DAT Reading Comprehension is scored on the same 200-600 scale as every other section, and it counts toward your Academic Average. Your 50 RC answers are converted into a scaled score through psychometric equating, then reported alongside your other section scores. Because RC feeds the Academic Average that schools quote, a weak RC score pulls down the number admissions officers see.
How the RC score is produced
You answer 50 Reading Comprehension questions across three passages. Your number correct is converted to a 200-600 scaled score using equating, which adjusts for the difficulty of your specific test form. The ADA does not publish a fixed table of raw correct to scaled score, so no one can tell you the exact number of questions needed for a given RC score. What is clear is that RC is scored the same way as the other sections and reported on the same scale.
RC is one of the sections blended into your Academic Average, so it quietly shapes the number schools see.
How RC feeds your Academic Average
Your Academic Average is a combination of your section scores. Reading Comprehension is one of those inputs, which means a low RC score drags the whole average down even if your sciences are strong. This is why RC deserves real attention: it is not a standalone number you can safely ignore. Improving a weak RC score is one of the most efficient ways to lift the Academic Average schools actually read. For the full scale, see DAT score scale explained.
Why RC is the fastest score to move
Unlike the content sections, RC does not require memorizing a huge body of material. It is a trainable skill, reading dense scientific text quickly and accurately, that responds fast to focused practice. A student stuck on RC can often move that section, and therefore their Academic Average, faster than by grinding more biology. See how to improve your DAT RC score fast.
What a given RC score means
Because RC sits on the same 200-600 scale as everything else, the same rough guide applies: around 400 is average, 440 and up is good, and 460 and up is competitive. For target-setting, see what is a good DAT score and the RC-specific good DAT RC score guide.
Frequently asked
Is DAT RC scored separately? Yes, you get a separate RC scaled score, and it also feeds your Academic Average.
Can I calculate my exact RC score from questions correct? No. RC is equated for form difficulty, so any conversion is an estimate. See our note on score prediction accuracy.