- Joined
- Mar 5, 2019
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 29
My scores:
PAT 26
QR 30
RC 24
Bio 28
GC 30
OC 30
TS 30
AA 28
Resources (comparisons and recommendations)
- I used Bootcamp, Destroyer, Math Destroyer, Orgoman Organic Odyssey, Dynamite Bio notes, and PAT Booster
- I went over the BC twice and the Destroyer twice -- I'm really not a genius. Just hardworking and willing to do fewer fun things for a couple of weeks in order to get into dental school...
- I did not use a schedule; I studied appox. 10 hr per day for 10 weeks (on some weekends, I worked on my application, but I did not take many off days)
- I made sure to study a little bit from each subject everyday, but in whichever order I liked (some days I might do one subject for a little longer than others, but overall, I made sure to distribute my time relatively evenly)
- Not having a schedule WORKED FOR ME because I enjoyed studying for these subjects (I never had issues motivating myself to study)... If this is not the case for you, I would use a schedule to keep you on track
Bootcamp (vs. Destroyer) (I liked both resources... I don't want to be caught in the crossfire between the two please...)
- Purchased the $900 subscription with the 5 extra booster packs for EVERY subject and 120 access
- BC is the way to go if:
- need a systematic review (may not have the strongest foundation)
- you like videos
- struggle with time
- want to do tests to gauge how you will do on the real thing (I personally never really cared about that)
- might not have a lot of time left to study
- PAT: very good practice and similar to the real test; some questions are even better drawn/made compared to the real test (which is a little funny) (detailed comparison with PAT Booster see below)
- QR: harder than the real test; but good practice and have very similar types of questions (I don't think significantly differ from the Math Destroyer in terms of getting you ready for the DAT)
- RC: I only did the first 6 tests; harder than the real thing, but I recommend doing a couple of tests to make sure you know the types of question you would get (personally recommend -- I think daily reading is good, but will not suffice since you still wouldn't get to practice the techniques/strategies)
- Bio: the BC notes are the best place to start -- but I would not stop there; I used the BC academy (long version) -- and learned every detail/concept in there; I think BC does a better job with the notes than the questions since most of the questions are repetitive to the concepts they already introduced to you in the notes... (Destroyer Bio questions > BC); the Dynamite notes are shorter, but will not suffice unless you also do the BC notes or have a strong foundation; I think the Dynamite notes are great if you are short on time or only need a review on the essentials (for example, I never took immunology in college, so I loved how BC had a very detailed chapter on that and helped me understand some of the most basic concepts); Again, the Destroyer has better Bio questions (I saw one on the test straight from the destroyer); I make sure to learn the concepts behidn all of the ~800 questions; I would do these after you learn the concepts either through notes (BC notes for example) and/or through college classes
- GC: BC has all the concepts you will need; learn every detail; I printed out the lesson plans and took notes on there (Dr. Mike's videos are the best); I also liked the Destroyer GC and found it to be a great challenge, and made the test feel like a breeze; most importantly, I saw a question on the test straight from the destroyer; Destroyer also has the best acid/base/equilibrium practice problems; I also like how the Destroyer just have MORE problems overall (430 for GC)
- OC: see GC section; the Destroyer OC is very challenging, but will make the test feel like a breeze
Destroyer/FB Group
- I personally love Dr. Romano (if you're reading this, Dr. Romano, thank you for everything you have done for us! I couldn't have done this without you -- THANK YOU THANK YOU!)
- The Destroyer is, like BC, significantly harder than the test
- The Destroyer is cheaper...
- In addition to the GC question, there was also Bio question straight from the Destroyer
- Have more practice problems than BC
- The book is written for someone who either has a strong foundation, or is also using some other resources such as a textbook (Dr. Romano has many great recommendations); or BC (like I did)
- Dr. Romano has great videos online, but they are problem-based, and they not as systematic as BC's videos
- In other words, Destroyer assumes that you know your stuff already, and just need some practice problems and review
- If you decide to go this route, I wouldn't write in the books so that you can go over them the second time; it was not until I did the problems the second time when I finally started to understand many of the concepts
The Organic Odyssey
- This is the only resource that I only went through once
- It is great for you if you need more problems for the OC section
- Overall, the problems in here are slightly easier than what's in the Destroyer
- The notes are hand-written and in detail (more so than the Destroyer)
- In other words, this book assumes that you need a little more help, and might have forgotten some of the Organic concepts
- Destroyer series is the way to go if:
- You don't mind Dr. Romano's no BS style (a personal favorite, but I can see how it's not for everyone)
- Have a strong foundation
- Want to truly learn the science
- Want more practice problems
- Want more difficult problems that will make your test feel like a breeze
- Note: I would not use these problems to gauge your performance on the real test... (you might be discouraged -- like Dr. Romano says, just learn the concepts!)
