Hi all! I recently took the DAT and wanted to provide info about what was most helpful for me! I studied over the summer after my sophomore year and am majoring in biochem.
Scores:
QR - 600
RC - 490
Bio - 530
GC - 600
OC - 600
PAT - 460
AA - 560
Timeline:
I studied entirely with DAT Booster and used no other resources. I chose Booster based on positive reviews from classmates, its strong bio and pat resources, and it’s cheaper price point. I studied for a total of 14 weeks over the summer while working part time in a dental clinic and part time in a research lab. I studied for roughly 2 hours daily, and consistently followed the DA Booster 12 week study schedule for the first 10 weeks. While I stayed relatively on track with their schedule, I definitely recommend planning for extra break days because things often took me longer than I anticipated. The last four weeks, I planned my own schedule based on my weakest sections. By this point, I felt fairly solid on the QR and GC sections, so I focused all my time on the other sections. I took the last three DAT Booster practice tests in the week before the exam, taking one practice test every other day, and I rested completely the day before the exam.
Breakdown by Section:
Bio:
I started by watching all of the Booster videos and doing the mini sets of questions after each video- the videos were incredibly helpful and covered pretty much everything on the exam. After I had finished all the videos in my first month of studying, in my second month, I read the chapter study notes and the corresponding cheat sheets. In my last month, I drilled the bio bits questions, focusing on my weakest sections. I never used flash cards or took any of my own notes, and felt prepared and confident during the exam. There were around 2 diversity of life/taxonomy questions and a large number anatomy/physiology questions.
GC:
I found the exam easier than the Booster practice tests, especially in terms of calculation questions. Roughly a third of the questions on the exam involved calculations that were fairly simple. I did not utilize Booster resources very much because I was familiar with almost everything from my Gen Chem II class at college.
OC:
Far easier than the Booster practice tests and questions, incredibly straightforward. I’d say there’s more emphasis on the properties of molecules rather than reactions.
PAT:
Definitely the toughest section for me- the hardest part for me was timing, and I was never able to finish all the questions in the given time. Since top front end was my weakest section, I left it for last, and ended up guessing on the last 5 questions because I ran out of time. I wish I had focused more on doing problems faster from the very beginning.
RC:
I felt well prepared since Booster practice passages were both longer and had tougher, more abstract questions. I am not sure where I went wrong on the real exam because I felt confident about my answers as I was taking it. My main advice would be to read the questions carefully and always double check by finding the answer in the passage.
QR:
Definitely felt easier than all of the Booster practice, and I felt completely prepared. I was able to complete all the booster question banks fairly quickly and didn’t spend any additional time reviewing after that.
Ending Advice:
My scores truly improved so much from the first practice test I took to my final scores, so I truly think the sky is the limit with hard work and consistency. You’ve got this!
Scores:
QR - 600
RC - 490
Bio - 530
GC - 600
OC - 600
PAT - 460
AA - 560
Timeline:
I studied entirely with DAT Booster and used no other resources. I chose Booster based on positive reviews from classmates, its strong bio and pat resources, and it’s cheaper price point. I studied for a total of 14 weeks over the summer while working part time in a dental clinic and part time in a research lab. I studied for roughly 2 hours daily, and consistently followed the DA Booster 12 week study schedule for the first 10 weeks. While I stayed relatively on track with their schedule, I definitely recommend planning for extra break days because things often took me longer than I anticipated. The last four weeks, I planned my own schedule based on my weakest sections. By this point, I felt fairly solid on the QR and GC sections, so I focused all my time on the other sections. I took the last three DAT Booster practice tests in the week before the exam, taking one practice test every other day, and I rested completely the day before the exam.
Breakdown by Section:
Bio:
I started by watching all of the Booster videos and doing the mini sets of questions after each video- the videos were incredibly helpful and covered pretty much everything on the exam. After I had finished all the videos in my first month of studying, in my second month, I read the chapter study notes and the corresponding cheat sheets. In my last month, I drilled the bio bits questions, focusing on my weakest sections. I never used flash cards or took any of my own notes, and felt prepared and confident during the exam. There were around 2 diversity of life/taxonomy questions and a large number anatomy/physiology questions.
GC:
I found the exam easier than the Booster practice tests, especially in terms of calculation questions. Roughly a third of the questions on the exam involved calculations that were fairly simple. I did not utilize Booster resources very much because I was familiar with almost everything from my Gen Chem II class at college.
OC:
Far easier than the Booster practice tests and questions, incredibly straightforward. I’d say there’s more emphasis on the properties of molecules rather than reactions.
PAT:
Definitely the toughest section for me- the hardest part for me was timing, and I was never able to finish all the questions in the given time. Since top front end was my weakest section, I left it for last, and ended up guessing on the last 5 questions because I ran out of time. I wish I had focused more on doing problems faster from the very beginning.
RC:
I felt well prepared since Booster practice passages were both longer and had tougher, more abstract questions. I am not sure where I went wrong on the real exam because I felt confident about my answers as I was taking it. My main advice would be to read the questions carefully and always double check by finding the answer in the passage.
QR:
Definitely felt easier than all of the Booster practice, and I felt completely prepared. I was able to complete all the booster question banks fairly quickly and didn’t spend any additional time reviewing after that.
Ending Advice:
My scores truly improved so much from the first practice test I took to my final scores, so I truly think the sky is the limit with hard work and consistency. You’ve got this!
