Summer 23 www.nvda.org 7 Figure 1, The Editor’s “Corrected” DAT. Inconceivably, Carving Dexterity was downgraded from an 8 to a 7. Even more astounding, the Academic Average morphed from a 4 to a 6 Figure 2, Dr. Tom’s elephant in the UNLV SDM applicant’s boat At present, the DAT’s Perceptual Ability Test currently contains questions which include “problems in block counting” (my four year-old, Brighton, does that), “angle size” (the bigger the angle’s tackle, the bigger the fish, duh), “form development” (don’t we have enough forms being developed already?), “orthographic projections” (what does orthographics, orthodontics, ortho-whatever have to do with it?), “comparison of shapes of object with apertures” (what, square peg, round hole problem? Get a bigger hammer, problem solved), and “paper folding” (ah, origami). The only realistically meaningful one of these less ideal than chalk carving ADA options is paper folding. For instance, I interviewed a dental student applicant a couple of years ago and his chart mentioned he did origami. Since I needed a boat for the elephant Dr. Fransom Tom made for me, I said “show me.” He did, with my own dollar bill (Figure 2). Perhaps the ADA changed the DAT model because of the known complications of chalk carving. Tragically, as happened in my chalk carving session, at times masterpieces are accidently dropped to the floor, or thrown against the wall prn, necessitating career change considerations on the spot either way. As with the Mandans, occasionally fingers were cut, albeit not amputated, an advantage of the DAT over Okipa. But, then again, the Mandans, like post-1972 DAT examinees, have never dared to renegotiate the rite of chalk carving!0 References Tang CG, Hilsinger RL, et al, Manual dexterity aptitude testing: a soap carving study, JAMA 140:3, March 2014. ADA, History of the Dental Admission Testing Program, 2009, http://www.ada. org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/dat_users_manual. ashx, accessed 06 November 2014. 1 2 DAT Dental Aptitude Chalk Carving Image by Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry. Step 1: Get stuff and look at picture. 1 Step 4: Viola! Pick dental school. 4 Step 3: Measure dust pile. 3 Step 2: Stare at chalk. If nothing happens, begin carving. 2 Featured Article
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