How to get better at hole punching on the DAT
Updated October 29, 2026
Hole Punching, officially called Paper Folding, shows a square sheet folded one to three times, then punched. You choose what the sheet looks like after it is unfolded.
Hole punching is one of the most learnable PAT sections, because it has a mechanical method that works every time: label positions on a grid and unfold one fold at a time.
- Questions
- 15, the fourth subtest of the PAT
- Answer choices
- 5 hole patterns
- Time to aim for
- About 30 seconds each
- What it tests
- Tracking reflections step by step
The method, step by step
- 1
Read the folds
Dashed lines show where the paper was before a fold, and solid lines show where it is now. The paper is never turned over, and the folded paper always stays inside the original square. There are one to three folds.
- 2
Label the punch on a 4 by 4 grid
Holes can only sit in 16 positions. Give each one a name, like rows A to D and columns 1 to 4, and write down where each punch landed on the folded paper.
- 3
Unfold the last fold first
Undo the folds in reverse order. When you undo a fold, every hole on the flap that was folded gets a mirror twin across the crease. Holes on the part that didn't move stay where they are.
- 4
Repeat for each earlier fold
Apply the next unfold to every hole you have so far, including the twins you just made. Write the new positions down each time.
- 5
Count, then match
The number of holes equals the number of paper layers under each punch, added up. Cross off any option with the wrong count, then check positions.
Try one
A real medium-difficulty question from PAT Grind. Use the method above, then check the worked explanation.
Hole Punching tips and tricks
Diagonal folds swap rows and columns
A fold along the main diagonal reflects a hole at row 1, column 3 to row 3, column 1. For the other diagonal, count positions from the opposite corner. Practice these until they are automatic, since they're the hardest folds.
Watch for partial folds
A fold doesn't always cover the whole sheet. If the flap only covers part of the paper, a punch outside the flap goes through a single layer and makes just one hole.
Use symmetry as a check
The final pattern is mirror-symmetric across the last crease you unfolded, within the region the flap covered. If an option breaks that symmetry, it's wrong.
Count holes first
Counting layers takes a few seconds and often eliminates two or three options at once, before you check a single position.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
A two-week plan to improve
Days 1 to 3: learn the method
Do 15 hole punching practice questions a day, writing the grid positions at every step. Accuracy first. PAT Grind's explanations show each unfold step by step.
Days 4 to 7: hard folds
Keep going in adaptive mode, which moves you to three folds and diagonal folds as you improve. Pay extra attention to diagonal reflections.
Days 8 to 14: speed
Do sprint sessions. With the method automatic, most questions take 20 to 30 seconds.
Measure it
Take a check-up before and after to see the change.
Pacing on test day
Budget about 8 minutes. Hole punching is a good place to bank time once the method is automatic.
Questions
How many folds are there in DAT hole punching?
One to three folds per question, followed by one or more punches.
Is hole punching on a grid?
Yes. Holes can only appear in 16 positions, on a 4 by 4 grid, which is why labeling the grid works so well.
Is the paper ever flipped over?
No. The paper is never turned over or twisted, and the folded paper always stays within the edges of the original square.
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PAT Grind is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the American Dental Association, which administers the Dental Admission Test (DAT).