The Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is a test used by every dental school in the United States. Dental Schools will use this test to evaluate potential candidates throughout their admissions process. Use our reviews of the best DAT prep courses to find the best course for YOU.
It is recommended that students take the DAT at least one year before you want to go to dental school – usually after completing their 3rd year of college.
Use our reviews of the top 6 DAT prep courses to make your choice based on budget, learning style, guarantees and more.
Summary: Easily find and compare DAT prep courses with our reviews below.
Our Picks for Best DAT Prep Course
- Best Overall – DAT Bootcamp
- Best for LiveOnline Learning – Princeton Review
Best DAT Prep Course Reviews (2023)
| DAT Prep | DAT Bootcamp | Princeton Review | DATBooster | Kaplan | PATBooster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rating |
96 |
91 |
86 |
82 |
80 |
| Best For | Best Overall | Best for LiveOnline Learning | - | - | - |
| One of Our Picks | TG Recommended | TG Recommended | - | - | - |
| Pricing | $497 | $1,599 | $299 | $999 | $159 |
| Subscription Length | 90 Days | Varies | 90 Days | 90 Days | 90 Days |
| Delivery Options | Online Self-Paced | Live Online | Online Self-Paced | Online Self-Paced or Live | Online Self-Paced |
| Practice Questions | 8,800+ | 500+ Pages | 6,200+ | 5,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Practice Tests | 60 | 4 | 80 | 7 | 10 |
| Videos | 2,500+ Videos | 55+ Hours | 177+ Videos | 36+ Hours | 65+ Videos |
| DAT Sections | All 4 Sections | All 4 Sections | All 4 Sections | All 4 Sections | Only PAT |
| Free Trial | |||||
| Guarantee | |||||
| App Available | |||||
| Best Feature | User Interface | LiveOnline Learning | Software Used | 3D Software | PAT Specifc |
| Summary |
DAT Bootcamp
TG Recommended
Best For
- Students looking for the most comprehensive course
- Students who want a ton of practice questions and exams
- Students who want an easy-to-use and well-designed user interface
Not Recommended For
- Someone wanting to study for more than 90 days
Key Decision Making Factors
Price
Ton of value for everything that is included in the course.
Content
2500+ videos. In-depth content paired with very organized course.
Questions
8800+ practice questions. 60 practice tests. Great selection of questions and tests.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- User interface
- Number of practice tests and questions
- Number of videos
Cons
- No course guarantee
What to Expect – Hands on Walkthrough
DAT bootcamp currently offers two prep courses for candidates to choose from. The Bootcamp Pro version is available for $497 while the Bootcamp Plus version is $897. The main difference between the two courses is the amount of time candidates have access to the courses. For our purposes, we will be looking at the $497 Bootcamp Pro version.
When candidates sign up for the Bootcamp Pro version, they will gain access to the course for 90 days. The course includes 60 practice tests, 2500+ videos, and over 8800 practice questions. Also included in the course are 10 full-length exam simulations that give candidates a feel for what to expect on the DAT exam.
The course is continuously updated to match the changing standards of the DAT exam. All questions are written by dentists, PhD’s, and test-takers who have scored in the 97th percentile or higher. The questions have detailed explanations to help candidates learn the material. As well as detailed answer explanations, the course includes performance tracking so candidates can track their progress.
The user interface for DAT bootcamp is second to none – our team was blown away by how organized and nice the course was designed. The course is designed very well and is easy to use and navigate.
The breakdown of the course and flow of the course makes sense and is a great way for candidates to learn new material and prepare to take the DAT exam.
When you enter the course, you will find that you can enter into different parts of the course to focus your studies. For example, if you want to focus on Biology, you would enter that specific portion of the course and would find all your learning materials there. You will find things like practice tests, questions banks, videos, flashcards, and strategy notes within each portion of the course.
The video content within the course is interactive and helps keeps users engaged. The videos will include someone speaking in the corner while reviewing their slides. We like how the videos include a face to the instructor – it makes it feel more interactive and its always nice to put a face to a voice.
Additional Screenshots
Key Features
- 8800+ practice questions
- 60 practice exams
- 2500+ videos
- App available
Key Differences from Other DAT Courses
- Number of practice questions
- Number of practice exams
- Overall design and organization of course
Differences from Previous Versions
- Addition of features like daily warmup
TG Recommended
Score: 96
Why Choose DAT Bootcamp
- Number of practice questions and exams
- Great library of video content
- Great course design and organization
Princeton Review
TG Recommended
Best For
- Students looking to learn in a LiveOnline environment
- Students looking for some additional guidance when studying
Not Recommended For
- Someone who is able/comfortable with self-studying
Key Decision Making Factors
Price
A little on the higher side in terms of pricing but not totally outrageous if you consider the LiveOnline learning aspect.
Content
Live instruction. 55+ hours of content. Course guarantee included.