- Want 30's: I am not saying that you can't get 30's by just using BC, but his problems are "overkill" for a reason -- they get you 30's
PAT booster (vs BC PAT section)
- PAT booster is absolutely essential if you're going with the Destroyer route!
- Keyhole: PAT booster's keyhole problems are harder (some of them I found a little impossible); Keyhole is my weakest, so I don't know if you should trust my opinion
- TFE: Both great -- but PAT Booster has a some problems that are to scale; I didn't have any TFE on my test that was to scale, but it doesn't mean they don't exist... Again, I'd say PAT Booster is harder
- Hole-punching: similar in difficulty and both will get you ready for the test!
- Cube counting: similar in difficulty and both will get you ready for the test!
- Angle-ranking: PAT Booster is easier here (the angles are larger and with skinnier lines, thus easier to distinguish), but I think either will get you ready; personally, I don't think you can improve much in this section -- if you can't tell, you can't tell; at least for me, I sucked at it at first and continued to suck at it no matter how much I practice
- Pattern folding: PAT Booster is a little easier again (but I think both are great); personally, this section came naturally to me, so I don't know how much my advice would help you
- BC has more problems (with the booster pack, I had 15 practice tests plus the extra keyholes)
- Both have generators (personally did not use them as much)
Bottom line/lifestyle tips:
- BC will get you good scores, fast, and get you into a dental school (like Taco Bell)
- Dr. Romano will make you the best scientist you could possibly be and help you pursue excellence (like a authentic Mexican restaurant)
- You take your pick -- I really think it's a personal decision; and I can't tell you which one is better for you
- Believe in yourself (I can't stress this one enough)
- Sleep enough, eat enough (don't go on a diet; especially don't do low carbs -- I don't care how keto helped your aunt lose 40 lbs -- now is not the time), exercise (you can do too much exercise, but this largely depends on the person; I'd go to the gym 4~5 times a week plus some light walks and yoga)
- Please don't hesitate to ask any questions (DM me!) -- I want to help you as much as I can (you won't annoy me)
- I am so sorry that my post is not very organized -- just ask me questions if you can't find the answer![/B][/B]
PAT 26
QR 30
RC 24
Bio 28
GC 30
OC 30
TS 30
AA 28
Resources (comparisons and recommendations)
- I used Bootcamp, Destroyer, Math Destroyer, Orgoman Organic Odyssey, Dynamite Bio notes, and PAT Booster
- I went over the BC twice and the Destroyer twice -- I'm really not a genius. Just hardworking and willing to do fewer fun things for a couple of weeks in order to get into dental school...
- I did not use a schedule; I studied appox. 10 hr per day for 10 weeks (on some weekends, I worked on my application, but I did not take many off days)
- I made sure to study a little bit from each subject everyday, but in whichever order I liked (some days I might do one subject for a little longer than others, but overall, I made sure to distribute my time relatively evenly)
- Not having a schedule WORKED FOR ME because I enjoyed studying for these subjects (I never had issues motivating myself to study)... If this is not the case for you, I would use a schedule to keep you on track
Bootcamp (vs. Destroyer) (I liked both resources... I don't want to be caught in the crossfire between the two please...)
- Purchased the $900 subscription with the 5 extra booster packs for EVERY subject and 120 access
- BC is the way to go if:
- need a systematic review (may not have the strongest foundation)
- you like videos
- struggle with time
- want to do tests to gauge how you will do on the real thing (I personally never really cared about that)
- might not have a lot of time left to study
- PAT: very good practice and similar to the real test; some questions are even better drawn/made compared to the real test (which is a little funny) (detailed comparison with PAT Booster see below)
- QR: harder than the real test; but good practice and have very similar types of questions (I don't think significantly differ from the Math Destroyer in terms of getting you ready for the DAT)
- RC: I only did the first 6 tests; harder than the real thing, but I recommend doing a couple of tests to make sure you know the types of question you would get (personally recommend -- I think daily reading is good, but will not suffice since you still wouldn't get to practice the techniques/strategies)
- Bio: the BC notes are the best place to start -- but I would not stop there; I used the BC academy (long version) -- and learned every detail/concept in there; I think BC does a better job with the notes than the questions since most of the questions are repetitive to the concepts they already introduced to you in the notes... (Destroyer Bio questions > BC); the Dynamite notes are shorter, but will not suffice unless you also do the BC notes or have a strong foundation; I think the Dynamite notes are great if you are short on time or only need a review on the essentials (for example, I never took immunology in college, so I loved how BC had a very detailed chapter on that and helped me understand some of the most basic concepts); Again, the Destroyer has better Bio questions (I saw one on the test straight from the destroyer); I make sure to learn the concepts behidn all of the ~800 questions; I would do these after you learn the concepts either through notes (BC notes for example) and/or through college classes
- GC: BC has all the concepts you will need; learn every detail; I printed out the lesson plans and took notes on there (Dr. Mike's videos are the best); I also liked the Destroyer GC and found it to be a great challenge, and made the test feel like a breeze; most importantly, I saw a question on the test straight from the destroyer; Destroyer also has the best acid/base/equilibrium practice problems; I also like how the Destroyer just have MORE problems overall (430 for GC)
- OC: see GC section; the Destroyer OC is very challenging, but will make the test feel like a breeze
Destroyer/FB Group
- I personally love Dr. Romano (if you're reading this, Dr. Romano, thank you for everything you have done for us! I couldn't have done this without you -- THANK YOU THANK YOU!)
