3 months of studying...led to nothing

[AfgDental]

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Hey everyone,

I just took my DAT today, and let me say I'm really disappointed with my scores. I've been studying since the beginning of June until now. June was about 6 hrs a day, July = 8-10 and August was 10 hrs solid. Going into the exam I felt solid with everything but I don't know what happened. Here are my scores

PAT: 19 (73.7)
QR: 14 (25.8)
RC: 17 (29.5) Painoed
BIO: 18 (64.6)
GenChem: 18 (61.7)
Orgo: 17 (51.1)
TS: 17 (50.4)
AA: 17 (48.3)

PAT: CDP was my main resource, did all 10 exams and final exam got a 21. So felt confident with it. Started with 15's and eventually got in 19s.

QR: Well this is the section I prepared the least for, did 4 chapters in Kaplan, half of destroyer, and topscore exams. Going into the exam wanted to get a 17. Basically topscore and destroyer seemed to resemble it.

RC: I clicked the next button and there it was Piano, after all the hype on SDN, I just skipped this passage and went to the Intracellular Singals, and then Asprin passage. Both worked prety well with Search and Destroy. Then came back to Piano, started to read the passage but knew I was running out of time, so had to guess majority of it. This is as hard as everyone said.

BIO: So I completely memorized Cliffs AP inside and out. I also used some notes I got from someone here. Majority of the questions seemed simple, but too many plant and ecology questions.

Gen Chem: This is what killed my Orgo Score. Spent too much time in this section. Did Destroyer, Chad's Videos, and Kaplan Subject Tests. It seemed more difficult than I was expecting.

Orgo: I had this nailed down. I thought I was easily going to get above 20s. Memorized all of kaplan and destroyer rxns. But time killed my score, ran out of time so guesses a few.

Overall I'm very very disappointed with my scores, I've been studying my butt off this past summer. I thought I would do much better but didn't. This has been a very difficult summer b/c of my mothers passing away and other family issues. But I tried my hardest and failed.

I'm planing on a retake but was wondering what are my chances with these scores.
GPA: 3.63, SGPA: 3.5, Non-Science: 3.93
Founder of Biological Sciences Society,
Attended VCU Summer Enhrichment program
And many more EC

Also, what should I do about notifying schools of a retake. I submitted my application in July. Should I call every school and let them know I'm going to retake? Do I even have a chance this cycle?

Thank you everyone in advanced, This has been a very disappointing day.

 

[AfgDental]

........

 

[JoonBoi]

that blows... mayeb you just choked bc its ur first time?
sorry man, I think u gotta retake,
You'll definately do better next time.

 

[joonkimdds]

Hey Joonboi, why r u copying my name, imposter~! 😛
I wish there was a way that I can change my j into J 🙁
Hey AfgDental~ cheer up!

 

[Valigator00]

If you paid the money for app, then just let schools know that you will retake. Otherwise, save your money for next cycle.

 

[ashlander]

im sorry to hear that..
try some different materials for your retake.
i think we had the same version and we spent similar hours studying ..it seems.
you could def do better on your retake!
you cannot get pianoed again, and you will do better!
good luck.

 

[JoonBoi]

Hey Joonboi, why r u copying my name, imposter~! 😛
I wish there was a way that I can change my j into J 🙁
Hey AfgDental~ cheer up!

sowwie T.T

 

[alanan84]

It looks to me like part of your problem is time management. How can getting pianoed be blamed for your RC score when you had to guess on a majority of the questions? You CANNOT run out of time on the sciences either. You have to pace yourself. When you don't know it, guess, mark, and move on. It seems to me that you could have done better on Ochem. I'm assuming you also ran out of time on QR. You plain and simply can't afford to do that.

You can do better! Don't let this get you down! Brush yourself off and get back to studying!

 

[TedyBearSuicide]

Gen Chem: ..and Kaplan Subject Tests. It seemed more difficult than I was expecting.

Did you use the Kaplan online course?

 

[AfgDental]

Did you use the Kaplan online course?

No, I got the subject tests in pdf from a friend

 

[hausee]

I only see weak point on math and Ochem , try to improve them and retake. Some people just doesn't do good during real exam. You will be fine 2nd time.

good luck

 

[Ramil]

The first time sucked for me I hope I do well I'm remaking in about 12 days

 

[crackdat]

Hey everyone,

I just took my DAT today, and let me say I'm really disappointed with my scores. I've been studying since the beginning of June until now. June was about 6 hrs a day, July = 8-10 and August was 10 hrs solid. Going into the exam I felt solid with everything but I don't know what happened. Here are my scores

PAT: 19 (73.7)
QR: 14 (25.8)
RC: 17 (29.5) Painoed
BIO: 18 (64.6)
GenChem: 18 (61.7)
Orgo: 17 (51.1)
TS: 17 (50.4)
AA: 17 (48.3)

PAT: CDP was my main resource, did all 10 exams and final exam got a 21. So felt confident with it. Started with 15's and eventually got in 19s.

QR: Well this is the section I prepared the least for, did 4 chapters in Kaplan, half of destroyer, and topscore exams. Going into the exam wanted to get a 17. Basically topscore and destroyer seemed to resemble it.

RC: I clicked the next button and there it was Piano, after all the hype on SDN, I just skipped this passage and went to the Intracellular Singals, and then Asprin passage. Both worked prety well with Search and Destroy. Then came back to Piano, started to read the passage but knew I was running out of time, so had to guess majority of it. This is as hard as everyone said.

