High-Yield DAT Biology Topics You Can’t Afford to Miss
When it comes to the DAT, Biology is one of the most unpredictable — and intimidating — sections. With hundreds of possible topics and limited time to review, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to memorize everything.
At Dental School Declassified, our team of licensed dentists — all 98th percentile DAT scorers — has analyzed hundreds of practice exams and student reports to identify which DAT Biology topics appear most frequently.
If you want to study smarter (not longer), start here.
🦠 1. Cell Biology and Cellular Processes
DAT Weight: Very High
Cell biology is the foundation of nearly every other topic in the section. Expect detailed questions on:
Structure and function of organelles (especially mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi, lysosomes)
Cell cycle and checkpoints
Mitosis vs. meiosis (know your stages!)
Cell membranes, transport, and diffusion
Enzymes, activation energy, and enzyme regulation
Pro Tip: The DAT loves to test the “why” behind processes — not just definitions. Be able to reason through how changes affect cell function.
🌿 2. Genetics and Heredity
DAT Weight: High
This is one of the most conceptually challenging — but most testable — areas. You should know:
Mendelian genetics: monohybrid/dihybrid crosses, test crosses, dominance patterns
Non-Mendelian inheritance: incomplete dominance, codominance, epistasis, sex-linked traits
Molecular genetics: DNA replication, transcription, translation, and mutations
Genetic technology: PCR, gel electrophoresis, plasmids, and restriction enzymes
Pro Tip: Practice Punnett squares until you can set them up quickly. Time pressure is real on test day!
🧫 3. Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Basics
DAT Weight: Moderate to High
Even though the DAT is not a chemistry exam, biochemical understanding is essential. Focus on:
Macromolecules: structure and function of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids
Enzyme kinetics and inhibition
ATP and energy coupling
Photosynthesis vs. cellular respiration — know the inputs, outputs, and organelles involved
Pro Tip: The test loves comparisons — like oxidative phosphorylation vs. substrate-level phosphorylation, or C3 vs. C4 plants.
🧍 4. Human Anatomy and Physiology
DAT Weight: Very High
The majority of biology questions come from physiology systems. Prioritize:
Digestive, circulatory, and respiratory systems
Endocrine system (know hormones and their glands!)
Nervous and muscular systems
Homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
Immune system basics (innate vs. adaptive, B vs. T cells)
Pro Tip: Know the function and regulation of each organ — not just its location. DAT questions often ask about interactions between systems (e.g., how the respiratory and circulatory systems maintain pH).
🌎 5. Ecology and Evolution
DAT Weight: Moderate
You’ll typically see a handful of questions from this category. Review:
Natural selection and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
Speciation and population genetics
Ecological relationships (symbiosis, competition, trophic levels)
Biomes and energy flow
Carbon and nitrogen cycles
Pro Tip: Don’t memorize every biome — just know general characteristics and energy flow principles.
🧬 6. Taxonomy and Diversity of Life
DAT Weight: Moderate
This section rewards pattern recognition more than memorization. Focus on:
Kingdoms and domains (Archaea, Bacteria, Eukarya)
Major phyla and their key traits (Chordata, Arthropoda, Mollusca, etc.)
Plant evolution — bryophytes → ferns → gymnosperms → angiosperms
Animal evolution — symmetry, body cavities, embryonic development
Pro Tip: A single chart comparing the major animal phyla can save you hours of memorization — and multiple test points.
🧠 7. Reproduction and Development
DAT Weight: Medium
Expect questions testing the sequence and regulation of reproductive processes:
Gametogenesis: spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Fertilization and embryonic development (cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation)
Reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone)
Placenta and fetal development basics
Pro Tip: Diagrams help! Being able to visualize stages makes recall easier during the exam.
🧪 8. Laboratory Techniques
DAT Weight: Medium
The DAT loves to test practical applications. Know:
Centrifugation, gel electrophoresis, PCR, blotting techniques
Microscopy types (light vs. electron, phase contrast)
Bacterial culture and aseptic technique
Experimental design and control variables
Pro Tip: Expect at least one “experiment setup” question where you must identify controls or predict outcomes.
💬 9. High-Yield Study Tips from 98th Percentile Scorers
Prioritize physiology, cell bio, and genetics — they dominate the test.
Use spaced repetition tools (like Anki) for memorization-heavy topics.
Take mini-quizzes daily to test recall under time pressure.
Integrate visual learning (diagrams, videos, charts) for complex systems.
Review actively, not passively. Reading notes is less effective than explaining concepts out loud.
📊 10. Sample Weekly Biology Study Plan
🦷 Final Thoughts
Mastering DAT Biology isn’t about memorizing 500 flashcards — it’s about knowing which concepts appear most often and understanding them deeply. By focusing your efforts on these high-yield DAT Biology topics, you’ll study more efficiently and boost your score faster.
At Dental School Declassified, our licensed dentist tutors specialize in personalized DAT study plans built around your schedule, strengths, and goals.
🔗 Ready to Build Your Perfect DAT Study Plan?
Explore our one-on-one and group DAT tutoring options with 98th percentile dentists at Dental School Declassified — and take the first step toward your 600+ DAT score.
