARS, Bio/Biochem, Psych/Soc |
| Questions | 280 multiple-choice items | 230 multiple-choice questions |
| Testing time | 4 hours 15 minutes of test sections | 6 hours 15 minutes of content time |
| Total appointment | 5 hours 15 minutes | About 7 hours 30 minutes, not counting check-in |
| Section scores | 200 to 600 in 10-point steps | 118 to 132 per section |
| Summary scores | Academic Average and Total Science | Total score, 472 to 528 |
| Physics | Not tested | About 25% of Chem/Phys |
| Psychology and sociology | Not tested | Its own section |
| Spatial reasoning | Perceptual Ability, 90 items | Not tested |
| Math section | Quantitative Reasoning, 40 items | No separate math section |
| Guessing penalty | None | None |
| When offered | Year round | Set dates, January 15 to September 11 in 2027 |
What Each Test Covers
The content lists are where the two exams differ most, so it helps to see them side by side before you plan any coursework.
What Is on the DAT?
The ADA describes four sections, all multiple choice and presented in Standard American English, using both U.S. customary and metric units.
- Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 items, 90 minutes): 40 biology, 30 general chemistry and 30 organic chemistry questions.
- Perceptual Ability (90 items, 60 minutes): six subtests covering apertures, view recognition, angle discrimination, paper folding, cube counting and 3D form development.
- Reading Comprehension (50 items, 60 minutes): three passages on scientific topics. The guide says prior knowledge of the science topics is not needed.
- Quantitative Reasoning (40 items, 45 minutes): algebra, data analysis and sufficiency, quantitative comparison, probability and statistics, and applied word problems, with an on-screen calculator for this section only.
The ADA flagged updates to the DAT organic chemistry specifications for April 2026, describing them as clearer topic names and a fuller subtopic list rather than major content changes. Candidates should study from the specifications in effect on their test date. Our complete DAT guide breaks each section down further.
What Is on the MCAT?
The AAMC lists four sections, all multiple choice, given in the order shown below.
| MCAT section | Questions | Minutes | Approximate discipline mix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 | 95 | General chemistry 30%, biochemistry 25%, physics 25%, organic chemistry 15%, biology 5% |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 53 | 90 | Reading passages that test how well you comprehend and reason through what you read |
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 | 95 | Biology 65%, biochemistry 25%, general chemistry 5%, organic chemistry 5% |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior | 59 | 95 | Psychology 65%, sociology 30%, biology 5% |
The discipline percentages come from the AAMC’s section overview pages, such as the one for the Chemical and Physical Foundations section, and the AAMC notes they are approximate and vary from form to form. For a plain-language tour of each section, see our MCAT sections guide.
How the Scoring Scales Differ
Neither test reports raw scores or a pass mark, but the scales look nothing alike.
DAT scoring. Since March 1, 2025, the DAT has used a three-digit scale from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments, replacing the old 1 to 30 scale. Each school decides what counts as an acceptable score, and the ADA says there is no official passing score. The ADA’s DAT scores page explains the two summary scores. The Academic Average is the rounded average of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, quantitative reasoning and reading comprehension, and it leaves out Perceptual Ability. Total Science is the rounded average of the three science scores. If you have an older two-digit score, our DAT conversion chart maps it to the new scale.
MCAT scoring. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored from 118 to 132 with a midpoint of 125, and the total runs from 472 to 528 with a midpoint of 500, according to the AAMC score scale page. Every score comes with a percentile rank, which the AAMC updates each May 1 from the three most recent years of results. Our breakdown of MCAT percentiles and score ranges shows where common totals fall.
Neither exam penalizes guessing, so leaving a question blank never helps on either test. Both also include a small number of unscored questions that look exactly like scored ones.
How Long Do Scores Take?
The ADA reports DAT results to the schools you chose within three to four weeks of your test date, and unofficial scores are no longer shown at the test center. MCAT score release dates are set on the AAMC calendar. For the 2027 testing year, the release dates land 31 to 33 days after each sampled test date, with scores posted by 5:00 p.m. ET on the release day.
Test Day, Scheduling and Retakes
The DAT is offered year round at Prometric centers in the U.S., its territories and select locations in Canada. The ADA suggests taking it in the spring of your junior year or the summer right after, and applying six to eight weeks before the date you want. The full appointment runs five hours and 15 minutes, including an optional tutorial, an optional 30-minute break and an optional survey.
The MCAT runs on fixed dates. On the AAMC’s 2027 testing calendar, the first U.S. date is January 15, 2027 and the last is September 11, 2027. The seated day includes optional 10-minute breaks after the first and third sections and a 30-minute break at the midpoint. Our page on how long the MCAT is covers the full day.
| Retake rule | DAT (2026) | MCAT (Testing Year 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Wait between attempts | 60 days | No fixed wait, limited by the scheduled test dates |
| Short-term cap | 4 attempts in any 12 months | 3 per testing year, 4 across two consecutive testing years |
| Long-term cap | Permission required after 3 attempts, then once per 12 months after the fifth | 7 lifetime attempts since April 2015 |
The MCAT limits come from the AAMC testing attempt limits chapter of MCAT Essentials. Each attempt stays on your record for schools to see, since the ADA reports a history of all DAT attempts, so plan a retake around a real change in preparation rather than a hope that the next form will be easier.
