100+ Free DAT Natural Sciences Practice Questions
Pass your Dental Admission Test — Survey of Natural Sciences exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
A student heats a mixture of ice and water at 0°C. During the melting process, the temperature of the mixture:
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Key Facts: DAT Natural Sciences Exam
100 questions in 90 minutes
DAT Survey of Natural Sciences format
ADA DAT Candidate Guide 2025/2026
40 Biology / 30 General Chemistry / 30 Organic Chemistry
DAT SNS question distribution
ADA DAT Candidate Guide 2025/2026
200–600 scaled score (as of March 2025)
DAT scoring scale (new)
ADA / DATBooster 2025
$475 first attempt, $575 retake
DAT exam fee (2025)
ADA official registration page 2025
Maximum 3 lifetime attempts; 90-day waiting period between attempts
DAT attempt limits
ADA DAT Candidate Guide 2025/2026
~54 seconds per question
DAT SNS average time per question
Calculated: 90 min ÷ 100 questions
The DAT Survey of Natural Sciences is administered by the American Dental Association and tests 100 questions across Biology (40), General Chemistry (30), and Organic Chemistry (30) in 90 minutes — approximately 54 seconds per question. As of March 2025, the ADA switched to a 200–600 scaled scoring system (replacing the former 1–30 scale). Most dental schools look for competitive scores equivalent to approximately 17+ on the old scale (around 400+ on the new scale). The exam is taken at Prometric testing centers year-round, with a 90-day waiting period between attempts and a maximum of three lifetime attempts.
Sample DAT Natural Sciences Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your DAT Natural Sciences exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which organelle is responsible for the synthesis of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation?
2During aerobic cellular respiration, pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA in which cellular location?
3Which of the following correctly describes the net products of glycolysis from one molecule of glucose?
4In the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, which molecule serves as the primary electron donor to Photosystem II?
5Which type of membrane transport requires both a carrier protein and cellular energy (ATP)?
6A cell in G2 phase of the cell cycle has a DNA content of 4n. What DNA content would be expected in each daughter cell immediately after mitosis?
7Which stage of meiosis is responsible for genetic recombination through crossing over?
8Which kingdom includes organisms that are prokaryotic and produce methane in anaerobic environments?
9Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of viruses?
10In a dihybrid cross between two individuals heterozygous for both traits (AaBb × AaBb), what fraction of the offspring is expected to display both dominant phenotypes?
About the DAT Natural Sciences Exam
The DAT Survey of Natural Sciences (SNS) is the first section of the Dental Admission Test and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions answered in 90 minutes. It covers three science disciplines: Biology (40 questions), General Chemistry (30 questions), and Organic Chemistry (30 questions). The SNS score is a major component of the Academic Average and Total Science Score used by dental schools nationwide.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
Scaled score 200–600 (as of March 2025); 400+ (roughly equivalent to old-scale 17) considered competitive at most dental schools
Exam Fee
$475 first attempt; $575 retake (2025) (American Dental Association (ADA))
DAT Natural Sciences Exam Content Outline
Biology
Cell and molecular biology, diversity of life, structure and function of organ systems, developmental biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology. 40 questions testing breadth of biological knowledge.
General Chemistry
Stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, acids/bases, equilibrium, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, atomic structure, periodic trends, nuclear chemistry, and lab techniques. 30 questions, periodic table provided.
Organic Chemistry
Reaction mechanisms (SN1/SN2/E1/E2/addition/radical), spectroscopy (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR), stereochemistry, nomenclature, functional group reactions, acid-base chemistry, and aromatics. 30 questions.
How to Pass the DAT Natural Sciences Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled score 200–600 (as of March 2025); 400+ (roughly equivalent to old-scale 17) considered competitive at most dental schools
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Exam fee: $475 first attempt; $575 retake (2025)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
DAT Natural Sciences Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the DAT Survey of Natural Sciences and how long do I have?
The SNS has 100 multiple-choice questions (40 Biology, 30 General Chemistry, 30 Organic Chemistry) with a combined 90-minute time limit. You manage your own time across the three subsections — there are no separate per-section timers.
How is the DAT Survey of Natural Sciences scored in 2025-2026?
Since March 2025, the ADA uses a scaled score of 200–600 for each section (replacing the old 1–30 scale). Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry are reported separately; the Survey of Natural Sciences (SNS) composite is also reported. The Academic Average (AA) averages SNS subsections with Reading Comprehension and Quantitative Reasoning scores.
What is a competitive DAT natural sciences score for dental school?
On the new 200–600 scale, approximately 400 is the mid-point (equivalent to the old-scale 17), which is the average score among accepted applicants at many programs. Top dental schools often seek 440–480+ (equivalent to old-scale 19–22). Individual programs vary, so check each school's average accepted DAT scores.
Is a calculator allowed on the DAT General Chemistry section?
No calculator is permitted for any section of the DAT. A periodic table image is provided on screen during the General Chemistry subsection. You must be able to perform arithmetic mentally or with scratch paper provided at the testing center.
How many times can I take the DAT?
The ADA allows a maximum of three lifetime attempts at the DAT. There is a mandatory 90-day waiting period between attempts. If you take the exam three times and wish to take it again, you must petition the ADA for special approval.
How should I split my study time across the three natural sciences?
Most test-prep resources recommend spending roughly 40% of science study time on Biology (breadth is the challenge), 30% on General Chemistry (calculation skills and theory), and 30% on Organic Chemistry (mechanisms and reactions). Organic Chemistry is often cited as the section where targeted practice yields the greatest score gains.