- Joined
- Jun 21, 2008
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I'm a loooong time lurker, so everyone on this site has helped me very much. I'm going to post a detailed breakdown along with my stats, so hopefully I get some honest feedback about my chances.
This is my 3rd time applying. This is also my 3rd time taking the DAT. I don't have the previous scores of each section, only of the AA. However, I know for sure I improved in every single category by the 3rd DAT. I'm a TX resident, so I hope I get into UT-Houston. I've applied to TX schools, and ~10 out-of-state friendly private schools.
1st DAT in 2008
AA: 18
2nd DAT in 2009
AA: 19
3rd DAT 7-12-2010
PAT: 19 (73.7%)
QR: 23 (97.1%)
RC: 25 (98.5%)
BIO: 22 (95.7%)
GC: 24 (95.2%)
OC: 23 (94.3%)
TS: 24 (99.3%)
AA: 23 (98.3%)
BIO: The first time I took it, I only used Kaplan (big mistake). The second time I took it, I went wayyyyy too much into detail (big mistake). The third time I took it, I used Campbell's Textbook (great idea!). I am a Biology major, and I have taken numerous upper level Bios (ex: Immunology, Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, Developmental Bio, etc.). So going through Campbell's was a breeze. I hand drew many diagrams and took copious notes of important topics. The actual DAT was not detailed at all. I had 1-2 taxonomy questions. One of my taxonomy questions was soo simple, because it was the same question asked in every practice test of every study aid. I also used Destroyer Bio. Make sure you spend time covering the main idea/big picture of Destroyer Bio, not necessarily the intricate details. I had a developmental question on the actual DAT, that I don't think I would have gotten right without taking a Developmental Bio class this last semester. I also had a little bit of divine intervention, because I didn't get any plant questions. Like others have said, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21 in Campbell's is critical. If you understand everything in those chapters then you will be fine. If you just memorize everything in those chapters then you won't be fine.
GC: The first time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The second time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The third time I took it I used Chad's Videos (fantastic idea) and Destroyer Chem (fantastic idea). There were 1-2 problems which wanted an actual worked out answer. There were 5-6 problems that just wanted you to set up the answer in stoichiometry form. The rest were concept questions. They were easier than Destroyer, and on par with Kaplan. I highly suggest Chad's videos to reLEARN ideas, not just reMEMORIZE. I also read my undergrad GC textbook to go over concepts.
OC: The first time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The second time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The third time I took it I used Chad's Videos (fantastic idea) and Destroyer OChem (fantastic idea). I had like 3-4 reaction problems, and they were very easy reactions. Like reactions of carboxylic acids, reducing reactions, grignard, simple stuff. Chad's videos were great in this section also.
PAT: CDP. I bought the 5 version test. I thought this would be my strongest section, but I don't know what happened. I'm not complaining of my score, but the PAT just "clicked"
for me while I was studying. CDP is wayyy harder than the actual DAT. The hole punching had smaller holes. Pattern folding only had 2 dice problems. It wasn't too bad. No illusions.
RC: I got pianoed the second time I took the DAT, so I was not expecting that again. I was so happy this time, because all 3 passages were science passages. It was like reading Campbell's all over again. Very simple stuff. No tone, no main idea crap. I could have answered half the questions without looking at the passage, but I played it safe and went through the passage. Many people have so many different methods in this section. I used the most basic of all methods which was : READ THE FREAKIN PASSAGE FIRST. You are allotted 20 minutes a passage. Take 5 minutes and read the passage. Then take 15 minutes to answer each of the 15 questions. Simple stuff. Most of my questions were : this enzyme does what? Simple stuff. Unlike the first two times I took the DAT, I practiced for RC this time around. Practice means that I put myself in a pressure cooker environment with time constraints, and did 3 passages. Familiarize yourself with the environment that you will put yourself in, for it will greatly help reduce the anxiety during RC on D-day. Find out what RC strategy works for you, and stick with it.
QR: I got lots of Trig, Algebra, and Geometry questions. No P-value question for me. I had ~2 probability questions. I got ~5 word problems. I would read each question one time, if the way to get to the solution didn't immediately pop up in my head, I picked a random answer and marked the question. Don't waste time on one hard questions and blow three easy questions. You don't get more points for answering a difficult question. Just know speed= distance/time. Know volume conversions (gallons, cups, pints, etc.) Know length conversions (inches, yds, cm, miles, etc.). Know volumes of cylinders, cubes, spheres. Just like with RC (and all the sections actually), put yourself in a pressure cooker environment with time constraints. That's the ONLY way to practice. If you don't practice with a timer, then you're not practicing for the DAT, you will be just practicing to answer random questions.