Choosing the Right Test for Your Path
Take the test your target school requires. The ADA states that the DAT is accepted by all U.S. dental schools and select dental schools in Canada. The AAMC says most U.S. medical schools and many in Canada require recent MCAT scores, and its eligibility rules allow MD, DO, podiatric and veterinary applicants, plus other health programs that accept MCAT scores.
Is the DAT Easier Than the MCAT?
Shorter is not the same as easier. The DAT asks fewer minutes of you and skips physics, psychology and sociology, but it adds a Perceptual Ability section that most college courses never touch and a timed math section with an on-screen calculator. The MCAT has no math section, and our guide on whether you can use a calculator on the MCAT covers what its test-day rules allow. The MCAT is longer and leans on passage-based reasoning, where you apply several disciplines inside one scenario. Students who are strong in spatial reasoning often find the DAT friendlier, while students who read fast and like long, connected problems often prefer the MCAT format.
Can You Prepare for Both at Once?
Only partly. The shared core is biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, so those courses serve either path. Physics, biochemistry, psychology and sociology serve only the MCAT, and perceptual ability practice serves only the DAT. Our list of classes to take before the MCAT shows the full medical school course load.
| Course or skill | Helps on the DAT | Helps on the MCAT |
|---|---|---|
| General biology | Yes, 40 items | Yes, heavily in Bio/Biochem |
| General chemistry | Yes, 30 items | Yes, mostly in Chem/Phys |
| Organic chemistry | Yes, 30 items | Yes, smaller share |
| Biochemistry | Light overlap through biology | Yes, about 25% of two sections |
| Physics | No | Yes, about 25% of Chem/Phys |
| Psychology and sociology | No | Yes, a full section |
| Algebra and statistics | Yes, Quantitative Reasoning | Inside science passages |
| Spatial reasoning | Yes, Perceptual Ability | No |
What If You Are Still Choosing Between Dentistry and Medicine?
Pick the profession first, then the test. The ADA notes that successful DAT candidates usually finish at least one year of college with biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, and most complete two or more years before testing. The MCAT needs a wider base, so a student who stays undecided through sophomore year can keep both doors open by finishing the shared sciences while adding physics and introductory psychology.
A worked example: a sophomore who completes general chemistry and first-semester organic chemistry by spring is in range for a DAT in the summer after junior year, which fits the ADA’s suggested timing. The same student aiming for medicine would add physics, biochemistry, psychology and sociology and, following the AAMC’s advice, test when ready rather than on a fixed schedule. Our overview of dental school requirements and timelines shows where the DAT fits in the full application, and our guide on when to take the MCAT does the same for medicine.
Clinical Exposure Before You Commit
Test scores show you can handle the science, but time around patients is often what settles the dentistry or medicine question. Through IMA’s dental internships abroad, pre-dental students work under licensed clinicians on vital signs, patient intake and community oral health outreach. Interns do not examine, clean or treat teeth, and how the hours count on ADEA AADSAS is each school’s decision.
Quick Checklist for Choosing Your Test
- Confirm that every school on your list requires the DAT or the MCAT on its own admissions page.
- Map your finished courses against the overlap table above.
- For the DAT, download the current ADA Candidate Guide and check the organic chemistry specifications in effect on your test date.
- For the MCAT, read MCAT Essentials for your testing year and pick a date from the AAMC calendar.
- Use official practice materials first: the ADA’s practice questions for the DAT and the AAMC’s practice exams for the MCAT.
- Leave room for a possible retake within each program’s attempt limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the DAT and the MCAT?
The DAT is the admission test for dental school, run by the ADA and given by Prometric. The MCAT is the admission test for medical school, run by the AAMC at Pearson testing sites. The DAT adds Perceptual Ability and Quantitative Reasoning, while the MCAT adds physics, biochemistry, psychology and sociology.
Is the DAT shorter than the MCAT?
Yes. The 2026 DAT appointment runs five hours and 15 minutes, including an optional tutorial, break and survey. The MCAT has six hours and 15 minutes of content time and about seven hours and 30 minutes of total seated time for the 2027 testing year.
How is the DAT scored compared with the MCAT?
DAT scores run from 200 to 600 in 10-point increments, a scale in use since March 1, 2025, with Academic Average and Total Science summary scores. MCAT sections are scored 118 to 132, and the total runs from 472 to 528 with a midpoint of 500.
Does the DAT have physics?
No. The DAT science section covers biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, and the ADA says advanced biology and physics are not required. Physics makes up about 25% of the MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations section.
Can I use MCAT scores to apply to dental school?
Plan on the DAT. The ADA states that the DAT is accepted by all U.S. dental schools and select dental schools in Canada. If a school says it accepts other tests, confirm that on its own admissions page before you register.
How many times can you take the DAT and the MCAT?
For the DAT, you must wait 60 days between attempts, with no more than four in any 12 months, and you need permission after three attempts. The MCAT allows three attempts per testing year, four across two consecutive years and seven in a lifetime.
When should I take the DAT?
The ADA suggests the spring of your junior year or the summer right after, with your application submitted six to eight weeks before your preferred date. The DAT is offered year round at Prometric centers, so you can pick a date that follows your organic chemistry course.
