21 Full days to study?!!?

[tlovaj]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm currently taking OChem II + Lab which runs from M - TH pretty much 8-4pm. The weekend is used for studying for exams on Monday. This goes on until August 8th, and I plan to take the DAT August 30th giving me approx. 21 days to study.

As I think about it more and more I have no idea how to use the 21 days effectively. I originally was planning to read through KBB the first week, read through Cliffs AP Bio and do destroyer the second week, and then finish with achiever or topscore the last week. But now i don't know what I should do.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[echo90]

I don't know how you study, but if I had 21 days to study for the DAT I know I wouldn't be prepared. Start studying now. I know how much that sucks to hear since you're taking a pretty difficult course at the same time, but during the nighttime you can go through some PAT practices and an AP bio book an hour a night. It's absolutely better than waiting until August 8th to start studying. Whenever you're sick of Ochem II, study for DAT.

 

[Ionz]

Like mentioned by the above poster, you are going to want more than 3 weeks to prepare. If you are an exceptional crammer, then maybe it's possible to score high given the time restraint. But I would start now if I were you. You can manage an hour a day. Even more than an hour on weekends. Those really add up. If you did follow through with your 21-day plan, you will likely find that in the final week you are not only burning out and running out of time, but also that you don't really feel prepared. Trust me, it's the worst feeling..

 

[tigerteeth22]

3 weeks is not enough if you've never taken it before, definitely push it back. The last week should only be spent doing practice tests and relaxing in my opinion, not cramming every last bit in your brain. You'll be burnt out.

 

[tlovaj]

Thanks. I have been considering pushing my test date back 1 week, any later would make no sense, since I would have already started fall semester. Has anyone done 3 weeks? or 4 weeks of studying and then taking the DAT?

 

[squigloo]

I really think it all depends on how much you already know, and how well you need to do. I know a girl who studied for 3 weeks, about 8 hours a day, and got ~19AA and TS. The thing is, she barely had to study any bio, and had a 3.8 gpa, so she didn't need an above average dat to be competitive. If you need expecting a 22 AA without having a great background, you probably want to beef the time up a few weeks. Do you only need a 19-20, and have decent knowledge of gen chem, orgo, and/or bio? Then you might be able to pull that off in 3 weeks.

 

[jimmpannzee]

Studying for three weeks is possible, but painfully exhausting. It all depending on how much knowledge you already know, your study habits and what you're trying to aim for. Try to get more than three weeks of study. If not, my breakdown could be of some use. Good luck dude!

 

[Glimmer1991]

Studying for three weeks is possible, but painfully exhausting. It all depending on how much knowledge you already know, your study habits and what you're trying to aim for. Try to get more than three weeks of study. If not, my breakdown could be of some use. Good luck dude!

I'd start studying PAT stuff now to get a good handle on it. Then, when your class is over, start studying everything else. I'd try to study for at least 1.5 months. I know your school will have started back, but it has been my experience that the first week or two really aren't all that bad.

 

[woodloga]

I agree with the post from glimmer, Start looking at PAT stuff now. It takes time to train yourself to solve them all, and quickly.

I studied for about 21 days myself when I took it. Basically just used a Kaplin book and learned everthing in tha the best I could. Make sure your taking practice tests to see problems and get your timing down. That'll help alot.

You will basically have O Chem down so you will not need to study that since your just finishing up the class. Use your time effectively and you'll do alright, above avg I think. Just depends on what you feel is an alright score. If shooting a "blow you away score" you might need more time.

 

[jmh018]

I personally wouldn't waste a seconds on the KBB. It is more detail than you need and I think there are way better resources. Chad's for Chemistry, cliff's for biology, destroyer for PAT. Not sure about math, I only use Chad's videos for that too.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I personally wouldn't waste a seconds on the KBB. It is more detail than you need and I think there are way better resources. Chad's for Chemistry, cliff's for biology, destroyer for PAT. Not sure about math, I only use Chad's videos for that too.

Good advice.

Also, I'd check the links in my signature. They have everything you could possibly need.

 

[gn4]

I personally wouldn't waste a seconds on the KBB. It is more detail than you need and I think there are way better resources. Chad's for Chemistry, cliff's for biology, destroyer for PAT. Not sure about math, I only use Chad's videos for that too.