Questions
500+ pages of practice questions. 4 computer-based practice tests included.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Live instruction
- Course guarantee
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
What to Expect – Hands on Walkthrough
Princeton Review offers a couple of different options for students looking to prepare for their DAT exam. For our purposes, we will be looking at their most popular offering, the DAT 20+ guaranteed program.
The 20+ guaranteed program is offered for $1599 and includes55 hours of live online instruction, 4 full-length practice exams, and supplementary study materials like physical textbook and workbooks. The course follows a live online format and allows candidates to sign up for times that work for them based on their schedules.
Most courses hold classes twice a week and run for around 2.5 months. There are a ton of different options to choose from, so there should be something that works with your schedule.
Some of the supplementary study materials include the Cracking the DAT resource which includes 880 pages covering everything on the DAT and the workbook they give you that includes 500+ pages of practice questions. The course is taught by 3-5 subject matter exerts so students are getting the best information from experts in each field of the DAT.
One of the best features of this course is the guarantee that comes with it. Students who enroll in this course will receive a guarantee that they will score above a 20. The average DAT scores for students who are admitted to accredited US dental schools is 20.3, so this 20+ guarantee is a really nice feature.
Key Features
- 4600+ practice questions
- 4 full-length practice exams
- 55+ hours of live instruction
- DAT textbooks and workbooks included
Key Differences from Other DAT Courses
- LiveOnline learning component
- Physical textbooks and workbooks included
Differences from Previous Versions
- Increased number of LiveOnline learning hours
TG Recommended
Score: 91
Why Choose Princeton Review DAT
- Can learn in a LiveOnline environment
- Includes physical textbooks and materials
- 20+ score guarantee
DATBooster
DATBooster
Best For
- Someone looking for a value option
- Someone who wants to learn in a self-paced environment
Not Recommended For
- Someone wanting the most videos/content possible
Key Decision Making Factors
Price
Cheapest complete DAT prep course we looked at. Only $299.
Content
177+ videos and 20+ chapters of DAT-specific study notes. Somewhat comparable to DAT Bootcamp.
Questions
6200+ practice questions. 80 practice tests. Great selection of questions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Price
- Number of practice questions
- Number of practice tests
Cons
- No app
- No free trial
What to Expect – Hands on Walkthrough
DATBooster was created by a team of experienced educators and developers who wanted to deliver the best prep materials for the DAT, all while being affordable. DATBooster offers their DAT prep course for $299. Students will get access to this course for 90 days. This prep course covers all 4 sections of the DAT.
DATBooster includes 80 practice tests, 6200+ practice questions, and 177+ videos. The course also includes notes for students to reference and recall information without having to go back and look at the videos.
The course covers all sections of the DAT and goes fairly in-depth for all 4 sections of the DAT. Questions have detailed answer explanations so students will be able to learn from their mistakes.
The prep course from DATBooster is designed very well and makes good use of their software. The software in the course allows for advanced analytics – students will be able to track their performance over time and see their progress. The creators at DATBooster are the same people who created the PAT specific prep course PATBooster.
This course is not as in-depth as DAT Bootcamp, but is a good option for students looking for a combination of content and price.
Key Features
- 6200+ practice questions
- 80 practice exams
- 177+ videos
Key Differences from Other DAT Courses
- Price
Differences from Previous Versions
- Added additional practice questions and videos
DATBooster
Score: 86
Why Choose DATBooster
- High number of practice questions
- Good combination of price and features
Kaplan
Kaplan
Best For
- Someone looking for augmented reality and 3D learning environment
- Someone looking for multiple ways to learn once in the course
Not Recommended For
- Someone shopping on a budget
Key Decision Making Factors
Price
$999 for 3 months of access. Can get expensive if you need to study for longer.
Content
36+ hours of video instruction. 3D learning is a new feature that we like.
Questions
5000+ practice questions. 7 practice tests. Middle of the pack in terms of questions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interactive workshops
- App available
- 3D learning
Cons
- Can get expensive
- Light on video hours
What to Expect – Hands on Walkthrough
Kaplan has a wide variety of prep courses available for candidates. We will be looking at the Limitless prep option by Kaplan – this option is available in 1, 3, and 6 month increments. The 3-month increment starts at $999.
This DAT prep option includes 36+ hours of videos, 70+ interactive sessions per month, live classes that you can go to whenever you want, 3D learning environment, 5000+ practice questions, and 7 full-length practice exams.
Also included in the self-paced course is a personalized study plan to help keep candidates on track and study as efficient as possible. Candidates will have access to the course through any device and Kaplan even offers an app for both iOS and Android.
One unique feature of this prep course is the interactive workshops offered. These interactive workshops will cover frequently tested topics that will appear on the DAT. These workshops are a nice way to learn material in a new and fresh way. As well as interactive workshops, there are also topic specific quizzes for candidates to hone in on certain topics.
Kaplan recently added the 3D learning aspect to this course, and our team really likes that feature. The 3D learning really helps you better understand complex topics and is a different way to learn, which helps keeps your interest.