ADA FREE sample test: It's much easier than the actual DAT, but a few more practice problems never hurt anybody.
ADA PAID sample test: It's riddled with mistakes (scary when considering it's from the people who actually make the freaking DAT), BUT there were some questions on there in various sections that were VERBATIM on my actual test. Therefore, IMHO it was worth the outrageous ~$40.
Luck: No matter how much you study, you will still need a little luck on your side. For example, I didn't get any plant questions and easy taxonomy questions. I also ended up looking over a hard GC problem right before the exam that ended up being exactly the same question on my exam. While doing all my practice, I told myself to always stick to my first answer, and to never change anything. However, on the actual DAT I found myself going back during my extra time and changing ~5 answers PER SECTION. It might have done me in during the PAT, but it absolutely saved my life in the other sections. I don't know what came over me to go back and change them. Luck i guess.
Stats: I have a ~3.1 sciGPA, ~3.1 overall GPA. I totally screwed around my first 1.5 years in college. I dropped out of school for a year after that. I went back and fought my way back. I post baccd 1 yr. My last 48 hours have been all upper level sciences, and I have made all A's. I have 5 years experience as a dental assistant. I've volunteered as a dental assistant for 2 years at a non-profit dental clinic for homeless people. I've wanted to get into dental school so bad, that I'd give up my right arm if I didn't need it. I busted my behind for the last 6 weeks on this test. I spent ~8hrs/day the first 4 weeks, and ~12/hrs a day the last 2 weeks. I neglected my friends and my gf (she was pissed at first, came to understand later, and let go of her venom once she heard of my scores
) .I basically lived in a cave, and only came out to play bball a few times a week to clear up my head and to let everything soak in. When you get elbowed in the nose a couple of times, the last thing on your mind is the DAT. It's normal for the DAT to consume your life. If it doesn't , then you're not going to get the score you want unless you're some freak of nature from Harvard.
In conclusion: It's not about the quantity of studying, its about the quality of studying. Don't worry too much about detail. Know the main ideas first, then get into some details after you get the main ideas down. If you want it bad enough, then you will get the score you want.
Good luck to everyone out there. All comments, questions, and concerns are welcomed.
This is my 3rd time applying. This is also my 3rd time taking the DAT. I don't have the previous scores of each section, only of the AA. However, I know for sure I improved in every single category by the 3rd DAT. I'm a TX resident, so I hope I get into UT-Houston. I've applied to TX schools, and ~10 out-of-state friendly private schools.
1st DAT in 2008
AA: 18
2nd DAT in 2009
AA: 19
3rd DAT 7-12-2010
PAT: 19 (73.7%)
QR: 23 (97.1%)
RC: 25 (98.5%)
BIO: 22 (95.7%)
GC: 24 (95.2%)
OC: 23 (94.3%)
TS: 24 (99.3%)
AA: 23 (98.3%)
BIO: The first time I took it, I only used Kaplan (big mistake). The second time I took it, I went wayyyyy too much into detail (big mistake). The third time I took it, I used Campbell's Textbook (great idea!). I am a Biology major, and I have taken numerous upper level Bios (ex: Immunology, Cell Bio, Molecular Bio, Developmental Bio, etc.). So going through Campbell's was a breeze. I hand drew many diagrams and took copious notes of important topics. The actual DAT was not detailed at all. I had 1-2 taxonomy questions. One of my taxonomy questions was soo simple, because it was the same question asked in every practice test of every study aid. I also used Destroyer Bio. Make sure you spend time covering the main idea/big picture of Destroyer Bio, not necessarily the intricate details. I had a developmental question on the actual DAT, that I don't think I would have gotten right without taking a Developmental Bio class this last semester. I also had a little bit of divine intervention, because I didn't get any plant questions. Like others have said, Ch. 19, Ch. 20, Ch. 21 in Campbell's is critical. If you understand everything in those chapters then you will be fine. If you just memorize everything in those chapters then you won't be fine.
GC: The first time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The second time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The third time I took it I used Chad's Videos (fantastic idea) and Destroyer Chem (fantastic idea). There were 1-2 problems which wanted an actual worked out answer. There were 5-6 problems that just wanted you to set up the answer in stoichiometry form. The rest were concept questions. They were easier than Destroyer, and on par with Kaplan. I highly suggest Chad's videos to reLEARN ideas, not just reMEMORIZE. I also read my undergrad GC textbook to go over concepts.
