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- Pre-Dental
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First and foremost, this is a sincere thank you to everyone who posts on these forums.
I honestly wish I scored higher, but its such a relief to be done!
Tip: During the tutorial, a math question was asked that was the same during the QR section. If you solve it ahead of time, its one less question you have to do for the QR. (I don't know if this happens for everyone). Also, check out the calculator during the tutorial. You will be able to see how laggy it is or isn't and whether or not you should rely on it. Use the 15 minutes during the tutorial to write down anything you may need to know for sciences (formulas) or PAT (such as hole punch grids). Also, write down math formulas (sin/cos/tan etc) during the 15 minute break after PAT.
The breakdown:
AA 21 (93.4 percentile)
TS 21 (91.6 percentile)
PAT 21 (87.9 percentile)
BIO 23 (97.4 percentile)
GC 20 (79.8 percentile)
OC 21 (85.7 percentile)
RC 24 (94.0 percentile)
QR 18 (84.7 percentile)
BIO = 23 AP Cliffs, DAT Destroyer, Barrons AP, DATQvault
It was pretty random. If you are a biology major - do not waste your time studying for this section. It is very basic, general and random. If you are not a biology major, then you probably need to spend about 20% of your time studying for bio. But, do not waste your time on bio. There were 2 - 3 questions that came from DAT Destroyer. AP Cliffs is okay. I liked Barrons much better but there are some sections one book explains better than the other. Reference both. DATQVault - it was helpful because I was able to see which sections I am weaker in and review those. Also, you should download the taxonomy review sheets on the home DATQVault page. Those graphs are excellent and all you need to know for taxonomy.
GC = 20 Chads videos; supplemented with his quizzes and DESTROYER First, I watched Chads Videos and made detailed notes in a notebook. Then, took his quizzes and destroyer. If I had trouble on something, I re-watched certain portions of Chad's Videos. Then did his quizzes and destroyer a second time. I expected this to be my highest grade; however, this section was extremely tough for me.
OC = 21 Chads videos; his quizzes and DESTROYER
Same as gen. chem. This section was pretty tough for me. There was 3 - 4 questions that I was confused on.
*On the science section, I went through all the questions within 60 minutes and had 30 minutes to review. I had over 40 questions marked and thought I was failing the exam.*
PAT = 21 Crack the DAT PAT, Achiever, condog videos on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/condog51?feature=mhsn)
I was averaging about an 18 - 20 on CDP and 15 - 20 on Achiever.
Keyhole: Out of the 15 questions on the real DAT, about 7 to 8 of them were the same shape but just different proportions. These questions are the easiest because you just look for the one that does not fit. Find errors in 4 of them so you perfectly know the fifth one is the right one.
TOP-FRONT-END: When I was originally studying for TFE, I just used the line counting method for CDP. Please, DO NOT COUNT SOLELY ON THE LINE COUNTING METHOD. I started getting much better scores (even on achiever) by learning how each shape looked. On the real DAT, there was 3 - 4 that were difficult to figure out. I had to rely on Condogs suggestions and line counting.
Angles: Angles are angles. Can't say much more. Used Condogs technique.
Hole Punching: This was a pretty easy section. I used the 4x4 grid method. The only real representation I found that exactly mimics the shape and hole punches to the real DAT is on the DAT 2009 ADA exam you have to purchase. (http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx) - (I took the on-line version since I forgot to order it ahead of time). A lot of the hole punches were difficult to deciper which "quadrant" they fall into. There were a couple one-third folds. Definelty practice these.
Pattern Folding: This section was pretty tough. But the best method for this is simply to find what doesn't belong and eliminate choices.
With 5 minutes left, I had ~8 to 9 questions blank. I just marked B for all of them and tried to really answer them. But just in case the time ended before I got a chance to "really" answer - I had a guessed answer.
*Break: I thought I was going to have to re-take the exam. I was about ready to cry. Nothing except for the 2009 ADA Sample Exam (that you have to purchase) really mimicked the real exam.
Reading = 24 One exam on Achiever (do not do the 2nd exam RC on achiever - waste of time and energy) and Topscore
If English is not your first language or you completely suck at skimming, please do not study for this section beside getting some practice while doing full-length exams. I just made an outline of each paragraph for 2 - 5 minutes depending on the passage. All three passages were only 14 paragraphs long and science-based.
