Best DAT General Chemistry Tips and Tricks
When it comes to the Dental Admission Test (DAT), one of the most challenging sections for many students is General Chemistry. Covering topics from atomic structure to thermodynamics, this section tests not only your memorization but also your problem-solving speed.
The good news? With the right strategies, you can master DAT General Chemistry and boost your overall score. At Dental School Declassified, our licensed dentist-tutors specialize in helping pre-dental students simplify difficult concepts and apply them effectively under time pressure.
Here are the best DAT General Chemistry tips and tricks to help you study smarter and score higher.
1. Focus on High-Yield Topics
Not every concept in General Chemistry is equally tested. Some topics show up more frequently on the DAT, so prioritize your study time wisely.
High-yield topics include:
Periodic trends (ionization energy, electronegativity, atomic radius)
Bonding and molecular geometry (VSEPR theory, hybridization)
Stoichiometry and balancing equations
Acid-base chemistry (pH, pKa, buffers)
Gas laws and kinetic molecular theory
Thermodynamics and enthalpy changes
Equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle
Electrochemistry (redox reactions, galvanic cells)
👉 Pro tip: Don’t waste time memorizing obscure equations. Focus on what is most likely to appear.
2. Master the Basics Before Moving to Advanced Topics
Many DAT chemistry questions are built on fundamental principles. If you don’t have a solid grasp of basics like mole conversions or periodic trends, the harder problems will feel impossible.
Review dimensional analysis until it feels automatic.
Make sure you understand sign conventions in thermodynamics.
Get comfortable with logarithms and simple math shortcuts to avoid wasting time.
3. Practice Mental Math and Shortcuts
You won’t have a calculator on the DAT, so practicing mental math is crucial.
Helpful tricks:
Approximate square roots (e.g., √50 ≈ 7) for quick estimates.
Break large numbers into smaller chunks for easier multiplication/division.
Round when appropriate—many DAT questions are designed to accept approximate answers.
4. Learn to Identify Wrong Answers Quickly
The DAT is a timed test, which means speed matters. Instead of solving every problem from scratch, learn to:
Eliminate clearly incorrect answer choices first.
Look for patterns in multiple-choice answers (e.g., two similar answers often mean one of them is correct).
Estimate values to narrow down choices instead of calculating exactly.
5. Use Flashcards for Memorization
General Chemistry has plenty of definitions, equations, and constants to memorize. Using flashcards can help you:
Drill periodic trends
Memorize solubility rules
Recall common strong acids and bases
Practice gas constant values and formulas
Apps like Anki or Quizlet make spaced repetition easy and effective.
6. Take Practice Tests Under Real Conditions
Studying content is only half the battle—the other half is applying it under time pressure. Full-length practice tests help you:
Build endurance for test day
Practice pacing (you get ~45 seconds per question)
Identify your weakest topics for targeted review
👉 Pro tip: After every practice test, spend more time reviewing why you got questions wrong than celebrating the ones you got right.
7. Don’t Neglect Test-Taking Strategy
Sometimes it’s not the content but the approach that makes the difference.
Skip and return: If a question looks too long, mark it and move on.
Stay calm: Don’t panic if you don’t know the answer right away—many students get tripped up by anxiety more than content.
Time checkpoints: By question 10, you should be around 15 minutes in; adjust as needed.
How Dental Tutoring Can Help
At Dental School Declassified, our tutors are licensed dentists who scored in the 98th percentile or higher on the DAT. We’ve been through the exact same test and know what it takes to succeed.
Our General Chemistry tutoring includes:
Personalized breakdown of your weak areas
Step-by-step walkthroughs of practice problems
Time-saving strategies for test day
A structured DAT study schedule tailored to your timeline
Final Thoughts
General Chemistry doesn’t have to be the section that lowers your DAT score. By focusing on high-yield topics, practicing problem-solving speed, and using smart test-taking strategies, you can walk into test day with confidence.
📩 Ready to master DAT General Chemistry and boost your overall score? Contact Dental School Declassified today and start working with top-scoring dentist-tutors who know exactly how to help you succeed.
