Clearing up 5 common misconceptions about DANB exams
Preparing for any test can feel daunting, and DANB exams are no exception. As you’re getting ready for the big day, you may be looking into how the exam is structured in addition to studying the material. DANB has provided certification for over 75 years, which means some misconceptions about exams have popped up along the way.
We’re here to set the record straight! To ease your mind going into exam day, here’s the truth about some of the most common myths we hear.
Misconception #1: Exams are designed to trick you.
DANB exams can be challenging. But remember, they’re designed to assess your knowledge — not to trick you! Read each question carefully, and try not to overthink what’s being asked. DANB exams consist of multiple-choice questions with three or four answer options.
When you’re not sure about an answer, one helpful strategy is to eliminate the answers you know are not correct. If you’re stuck between two answers, think about the best practice or approach. And don’t forget to read each question thoroughly to understand what’s being asked.
Misconception #2: You don’t need to study much if you have a lot of experience.
If you have several years of experience as a dental assistant, you may think it’s not necessary to study much for a DANB exam. However, it’s important to remember that DANB exams will likely cover more than what you encounter in your day-to-day work.
DANB exams will test your knowledge in areas such as biology, anatomy, guidelines, and regulations that you might be rusty on or that may not come up in your everyday work. The exams use commonly accepted dental terminology that may differ from the terms you use in your practice (e.g., “occlusion” instead of “bite”). We recommend reviewing the free exam outlines, which provide a sample list of terminology you may come across. Additionally, DANB exams will test you on current guidelines and regulations; reviewing current study materials ensures you’re up to speed and can help boost your confidence and increase your chances of success on exam day.
Misconception #3: Practice tests have the same questions as the real exams.
The DALE Foundation provides valuable materials to help you prepare for DANB exams, including practice tests. These practice tests are designed to familiarize you with the exam format — so you can get a feel for how much time you can spend on each question, apply the concepts you’ve learned, and identify areas to focus on as you continue to study. It’s important to note, however, that the questions on the practice tests are not the same ones you’ll see on the actual exam. This is because DANB exams are designed to test your knowledge and ability to apply concepts in the subject area, rather than how well you memorize the answers to specific questions.
Misconception #4: You must move quickly through the exam since it’s timed.
Each DANB exam must be completed within a set time. For example, you have 60 minutes to answer all 75 questions on the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam. This may seem daunting at first, making you feel as though you’ll have to rush through the test. However, most people finish their exams with plenty of time to spare. A practice test can make you comfortable with the timed environment and figure out the pace you need to answer the questions.
Once the exam starts, the timer does not stop. When taking the exam in person, you may take breaks with the proctor’s approval; however, the time cannot be paused. For online proctored exams, no breaks are allowed. To ensure you have enough time to complete the test, it’s recommended to use the restroom beforehand.
Misconception #5: You have to get most of the questions correct to pass.
In school, test grades are often based on the number or percentage of questions you get correct. DANB exams work a little differently. Your exam results are reported as a “scaled” score rather than a “number correct” or a “percent correct” score. In this testing format, your exam is customized to best measure your ability. This means whether you pass or fail depends on the difficulty of the questions you answer correctly, and not a specific percentage or number. This may make you feel like this is the hardest exam you’ve ever taken, as you’ll see questions that are at, or close to, your ability level, rather than a test where most of the questions are way too easy or too hard for you. You must achieve at least a score of 400 to pass the exam, and scores can range from 100 to 900. The average person who takes a DANB exam answers around 50% of the questions correctly.