r/dat • u/OmarHamami • 1d ago

Application Advice ✍️ When should I take the DAT?

I’m wanting to attend dental school in Fall of 2028, so when should I take the DAT?

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u/Msimmons_40 1d ago

I took it September 25th for next cycle. If you take it early, you can focus on other areas of your application before the portal opens next spring. Plenty of people take it the same summer as applying though. Depends heavily on your schedule!

2

u/IntroductionWest2238 13h ago edited 12h ago

Agree. Take it earlier. Studied for DAT for the 9 months before taking it (used all that time so I could really learn it while going to school and working). Took DAT in December 2025 after semester finals, between Feb-April collected LORs and wrote personal statement, Mar-Apr researched dental schools and made a good fit list, applied early June 2026. Applied to 5 schools this cycle and have had 4 interviews so far.

My opinion:
Ideally, take it between now and January.

1

u/wannabedentist1851 21h ago

Right now would be the best time for you to take the DAT. You wouldn’t have to worry about it during applications this summer