If you have been thinking about taking a DAT course, Varsity Tutors can set you up with private DAT classes to help you reach for your professional goals. The DAT is a high-stakes exam used by the American Dental Association (ADA) to assess the academic skills of dental school applicants. It includes sections on general academics, scientific information comprehension, and perceptual ability. If you feel as though a DAT prep class could help you improve your self-confidence heading into the exam, contact us today to get the process started!
One of the first questions asked in most DAT courses is about the format and content of the exam. The test is administered at testing center nationwide, meaning that you need to sign up for a testing date and then go to a testing lab to complete your exam. If you have any questions about how this process works, your DAT course instructor will be happy to help you.
The chart below illustrates each section of the test, as well as how long you have to take it:
DAT Administration Schedule
Item |
Est. Duration |
Optional Tutorial |
15 Min |
Survey of Natural Sciences |
90 Min |
Perceptual Ability Test |
60 min |
Scheduled Break (optional) |
30 min |
Reading Comprehension Test |
60 min |
Quantitative Reasoning Test |
45 min |
Option Post Test Survey |
15 min |
Total Time |
5 Hours |
Five hours is a long time for one testing session, so you may wish to work on your intellectual stamina during your DAT class. Here are the content areas you'll be facing during this time:
DAT Content Areas
- Biology
- 40 questions
- Organic Chemistry
- 30 questions
- General Chemistry
- 30 questions
- Reading Comprehension
- 25 questions
- Perceptual Ability (90 questions)
- Apertures
- View recognition
- Angle discrimination
- Paper folding
- Cube counting
- 3D form development
- Reading Comprehension (50 questions)
- 3 passages on various scientific topics
- Quantitative Reasoning (40 questions)
- Math problems
- Word problems
Working through sample problems may help you identify where your areas of opportunity lie. For example, if you do considerably better on the biology questions than the general chemistry ones, your future DAT prep courses should probably focus on chemistry to improve your study efficiency.
Each of our DAT prep classes also involves one-on-one study time with a knowledgeable instructor. Should you have any questions, your instructor can provide an on-the-spot answer. Likewise, all of your work receives immediate feedback so that you can correct any mistakes while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Your instructor may also be able to tailor your DAT class to your unique needs. For instance, a visual learner might use scale models to better understand the biology of the mouth, while an auditory learner might get more out of listening to a lecture on the topic. You are also free to spend as much or as little time on each topic as you need to. Unlike many competing products, our DAT prep course offerings have no artificial time constraints or set curricula to distract you from what you need to do.

Anastasia: Butner DAT course instructor
...me! My physics background, as well as my years of teaching, means I know a disturbing amount of math (through advanced calculus). Yet, I've also been reading since I was old enough to hold a flashlight (my eyes don't thank me), so if you need help with following any sort of literature, I've got your back (excluding the original text of the Canterbury tales, I never learned Middle English). Live long and prosper, friends.... Experience has shown me that direct recall and hands-on interaction with ideas is the best way to both understand and process them. I believe teaching should be centered on the student, in an inquiry-based setting, rather than around a lecture hall.
Education & Certification
- New College of Florida - Bachelors, Chemistry/Physics
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- PCAT
- GRE
- OAT
- +155 subjects

Nicky: Butner DAT course instructor
...GRE prep, Algebra 2/Pre-calculus, as well as Latin and Ancient Greek. I love getting to help students understand subjects I am passionate about. I graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015 with a B.A. in Classics (Latin and Greek Literature) and a Minor in Mathematics. The most important thing to me when tutoring is that my students feel understood and respected, and never looked down upon for not...
Education & Certification
- UNC Chapel Hill - Bachelor in Arts, Classics
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- GRE Subject Tests
- GMAT
- +44 subjects

Candice: Butner DAT course instructor
Hey there! My name is Candice and my focus is on Social Studies, specifically Government, Political Science, US History, and Criminal Justice. I am excited to help with any areas you may have trouble in and make it my priority to turn studying into something that can be enjoyable! I don't see any reason why enhancing your education can't be fun for you (and me!)
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Bachelor in Arts, Criminal Justice
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- OAT
- AP U.S. Government & Politics
- SAT
- +104 subjects

