15 on the PAT... what to do

[organichemistry]

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Okay. I haven't taken the DAT yet, but all my Kaplan and TopScore PAT practice scores have been in the 14-16 range. And evidently, the real thing is quite a bit harder than the tests I am taking.

So my question is... let's say I end up with a 15 PAT. My grades are good (3.8ish) and my academic average will be good (20, maybe 21).

Is that 15 PAT going to sink me? I know I can probably still get in somewhere... but my first choice is my state school that has about a 18 PAT average.

And the real problem is this... I don't see it going up any. I'm just not good at it and always run out of time.

 

[cameltoe]

Okay. I haven't taken the DAT yet, but all my Kaplan and TopScore PAT practice scores have been in the 14-16 range. And evidently, the real thing is quite a bit harder than the tests I am taking.

So my question is... let's say I end up with a 15 PAT. My grades are good (3.8ish) and my academic average will be good (20, maybe 21).

Is that 15 PAT going to sink me? I know I can probably still get in somewhere... but my first choice is my state school that has about a 18 PAT average.

And the real problem is this... I don't see it going up any. I'm just not good at it and always run out of time.

keep practicing and learn from your mistakes. I was in a similar situation that you are in, but I kept trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I ended up with an 18 PAT. Don't give up on it buddy...

 

[DMD_hopeful]

So my question is... let's say I end up with a 15 PAT. My grades are good (3.8ish) and my academic average will be good (20, maybe 21).

Is that 15 PAT going to sink me? I know I can probably still get in somewhere... but my first choice is my state school that has about a 18 PAT average.

And the real problem is this... I don't see it going up any. I'm just not good at it and always run out of time.

Don't take the DAT if you are only getting a 15 on the PAT. Kaplan and Topscore are typically easier than the real thing and many people have experienced (including me) the 3 point drop. So, you may go in with a 15-16 and end up with a 13, not good!

My advice is easy..practice practice practice.. It eventually begins to make more sense. Also, remember that the PAT isn't too important (at many schools) and can easily be overshadowed by a great AA, GPA, LORs and everything else. A 16-17 PAT won't keep you out of most schools, but with anything lower you risk falling below school cutoffs.

Good luck

 

[packbacker]

You may also want to re-read the instructions. I gained a 1-2 points after re-reading the rules on paperfolding. It's not complex, but some of the folds
can end up being a little tricky.
For angle reading, I ended up putting my finger over each angle to make the legs the same physical size. That seemed to help quite a bit.
Otherwise, just practice, practice, practice. I upped my PAT 2pts from 1st to 2nd DAT just by rereading the rules, using a few tips and tricks in Kaplan (and Barrons) and practicing. It can be done!

PB

 

[highfly413]

i would definitely keep practicing the PAT...do it over and over and over. the real thing is a lot harder. i made in the 20's consistently on all my practice exams (kaplan, topscore), then dropped to a freakin 15 on the real DAT...so expect your score to decrease. however, if you did end up getting say a 15, it wouldn't be the end of the world. i know 15 is the cut-off most places, but as long as you have a good AA and a good GPA (which you obviously have), you'll still have a great shot at many schools. good luck

 

[gatszu]

i know someone who got a 22AA, 15PAT & 3.8GPA. the person was accepted to UCLA & UCSF. of course, she's been working at a dental office for 2 years.

 

[Gurl21]

You may also want to re-read the instructions. I gained a 1-2 points after re-reading the rules on paperfolding. It's not complex, but some of the folds
can end up being a little tricky.
For angle reading, I ended up putting my finger over each angle to make the legs the same physical size. That seemed to help quite a bit.
Otherwise, just practice, practice, practice. I upped my PAT 2pts from 1st to 2nd DAT just by rereading the rules, using a few tips and tricks in Kaplan (and Barrons) and practicing. It can be done!

PB

Are you allowed to touch the screen on the real DAT? I thought I heard that they dont allow you to do that..

 

[packbacker]

I did throughout the entire angle evaluation section and wasn't spoken to. From what I remember, you can't trace or measure the angles, though. You are measuring visual perception, after all. Using paper or tracing circumvents the entire purpose of the test. Using your thumb lets you reasonable evaluate the angle in relation to the others. YMMV obviously, though....

PB

Are you allowed to touch the screen on the real DAT? I thought I heard that they dont allow you to do that..

 

[ianwright]

I did throughout the entire angle evaluation section and wasn't spoken to. From what I remember, you can't trace or measure the angles, though. You are measuring visual perception, after all. Using paper or tracing circumvents the entire purpose of the test. Using your thumb lets you reasonable evaluate the angle in relation to the others. YMMV obviously, though....

PB

The place I took it - they said the screens are electrically charged - touch it and you get it! I think they were joking though.

 

[jk5177]

The place I took it - they said the screens are electrically charged - touch it and you get it! I think they were joking though.

Please keep in mind that ianwright is on probation. If you trust the moderators on the forum, then please assume that this guy is questionable, and take his comments with a grain of salt. Perhaps, he has a great sense of humor, and I misunderstood him.

 

[jk5177]

Hey OP. Go search the forum on ways you can improve your PAT. Don't attach a negative feeling with it. Go do something fun that is still related to PAT. Do you know how to make a crain in origami? (hint hint.... pick up origami because it will help you will PAT)