• 56 questions

ADA DAT Practice Test

Unofficial Dental Admission Test practice in biology, chemistry and quantitative reasoning, in the shares of the ADA's outline.

Of the 64 codons in the genetic code, how many are stop signals?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 50 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 50 questions, 45 minutes.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the American Dental Association. Bank checked October 11, 2026.

The real test, as the ADA describes it

Time for each test
Survey of the Natural Sciences 90 minutes, Perceptual Ability 60, Reading Comprehension 60, Quantitative Reasoning 45.
Break
One optional 30-minute break, after the first two tests. It is the only scheduled break.
Language
Multiple-choice questions in English, with both U.S. customary and metric units.
Where
Year round at Prometric centers across the United States, U.S. territories and some Canadian locations.

Checked October 11, 2026 against DAT 2026 Candidate Guide and DAT page, ada.org. Rules change, so confirm with the agency itself before your test.

The ADA's own DAT page

Next step More biology questions by topicOAT practice test, with physics

All 56 questions

Biology 16

  • A cell cannot break down its worn-out parts, and they build up inside it. Which organelle has most likely failed? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Lysosome", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology (cell structure and function).
  • A few birds are blown to an island and start a population with far less genetic variety than the mainland flock. What is this called? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Founder Effect", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Evolution and Ecology (population genetics/speciation).
  • Blood glucose is high after a meal. Which pancreatic cells respond, and with which hormone? SEER Training Modules (National Cancer Institute), Anatomy & Physiology, Pancreas: Islets of Langerhans, Pancreas: Islets of Langerhans. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Structure and Function of Systems (endocrine).
Show all 56 questions (53 more)

Biology, continued

  • Both parents are healthy carriers of an autosomal recessive disorder. About what share of their children will have the disorder? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Autosomal Recessive Disorder", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Genetics (classical genetics, human genetics).
  • How does an enzyme make a reaction go faster? Wikipedia, "Enzyme", opening section and Thermodynamics. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology (enzymology).
  • In a population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, 16% of individuals show the recessive trait (aa). What share are heterozygous (Aa)? Wikipedia, "Hardy–Weinberg principle", Derivation. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Evolution and Ecology (population genetics).
  • In the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, what does photosystem II split to release oxygen? Wikipedia, "Light-dependent reactions", PSII. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology (cell metabolism, photosynthesis).
  • Mitochondria carry their own DNA. From which parent does a child inherit it? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Mitochondrial DNA", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Cell and Molecular Biology (cell structure and function) and Genetics (human genetics).
  • Of the 64 codons in the genetic code, how many are stop signals? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Codon", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Genetics (molecular genetics).
  • What happens to the RNA genome of a retrovirus after it infects a cell? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Retrovirus", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Diversity of Life (viruses).
  • What is the functional unit of the kidney, made of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule? SEER Training Modules (National Cancer Institute), Anatomy & Physiology, Kidneys, Kidneys. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Structure and Function of Systems (urinary).
  • Which change in a gene causes a frameshift mutation? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "Frameshift Mutation", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Genetics (molecular genetics).
  • Which feature helps put fungi in a kingdom separate from the plants? Wikipedia, "Fungus", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Diversity of Life (Fungi).
  • Which set of features describes cardiac muscle? SEER Training Modules (National Cancer Institute), Anatomy & Physiology, Muscle Tissue, Muscle Tissue. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Structure and Function of Systems (muscular).
  • Which valve does blood pass through as it leaves the left ventricle? SEER Training Modules (National Cancer Institute), Anatomy & Physiology, Structure of the Heart, Valves of the Heart. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Structure and Function of Systems (circulatory).
  • Why do X-linked diseases usually affect males? National Human Genome Research Institute, Talking Glossary of Genomic and Genetic Terms, "X-Linked", glossary entry. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Biology: Genetics (human genetics, chromosomal genetics).

