MCAT vs DAT: Which Test to Take If You're Choosing Between Medicine and Dentistry

By Dr. Blane Jackson, DDS, MBA · Reviewed 2026

Most pre-health students decide medicine vs dentistry before deciding which standardized test to take, but a meaningful number are still choosing in junior year. Either test takes 3-6 months of prep, both lock you into one path, and the practical differences matter more than most pre-health advisors explain.

Side-by-side comparison

Career path lock-in

The most important difference: the MCAT does NOT qualify you for dental school, and the DAT does NOT qualify you for medical school. Schools accept only their corresponding test. So choosing a test is choosing a path.

Edge cases:

• Some PA programs accept MCAT scores; a few accept GRE
• Some dual-degree programs (DDS/MD or oral and maxillofacial surgery) require both tests if you didn't take MCAT in undergrad
• Optometry (OAT) and Pharmacy (PCAT) are different tests entirely
• Veterinary (GRE) uses GRE, not MCAT or DAT

If you're certain about medicine, take the MCAT. If you're certain about dentistry, take the DAT. If you're undecided, the practical question becomes: how can I take the test that opens the more flexible path? In practice, that's usually the MCAT, because dental schools sometimes accept MCAT-only applicants for combined or non-traditional pathways while medical schools never accept DAT-only.

Career considerations beyond the test

Test selection is about test selection — but the underlying career decision deserves more than one paragraph. Some practical observations:

• Schedule: dentists typically have more predictable schedules, fewer overnight calls, and earlier career independence. Most physicians have residency hours of 60-80/week for 3-7 years post-medical school. Dentists work as full attendings 4-5 years out of college.
• Income: median dentist income $170-200K; median physician income $250-350K with major variation by specialty. Top primary care physicians make less than top general dentists; top specialists in either field earn $400K+.
• Cost of school: dental school typically $250-400K+ in tuition. Medical school similar at $200-350K+. Both lead to 6-figure debt for most graduates.
• Match process: medicine has the residency match; dentistry has direct practice or specialty residencies (smaller, less centralized). Geographic flexibility differs.
• Patient population: dentists see broadly healthy people for routine maintenance; physicians often see complex chronic illness with worse outcomes. The patient mix changes day-to-day satisfaction.

If you take both

It is possible to take both tests. About 1-2% of applicants do. Considerations:

• Content overlap is real — gen chem, orgo, bio, biochem are 60-70% the same. One unified content review covers both.
• Format prep differs significantly — CARS for MCAT, PAT for DAT, different timing pressures, different question styles. Allow 6-8 weeks of test-specific prep on top of the unified content review.
• Cost adds up — $345 + $525 + significant prep material doubling = ~$1,500 in fees and materials
• Timing window: most applicants take MCAT first (March-June of junior year), then DAT 2-3 months later if pursuing dentistry as backup

If undecided and academically strong, taking both is a hedge that costs ~$1,500 and 8 weeks of additional prep — a fair trade for keeping both paths open if either career interests you.

Frequently asked questions

Do dental schools accept MCAT scores?

Most do not. The DAT is the standard for dental school admissions. A few combined-degree programs and a small number of dental schools accept MCAT scores in lieu of DAT, but it's school-specific and usually for non-traditional applicants.

Which test is more competitive?

Different applicant pools. MCAT median for accepted MD students is ~511; for DO ~504. DAT Academic Average median for accepted dental students is ~21-22. Both 90th-percentile scores are achievable with serious prep; the application processes have different selectivity at the school level.

Can I prep for both tests at once?

Yes for content (60-70% overlap in basic sciences), no for format (CARS vs PAT vs different timing). Plan 4-5 months unified content + 6-8 weeks dedicated to each test's unique sections.

Is the DAT cheaper than the MCAT?

No, opposite. DAT registration is $525, MCAT is $345 (US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean). DAT prep materials are typically less expensive overall, but the test fee itself is higher.

If I'm leaning medicine, should I just skip the DAT?

Almost always yes. DAT alone won't qualify you for medical school, and adding DAT to your prep load reduces MCAT score potential. Only take the DAT if you have legitimate dental school interest as a backup or primary path.