- Joined
- Aug 2, 2010
- Messages
- 130
- Reaction score
- 0
*Disclaimer: I will maintain the confidentiality of the DAT.
PA 21 (92.2)
QR 22 (95.7)*
RC 26 (99.1)
BIO 26 (99.6)
GC 27 (99.0)
OC 30 (100.0)
TS 28 (99.9)
AA 26 (99.9)
*I didn't reach my full potential on QR on the real test because the eraser that I received was really low quality. I had to swipe 6-7 times really hard to erase every time. This made me lose a lot of time on QR.
Study Schedule
I studied for 5hrs a day for the first 1.5 months. Then I studied 10+ hrs a day in the last month before the test. Total study time: 2.5 months.
Prep Material
1. Kaplan Online Course
- I took the online course to take advantage of all the online material they offered. It's solid all around. This course was a graduation gift from my parents. I studied actively: I took my own notes. By the time I was done, I had about 100 pages of my own notes. I went through ALL of the online subject tests and quizzes 3 times.
2. TopScore
- Good overall. I believe TopScore is really outdated in their format. I think they desperately need an update.
3. DAT Destroyer
- Good practice for GC and Orgo. Used for extra prep. I went through it 3 times. Master the GC and Orgo here and I think you can do supremely on the real thing!
4. Crack DAT PAT
- My CDP scores for the 7 test that I took were as follows: 22, 22, 23, 23, 26, 28, 25. CDP had a pattern that I spotted and I aced CDP easily. You be the judge on these scores and their integrity. I really do think I could've spent my time elsewhere for the better.
5. Campbell's Biology Textbook, Orgo Textbook, my orgo reaction notes from Orgo I/II in college, YouTube, Wiki
- I referenced these whenever things weren't clear. Dynamic studying was key for me.
Test Numbers
I'm sure you'd be interested in these. This data is from only one person's (mine) experience, so take it with a grain of salt, please.
Kaplan Midterm (halfway through course)
PA 21 / AA 19
Kaplan Final (I finished the course and reviewed intensely. I had finished Destroyer once already prior to this. Kaplan Final was the first of the battery of 7 practice tests that I took in the span of two weeks leading up to the real test.)
PA 22 / AA 24
Kaplan Test 1
PA 25 / AA 23
Kaplan Test 2
PA 25 / AA 25
Kaplan Test 3
PA 23 / AA 23
TopScore 1
PA 24 / AA 22
TopScore 2
PA 25 / AA 24
TopScore 3
PA 24 / AA 23
Closing Remarks
The DAT is a hard test; however, if you put in the hard work, you will be surprised by what you can do. When I was done with the test, I thought I had only scored about a 20 on the test (I was shooting for 25+). I was really surprised to see the score. I think studying hard really paid off with some luck.
Good luck to everybody! Study hard and good luck!
PA 21 (92.2)
QR 22 (95.7)*
RC 26 (99.1)
BIO 26 (99.6)
GC 27 (99.0)
OC 30 (100.0)
TS 28 (99.9)
AA 26 (99.9)
*I didn't reach my full potential on QR on the real test because the eraser that I received was really low quality. I had to swipe 6-7 times really hard to erase every time. This made me lose a lot of time on QR.
Study Schedule
I studied for 5hrs a day for the first 1.5 months. Then I studied 10+ hrs a day in the last month before the test. Total study time: 2.5 months.
Prep Material
1. Kaplan Online Course
- I took the online course to take advantage of all the online material they offered. It's solid all around. This course was a graduation gift from my parents. I studied actively: I took my own notes. By the time I was done, I had about 100 pages of my own notes. I went through ALL of the online subject tests and quizzes 3 times.
2. TopScore
- Good overall. I believe TopScore is really outdated in their format. I think they desperately need an update.
3. DAT Destroyer
- Good practice for GC and Orgo. Used for extra prep. I went through it 3 times. Master the GC and Orgo here and I think you can do supremely on the real thing!
4. Crack DAT PAT
- My CDP scores for the 7 test that I took were as follows: 22, 22, 23, 23, 26, 28, 25. CDP had a pattern that I spotted and I aced CDP easily. You be the judge on these scores and their integrity. I really do think I could've spent my time elsewhere for the better.
5. Campbell's Biology Textbook, Orgo Textbook, my orgo reaction notes from Orgo I/II in college, YouTube, Wiki
- I referenced these whenever things weren't clear. Dynamic studying was key for me.
Test Numbers
I'm sure you'd be interested in these. This data is from only one person's (mine) experience, so take it with a grain of salt, please.
Kaplan Midterm (halfway through course)
PA 21 / AA 19
Kaplan Final (I finished the course and reviewed intensely. I had finished Destroyer once already prior to this. Kaplan Final was the first of the battery of 7 practice tests that I took in the span of two weeks leading up to the real test.)
PA 22 / AA 24
Kaplan Test 1
PA 25 / AA 23
Kaplan Test 2
PA 25 / AA 25
Kaplan Test 3
PA 23 / AA 23
TopScore 1
PA 24 / AA 22
TopScore 2
PA 25 / AA 24
TopScore 3
PA 24 / AA 23
Closing Remarks
The DAT is a hard test; however, if you put in the hard work, you will be surprised by what you can do. When I was done with the test, I thought I had only scored about a 20 on the test (I was shooting for 25+). I was really surprised to see the score. I think studying hard really paid off with some luck.
Good luck to everybody! Study hard and good luck!
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