DAT Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

Question 1

Which of these mutations in a gene will MOST LIKELY result in a shortened protein with a long sequence of substituted amino acids?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Insertion of two nucleotides. The insertion of two nucleotides will shift the reading frame of all the codons "downstream" of the mutation, resulting in a series of mis-sense codons and eventually a nonsense (stop) codon.

Question 2

Exist as diatomic molecules at room temperature

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Halogens. Did you remember this statement: Have No Fear Of Ice Cold Bears? If so, you'd realize that some of the most common diatomic molecules are halogens-F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2.

Question 3

A certain radioactive material has a half-life of 36 minutes. Starting with 10.00 grams of this material, how many grams will be left after 2 hours?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

1.00 grams. With a half-life of 36 minutes, there will be 120/36 = 3.33 half-lives. Therefore there are more than 3 and less than 4 half-lives. Three half-lives leaves 1/8 of the material, and 4 half-lives leaves 1/16 of the material. 1/8 of the initial 10 grams is a little more than 1 gram, while 1/16 of 10 grams is a little more than 1/2 gram. The only answer that falls in that range is 1.00 gram.

Use the integrated rate equation: ln(g₀/g_t) = kt, also ln(2) = kt_1/2.

Therefore k = (0.693)/36 min = 0.0193 min^-1.

Then

Question 4

The chemical formula of glucose is C₆H₁₂O₆. What is its empirical formula?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

CH₂O. Reducing the subscripts as much as possible gives this 1:2:1 ratio of C:H:O. It does maintain the correct stoichiometric ratio, however.

Choice A is incorrect because these elements are not in the correct stoichiometric ratio.

Choice C is incorrect because this formula is reduced, but it is not fully reduced.

Choice D is incorrect because this is the chemical formula, not the empirical formula, of glucose.

Choice E is incorrect because this formula maintains the correct stoichiometric ratio, but it increases the subscripts.

Question 5

Two different acids with identical pH are placed in separate beakers. Identical portions of NaOH are added to each beaker, and the resulting pH is indicated in the table above. What can be determined about the strength of each acid?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Acid 1 is a weak acid and acid 2 is a strong acid because the concentration of the weak acid must be significantly greater to have the same pH as the strong acid. Weak acids resist changes in pH more effectively than strong acids because so many molecules of weak acid are undissociated in solution. The base must cause those molecules to dissociate before affecting the pH significantly.

Question 6

The figures have been created by cementing cubes of the same size together. After being cemented, the cubes were painted on all exposed sides, excluding the bottom on which the figure rests. The only invisible cubes are those required to support other cubes.

In Figure A, how many cubes have one of their exposed sides painted?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

3 cubes. The number of painted sides on this figure's constituent cubes are as follows:
1 side: 3
2 sides: 2
3 sides: 6
4 sides: 2
5 sides: 1.

Question 7

You are given the top, front, and end views of various solid objects. The projection looking down on each object is shown in the upper left-hand corner (TOP VIEW). The projection looking at each object from the front is shown in the lower left-hand corner (FRONT VIEW). The projection looking at each object from the end is shown in the lower right-hand corner (END VIEW). These views are always located in the same place and labeled accordingly.

Two views of each object will be shown, and four alternatives are given to complete the set. Choose the correct view as indicated. Choose the correct END VIEW.

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

C. Choice A is incorrect because the horizontal solid line at the foot of the rightmost column suggests that the column is recessed from the rest of this viewing face. This is not the case as described by both top and front views.

Choice B is incorrect because a broad rectangular column on the right as featured here fails to explain the horizontal dotted line between the two small dotted squares seen in the top view. It also fails to explain the solid horizontal line bisecting the right column in the front view.

Choice D is incorrect because the upper half of the rightmost column seen in the front view would not be present if this were a correct solution.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Acute cellular rejection is the most common type of donor organ rejection following heart transplantation.. Paragraph 2 states that acute cellular rejection occurs in 20–40% of patients, while antibody-mediated rejection is less common (10–20%), and hyperacute rejection is uncommon.

Choices A, C, D, and E do not follow the data provided in paragraph 2.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an example of a functioning technology fused with the brain already in use?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

The exobrain. The passage lists "working examples of fusing such 'intelligent' systems with the brain" and goes on to discuss the possibility of an "exobrain"—meaning it is not presently a working example.

Choices A, B, C, and D are mentioned in the passage as one of these working examples.

Question 10

Which of the following best captures the author's stated primary goal for reverse engineering the human brain in the final paragraph?

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

To create technology that functions similarly to the human brain. The author states the primary goal is to "recreate the same functional mechanisms that underlie human consciousness" in technology.

Choices B, C, D, and E are either not supported by the passage or are discussed elsewhere.

DAT Exam Questions & Answers 2026 (21–30)

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