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 1

I have written a guide on how to pass the NBDE Part 1. This is an important time for you and I do hope that this guide is beneficial. Ihave attached a snippet below, please follow to think for the entire article on The NEXT DDS

Exciting News!

So I'm at home yesterday... I made dinner, took a shower and got settled to start my study routine. Right as I was about to start I received a phone call from my mom, "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhh" she's screaming. At first I'm terrified, then she starts to say "I'm soo proud" then I'm excited. "What is it?" I say. Turns out...

I passed my National Boards!!!!!!!!

She received that wonderful piece of paper in the mail when she got home from work. Such exciting times! Needless to say, no studying was done yesterday. 

Happy Happy Happy!!

Update!

Wow! It has been about a month since I last posted. This semester has been really really hectic plus I have been arduously preparing for the National board exams. I'll take them soon so as soon as that is over with I'll start posting again.

Thanks for your patience, and send up a word of prayer for me for the boards!

Enjoy your Spring Break!

Studying for the NBDE I: The beginning

I recently started studying for the NBDE Part 1 in hopes of sitting it some time in the early Spring of 2012. I will try to give a few updates as I go through the process, and some handy dandy tips once it's all over.
As you may know, the NBDE is comprised of the following sections:

• Human Anatomy and Histology
• Biochemistry and Physiology
• Microbiolgy and Pathology
• Dental Anatomy and Occlusion

I have decided to use the following materials as my guide as well as a few other resources from the stack of text books that have been helpful throughout the past year and a half. 

1. Dental Decks Part 1 2012-2013
2. First Aid for the NBDE Part 1
3. Kaplan NBDE Part 1 Lecture Notes

Plan of attack:

I will be using the materials above simultaneously as I study each section and I will be continuously testing myself on each section completed. 

1. First thing: Take a practice test to see where I am at this point. This is simply to answer the question: If I were to take the exam today how would I score? 
2. I will then cover Dental Anatomy and Occlusion because I think that's relatively easy and I should be able to cover it fairly quickly. 
3. I will then attack Microbiology and Physiology because those are most fresh and hence should also go by fairly quickly. 
4. Then I'll move on to Anatomy and Histology, then Biochemistry an Physiology where I'll spend the bulk of my time.
5. These will be done while continuously taking section tests to see my mastery of each section. when I have completed reviewing and/ or studying each section then I will begin taking full tests until test day (which I have yet to set)

This is the plan for now, things may change so stay tuned!

About The NBDE Part I

Now that final exams are over, it's time to go on my well needed Christmas vacation! study for the NBDE Part I (womp).

Different schools have different curricula which affects when we take the NBDE I. However, most dental students are fully ready and equipped to take this exam after their 2nd year and before they enter the clinic. As for me, the aim is to take it in the Spring of the 2nd year.

What is it?: The National Board Dental Examination, as stated by the ADA is given to assist state boards in determining qualifications of dentists who seek licensure to practice dentistry. It is taken to assess the competency of the applicant in the basic sciences and pre-clinical sciences.

How to register for the exam: The process of registering for the NBDE is similar to that of registering for the DAT (assuming you are a dental student and have already been through this process). After going to the NBDE section under the Education & Careers tab on the ADA website (here) you then register for a DENTPIN. After receiving your DENTPIN you can proceed to pay for and register for the exam.

Fees: The fee for the NBDE I is $300. It is non-refundable and includes sending a copy of the score report to the Dean of your Dental School. Any additional score reports required is an additional $25.

Scheduling: After you have registered for the exam, you will have to schedule a date and time to take the exam at a Prometric center via the prometric website (here).

Structure: The NBDE I is an 8hr exam consisting of 400 multiple choice questions based on the basic sciences, with topics including:

• Human Anatomy and Histology
• Biochemistry and Physiology
• Microbiolgy and Pathology
• Dental Anatomy and Occlusion

and administered in the following order:

Optional Tutorial .............................................................................. 15 mins

Discipline based, multiple choice test items

with 3-5 testlets (approx. 200 items)................................................. 3.5 hrs

Optional Break ................................................................................ 1 hr

Discipline based, multiple choice test items

with 3-5 testlets (approx. 200 items)................................................. 3.5 hrs

Optional Post-exam Survey............................................................... 15 mins

I may not need to plug this, but make sure when taking the NBDE exam that you are ready so that you avoid a bad score Fail (F) and a re-take.

Links:

Download the NBDE I Guide(s) from the ADA - 2011 and 2012

Revisions to Exam Regulations 

Refer to my previous post on the NBDE's new pass/fail system - Here
NBDE 1 Sample questions from the ADA
NBDE 1 Sample questions from ASDA (purchase)

Happy Studying and Good Luck!!