Canadian Dental Association

DAT News

Here is the latest DAT News. If you have a test appointment scheduled, you must also monitor the Prometric website for Test Centre updates.

March 22, 2023
The new Test Centre in Halifax is now open for bookings! Reserve your spot today to ensure your scores arrive in time.

March 15, 2023
Halifax Testing - UPDATE!
A new Test Centre will be opening very soon. Please monitor the Prometric website closely for updates. Students applying to Dalhousie University should ensure the DAT is written by April 15, 2023 at the latest.

January 16, 2023

Halifax testing

Please note that DAT testing at our Nova Scotia location has become temporarily unavailable. Candidates impacted will be contacted and further updates will be posted as they become available.

December 16, 2022

Holiday Closure
Our offices are closed from December 24th and will reopen on January 3, 2023. Please note that registrations for the DAT that are submitted on or after December 21, 2022, will be processed during the first week of January 2023.

June 30, 2022

Access to Food, Drink and Medicine During the DAT
During the DAT candidates are allowed to access food, drink and medicine during scheduled and unscheduled breaks. The DAT Candidate Guide and Website are being updated accordingly.

June 28, 2022

Registration processing will be delayed by 1-2 days over the Canada Day weekend. Eligibility emails will be sent 4-5 days following registration during the period June 29 to July 4.

March 15, 2022

Registration for the new computer-based DAT is now available. Click on Register For The DAT to begin registration.

March 11, 2022

Registration for the new computer-based Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) will be available on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, we expect by 2:00 PM Eastern Time. During registration you must acknowledge you have read the DAT Candidate Guide, which was updated this week. Test appointments from Prometric will be available the week of March 21 or perhaps sooner.

March 10, 2022
An updated DAT Candidate Guide has been posted for download.

February 9, 2022

Registration for the new computer-based Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) will begin in mid-March. Watch this space for the date registration will be available. It will be posted several days in advance. Note, the first step of registration will be acknowledging you have read the complete DAT Candidate Guide—download and read it now.

The Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) Program is provided by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) to assist dental schools in selecting first-year students. Dental schools use scores from the DAT in making admissions decisions.

While most dental schools require applicants to take the DAT, DAT results are just one factor considered in evaluating applicants. Validity studies have shown that test scores in conjunction with academic performance are useful in predicting success in dental school. The relative importance of these predictors in the admission process is determined by each dental school.

New in 2022

How candidates take the DAT has completely changed for 2022. Watch the video above for an overview, and read the DAT Candidate Guide for complete information. Note: The Candidate Guide available below is a draft version; it will be updated when registration becomes available in mid- March 2022.

Download the DAT Candidate Guide

Manual Dexterity Test (MDT)

The Manual Dexterity Test, which involves carving a piece of soap according to exact specifications, is currently suspended because of COVID-19 restrictions and related logistical challenges. CDA is working toward the resolution of those challenges and will reintroduce the Manual Dexterity Test as soon as possible. Continue to monitor this page for updates.