What Is Included in the ADAT? Sections, Topics, and Timing (2025–2026 Guide)

When preparing for the Advanced Dental Admission Test, the first question every student asks is: what is included in the ADAT?

Walking into this exam without knowing the blueprint is a recipe for disaster. Unlike the INBDE, the ADAT is comprehensive, covering everything from first-year anatomy to complex clinical decision-making.

In this guide, we break down exactly what is included in the ADAT, how the timing works, and the specific topics you will face in each of the three sections.

The Big Picture: The 3 Pillars of the ADAT

To understand what is included in the ADAT, you must look at the three scored sections. The exam consists of 200 total items divided as follows:

1. Biomedical Sciences (80 Items)
2. Clinical Sciences (80 Items)
3. Data, Research Interpretation & Evidence-Based Dentistry (40 Items)

Let’s dive into the specifics of each section.

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1. Biomedical Sciences (80 Items)

This section accounts for 40% of the exam questions.

Timing: You have 95 minutes to complete this section.

Topics Included:

• Anatomic Sciences: Gross anatomy, histology, oral histology, and developmental biology.
• Biochemistry & Physiology: Metabolism, molecular/cellular biology, and systems physiology (including renal, endocrine, and oral physiology).
• Microbiology & Pathology: Immunology, tissue injury, infectious disease concepts, systemic pathology, and growth disturbances.
• Dental Anatomy & Occlusion: Tooth morphology, pulp anatomy, eruption/calcification patterns, occlusion/function, and clinical considerations.

2. Clinical Sciences (80 Items)

This section tests your practical knowledge using stand-alone questions and case-based scenarios.

Timing: You have 90 minutes to complete this section.

Topics Included:

• Endodontics
• Operative Dentistry
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (+ Pain Control)
• Oral Diagnosis
• Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
• Periodontics
• Pharmacology
• Prosthodontics
• Principles of Ethics & Patient Management

3. Data, Research Interpretation & EBD (40 Items)

This section makes the ADAT unique. It comprises 20% of your total score.

Timing: You have 45 minutes to complete this section.

Topics Included:

• Study design (Case-control, Cohort, RCTs)
• Data analysis and Biostatistics
• Interpretation of results
• Inference & implication for clinical practice

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ADAT Timing: The Schedule Breakdown

Now that you know what is included in the ADAT regarding topics, here is how your day will look according to the official ADA schedule:

Exam Section	Number of Items	Time Allotted
Tutorial	N/A	15 Minutes
Biomedical Sciences	80 Items	95 Minutes
Scheduled Break (Optional)		10 Minutes
Clinical Sciences	80 Items	90 Minutes
Scheduled Break (Optional)		10 Minutes
Data & Research (EBD)	40 Items	45 Minutes
Post-Test Survey	N/A	5 Minutes
TOTAL	200 Items	~4 Hrs 30 Mins

How This Should Shape Your Study Plan

A smart study plan mirrors the exam format.

1. For Biomedical: Use daily short bursts and spaced repetition.
2. For Clinical: Focus on “Why?” regarding diagnosis and treatment.
3. For EBD: Dedicate time to interpreting graphs and understanding statistics.

Ready to master all three sections?
At ScoreADAT, we have designed our question bank to match this exact blueprint.

Start Your Free Practice Test Now

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Next read on ScoreADAT:

• What Is a Good ADAT Score? (Realistic score targets)
• How to Study for the ADAT (Step-by-step plan)