QR = 18 Math Destroyer
All you need for this is math destroyer. However, you need to get your timing down. I was doing OK on math destroyer, but my timing was awful. Know the common/similar destroyer questions like the back of your hand. On the actual exam, I answered all the easy questions and marked the word problems. I went back and answered the word problems. There were about 15 easy, algebra questions and 25 word problems (similar to math destroyer). I put B on about 7 questions that I had absolutely no clue on. I have always sucked at math.
All in all, the only resources you need to break the 20's is:
DAT Destroyer (excellent for all sciences)
Math Destroyer (all you need for math)
Chads Videos (Excellent for chem/ochem)
Achiever (most helpful on PAT)
CDP (Achiever mimicked the exam better than CDP; however, good practice)
Cliffs AP
Barrons AP
ADA Sample Exam 2009 - Best test that mimicked the real DAT. It is worth every cent!
Topscore (I didn't really use this much except for some practice here and there. PAT is too easy. Only used the sciences for more practice.)
DatQVault - (I only took 7/10 exams - good practice for cheap price. Scored btwn 16 - 19)
If you want to do well on the DAT, you must get used to the timing and practice, practice, practice! I wish if I could go back, I would have spent more time practicing and less time reviewing.
Best of luck to everyone studying.
Well, so i am glad I am done. I have been studying since mid-may. A couple of hours everyday, to 6 hours about three weeks before the exam, and the week before I studied 7 - 8 hours. I went to the gym about 4 - 5 times a week, took two classes, and am graduating with my BS degree in 2.5 years =)
Overall GPA = 3.66
Sci GPA = 3.57
I am in the 3+3 UOP accelerated pre-dental program at UOP. These scores and my GPA will guarantee me an interview at UOP Dental school.
I have also applied to UPenn/UCLA/UCSF/Columbia/Western/Midwestern(Az)/NYU/BU/Loma Linda/USC and UOP. AADSAS mailed out my application on 6/27.
If you have any questions - please let me know. Do you guys think I am competitive? I believe my reach schools are UCLA/UPENN/UCSF/Columbia.
I honestly wish I scored higher, but its such a relief to be done!
Tip: During the tutorial, a math question was asked that was the same during the QR section. If you solve it ahead of time, its one less question you have to do for the QR. (I don't know if this happens for everyone). Also, check out the calculator during the tutorial. You will be able to see how laggy it is or isn't and whether or not you should rely on it. Use the 15 minutes during the tutorial to write down anything you may need to know for sciences (formulas) or PAT (such as hole punch grids). Also, write down math formulas (sin/cos/tan etc) during the 15 minute break after PAT.
The breakdown:
AA 21 (93.4 percentile)
TS 21 (91.6 percentile)
PAT 21 (87.9 percentile)
BIO 23 (97.4 percentile)
GC 20 (79.8 percentile)
OC 21 (85.7 percentile)
RC 24 (94.0 percentile)
QR 18 (84.7 percentile)
BIO = 23 AP Cliffs, DAT Destroyer, Barrons AP, DATQvault
It was pretty random. If you are a biology major - do not waste your time studying for this section. It is very basic, general and random. If you are not a biology major, then you probably need to spend about 20% of your time studying for bio. But, do not waste your time on bio. There were 2 - 3 questions that came from DAT Destroyer. AP Cliffs is okay. I liked Barrons much better but there are some sections one book explains better than the other. Reference both. DATQVault - it was helpful because I was able to see which sections I am weaker in and review those. Also, you should download the taxonomy review sheets on the home DATQVault page. Those graphs are excellent and all you need to know for taxonomy.
GC = 20 Chads videos; supplemented with his quizzes and DESTROYER First, I watched Chads Videos and made detailed notes in a notebook. Then, took his quizzes and destroyer. If I had trouble on something, I re-watched certain portions of Chad's Videos. Then did his quizzes and destroyer a second time. I expected this to be my highest grade; however, this section was extremely tough for me.
OC = 21 Chads videos; his quizzes and DESTROYER
Same as gen. chem. This section was pretty tough for me. There was 3 - 4 questions that I was confused on.
