First off, thanks to everyone on here. This is a really good site and everyone (mostly) is encouraging and helpful.

I just got back from taking the DAT.... again. My scores are the same... but different... I guess.

Here they are:

Old->New

PAT 17 -> 23
QR 16 -> 16
RC 19 -> 18
Bio 16 -> 18
Gen 19 -> 19
Orgo 20 -> 20
TS 18 -> 19
AA 18 -> 18

I retook to raise my PAT, Bio, and AA... got 2/3.

Resources:

Kaplan BB
Cliff's AP Bio
Crack DAT PAT
MCAT flashcards for Bio, gen chem, and orgo

PAT (23)- overall I am satisfied with my score, although I didn't think I missed any. Definitely an improvement from 17. I am going to compare everything to CDP. Keyholes were probably the same difficulty, TFE were probably a bit easier, angles seemed okay... maybe the same, hole punching was about the same (there was one with an 1/8 fold, but besides that it was similar), cube counting was way easier (there were nowhere near 30 cubes in any of them (<20), but there more questions/figure (some questions had 2 questions for a figure)), and folding was pretty similar. Before I only studied Kaplan; I definitely recommend CDP.

For cube counting I counted all the cubes and tallied, for hole punching I used a grid. For TFE I compared the relative distance of lines, number of lines, and determined which should be dotted vs. solid. This worked for just about all of them... had to visualize a little.

CDP scores
19,18,19,20,25,23,22... I didn't take the last 3; it was getting kind of repetitive.

Biology (18)- I will jump on the bandwagon and say that this section was pretty random. A lot of the questions were straightforward: this is located in this, or this hormone does what, and other questions gave scenarios. I thought I knew the answers to most of them, so I was surprised with my score. I knew Kaplan BB cold, read through Cliff's once. If I were to change anything about my studying I would have studied cliff's instead of reading it... but I was crunched for time so what can you do.

General Chemistry (19)- This section was very straightforward. Had a lot of reactions. A nice thing for this section is that a lot of the questions didn't make you do the calculations, you just had to set it up. Lots of obvious concept questions. I thought I did a lot better than 19.

Organic Chemistry (20)- This section was straightforward like gen chem was. Gives you reactants and you give a product, gives the reaction and you give a reactant. The reactions in Kaplan BB were sufficient IMO. Also quite a few concept questions. Know SN1 vs SN2 vs. E1 vs. E2. Had a few spec questions but they were real easy. Just like every other section I thought I did better.

Reading Comprehension (18)- I did not prepare for this on the last one I took, and I did not prepare for it this time. The first time I used search and destroy, got a 19. This time I changed it up and took notes on each paragraph, ran out of time... ended up using search and destroy. I guessed the last 5 questions I think. I didn't think the paragraphs were that hard, I should have done better. I got 2 hours of sleep last night and I was dying at this point.

Quantitative Reasoning (16)- Yeah... I kind of glanced over KBB for the last test (also got a 16), and I did the same thing this time. Memorized different formulas and things. I ran out of time... again... and guessed on 5+ questions. I actually thought I was doing okay because I was GETTING answers to questions, but apparently they were the wrong ones :laugh:. This section is full of stuff I learned in 8th grade and don't feel like relearning.

So I'm really not happy with my AA score, I really wanted to bump it up to a 19... but at the same time I really don't want to have to restudy and take it again.

If you have any questions let me know.

Oh yeah, has anyone tried to update their DAT scores on AADSAS recently? There is no option for me to save when I put in the new scores.

Good Job Man

congratulation for finishing with your DAT. apply early and choose you schools smart. good luck :thumbup:

Congrats on your improvement for the most part ... like Danny said ... i wish you the best of luck!

Reading Comprehension (18)- I did not prepare for this on the last one I took, and I did not prepare for it this time. The first time I used search and destroy, got a 19. This time I changed it up and took notes on each paragraph, ran out of time... ended up using search and destroy. I guessed the last 5 questions I think. I didn't think the paragraphs were that hard, I should have done better. I got 2 hours of sleep last night and I was dying at this point.

