What Is a Good DAT Score? The 2026 Scale and Averages

There are no unofficial scores at the test center anymore. The ADA reports official scores to the schools you pick within three to four weeks of your test date, and “If a candidate has tested more than once, a history of all testing attempts is reported.”

No minimum. 420 and up (20 and up on the old scale) is competitive.

“Although there is no minimum score requirement, scores of 420 and above on the new score reporting scale (20 and above on the previous score reporting scale) are considered competitive for our program.” (UCLA's page)

Target Academic Average of 440, with no single score under 410.

“A target score would be an academic average of 440 with no single score lower than 410.” (LSU's page)

Minimum Academic Average of 410 (formerly 19). 390 in each section preferred.

“A minimum DAT Academic Average of 410 (Formerly 19) is required and a minimum of 390 in each subsection is preferred.” (Pittsburgh's page)

Minimum Academic Average of 390.

“DAT - Academic Average (3-digit scale) 390” (UT Health San Antonio's page)

Minimums of 370 Academic Average, 360 Perceptual Ability and 380 Survey of Natural Sciences, or the application isn't reviewed.

“DAT AA Minimum: 370 DAT PAT Minimum: 360 DAT SNS Minimum: 380” (Ohio State's page)

Minimum Academic Average of 330 to apply.

“a minimum Academic Average DAT of 330 are required in order to apply” (Minnesota's page)

No minimum. Close to the latest entering class averages is competitive.

“While there is no minimum or cutoff, DAT scores close to the averages of the most recent entering class are considered competitive.” (Michigan's page)

No minimum GPA or DAT score.

“HSDM does not have minimum GPA or DAT score requirements.” (Harvard's page)

No minimum DAT score.

“Although there is no minimum grade point average or Dental Admission Test (DAT) score requirement” (Penn's page)

The retake rules from the 2026 DAT Candidate Guide:

• “Candidates must wait 60 days between testing attempts on the DAT, with a maximum of four (4) such administrations permitted during any 12-month period.”
• “Candidates with three (3) or more attempts on the DAT must apply for permission to test again”, with proof you applied to dental school.
• After your fifth attempt, once per 12 months.

Schools read retakes differently. Pittsburgh says “the Admissions Committee will consider the test scores with the highest academic average and will not superscore the best subsection scores across all DAT attempts.” Minnesota says “We will look at all sets of scores and we look for general improvement across all test areas.” and doesn't superscore. At Iowa, “Iowa Dentistry uses the most recent DAT scores”.

Two years from the start of the application cycle.

“HSDM considers DAT and Canadian DAT scores valid for two years from the start of the application cycle.” (Harvard's page)

From the 2027-2028 cycle, two years or newer (a 2027-2028 applicant needs a 2025 or later score).

“For example, if an applicant applies in the 2027-2028 cycle, the DAT score must be dated 2025 or later.” (Minnesota's page)

For 2026-2027, test dates from January 2024 on.

“DAT scores from test dates starting January 2024 and later are required for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.” (Penn's page)

By December 31, within a three-year window that includes the year you apply.

“Applicants must take their Dental Admission Test (DAT) no later than December 31 and within a 3-year period, including the current year applying.” (UCLA's page)

Up to three years before the school receives your application.

“Oldest DAT Considered: Three years from the date in which the application is received.” (Ohio State's page)

No more than three years old.

“DAT test scores must be valid and may not be more than three years old.” (UNC's page)

No more than three years old when you apply. Iowa uses your most recent scores.

“DAT scores may not be older than 3 years at the time of application.” (Iowa's page)

Take it by December 1 of the application year (TMDSAS deadline).

“December 1 - Deadline for taking DAT of the application year for it to be considered for the current application cycle (TMDSAS Deadline)” (UT Health San Antonio's page)

There is no passing DAT score, and each dental school decides what it accepts. On the 200-600 scale, the ADA's 2025 percentile table puts an Academic Average of 420 at the 69th percentile, the line UCLA calls competitive, and the new-scale entering class averages schools publish run from 440 to 489.

For DAT tests taken from March 1 through December 31, 2025, the national mean Academic Average was 407.84 on the 200-600 scale, across 17,430 tests, per the ADA DAT User's Manual (2025 edition). Admitted students average more. ADEA's 2025 entering class data, on the old 1-30 scale, shows first-time enrollees averaging 20.9 Academic Average and applicants 19.6.

Yes. The ADA's 2025 percentile table puts an Academic Average of 480 at the 94th percentile, and it is above 6 of the 8 new-scale entering class averages in this guide. Only Penn (483.85) and UCLA (489) published higher class averages.

Use the ADA's concordance table, linked from its DAT scores page. It gives an approximate new-scale score for each whole old score. Some schools print both numbers, for example UCLA calls 420 and above competitive, or 20 and above on the old scale. Since March 1, 2025, ADEA AADSAS shows all scores on the 200-600 scale, older tests converted.

You must wait 60 days between attempts, with at most four attempts in any 12 months. After three attempts you need the ADA's permission to test again, with proof you applied to dental school, and schools see every attempt.

Each school sets its own window. Harvard accepts scores for two years from the start of the cycle, and Minnesota moves to two years from the 2027-2028 cycle. UNC, Iowa and Ohio State accept scores up to three years old.

The DAT is offered year-round at Prometric test centers. The ADA suggests the spring of your junior year or the summer after, and applying to test 60 to 90 days ahead. Scores reach schools three to four weeks after the test.