Reading Comprehension is the third section of the DAT. It's easy to under-prepare for, and a steady strategy pays off. The facts below come from the American Dental Association's 2026 DAT Candidate Guide.
The format
- 50 questions in 60 minutes.
- Three reading passages on various scientific topics.
- No prior knowledge of the science topics is required. The passages test your ability to read, comprehend and thoroughly analyze basic scientific information.
- It comes after the optional scheduled break, so you'll start it relatively fresh.
Related: What to Expect on the DAT: Format, Scoring, and How to Prepare
What that means in practice
With three passages and 60 minutes, you have roughly 20 minutes per passage, including answering its questions. The passages are long and dense, so reading every word slowly will eat into your time.
Strategies that work
- Map the passage as you read. Note in a few words what each paragraph covers. Many questions ask about a specific detail, and a map lets you find it fast.
- Don't rely on what you already know. Even if you've studied the topic, answer from the passage. A correct fact that the passage doesn't support is the wrong answer.
- Separate detail questions from reasoning questions. Detail questions can be answered by locating a line; questions about the author's purpose or what can be inferred need the passage's overall argument.
- Watch the numbers. Scientific passages are full of figures, percentages and units. Questions often turn on reading a number correctly.
- Keep moving. If you're stuck, make your best guess and come back if time allows.
How to practice
Read dense scientific writing regularly in the weeks before your test, such as review articles or science reporting. Then do full, timed practice sets of three passages, so 60 minutes feels familiar. After each set, check whether your misses came from misreading, from using outside knowledge, or from running short on time.
The shared skill
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) uses the same Reading Comprehension format, so if you're considering both programs, the same preparation serves both tests.