How are DAT Scores Calculated?
How are DAT results reported?
DAT results are reported as scale scores, ranging from 1 to 30. These scale scores are neither raw scores nor percentiles. A scale score of 19 typically indicates average performance on a national basis.How many questions do I need to answer correctly to earn a particular DAT score?
The ADA does not disclose the exact number of questions required to achieve a specific DAT scale score. The number may vary depending on the specific examination form administered. Multiple forms of the DAT are available for retest and test security purposes.If there are different examination forms, wouldn't that mean that some forms might be easier than others? How does this impact scoring?
Each examination form consists of a unique set of questions varying in difficulty. Differences in examination form difficulty are factored into the scoring process through sophisticated psychometric procedures.How is the DAT Academic Average score determined?
The Academic Average is calculated as the rounded average of a candidate's scale scores in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension.How is the DAT Total Science score determined?
The Total Science scale score is based solely on a candidate's performance in the Survey of Natural Sciences section. It is not calculated as the rounded average of scale scores in Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry.Does the DAT contain unscored questions?
Yes, a small number of questions on the test are experimental and not scored. The data collected from these unscored questions helps ensure their appropriateness before being considered as scored items. These unscored questions are presented similarly to scored questions.