Key Features
- 5000+ practice questions
- 7 full-length practice exams
- 36 hours of video instruction
- 3D learning
- 70+ interactive learning sessions per month
Key Differences from Other DAT Courses
- 3D learning environment
- Interactive learning sessions each month
Differences from Previous Versions
- Added 3D learning
Kaplan
Score: 82
Why Choose Kaplan DAT
- 3D learning environment
- Different ways to learn while in the course
PATBooster
PATBooster
Best For
- Someone looking to focus specifically on PAT
Not Recommended For
- Someone looking for a course that covers all sections of the DAT
Key Decision Making Factors
Price
Not much money, but is a little expensive for only covering 1 section of the DAT.
Content
Very specific. Covers only the PAT section. Great if you just want PAT prep.
Questions
1000+ PAT specific questions. Again, great if you only need PAT prep.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Section specific review
- Updated for most recent PAT section information
Cons
- Only covers PAT section
- No app available
What to Expect – Hands on Walkthrough
PATBooster is a unique course in that it only covers the perceptual ability (PAT) section of the DAT. The perceptual ability test is known as one of the trickier sections on the DAT so some students may want or need the extra practice. This course is available to students for $159 and students will have access to the course for 90 days.
This PAT specific prep course includes 1000+ practice questions, 10 practice tests that vary each time, and the most up-to-date materials. Students will learn the material by watching the 65+ videos which will help teach the best techniques and tricks to boost your PAT score.
The practice questions are followed by detailed answer solutions which is a great way to learn from mistakes. The answer solutions help you narrow down why an answer was correct or incorrect, which will help you when you take the actual exam.
This is a great course for anyone that wants to just focus on the PAT section of the DAT. This resource could be combined with another prep course or could be used on its own to help raise your PAT score. The technology used in this course is second to none and students will be pleasantly surprised with the quality of information in the course.
Key Features
- 1000+ practice questions
- 10 practice exams
- 65+ videos
Key Differences from Other DAT Courses
- Focuses specifically on the PAT section of the DAT
Differences from Previous Versions
- Added 3D models
PATBooster
Score: 80
Why Choose PATBooster
- Focuses specifically on the PAT section
- Information is very specific and targeted
Criteria Used to Rate DAT Courses
When rating DAT prep courses, we used 4 main criteria:
1. Price
Price is one of the most important factors for a lot of people. We included price as one of our ranking factors to provide the most accurate review.
These courses come in a different price points. Some courses are priced on the lower end, while other courses are more expensive. We considered everything that was included in these courses when looking at the price as well.
2. Content
Content is the bulk of what is included in these courses. The following are examples of things that fall under our content ranking factor:
- Lecture / learning materials
- How the course is organized
- How the information is presented
- Overall user experience
- Ability to comprehend and grasp the material
3. Questions
Questions are another common thing students look for when deciding on making a purchase. Practice questions are a great way to prepare for the DAT. Some materials that fall under this category include:
- Full-length practice exams
- Question banks
- Standalone questions
- Answer explanations
- Exam simulation experience
4. Guarantees
Having a course guarantee is nice. A lot of providers offer some sort of guarantee. We included this in our ranking factors to help give a more complete review.
Overview of Our Review Process
When conducting prep course reviews, we have a detailed process in place. Our process includes:
- Listing All Providers – we create a list of all potential providers that offer a product that fits the needs of our specific review
- Trimming of Providers – we then trim the list of providers and decide which ones we want to take a deeper look at.
- Enrolling in Course – once the list is trimmed down, we enroll in these courses like actual students.
- Scoring of the Course – after playing around in the courses, we assign a score to each course.
- Crafting the Review – we then have a team member craft up the review based on our findings.
- Updating the Review – we are always monitoring these courses for changes. The marketplace is always changing, and our reviews reflect that.
You can read more about our review process.
Do You Need DAT Prep?
DAT prep may not be for everyone. Some students may be able to get away with purchasing a textbook from Amazon, reading it, and taking the DAT and scoring well. If this is you, then great!
It is important to be honest with yourself though. If you think you will need some additional help and resources, a DAT prep course may be beneficial for you.
Here are some alternatives to consider:
- Free Practice Tests – Use a DAT practice test to start your studies.
FAQs About DAT Prep
Is a DAT prep course worth it?
DAT prep courses are a great way to learn new material and refresh yourself on old material.
Some factors to consider might be your budget, learning style, and self-discipline.
DAT prep courses will help identify strengths and weaknesses, simulate the actual test, and provide a study plan.
Which online DAT prep course is best?
After reviewing numerous courses, we found that DAT Bootcamp and Princeton Review were the best DAT prep courses.
Princeton Review was our choice for best LiveOnline learning while DAT Bootcamp was our choice for best overall.
How do you prepare for the DAT exam?
One of the best ways to prepare for the DAT exam is by enrolling in a prep course. A DAT prep course will help students stay focused and motivated while also learning new material.
Students will be able to study exam-like practice questions and get familiar with the DAT format when taking a DAT prep course.
