Go Back   Student Doctor Network Forums > Dental Forums [ DDS / DMD ] > DAT Discussions

DAT Discussions Discuss study tips and resources to excel on the Dental Admissions Test. RSS: Feed Icon


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-30-2012, 02:31 AM   #1
Member
 
Status: Pre-Dental
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 68

Default New guy took the 1st topscore test


SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)
Hey guys this is my first post on the site. I pretty much come on here every night after I study to read advice from other people who are studying or have already taken their DAT. I told myself I'd start studying in mid May when finals were over but I really didn't get on top of my game until maybe 3 weeks ago. I'm scheduled to take my test a week from today actually now that it's technically Saturday. Now on to the point of the thread lol. So I took the first TopScore exam just now and here are my scores. Any advice how to bring them up would be greatly appreciated and also any input as to how these might translate into scores on the real test? Yeah I know there's a million threads about exactly that but the sheer number makes it hard to find good ones. An explanation or a link to a good thread would be great.

TopScore Test 1
Bio: 19
Chem: 19
OChem: 20
PAT: 21
QR: 20
RC: 25
TS: 20
AA: 21

Almost all my CDP tests came out around the same average as the PAT on topscore. Sciences scores have also been similar or maybe even a point higher when I use datqvault. I have a 3.78 total gpa, a 3.71 science and decent shadowing experience. With AP's and some summer school I'm on track to finish my undergrad in 3 years instead of 4 but I'm not sure if that will help or hinder my chances? I spent a while looking up schools who are known to be out of state friendly and applied to almost all of them. Texas resident so hoping on Baylor, San Antonio, or Houston lol. Alright well that's enough rambling from the newbie. Time for some CDP before I knock out. Once again any input/advice would be appreciated!
HSorathia92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2012, 05:41 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Status: Pre-Dental
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 171

Default

I think you are totally doing fine
but always keep up with your studies
that is all I can say
your gpa is good your practice exam score is good
but don't let get lazy keep it up

about graduating in 3 years, if you have taken all the prerequisite courses, and if you have a plan after your graduation that will help you to be more competitive, I think that would be even better.

I am not an expert, I am also applying this cycle so...I don't know if it helped
mario0923 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2012, 11:48 AM   #3
-Classified Information-
 
ushaseos's Avatar
 
Status: Pre-Dental
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 776
SDN 2+ Year Member
Default

I am not on any admissions committee so I can only speculate. I am pretty sure graduating early, simply by taking more classes isn't always positive. Logically, I feel one can make it positive by doing well in those courses (which you're already doing) and showing your interest in dentistry either via work, shadowing or volunteering. I graduated early in 3.5 years and similarly tried to show my academics didn't suffer. I have since taken 2 years off to work, support family and observe dentistry via volunteering and shadowing (which I sadly didn't do much of while in college).

As far as your practice score goes, you're set. Topscore is pretty hard compared to the real DAT so if you're scoring 20s you're in good shape. Just make sure you use other PAT practice since Topscore kinda sucks for PAT!
__________________
AA 24 / TS 24 / PAT 23

oGPA - 3.7
sGPA - 3.7

UCLA Class of 2017
ushaseos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2012, 12:09 PM   #4
Member
 
Status: Pre-Dental
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 68

Default

Hey guys thanks for the responses. I definitely plan on keeping my nose in the books for the remainder of the week. I tell myself I'll take the day before off to relax but I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't happen.

Oh I didn't load up a million courses per semester if that's what it sounded like. I AP'd out of a bunch of random things like humanities, English, government, etc so I only needed to take a couple summer courses to be a year ahead and have been at a normal pace since then. Yaa I get what you mean about the volunteering hours and what not. I definitely don't have anywhere near the crazy 200+ hours in each working, shadowing, and volunteering like some other members here. I'm hoping to pull off an above average DAT score to try and make up for whatever it can. Ideally I'd like to matriculate the fall after I graduate but I understand that having to work and volunteer for a while between graduation and matriculation is very common. The average age of a dental school student being 26 is concerning. I don't want adcoms to blow me off when they see I'll only be 21 when I start and essentially be done before the average student starts.
HSorathia92 is offline   Reply With Quote

Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:57 AM.


Comments are closed.