- The Destroyer is, like BC, significantly harder than the test
- The Destroyer is cheaper...
- In addition to the GC question, there was also Bio question straight from the Destroyer
- Have more practice problems than BC
- The book is written for someone who either has a strong foundation, or is also using some other resources such as a textbook (Dr. Romano has many great recommendations); or BC (like I did)
- Dr. Romano has great videos online, but they are problem-based, and they not as systematic as BC's videos
- In other words, Destroyer assumes that you know your stuff already, and just need some practice problems and review
- If you decide to go this route, I wouldn't write in the books so that you can go over them the second time; it was not until I did the problems the second time when I finally started to understand many of the concepts
The Organic Odyssey
- This is the only resource that I only went through once
- It is great for you if you need more problems for the OC section
- Overall, the problems in here are slightly easier than what's in the Destroyer
- The notes are hand-written and in detail (more so than the Destroyer)
- In other words, this book assumes that you need a little more help, and might have forgotten some of the Organic concepts
- Destroyer series is the way to go if:
- You don't mind Dr. Romano's no BS style (a personal favorite, but I can see how it's not for everyone)
- Have a strong foundation
- Want to truly learn the science
- Want more practice problems
- Want more difficult problems that will make your test feel like a breeze
- Note: I would not use these problems to gauge your performance on the real test... (you might be discouraged -- like Dr. Romano says, just learn the concepts!)
- Want 30's: I am not saying that you can't get 30's by just using BC, but his problems are "overkill" for a reason -- they get you 30's
PAT booster (vs BC PAT section)
- PAT booster is absolutely essential if you're going with the Destroyer route!
- Keyhole: PAT booster's keyhole problems are harder (some of them I found a little impossible); Keyhole is my weakest, so I don't know if you should trust my opinion
- TFE: Both great -- but PAT Booster has a some problems that are to scale; I didn't have any TFE on my test that was to scale, but it doesn't mean they don't exist... Again, I'd say PAT Booster is harder
- Hole-punching: similar in difficulty and both will get you ready for the test!
- Cube counting: similar in difficulty and both will get you ready for the test!
- Angle-ranking: PAT Booster is easier here (the angles are larger and with skinnier lines, thus easier to distinguish), but I think either will get you ready; personally, I don't think you can improve much in this section -- if you can't tell, you can't tell; at least for me, I sucked at it at first and continued to suck at it no matter how much I practice
- Pattern folding: PAT Booster is a little easier again (but I think both are great); personally, this section came naturally to me, so I don't know how much my advice would help you
- BC has more problems (with the booster pack, I had 15 practice tests plus the extra keyholes)
- Both have generators (personally did not use them as much)
Bottom line/lifestyle tips:
- BC will get you good scores, fast, and get you into a dental school (like Taco Bell)
- Dr. Romano will make you the best scientist you could possibly be and help you pursue excellence (like a authentic Mexican restaurant)
- You take your pick -- I really think it's a personal decision; and I can't tell you which one is better for you
- Believe in yourself (I can't stress this one enough)
- Sleep enough, eat enough (don't go on a diet; especially don't do low carbs -- I don't care how keto helped your aunt lose 40 lbs -- now is not the time), exercise (you can do too much exercise, but this largely depends on the person; I'd go to the gym 4~5 times a week plus some light walks and yoga)
- Please don't hesitate to ask any questions (DM me!) -- I want to help you as much as I can (you won't annoy me)
- I am so sorry that my post is not very organized -- just ask me questions if you can't find the answer![/B][/B]
Last edited by a moderator:
Congratulations! Amazing scores!
Let me know if you have more questions. Also feel free to PM me if you need.