Bianca: Butner DAT course instructor
...students. I am familiar with most if not all available MCAT materials (UWorld, Kaplan, Princeton, AAMC, etc.) and I can make recommendations on what materials to purchase so that you and your family don't waste time and resources on materials that aren't representative of the actual exam. Before college, I took both the ACT and the SAT, scoring a 35 on the ACT and a 1580 on the SAT. I'm happy to work with student...
Education & Certification
- Washington University in St Louis - Bachelor of Science, Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- MCAT
- GRE
- +159 subjects

Felix: Butner DAT course instructor
...graduate level. I also feel that I am a very good mentor. I have been through and understand the application system for college, medical, and graduates schools (including international schools.) I have mentored and continue to mentor several students, especially pre-med students. So far, 100% of my students have gained admission to medical school. I have several years of experience mentoring and tutoring and I am confident that success will not elude us. You will...
Education & Certification
- Bloomsburg University of Minnesota - Bachelors, Chemistry
- Medical University of Lodz - PHD, MD
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- PCAT
- Test Prep
- +79 subjects

Nur: Butner DAT course instructor
...passion in biological systems and the chemistry of things! I have over 5 years of experience tutoring science at secondary and a college level. Ever since my undergraduate career, I knew I had a talent in teaching others what I know. As per recommendation from my professors, I started as a supplemental instructor for college chemistry-CHEM 1251! It was such a wonderful experience working with other students and helping them achieve their goals in mastering...
Education & Certification
- University of of North Carolina Charlotte - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- College Algebra
- Math
- Science
- +34 subjects

Jaya: Butner DAT course instructor
Hi there! I am Jaya Ponnaluru, an Undergraduate student at North Carolina State University majoring in Computer Engineering and minoring in Business Administration. I am also a part of the Undergraduate Research and Honors Program at NC State. I believe success is possible if we learn out of our failures and everyone fails before they succeed.
Education & Certification
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- OAT
- Algebra
- College Math
- +45 subjects

Christopher: Butner DAT course instructor
...an academic tutor and mentor for middle and high school students. Over the last few years, I have extended my practice and work with student athletes at Duke University as both a mentor and learning specialist. I have experience as a learning specialist with a focus on all middle school and high school math courses. In addition, I have worked as a college advisor and prepared students for both the SAT and ACT exams. While...
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics Teacher Education
- University of Massachusetts-Boston - Masters in Education, Educational Administration
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- High School Biology
- Business
- French 1
- +67 subjects

Leslie: Butner DAT course instructor
...2019 and I was able to meet some of my students in person. It was a life-changing experience! My teaching style really focuses on personal connection, and building that foundation first helps the learner be motivated and want to work hard together to achieve success. I love to have fun in class as we learn, and play educational games/sing with my younger students. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and going on walks with...
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Doctor of Medicine, Pharmacy
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- PCAT
- LSAT
- +57 subjects

Artik: Butner DAT course instructor
...of learning how to do math and the process of learning these subjects establishes a new kind of brain wiring - a problem-solving and critical thinking kind of brain wiring. So, it is not just about the specific content; it is about the methods, tactics, and tools developed to tackle those problems. While you may never encounter those exact problems again, the problem-solving skills you acquire will be invaluable for tackling new challenges throughout your...
Education & Certification
- Campbell University - Master of Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- PCAT
- Pharmacology
- +75 subjects

Abigail: Butner DAT course instructor
...and 5th grade reading and math remediation for summer school. I have my bachelor's degree in English and political science from UNC, where I graduated summa cum laude. Go heels! My tutoring philosophy is to provide students with the learning strategies they need to master information in their studies and to foster lifelong independent learning skills. I want to help students be passionate about their education. Outside of academic interests, I enjoy reading, writing, gardening,...
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Bachelor in Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Middle School English
- Math
- ACT Science
- +91 subjects