BIO: So I completely memorized Cliffs AP inside and out. I also used some notes I got from someone here. Majority of the questions seemed simple, but too many plant and ecology questions.

Gen Chem: This is what killed my Orgo Score. Spent too much time in this section. Did Destroyer, Chad's Videos, and Kaplan Subject Tests. It seemed more difficult than I was expecting.

Orgo: I had this nailed down. I thought I was easily going to get above 20s. Memorized all of kaplan and destroyer rxns. But time killed my score, ran out of time so guesses a few.

Overall I'm very very disappointed with my scores, I've been studying my butt off this past summer. I thought I would do much better but didn't. This has been a very difficult summer b/c of my mothers passing away and other family issues. But I tried my hardest and failed.

I'm planing on a retake but was wondering what are my chances with these scores.
GPA: 3.63, SGPA: 3.5, Non-Science: 3.93
Founder of Biological Sciences Society,
Attended VCU Summer Enhrichment program
And many more EC

Also, what should I do about notifying schools of a retake. I submitted my application in July. Should I call every school and let them know I'm going to retake? Do I even have a chance this cycle?

Thank you everyone in advanced, This has been a very disappointing day.

Dude did you take any Practice tests such as Topscore and Dat Acheiver? or is Kaplan subject tests all you had? It would have definitely familiarized you with the test taking strategies and how prepared you are!

 

[bigstix808]

your chances aren't great...but remember, the AVERAGE for most schools is 18 or 19 (although a good number of them are 20+ but we'll leave those out for now)

so if the AVERAGE is 19 then, yes, they will take 20's and 21's...but with that said they have to take 16's, 17's, and 18's. i'd retake personally to UP your chances, but your gpa is solid. try and keep your head up.

 

[AfgDental]

Dude did you take any Practice tests such as Topscore and Dat Acheiver? or is Kaplan subject tests all you had? It would have definitely familiarized you with the test taking strategies and how prepared you are!

Yes, I used Top Score Practice exams and was averaging like 17s-19s
But I know my weakness, I think that I didn't take enough practice exams.This time I'm gonna get Achiever, more Kaplan full length exams, and practice, practice, practice!!!

Thank you everyone for your info and support, I will definitely retake the exam, but I was wondering what should I do about informing schools about a retake? Any advice

Thanks again,

 

[arginine1]

I'm guessing that all you can do is notify them (letter or phone call) that you're planning on retaking the test.

I'm sorry to hear that you've worked for so long only to arrive with these results. And I'm also sorry about your familial situation. You seem to have a beautiful and determined spirit though. With more full length practice tests (just to develop a better speed) I'm sure you will come out with wonderful results.

Keep your head up and good luck!

 

[solstice]

This was your post a week before the test:

Hi everyone, My DAT is next week and I'm getting real nervous. I have a few questions that need to be answered.
1. Should I go over Biology Section of DAT destroyer, is it necessary?
2. Haven't taken a practice exam yet, taking one on Saturday and other on Monday. Is this enough
3. And also need help in Math, I left this for the end and I feel like I have so much to learn, I'm planing doing math section in Destroyer and 3 Top Score exams, Is this enough for a 17. Thanks everyone

I assume you post this thread to get some help, for perhaps your next try?? So pardon me if my language may seem harsh to you.
1. you studied for threeeeeeee months (12 Weeks) and did not take a single test to even know the test format. Reading your books is not enough. taking tests are at least 60% of your job and 90% as you get close to the test date.
2. After 11 weeks of study (1 week short of exam you are aking people who have no idea about your preparation to advise you if it is necessary to read biology and etc?? You kidding right?
3. you panic at the end and thinking two tests is enough to tell you your weak points. So what do you think now? was it?
4. If you want a good or OK score in any section, you do not leave for to the end. This is Gambling not test preparation.
5. Your standard was to get 17 and well now you know why I told you in my original post why you need to raise your standard. I went on a test wanting a 30 in Ochem and knew I can get that and look what happened. Your science scores are not terrible, but weren't looking for 17 any way??

So start Over and study serious and know that you will be the only one who knows what to do.

 

[AfgDental]

This was your post a week before the test:

Hi everyone, My DAT is next week and I'm getting real nervous. I have a few questions that need to be answered.
1. Should I go over Biology Section of DAT destroyer, is it necessary?
2. Haven't taken a practice exam yet, taking one on Saturday and other on Monday. Is this enough
3. And also need help in Math, I left this for the end and I feel like I have so much to learn, I'm planing doing math section in Destroyer and 3 Top Score exams, Is this enough for a 17. Thanks everyone

I assume you post this thread to get some help, for perhaps your next try?? So pardon me if my language may seem harsh to you.
1. you studied for threeeeeeee months (12 Weeks) and did not take a single test to even know the test format. Reading your books is not enough. taking tests are at least 60% of your job and 90% as you get close to the test date.
2. After 11 weeks of study (1 week short of exam you are aking people who have no idea about your preparation to advise you if it is necessary to read biology and etc?? You kidding right?
3. you panic at the end and thinking two tests is enough to tell you your weak points. So what do you think now? was it?
4. If you want a good or OK score in any section, you do not leave for to the end. This is Gambling not test preparation.
5. Your standard was to get 17 and well now you know why I told you in my original post why you need to raise your standard. I went on a test wanting a 30 in Ochem and knew I can get that and look what happened. Your science scores are not terrible, but weren't looking for 17 any way??

So start Over and study serious and know that you will be the only one who knows what to do.

Thanks you Sostice and everyone else for your advice.