General chemistry 12

  • A gas at 1.0 atm fills 6.0 L. It is compressed to 2.0 L at constant temperature. What is the new pressure? Wikipedia, "Boyle's law", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Gases (Boyle's law).
  • A radioactive sample has a half-life of 8 days. What fraction of it remains after 24 days? Wikipedia, "Half-life", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Chemical Kinetics (half-life).
  • A reaction has ΔH = −50 kJ and ΔS = −100 J/K. What is ΔG at 300 K? Wikipedia, "Gibbs free energy", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry (spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies).
  • A tank holds nitrogen at a partial pressure of 3.0 atm, oxygen at 1.5 atm and argon at 0.5 atm. What is the total pressure? Wikipedia, "Dalton's law", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Gases (Dalton's law).
  • At the same molal concentration in water, which solute has the largest ideal van 't Hoff factor, and so the largest freezing-point depression? Wikipedia, "Van 't Hoff factor", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Solutions (colligative properties).
  • Methane burns completely: CH₄ + 2 O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O. What mass of CO₂ forms from 8.0 g of methane? (C = 12, H = 1, O = 16) Wikipedia, "Stoichiometry", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Stoichiometry and General Concepts (calculations from balanced equations).
  • N₂(g) + 3 H₂(g) ⇌ 2 NH₃(g) is at equilibrium. The volume is decreased, which raises the pressure. Which way does the equilibrium shift? Wikipedia, "Le Chatelier's principle", Effect of change in volume. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Chemical Equilibria (Le Chatelier's principle).
  • Uranium-238 (atomic number 92) emits an alpha particle. What nucleus is left? Wikipedia, "Alpha decay", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Nuclear Reactions (decay processes, balancing equations).
  • What is the oxidation number of manganese in potassium permanganate, KMnO₄? Wikipedia, "Potassium permanganate", Properties. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Oxidation-Reduction Reactions (determination of oxidation numbers).
  • What is the pH of a 0.001 M solution of HCl, a strong acid that ionizes completely? Wikipedia, "pH", Origins and etymology. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Acids and Bases (pH, calculations).
  • Which element has the ground-state electron configuration [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴? Wikipedia, "Sulfur", opening section and element data box. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Atomic and Molecular Structure (electron configuration).
  • Why does water boil at a far higher temperature than other molecules of similar mass? Wikipedia, "Hydrogen bond", Water. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, General Chemistry: Liquids and Solids (intermolecular forces).

Organic chemistry 12

  • 2-Propanol, a secondary alcohol, is oxidized. What is the product? Wikipedia, "Alcohol oxidation", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical Synthesis (reactions of alcohols).
  • A pure compound has two stereocenters, yet it does not rotate plane-polarized light. What is it? Wikipedia, "Meso compound", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Structural Evaluation (stereochemistry: chirality, isomer relationships).
  • A terminal alkyne has a pKa of about 25. Which of these is a stronger acid than a terminal alkyne? Wikipedia, "Alkyne", Terminal and internal alkynes and Reactions specific for terminal alkynes. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Acid-Base Chemistry (ranking acidity/basicity across functional groups).
  • Acetic acid and ethanol are refluxed with an acid catalyst. Which functional group forms? Wikipedia, "Fischer–Speier esterification", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical Synthesis (reactions of carboxylic acids/derivatives).
  • An infrared spectrum shows a strong absorption near 1720 cm⁻¹. Which group does it point to? Wikipedia, "Infrared spectroscopy correlation table", Group frequencies. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical & Physical Properties of Molecules (spectroscopy, infrared).
  • An SN2 reaction takes place at a chiral carbon. What happens to the configuration at that carbon? Wikipedia, "SN2 reaction", Reaction mechanism. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms (substitution) and Structural Evaluation (stereochemistry).
  • By Hückel's rule, how many π electrons can a planar, fully conjugated ring have and be aromatic? Wikipedia, "Hückel's rule", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Structural Evaluation (structure and bonding, aromaticity).
  • Formic acid has a pKa of 3.75 and acetic acid 4.76. Why is acetic acid the weaker acid? Wikipedia, "Carboxylic acid", Acidity. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Acid-Base Chemistry (structure analysis within functional groups, inductive effect).
  • HBr adds to propene, CH₃CH=CH₂. Which is the major product by Markovnikov's rule? Wikipedia, "Markovnikov's rule", Explanation. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical Synthesis (reactions of alkenes/alkynes).
  • In an SN1 reaction, the concentration of the nucleophile is doubled. By the usual rate equation, what happens to the rate? Wikipedia, "SN1 reaction", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms (substitution).
  • Two compounds are run on a normal-phase TLC plate. Which one travels farther up the plate? Wikipedia, "Thin-layer chromatography", Separation process and principle. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical & Physical Properties of Molecules (laboratory theory and techniques, chromatography).
  • What is tetramethylsilane (TMS) used for in proton NMR? Wikipedia, "Proton nuclear magnetic resonance", opening section. Outline: DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Survey of the Natural Sciences, Organic Chemistry: Chemical & Physical Properties of Molecules (spectroscopy, 1H NMR).