Quantitative Reasoning (16)- Yeah... I kind of glanced over KBB for the last test (also got a 16), and I did the same thing this time. Memorized different formulas and things. I ran out of time... again... and guessed on 5+ questions. I actually thought I was doing okay because I was GETTING answers to questions, but apparently they were the wrong ones :laugh:. This section is full of stuff I learned in 8th grade and don't feel like relearning.


What kind of attitude is that? These scores add as much influence to your AA as the sciences, you need to focus on all parts. Too late for you, but anyone reading this should take heart: don't take any part of this test lightly. There is no reason to not be prepared for these sections. You have to practice the reading comp section, not just try different things on test day! And Math, that last line in the quote is so frustrating to me. It's not difficult, RELEARN it! You didn't feel like it? Well I guess you don't really feel like going to dental school either.

Sorry to be harsh but I'm trying to be truthful for everyone else that is pre-dental. These scores will not get you into dental school. Maybe at your state school, MAYBE, but I don't like your chances.

When you said you didn't get any sleep and were crunched for time - RESCHEDULE, you have 4 months yet! Aye aye aye... :confused::confused::confused:

I second that JamesOSU.

What kind of attitude is that? These scores add as much influence to your AA as the sciences, you need to focus on all parts. Too late for you, but anyone reading this should take heart: don't take any part of this test lightly. There is no reason to not be prepared for these sections. You have to practice the reading comp section, not just try different things on test day! And Math, that last line in the quote is so frustrating to me. It's not difficult, RELEARN it! You didn't feel like it? Well I guess you don't really feel like going to dental school either.

Sorry to be harsh but I'm trying to be truthful for everyone else that is pre-dental. These scores will not get you into dental school. Maybe at your state school, MAYBE, but I don't like your chances.

When you said you didn't get any sleep and were crunched for time - RESCHEDULE, you have 4 months yet! Aye aye aye... :confused::confused::confused:

I didn't FEEL like relearning it because I didn't have time to relearn it.

I was told (in January) by my state school to retake due to biology and PAT score (16 and 17), so I had a month to reprepare for this test. I set my priorities to biology and PAT because that is what I did not do well on and they wanted me to correct. I retook to increase my chances of still getting into my state school for this cycle, so I really would not have had 4 months to study... I actually took it the very last day possible (blackout all February).

I understand your opinion, and am glad that you are being blunt with your thoughts... but I had limited time and had to set my priorities.

And before you bring up "well you didn't prepare for RC or QR the last exam either" I will explain that. I took AP English in high school and got 5's on both of the AP tests (out of 5, similar to RC section), so I felt like I would do okay on the RC (got a 19 on first test). I also took AP Math in high school, and took accelerated calculus my freshman year of college... so I felt I would be okay on it. I feel a 19 is okay for this section so I didn't prepare for the next test. I also felt Bio, Gen Chem, and Orgo Chem were more important to dedicate my time to over math, so that is what I did.

I planned on sleeping for 5 hours (that is all I usually need), but my nerves got to me so I couldn't sleep and only got 2.

I didn't FEEL like relearning it because I didn't have time to relearn it.

I was told (in January) by my state school to retake due to biology and PAT score (16 and 17), so I had a month to reprepare for this test. I set my priorities to biology and PAT because that is what I did not do well on and they wanted me to correct. I retook to increase my chances of still getting into my state school for this cycle, so I really would not have had 4 months to study... I actually took it the very last day possible (blackout all February).

I understand your opinion, and am glad that you are being blunt with your thoughts... but I had limited time and had to set my priorities.

And before you bring up "well you didn't prepare for RC or QR the last exam either" I will explain that. I took AP English in high school and got 5's on both of the AP tests (out of 5, similar to RC section), so I felt like I would do okay on the RC (got a 19 on first test). I also took AP Math in high school, and took accelerated calculus my freshman year of college... so I felt I would be okay on it. I feel a 19 is okay for this section so I didn't prepare for the next test. I also felt Bio, Gen Chem, and Orgo Chem were more important to dedicate my time to over math, so that is what I did.

I planned on sleeping for 5 hours (that is all I usually need), but my nerves got to me so I couldn't sleep and only got 2.