Chimdi: Butner DAT course instructor
...and a master's degree in chemistry at East Tennessee State University, TN. As a high school classroom teacher, and a graduate assistant, I taught a Chemistry course and instructed Organic Chemistry laboratory sessions, respectively. These teaching assignments have kindled positive and gratifying responses. The work of Howard Gardner has influenced my learning style. He theorized that we have many kinds of intelligence and that everyone has the potential to be brilliant but tends to express...
Education & Certification
- Cross River State University of Technology Nigeria - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
- East Tennessee State University - Master of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- PCAT
- Genetics
- +44 subjects

Matthew: Butner DAT course instructor
...excited to have another opportunity to help other students again through Varsity Tutors because I truly believe that education is absolutely imperative to a better quality of life and that everyone is fully capable of learning and making potentials to reality. As for tutoring, I put much emphasis on active participation and positive reinforcement. A learning environment should stay interactive, fun, but challenging. By encountering challenges, I believe a student's potential could rise. Besides my...
Education & Certification
- Emory University - Bachelors, Anthropology and Human Biology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Algebra 2
- Math
- Social Sciences
- +71 subjects

Hattie: Butner DAT course instructor
...do you tutor? I tutor English, Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Research and test-taking skills. My favorite subject to tutor is Reading because it's my first love. I like to see struggling or disinterested students read better and learn more about themselves in the pages of a book or online. How would you describe your teaching philosophy/your tutoring style? My teaching philosophy is that all students can learn, grow and improve regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic...
Education & Certification
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke - Bachelor in Arts, English
- East Carol - Master of Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- LSAT
- OAT
- PCAT
- +139 subjects

Clinton: Butner DAT course instructor
...in the chemistry laboratory which has shown me all the variety of chemicals a lab has to offer. I have graded hundreds of student organic chemistry tests which have kept me updated on all my chemistry classes I have taken. I have begun academic research at NC State Chemistry Laboratories and further sparked my interest in the field of research. I have even became involved and appeared in the organic tutorial videos used by students....
Education & Certification
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Bachelor of Science, Human Biology
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Master of Science, Physiology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- GRE Subject Tests
- +92 subjects

Kavon R.: Butner DAT course instructor
...from NC State in 2009 with a BS in Biology (Magna Cum Laude) then completed graduate school and received two masters degrees (Summa Cum Laude). I am very solid on many subjects including ALL of the biological sciences, social sciences, and many business courses. I am also very confident in my abilities to assist students with their study habits and help them learn the "How To's" of studying effectively and efficiently. I am not a...
Education & Certification
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Master in Management, Business, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- PCAT
- Environmental Science
- English
- +95 subjects
Education & Certification
- Western Carolina University - Bachelor of Science, English
- Western Carolina University - Master of Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- PCAT
- GRE
- ACCUPLACER ESL - Listening
- +105 subjects

Patrick: Butner DAT course instructor
After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fiction, and poetry. I live with my wife and three daughters in Durham, North Carolina.
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelor in Arts, English
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Doctor of Philosophy, English
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- GRE
- PCAT
- MCAT
- +139 subjects

Jonathan: Butner DAT course instructor
...college algebra and moved on to science courses such as chemistry, genetics, and biology. I also tutored some remedial math and english courses. No jobs other than teaching and medicine bring me everything I want in a career. I love to help others because I have benefited so much from others help in the past. My goal is to inspire a few other students to take up this job and give back as I have.
Education & Certification
- University of Houston Downtown - Bachelors, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- MCAT
- GRE
- GMAT
- +121 subjects

Kristine: Butner DAT course instructor
...Genetics and Psychology. Currently, I am applying for dental school with a DAT score in the 98th percentile. For more than eight years, I have taught students in many different subjects such as DAT, SAT, Chemistry (General and Organic), Biology, and Physics in both classroom and tutoring environments. Besides academics, I have even taught swimming and dance. My tutoring style focuses on tailoring the lesson to target the students weaknesses. I am very attentive and...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelors, Genetics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- DAT
- Biology
- Middle School Math
- SAT Mathematics
- +30 subjects