*On the science section, I went through all the questions within 60 minutes and had 30 minutes to review. I had over 40 questions marked and thought I was failing the exam.*
PAT = 21 Crack the DAT PAT, Achiever, condog videos on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/condog51?feature=mhsn)
I was averaging about an 18 - 20 on CDP and 15 - 20 on Achiever.
Keyhole: Out of the 15 questions on the real DAT, about 7 to 8 of them were the same shape but just different proportions. These questions are the easiest because you just look for the one that does not fit. Find errors in 4 of them so you perfectly know the fifth one is the right one.
TOP-FRONT-END: When I was originally studying for TFE, I just used the line counting method for CDP. Please, DO NOT COUNT SOLELY ON THE LINE COUNTING METHOD. I started getting much better scores (even on achiever) by learning how each shape looked. On the real DAT, there was 3 - 4 that were difficult to figure out. I had to rely on Condogs suggestions and line counting.
Angles: Angles are angles. Can't say much more. Used Condogs technique.
Hole Punching: This was a pretty easy section. I used the 4x4 grid method. The only real representation I found that exactly mimics the shape and hole punches to the real DAT is on the DAT 2009 ADA exam you have to purchase. (http://www.ada.org/dat.aspx) - (I took the on-line version since I forgot to order it ahead of time). A lot of the hole punches were difficult to deciper which "quadrant" they fall into. There were a couple one-third folds. Definelty practice these.
Pattern Folding: This section was pretty tough. But the best method for this is simply to find what doesn't belong and eliminate choices.
With 5 minutes left, I had ~8 to 9 questions blank. I just marked B for all of them and tried to really answer them. But just in case the time ended before I got a chance to "really" answer - I had a guessed answer.
*Break: I thought I was going to have to re-take the exam. I was about ready to cry. Nothing except for the 2009 ADA Sample Exam (that you have to purchase) really mimicked the real exam.
Reading = 24 One exam on Achiever (do not do the 2nd exam RC on achiever - waste of time and energy) and Topscore
If English is not your first language or you completely suck at skimming, please do not study for this section beside getting some practice while doing full-length exams. I just made an outline of each paragraph for 2 - 5 minutes depending on the passage. All three passages were only 14 paragraphs long and science-based.
QR = 18 Math Destroyer
All you need for this is math destroyer. However, you need to get your timing down. I was doing OK on math destroyer, but my timing was awful. Know the common/similar destroyer questions like the back of your hand. On the actual exam, I answered all the easy questions and marked the word problems. I went back and answered the word problems. There were about 15 easy, algebra questions and 25 word problems (similar to math destroyer). I put B on about 7 questions that I had absolutely no clue on. I have always sucked at math.
All in all, the only resources you need to break the 20's is:
DAT Destroyer (excellent for all sciences)
Math Destroyer (all you need for math)
Chads Videos (Excellent for chem/ochem)
Achiever (most helpful on PAT)
CDP (Achiever mimicked the exam better than CDP; however, good practice)
Cliffs AP
Barrons AP
ADA Sample Exam 2009 - Best test that mimicked the real DAT. It is worth every cent!
Topscore (I didn't really use this much except for some practice here and there. PAT is too easy. Only used the sciences for more practice.)
DatQVault - (I only took 7/10 exams - good practice for cheap price. Scored btwn 16 - 19)
If you want to do well on the DAT, you must get used to the timing and practice, practice, practice! I wish if I could go back, I would have spent more time practicing and less time reviewing.
Best of luck to everyone studying.
Well, so i am glad I am done. I have been studying since mid-may. A couple of hours everyday, to 6 hours about three weeks before the exam, and the week before I studied 7 - 8 hours. I went to the gym about 4 - 5 times a week, took two classes, and am graduating with my BS degree in 2.5 years =)
Overall GPA = 3.66
Sci GPA = 3.57
I am in the 3+3 UOP accelerated pre-dental program at UOP. These scores and my GPA will guarantee me an interview at UOP Dental school.
I have also applied to UPenn/UCLA/UCSF/Columbia/Western/Midwestern(Az)/NYU/BU/Loma Linda/USC and UOP. AADSAS mailed out my application on 6/27.
If you have any questions - please let me know. Do you guys think I am competitive? I believe my reach schools are UCLA/UPENN/UCSF/Columbia.
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