Sorry for coming off so harsh there, it was the end of a long night at work :o If you do not get into your state school this cycle do you think you'll retake the DAT a 3rd time?

Sorry for coming off so harsh there, it was the end of a long night at work :o If you do not get into your state school this cycle do you think you'll retake the DAT a 3rd time?

Don't worry about it... I reread my post after you said that and I understood... I left out some details about why I went about studying that way... it is good to be blunt to people and not sugarcoat.

And to answer your question about retaking... I really don't know. I went into last year with an 18 AA 18 TS and 17 PAT thinking I'd be okay and that bit me in the *****... I thought my higher than average GPA would take care of me... it clearly did not. But... I guess I would probably take it again since I just graduated so I'd have a solid 4ish months to study, and I know that I could do better. We'll see... just crossing my fingers at this point.

Nice improvement and killer PAT score man, congrats

What school are you hoping to get into to if you don't mind me asking? Your state school, didn't you say? Some schools take the PAT really highly, I know OSU did - it was 10% of your file! I think if you don't matriculate next year you should think about the 3rd time, and really put everything into it. You can apply with that DAT, so you get your file in on June 1st, take the DAT over the summer and update your AADSAS (plus the schools will receive them in the mail), and that might push it over the top.

Good luck

What school are you hoping to get into to if you don't mind me asking? Your state school, didn't you say? Some schools take the PAT really highly, I know OSU did - it was 10% of your file! I think if you don't matriculate next year you should think about the 3rd time, and really put everything into it. You can apply with that DAT, so you get your file in on June 1st, take the DAT over the summer and update your AADSAS (plus the schools will receive them in the mail), and that might push it over the top.

Good luck

My state school is Indiana. The Dean told me that they have a formula that they use to rank applicants based on cum GPA, sci GPA, interview score, DAT AA and PAT... so I'm hoping PAT puts me over the top... 23 looks quite a bit better than 17. He did not tell me the formula, or the exact %age though... I just know that I'm competing in a group of applicants for the remaining 10-15 spots, instead of the first pool where there were 68 spots.

I applied to Louisville, Marquette, Boston, and Temple this year, and I plan to apply to them next year also... and add a few to the list (maybe NYU, Creighton... idk what else). I actually intentionally applied to these schools late and Indiana on time because I thought I would get into Indiana and not have to waste my money and time (esp. money) going and interviewing at these schools. I know people are going to look down on me for this... but I really did not have the money to dish out... but still a poor decision regardless... especially after further researching some of these schools and deciding I may like the curriculum better. Hindsight is 20/20.

Thanks for the advice.

^ good luck my friend. :thumbup:

My state school is Indiana. The Dean told me that they have a formula that they use to rank applicants based on cum GPA, sci GPA, interview score, DAT AA and PAT... so I'm hoping PAT puts me over the top... 23 looks quite a bit better than 17. He did not tell me the formula, or the exact %age though... I just know that I'm competing in a group of applicants for the remaining 10-15 spots, instead of the first pool where there were 68 spots.

I applied to Louisville, Marquette, Boston, and Temple this year, and I plan to apply to them next year also... and add a few to the list (maybe NYU, Creighton... idk what else). I actually intentionally applied to these schools late and Indiana on time because I thought I would get into Indiana and not have to waste my money and time (esp. money) going and interviewing at these schools. I know people are going to look down on me for this... but I really did not have the money to dish out... but still a poor decision regardless... especially after further researching some of these schools and deciding I may like the curriculum better. Hindsight is 20/20.

Thanks for the advice.

I know that at Ohio State the PAT is 10% of your file, hopefully IU takes that much stock (Go Big Ten!). Consider applying to Case in Cleveland. It's a private school so it's kinda pricey (~75k/year I think), but they take a lot of out-of-state, and give no preference to being from Ohio. NYU is a good choice, and maybe UoP? Just trying to think of schools that take decent chunks of out of staters. Hindsight is indeed 20/20, my first round of applying I didn't know anything compared to what I knew the 2nd time, if only I had known!

