DAT done... i wanna shoot myself:(

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Just took dat and came home


PAT 21
QR 20
RC 16
BIO 18...I expected around 18
GC 23
OC 21
TS 20
AA20

AA20/TS20/ PAT21

i have extremely low RC score

my GPA is around 3.2 for both cumulative and science..

and i was going to submit application asap.. (already almost prepared everything except dat score).

but......... should i retake?
since my gpa is low, i was going to submit it for first batch
if i retake.. it will be 3months later so i will be submitting around september.

considering the low GPA i have..
should i still apply on june? or what should i do??

I am CA resident and i heard some schools' minimum DAT score is 17 for each section..

I thought the golden rule was a 16 or higher was okay. You might be good?

Stay positive

But yeah we are screwed with the 3 month thing. I would have loved to retake in a few weeks to boost the score... *&($@#(*

Almost the same thing happened to me... You're definitely not alone in your situation =/... Any SDNers have advice on what to do?

Im sorry im not that experienced with that yet so cant help you there. IMO you should stay positive and still apply. Maybe call the schools and ask about their cutoff? and if it is more than 16 for RC than you can still apply now and let them know ull be retaking it? Great job in Chem and Ochem!

was the RC really hard? Im scared now,...I got 20-23 on Topscore and it just seems too easy on topscore thats why im also practicing on CDR where im getting 17-18's.

How did you feel about the rest of the test?

Originally Posted by Hygienist

Im sorry im not that experienced with that yet so cant help you there. IMO you should stay positive and still apply. Maybe call the schools and ask about their cutoff? and if it is more than 16 for RC than you can still apply now and let them know ull be retaking it? Great job in Chem and Ochem!

was the RC really hard? Im scared now,...I got 20-23 on Topscore and it just seems too easy on topscore thats why im also practicing on CDR where im getting 17-18's.

How did you feel about the rest of the test?

Dont use search and destroy method
it does not work.............. and time ran out i had to guess last 5 questions
i think science sections are pretty easy.. after doing GC, i thought i would get 30 on that section but well..
PAT is little harder than CDP
QR make sure to know p-value.. missed two questions from that i think.. also standard deviation

Originally Posted by kies89

Dont use search and destroy method
it does not work.............. and time ran out i had to guess last 5 questions
i think science sections are pretty easy.. after doing GC, i thought i would get 30 on that section but well..
PAT is little harder than CDP
QR make sure to know p-value.. missed two questions from that i think.. also standard deviation

Oh great why doesn't s and d work?

I am not sure as to what you should do, but here is how I think it'd play out:

1) You apply now promising to retake the test in 3 months. Schools will either
a) Look at your scores now and consider those (unlikely)
b) Wait for 3 months and consider your scores from that attempt (much more likely)

2) You apply in 3 months, after retake and are no longer an "early" applicant, but your application will be finalized.

I think it wouldn't hurt to apply now so long as you state CLEARLY that you will retake the DAT. If anything the formality of sending in your transcript, LORs etc. will be done and over with and hopefully your 2nd time around will impress them scores wise. The 3 month thing does kinda suck, but I think ADEA's idea is to ensure people don't rifle through their 3 chances out of impatience.

---------------

Now for RC: S&D doesn't work because the questions aren't all fact finding. There is quite a bit of implied detail, tone, purpose of the passage type questions which you can't S&D for I feel. Reading the whole passage and answering the old fashioned way is probably the most foolproof way to taking this section, but I understand not everyone can read and absorb material fast enough, or like me, get distracted when reading long boring passages.

Serious question here: where exactly on the application can we state that we plain to retake the DAT?

It really sucks that we might have to waste another year to reapply all for 1-2 points on random non BioMedical sections (PAT, RC, QR)

I am sure there is a section like "Is there something else you'd like to inform us about which you couldn't address elsewhere in the application". If not there might be a check box in the scores section where you can indicate you plan on taking the test again...

I do agree with you that it would suck to have to reapply for 1-2 points. If you can spare a year, you can definitely use it to consolidate your apps, work on life-skills etc. Taking a year off is never a bad idea so long as you can do something constructive with it. It saves you the hassle of applying to schools again, explaining why you're applying twice and a good amount of $$. On the flipside though if you're not too picky about schools etc. applying now is a risk worth taking so you're done with education a year sooner...trade-offs.

For low RC scores, don't worry about it. I posted on a thread earlier this week about it. Many dental schools overlook the RC and QR section, and really only care for TS and PAT since those two scores are indicators of how well an applicant will perform in dental school. As long as your RC score isn't terribly low (which would be something like 14 or below) you have nothing to worry about. I know that LECOM, Nova, and Washington don't put much emphasis on RC scores, so I'm almost positive that most dental schools have a similar opinion.

I wouldn't bother re-taking the DAT if your TS and PAT come out solid.

Originally Posted by ushaseos

I am sure there is a section like "Is there something else you'd like to inform us about which you couldn't address elsewhere in the application". If not there might be a check box in the scores section where you can indicate you plan on taking the test again...

I do agree with you that it would suck to have to reapply for 1-2 points. If you can spare a year, you can definitely use it to consolidate your apps, work on life-skills etc. Taking a year off is never a bad idea so long as you can do something constructive with it. It saves you the hassle of applying to schools again, explaining why you're applying twice and a good amount of $$. On the flipside though if you're not too picky about schools etc. applying now is a risk worth taking so you're done with education a year sooner...trade-offs.

thanks ushaseos!
just wondering, what is the difference between apply now then tell them i will retake then retake.
and
retake dat and apply on september when new dat score comes out

either 1st or 2nd wont be considered as early isnt it?

there's nothing you can do now. You tried your best! I see your threads here and there.

Just apply and see what happens.

best of luck!

I would advise you to retake the test after 3 months. Apply now with this scores and mention in your application that you will be retaking it around September. 16 in RC is really low, so think about it.

RC is very low and your GPA isn't completely up to par. I would definitely retake and do a lot better next time. No pressure though.

Originally Posted by kies89

thanks ushaseos!
just wondering, what is the difference between apply now then tell them i will retake then retake.
and
retake dat and apply on september when new dat score comes out

either 1st or 2nd wont be considered as early isnt it?

I think neither will be early, but at least if you apply now, they'll have verified your transcript/ LORs etc. They'll kinda have to wait for your DAT and of course if you already register for your next attempt it'll demonstrate your interest to retake. Seriously though, first deal with contacting schools. For all you know, your worry is misplaced and some schools are fine with your scores as is.

Honestly your scores are pretty damn solid (i.e. quite a bit above average student entering a dental school), I really hope it all works out well for you!

bc you need to make up for a low gap IMO. I talked to schools they said its ok to apply as late as October just have everything ready.

Originally Posted by kies89

Just took dat and came home


PAT 21
QR 20
RC 16
BIO 18...I expected around 18
GC 23
OC 21
TS 20
AA20

AA20/TS20/ PAT21

i have extremely low RC score

my GPA is around 3.2 for both cumulative and science..

and i was going to submit application asap.. (already almost prepared everything except dat score).

but......... should i retake?
since my gpa is low, i was going to submit it for first batch
if i retake.. it will be 3months later so i will be submitting around september.

considering the low GPA i have..
should i still apply on june? or what should i do??

I am CA resident and i heard some schools' minimum DAT score is 17 for each section..