Quantitative reasoning 16

  • A dental lab mixes powder and liquid in a ratio of 3 to 5 by mass. How much powder is in 40 g of the mix? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (ratios and proportions). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • A driver covers 150 miles at 50 mph, then 150 miles at 75 mph. What is the average speed for the whole trip? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: applied mathematics (word) problems. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • A line passes through (1, 2) and (3, 8). What is its slope? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (graphical analysis). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • A solution is 20% acid by volume. How many liters of water must be added to 10 L of it to make an 8% solution? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: applied mathematics (word) problems. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • An $80 instrument kit is marked down 25%, and 10% sales tax is added to the sale price. What is the total? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: applied mathematics (word) problems. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Five quiz scores are 70, 80, 80, 90 and 100. What is the mean? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: data analysis and interpretation. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • How many different groups of 3 students can be chosen from 6? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: probability and statistics. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Is x greater than y? Statement 1: x − y = 3. Statement 2: x² > y². ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: data sufficiency. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • One pump fills a tank in 6 hours and another fills it in 3 hours. How long do they take working together? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: applied mathematics (word) problems. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Quantity A is 25% of 80. Quantity B is 80% of 25. ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: quantitative comparison. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Solve 3x − 7 = 2x + 5. ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (equations and expressions). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Solve −2x + 6 < 14. ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (inequalities). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Two fair six-sided dice are rolled. What is the probability that the sum is 7? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: probability and statistics. The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • What is (3 × 10⁴)(2 × 10⁻²)? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (exponential notation). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Which expression equals (x + 3)(x − 5)? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (equations and expressions). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.
  • Which values of x satisfy |2x − 3| = 9? ADA, DAT Candidate Guide 2026, Scope of the Examination, Quantitative Reasoning: algebra (absolute value). The answer is worked out from the numbers in the question.

How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the Scope of the Examination in the DAT 2026 Candidate Guide of the American Dental Association (marked "Updated: 08/04/2026"; linked from https://www.ada.org/education/testing/exams/dental-admission-test-dat, read 2026-10-11). The guide gives the Survey of the Natural Sciences 100 items (Biology 40, General Chemistry 30, Organic Chemistry 30), Perceptual Ability 90, Reading Comprehension 50 and Quantitative Reasoning 40. The bank holds 16 biology, 12 general chemistry, 12 organic chemistry and 16 quantitative reasoning questions, 56 in all, which is 40 : 30 : 30 : 40. Perceptual Ability (drawings) and Reading Comprehension (passages) are not in the bank. Organic chemistry follows the guide's list headed "After Update". Every science fact was read on 2026-10-11 in the public source the question names: the Talking Glossary of the National Human Genome Research Institute (genome.gov), the SEER Training Modules of the National Cancer Institute and Wikipedia. Every number in a calculation was worked out a second time on 2026-10-11. Licence: Own work. Questions and answer choices were written for this site. Explanations restate the public source named under each question, with short quotations in places.

How it works

This free ADA DAT practice test has 56 questions of our own on the science and math sections. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), which runs the test.

Read the full guide

What the questions cover

The DAT Candidate Guide on ada.org (updated August 4, 2026; read October 11, 2026) gives biology 40 questions, general chemistry 30, organic chemistry 30 and Quantitative Reasoning 40. This bank keeps those shares: 16, 12, 12 and 16.

What is left out

Perceptual Ability needs drawings and Reading Comprehension needs long passages, so neither is on this page.

Timing

Exam mode asks 50 questions in 45 minutes, the pace of the real science test: 100 questions in 90 minutes.

  • The guide prints two organic chemistry topic lists, before and after an update it expected in April 2026. These questions follow the later list.
  • A basic on-screen calculator is given for Quantitative Reasoning, and a periodic table for the general chemistry questions.

Questions and answers

Is this the ADA's own DAT practice test?

No. The ADA's own practice test questions are reached through ada.org/dat. The questions on this page are a separate bank, written from the public candidate guide and the public sources they name. None is taken from the real test or the ADA's practice tests.

Is there a free ADA DAT practice test?

The ADA's DAT page offers an online tutorial as a sample test, opened with a DENTPIN, and its guide says a partial fee waiver includes one free full practice test. The 56 questions here are free and need no sign-up.

How many questions are on the DAT?

280 multiple-choice questions: 100 in the Survey of the Natural Sciences, 90 in Perceptual Ability, 50 in Reading Comprehension and 40 in Quantitative Reasoning. The sitting runs five hours and 15 minutes with the optional tutorial, break and survey.

What is a passing score on the DAT?

There is none. Scores run from 200 to 600 in 10-point steps, and the candidate guide says each dental program decides what score is acceptable. A result here is a count of right answers and forecasts nothing.

How many DAT attempts are you allowed?

Candidates must wait 60 days between attempts, with at most four in any 12 months. After three attempts, permission to test again is needed, and after a fifth attempt only one retest in 12 months is allowed.

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