DAT Reading Comprehension exam-day guide
DAT Reading Comprehension · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired ID in the name you registered with. A school ID may or may not be accepted, so confirm the accepted ID types and name-match rules with the testing provider or your school/regional administrator before test day.
Admission or scheduling confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your appointment time, test center, and any candidate ID number. Some centers require it at check-in; confirm whether a printed copy is needed or a digital copy is acceptable.
Know your exact reporting time and arrival buffer
Arrive at least 30 minutes early as a personal buffer. Late-arrival and rescheduling policies vary by provider, so confirm the cutoff time and consequences of arriving late with the provider.
Confirm test-center location and route
Check the street address, building, floor, and parking or transit options the day before. Test centers inside universities or office parks can be hard to find; note a backup route in case of transit delays.
Review the official test-day instructions
Read the current candidate handbook or instructions from your testing provider for allowed items, security screening, and break rules. Do not rely on secondhand accounts, which may describe older formats.
Plan what you will wear and carry
Dress in layers so you can adjust to room temperature. Keep pockets and bags simple; many centers restrict what enters the testing room. Confirm which personal items must be stored in a locker or left outside.
Confirm calculator and scratch-paper policy
The Reading Comprehension section generally does not require a calculator, but rules on scratch paper, pens, pencils, and notes vary. Confirm with the provider what is supplied and what is prohibited.
Medication, glasses, and personal needs
Bring glasses or contacts if you use them, and any medication you may need. Ask the provider in advance about bringing medically necessary items into the testing room and about documentation requirements.
Practice the on-screen interface
If your test is computer-delivered, use any official tutorial or practice interface the provider offers to get comfortable with scrolling, highlighting, and moving between questions. Confirm whether the Reading Comprehension section is computer-delivered or paper-based in your region.
Rehearse your reading strategy under time
Do at least two timed practice sets in the final week, practicing reading the passage first or questions first, whichever suits you. Track your pacing so you know roughly how many minutes to spend per passage.
Prepare a light snack and water for after the test
Eating and drinking during the test is usually restricted, but rules on snacks during breaks vary. Confirm break policy with the provider, and plan a snack for afterward.
Sleep and logistics plan for the night before
Set two alarms, charge your phone, and lay out ID, confirmation, and clothing the night before. Avoid last-minute studying that trades sleep for marginal gains.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new material to consolidating strategy. Do two or three timed Reading Comprehension sets under realistic conditions, then review every wrong answer to identify whether the error was comprehension, passage navigation, or time management. Re-read the official test-day instructions and confirm your appointment time, test-center address, and ID requirements with the provider. Stop heavy study by the evening before the test.
Do a short, low-stakes warm-up of one passage to keep your reading rhythm, then stop. Pack your ID, confirmation, glasses, medication, and any allowed items in one place. Check transit or driving time and parking, and set alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid excessive caffeine, and aim for a full night's sleep. Do not start a new practice test or cram unfamiliar vocabulary lists.
Eat a normal breakfast and hydrate moderately. Recheck that your ID and confirmation are in your bag. Leave with enough buffer to arrive at least 30 minutes early, accounting for transit delays. Avoid reviewing dense passages in the final hour; a brief skim of your own strategy notes is enough. At the center, follow check-in and security instructions and use the restroom before you are seated.
Read the directions carefully, then work at a steady pace. For each passage, get the main idea and structure first, then answer questions and return to the passage for specific details. Do not let one hard question consume several minutes; mark it, choose the best available answer, and move on. Watch the clock against the number of passages remaining. If a break is offered, use it to stand, stretch, and reset, and return promptly. Before submitting, check that no questions were left blank unless the format penalizes guessing, which you should confirm with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID in the name you registered with. Accepted ID types and name-match rules vary, so confirm them with the testing provider before test day.
Follow all test-center security procedures, including any screening, locker, or prohibited-item rules. Do not bring notes, phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices into the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits them.
Arrive by the reporting time stated on your confirmation. Late-arrival, rescheduling, and refund policies differ by provider, so confirm the cutoff and consequences in advance rather than assuming a grace period.
Breaks are governed by the provider's current policy. Confirm in advance whether breaks are scheduled, optional, or unsupervised, and whether you may access food, water, or personal items during them.
Scoring rules, including whether incorrect answers are penalized and whether questions can be reviewed or changed within a section, are set by the provider. Confirm these rules for your test format before you decide how to handle guesses and flagged questions.
Follow the proctor's instructions at all times. If you experience a technical problem, a distraction, or a medical issue, raise your hand and report it immediately rather than trying to resolve it yourself.
Do not discuss, record, or share specific test questions after the exam. Most testing programs prohibit disclosing live test content, and doing so can invalidate your score.
If you need accommodations, such as extra time or a separate room, request them through the provider well before test day and confirm approval in writing. Accommodation deadlines and documentation requirements vary.