?? you mean Achiever? or Crack Dat?

 

[jmh018]

?? you mean Achiever? or Crack Dat?

Sorry, I meant Crack DAT

 

[jHoon]

Thanks. I have been considering pushing my test date back 1 week, any later would make no sense, since I would have already started fall semester. Has anyone done 3 weeks? or 4 weeks of studying and then taking the DAT?

Im taking mine this Monday. Started in June so i've had about 4 weeks (no weekends) to study. Plus im working and taking summer classes. Im not saying its not possible, but it takes serious time management. I was doing close to an average of 8-12 hours of solid studying on days i didn't have work or class. I took breaks for lunch and dinner then went back to the books. 2-3 topics a day.

For ORGO. Honestly, orgo is pretty second nature for me so i barely studied it (hopefully i won't regret this lol) but I just watched Chad's videos and went through DAT destroyer.

For BIO and CHEM, I had to reteach myself bio and chem from like 3 years back so i spent most my time devoted to that. DATQvault is a great resource for Bio and Chem practice as well as DAT destroyer. (CliffsAP Bio > KAP blue book for bio.. don't waste too much time on blue book for anything IMO). Also, youtube BozemanBiology, this dude named Paul Anderson. FREAKING AMAZING at giving just the right amount of depth and detail for nearly any section of the DAT regarding biology. (better than Chad's video for bio)

For PAT, CrackDAT PAT. After like 3 or 4 tests I had a good grasp of this section and how it works i was starting out lik 18's and after test 5-10 i got nothing lower than 21, usually like 23 or 25. The key for this section is to guage which sections you are most confident at and can move fastest through and do those FIRST. I go from keyhole > angle ranking > cube counting > pattern folding > top front end > hole punching. Angle ranking and top front end are the most challenging to me, but if i do them in that order I usualy get through with a minute of time to spare.

For RC, I also used CrackDAT RC. I suck at RC lol but im a pretty fast reader so after like 4 or 5 tests I was averaging 19-21. I never read the entire passage first, some of those passages are like 20+ paragraphs long. You use whatever method works best for you, most people use search and destroy. I usually just read like 3-4 paragraphs and then skim through the questions and then repeat until i've answered everything. But I usually barely finish (like 5 seconds left).

For QR, DAT Destroyer. I've never tried DATQvault or CDP for this section but i hear they are pretty helpful. MathDestroyer is freaking hard in my opinion... Math isnt' my forte, i just want to make sure i get through allt he questions i know i can answer. I'm planning on just guessing and marking those i can't answer within like 10 seconds.

This is just my personal method, but you have hundreds of other people's breakdowns and comments regarding how and what to study to help you. Just keep in mind that msot people spend like 2-3 months to study for the DAT's so my suggestions are really only for serious cramming for people like us who take it with only a month or less of preparation.


For 21 days of studying, the phrase "Breadth Over Depth" will never ring more true. Get lots and lots of exposure to as many topics as possible and do lots of practice problems. Don't waste an day entire trying to grasp one concept. Best of luck brother!

 

[jHoon]

Oh and almost forgot! If you plan on taking your DAT's in the morning like me (8:30 AM) Get your body in the habit of sleeping early and getting up early. Don't pull all nighters tryign to cram, sleep early and rise early and begin studying so come time test, it will be just another walk in the park. Good luck!

 

[Glimmer1991]

For 21 days of studying, the phrase "Breadth of Depth" will never ring more true.

I think you mean "breadth over depth." Having a "breadth of depth" would mean that you had a very thorough knowledge of a whole lot of things! 😀

Great advice!

 

[jHoon]

I think you mean "breadth over depth." Having a "breadth of depth" would mean that you had a very thorough knowledge of a whole lot of things! 😀

Great advice!

LOL yeah that's what i meant 😛 you can tell by my numerous typos that i wrote that post in haste, including that idiom lol

 

[tlovaj]

thanks jHoon. Best of luck to you!

 

[tandem7]

Start doing CDP for the PAT now to let your brain get the hang of it. I got a 25AA with only a few weeks of studying since I have a full time job and only had a scant amount of vacation time. The key is being focused, disciplined, and organized. PM me if you want more info! Good luck!