OC: The first time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The second time I took it I only used Kaplan (small mistake). The third time I took it I used Chad's Videos (fantastic idea) and Destroyer OChem (fantastic idea). I had like 3-4 reaction problems, and they were very easy reactions. Like reactions of carboxylic acids, reducing reactions, grignard, simple stuff. Chad's videos were great in this section also.
PAT: CDP. I bought the 5 version test. I thought this would be my strongest section, but I don't know what happened. I'm not complaining of my score, but the PAT just "clicked"
for me while I was studying. CDP is wayyy harder than the actual DAT. The hole punching had smaller holes. Pattern folding only had 2 dice problems. It wasn't too bad. No illusions. RC: I got pianoed the second time I took the DAT, so I was not expecting that again. I was so happy this time, because all 3 passages were science passages. It was like reading Campbell's all over again. Very simple stuff. No tone, no main idea crap. I could have answered half the questions without looking at the passage, but I played it safe and went through the passage. Many people have so many different methods in this section. I used the most basic of all methods which was : READ THE FREAKIN PASSAGE FIRST. You are allotted 20 minutes a passage. Take 5 minutes and read the passage. Then take 15 minutes to answer each of the 15 questions. Simple stuff. Most of my questions were : this enzyme does what? Simple stuff. Unlike the first two times I took the DAT, I practiced for RC this time around. Practice means that I put myself in a pressure cooker environment with time constraints, and did 3 passages. Familiarize yourself with the environment that you will put yourself in, for it will greatly help reduce the anxiety during RC on D-day. Find out what RC strategy works for you, and stick with it.
QR: I got lots of Trig, Algebra, and Geometry questions. No P-value question for me. I had ~2 probability questions. I got ~5 word problems. I would read each question one time, if the way to get to the solution didn't immediately pop up in my head, I picked a random answer and marked the question. Don't waste time on one hard questions and blow three easy questions. You don't get more points for answering a difficult question. Just know speed= distance/time. Know volume conversions (gallons, cups, pints, etc.) Know length conversions (inches, yds, cm, miles, etc.). Know volumes of cylinders, cubes, spheres. Just like with RC (and all the sections actually), put yourself in a pressure cooker environment with time constraints. That's the ONLY way to practice. If you don't practice with a timer, then you're not practicing for the DAT, you will be just practicing to answer random questions.
ADA FREE sample test: It's much easier than the actual DAT, but a few more practice problems never hurt anybody.
ADA PAID sample test: It's riddled with mistakes (scary when considering it's from the people who actually make the freaking DAT), BUT there were some questions on there in various sections that were VERBATIM on my actual test. Therefore, IMHO it was worth the outrageous ~$40.
Luck: No matter how much you study, you will still need a little luck on your side. For example, I didn't get any plant questions and easy taxonomy questions. I also ended up looking over a hard GC problem right before the exam that ended up being exactly the same question on my exam. While doing all my practice, I told myself to always stick to my first answer, and to never change anything. However, on the actual DAT I found myself going back during my extra time and changing ~5 answers PER SECTION. It might have done me in during the PAT, but it absolutely saved my life in the other sections. I don't know what came over me to go back and change them. Luck i guess.
Stats: I have a ~3.1 sciGPA, ~3.1 overall GPA. I totally screwed around my first 1.5 years in college. I dropped out of school for a year after that. I went back and fought my way back. I post baccd 1 yr. My last 48 hours have been all upper level sciences, and I have made all A's. I have 5 years experience as a dental assistant. I've volunteered as a dental assistant for 2 years at a non-profit dental clinic for homeless people. I've wanted to get into dental school so bad, that I'd give up my right arm if I didn't need it. I busted my behind for the last 6 weeks on this test. I spent ~8hrs/day the first 4 weeks, and ~12/hrs a day the last 2 weeks. I neglected my friends and my gf (she was pissed at first, came to understand later, and let go of her venom once she heard of my scores
) .I basically lived in a cave, and only came out to play bball a few times a week to clear up my head and to let everything soak in. When you get elbowed in the nose a couple of times, the last thing on your mind is the DAT. It's normal for the DAT to consume your life. If it doesn't , then you're not going to get the score you want unless you're some freak of nature from Harvard. In conclusion: It's not about the quantity of studying, its about the quality of studying. Don't worry too much about detail. Know the main ideas first, then get into some details after you get the main ideas down. If you want it bad enough, then you will get the score you want.
Good luck to everyone out there. All comments, questions, and concerns are welcomed.
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