Dental School Examination Guide

Over the years I've written articles on the different standardized exams. Below I have populated a list of of all the articles I've written the DAT and NBDE exams. Just follow the links and feel free to bookmark this page for future reference.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT):

The Dental Admissions Test

Crack The Dental Admissions Test

DAT Study Tips

Study Materials 

Study Materials 2

National Board Dental Exam (NBDE) Part 1:

About the NBDE

Changes to the NBDE

NBDE Pass/Pail

How to be Successful on NBDE Part 1

Studying for NBDE Part 1

Exciting News

National Board Dental Exam (NBDE) Part 2:

Guide to Success on NBDE Part 2

Changes to Part 2

PS: I am currently working on pieces about licensing exams and the new ADAT (exam for post-doc programs). So, stay tuned.

A Guide to Success on NBDE Part II

You've come a long way in dental school and now on the home stretch! I have outlined just how to be successful on the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part II. See below for an excerpt:

You can find the entire article by visiting The NEXT DDS

It is free to enroll!

More Changes To Come For The NBDE

Just when we thought they have made all the changes that they needed to for the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE), it seems the recent switch to pass/fail was just the beginning.

I recently wrote an article for ASDA's blog "Mouthing Off" speaking of yet another change that dental students will have to adjust to in the future. According to the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) an Integrated NBDE (INBDE) is slated for the year 2017. This new exam will integrate NBDE Parts 1 and 2 into one comprehensive exam. Why the need for this change? 

Here is an excerpt from my article on ASDA/s Mouthing Off on the matter:

...The traditional 2 part NBDE exam will soon be changed to one comprehensive exam termed the Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE). This will integrate aspects of both the NBDE Part 1 and NBDE Part 2. Though it will not affect those of us already in dental school and the incoming class of 2016, there is talk that this may be implemented by the year 2017. The changes come about as a more effective way to evaluate candidates for licensure as it will take on a more clinically relevant approach. It is stated that the basic Science portion that is usually tested in the NBDE part 1 will remain as such but the content will be integrated into a clinical context.

You can find the rest of the article here:
Find out more about the new changes, re: INBDE here 
Another 'Mouthing Off' post here

National Board Dental Examination moves to Pass/Fail

It's official! According to the revisions to examination regulation by the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Parts I and II as well as the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) will move to Pass/Fail effective January 1, 2012.

Why? Good news or bad?  First of all the purpose of the NBDE is to assist State boards in determining qualifications of dentists who seek licensure to practice. The changes were made upon the recognition that 1. the scores were not being used for their intended purpose (ex. ranking dental schools, faculty evaluations, etc) 2. the scores are not necessarily a good measure of one’s academic ability 3. worry over it's integrity due to overexposure from re-testing  and 4. some schools base acceptance to their residency programs heavily and many times solely on National Board scores – where they set a minimum score and everyone with scores below that minimum is basically “skimmed” off, not allowing all applicants a fair evaluation.

Research was conducted where residency program administrators were asked what they look for in an applicant and it was noted that the top 5 criteria were non-cognitive/non-academic, with the exception of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery programs which base their acceptance heavily on academic ability. With that said, the intention of the pass/fail system will allow the highlight of the other areas of the individuals’ abilities. But what does that mean for those who want to specialize? If there are no scores to compare candidates how do they select them? Will specialty programs implement a system where those seeking to specialize take another standardized exam? Those are questions that are still unanswered and quite frankly is not looking good for that group of people; but one thing is for certain, GPA, volunteer/extracurricular activities, Letter of recommendations and Personal Statements will be looked at with more scrutiny and carry a lot more weight than they currently do.


If the good intentions of the ADEA are met with those of the administrators of these 
residency programs, I say this endeavor can be a good thing. Passing still stands at 75% and there will be no changes to the exam.


Also, effective April 2012  the endodontics diagnostic terminology adopted by the American Association of Endodontists will be incorporated in the NBDE Part II. I don't know what this is but, phew! all these changes.


See here for Examination Info from the JCNDE