Good luck

I know that at Ohio State the PAT is 10% of your file, hopefully IU takes that much stock (Go Big Ten!). Consider applying to Case in Cleveland. It's a private school so it's kinda pricey (~75k/year I think), but they take a lot of out-of-state, and give no preference to being from Ohio. NYU is a good choice, and maybe UoP? Just trying to think of schools that take decent chunks of out of staters. Hindsight is indeed 20/20, my first round of applying I didn't know anything compared to what I knew the 2nd time, if only I had known!

Good luck

Yeah I was thinking about applying to case, I probably will. I did not really consider UoP but I will look into it. I will basically be looking at Predents to see who accepts a lot of out of staters and apply to as many as I can.

Thanks for the support everyone.

Any other schools that place an emphasis on PAT scores? =)

Nice job, KILLER PAT! Congrats. Apply early and you should be fine.

Yeah nice scores, especially on the PAT. Good Luck

Did you say u took the test in jan and once again in feb??? What happend to 3 or 4 months waiting period?? Is there a way to take it before it is due date.. Cause my understanding was you have to wait

thanx





i didn't feel like relearning it because i didn't have time to relearn it.

I was told (in january) by my state school to retake due to biology and pat score (16 and 17), so i had a month to reprepare for this test. I set my priorities to biology and pat because that is what i did not do well on and they wanted me to correct. I retook to increase my chances of still getting into my state school for this cycle, so i really would not have had 4 months to study... I actually took it the very last day possible (blackout all february).

I understand your opinion, and am glad that you are being blunt with your thoughts... But i had limited time and had to set my priorities.

And before you bring up "well you didn't prepare for rc or qr the last exam either" i will explain that. I took ap english in high school and got 5's on both of the ap tests (out of 5, similar to rc section), so i felt like i would do okay on the rc (got a 19 on first test). I also took ap math in high school, and took accelerated calculus my freshman year of college... So i felt i would be okay on it. I feel a 19 is okay for this section so i didn't prepare for the next test. I also felt bio, gen chem, and orgo chem were more important to dedicate my time to over math, so that is what i did.

I planned on sleeping for 5 hours (that is all i usually need), but my nerves got to me so i couldn't sleep and only got 2.

Wow Sick PAT. Good Job

Did you say u took the test in jan and once again in feb??? What happend to 3 or 4 months waiting period?? Is there a way to take it before it is due date.. Cause my understanding was you have to wait

thanx

I took the first DAT in July and applied to D school, was informed to retake in January, and retook in February.

Not trying to be harsh, but I would retake. I don't know what your GPA is exactly, but you need to get a score of 20 or more to be considered competitive these days. One of my future classmates got a 19 AA on his DATs, but his gpa was at a 3.7 and he had a huge list of EC's and he only got into three schools, while other applicants who had the same gpa but with 22-23's in every section received more interviews and acceptances. I know studying for the DAT sucks because I remember putting six solid months into studying for it while taking classes, but its definitely obtainable. Each year the DAT scores go up nationally, so I wouldn't be surprised if 20-21 would be considered a noncompetitive score within the near future. Since it seems like your last attempt, I would consider studying for it now until June-July, apply in early May, get everything else up on your resume and ready to go, and wait from there.

Not trying to be harsh, but I would retake. I don't know what your GPA is exactly, but you need to get a score of 20 or more to be considered competitive these days. One of my future classmates got a 19 AA on his DATs, but his gpa was at a 3.7 and he had a huge list of EC's and he only got into three schools, while other applicants who had the same gpa but with 22-23's in every section received more interviews and acceptances. I know studying for the DAT sucks because I remember putting six solid months into studying for it while taking classes, but its definitely obtainable. Each year the DAT scores go up nationally, so I wouldn't be surprised if 20-21 would be considered a noncompetitive score within the near future. Since it seems like your last attempt, I would consider studying for it now until June-July, apply in early May, get everything else up on your resume and ready to go, and wait from there.

Only got into 3 schools? I mean, I know what you're trying to say, but I can't imagine many people being disappointed by being accepted to 3 schools. And I don't think a 21 on the DAT will be noncompetitive any time soon.