Absolutely flusterd

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duvaldentist

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Ok so I need to vent and gauge my status of preparation. So currently I'm am becoming so stressed out as I've been studying for about three months now I've studied section by section and I started with chem and I just realized after memorizing everything else I've began to forget a lot of my gchem. so first question is did any of you other guys run into the roadblock of forgetting material as you memorized new material. Also I finally covered all the material and I am in the process of doing destroyer but its taking me a while and I'm starting to feel like it's hopeless. Will the real DAT be as detailed and intricate as destroyer. Also I have topscore, acheiver, 2009 ADA paper copy DAT and CDP PAT. Ideally or speaking from personal experience which did you guys find most representative to the real thing and also how far in advance did you guys complete the tests because I think I will be doing a test everyday for about a week before the real thing, is that a bad idea or do you guys suggest any other better strategy.

Sorry im so scatter brained right now, can anyone give me a few words of encouragement or anything to help put me at ease in regards to the DAT. I know this thread is going to be a little winey but please no negativity here please.
 
Ok so I need to vent and gauge my status of preparation. So currently I’m am becoming so stressed out as I’ve been studying for about three months now I’ve studied section by section and I started with chem and I just realized after memorizing everything else I’ve began to forget a lot of my gchem. so first question is did any of you other guys run into the roadblock of forgetting material as you memorized new material. Also I finally covered all the material and I am in the process of doing destroyer but its taking me a while and I’m starting to feel like it’s hopeless. Will the real DAT be as detailed and intricate as destroyer. Also I have topscore, acheiver, 2009 ADA paper copy DAT and CDP PAT. Ideally or speaking from personal experience which did you guys find most representative to the real thing and also how far in advance did you guys complete the tests because I think I will be doing a test everyday for about a week before the real thing, is that a bad idea or do you guys suggest any other better strategy.

Sorry im so scatter brained right now, can anyone give me a few words of encouragement or anything to help put me at ease in regards to the DAT. I know this thread is going to be a little winey but please no negativity here please.

Peace be upon you,

Dont worry, ive been studying for a while, and i also forgot things! its normal. and probably just like you im sick of studying too. I just wanted to let you know that i was in Dr. Romanos class this past semester, and already 5 students from our class got 25+ Total Science. How? They understood everything in the destroyer. I mean EVERYTHING. For bio, when you see questions that are like all of the above, guess what, you better know every single one of those. Know every answer choice, and ALL the solutions. Many people here have said the 2009 is pretty good representation. They also say CDP is very good. You are on the right track, dont give up. Remember hard work pays off. Also if you can get your hands on chads quizes/videos if you need some extra help, everyone says those are excellent as well. As long as you believe in yourself, you will do great, God Willing. Salam.
 
Ok so I need to vent and gauge my status of preparation. So currently I’m am becoming so stressed out as I’ve been studying for about three months now I’ve studied section by section and I started with chem and I just realized after memorizing everything else I’ve began to forget a lot of my gchem. so first question is did any of you other guys run into the roadblock of forgetting material as you memorized new material. Also I finally covered all the material and I am in the process of doing destroyer but its taking me a while and I’m starting to feel like it’s hopeless. Will the real DAT be as detailed and intricate as destroyer. Also I have topscore, acheiver, 2009 ADA paper copy DAT and CDP PAT. Ideally or speaking from personal experience which did you guys find most representative to the real thing and also how far in advance did you guys complete the tests because I think I will be doing a test everyday for about a week before the real thing, is that a bad idea or do you guys suggest any other better strategy.

Sorry im so scatter brained right now, can anyone give me a few words of encouragement or anything to help put me at ease in regards to the DAT. I know this thread is going to be a little winey but please no negativity here please.

that was my biggest DAT mistake (aside from focusing alot of time on bio instead of GC and Orgo).... I extended my studying for about 3.5 months (huge mistake, by time 3rd month started, I had forgotten many of the stuff studied in the first couple weeks).

IMO, the MOST efficient way to take care of this bug is to grind it out on a 8-10 week studying schedule. Lose your social life and embrace 8-10+ hours of DAT misery (haha pun)
 
Ok so I need to vent and gauge my status of preparation. So currently I’m am becoming so stressed out as I’ve been studying for about three months now I’ve studied section by section and I started with chem and I just realized after memorizing everything else I’ve began to forget a lot of my gchem. so first question is did any of you other guys run into the roadblock of forgetting material as you memorized new material. Also I finally covered all the material and I am in the process of doing destroyer but its taking me a while and I’m starting to feel like it’s hopeless. Will the real DAT be as detailed and intricate as destroyer. Also I have topscore, acheiver, 2009 ADA paper copy DAT and CDP PAT. Ideally or speaking from personal experience which did you guys find most representative to the real thing and also how far in advance did you guys complete the tests because I think I will be doing a test everyday for about a week before the real thing, is that a bad idea or do you guys suggest any other better strategy.

Sorry im so scatter brained right now, can anyone give me a few words of encouragement or anything to help put me at ease in regards to the DAT. I know this thread is going to be a little winey but please no negativity here please.
I am kind of in the same boat as you. The thing is while you are studying each section I recommend take notes, make notecards, etc. I wrote detailed notes about Bio, GC, OC, and QR. Every day I go back and study either GC and QR or OC and Bio. So everyother day I am basically reviewing the entire chapter.

Like you I am starting to get upset with the DAT Destroyer. I think it is way too hard for the actual DAT. If you want to get like a 28 or something rediculous it might help, but I like to study material that is on par for that actual test, not harder. I guess its a matter of preference though.

I haven't take the DAT yet, but I have heard the 2009 DAT version is pretty representative of how you will score on the real exam. I ordered my copy and it should be in shortly, my DAT is in 9 days so I can probably give you a little insight on how representative it is afterwards.
 
i was thinking the same thing today. i was reviewing orgo and i feel like in focusing on orgo for the past week, i forgot everything about gen chem. wtf. so i guess now is the time to study multiple subjects a day. i think for me, this is the only way i can retain ALL the information on ALL the subjects and not forget (or try not to). Bc if i focus on one subject at a time, ill forget info (or wont rmbr details) for another subject.
just do practice problems for each subject everyday if u can, that way ull keep concepts fresh in ur mind.
& imo, no the DAT is not as difficult as dat destroyer (i took it last year). im not sure what prep material to compare it to though. they all help but i dont think the DAT is like any ONE prep book/software w/e.
i never actually took a full length test before my DAT last year and i dont plan on taking one this year either..........i just cant sit still for 5 hours and do it. i just do the "practice tests" subject by subject....and hope that on the real thing.......ill be able to handle it.....
if i was doing a test everydday a week b4 my test i think id want to kill myself during the actual test, i would drive myself CRAZY. but if u can do that and have that patience........go headddddddd girllll or guy.
 
Of course, if you proceed section by section, you will inevitably forget. You really need to study all the sections together. At this point since you're already 3 months in, I don't know what to say except review, review, review.
 
Allahisgreater how is dr. Romano's class i always wondered what it would be like being there instead of just going by his book im sure he is very helpfull. and as for memorizing everything my GPA is towards the low side so im trying to compensate with a stelar DAT so im shooting for that high TS as well. I hope your friends got the 25+ by the book and not because there just simply genius's already lol.

Dentalworks i totaly agree buddy, i actualy formulated a study plan based off of your guide but instead i grouped it by subject instead multiple subjects a day, and as you can tell I am well behind in my schedule :/ but on a positive note ive been studying from the moment i wake up untill the wee hours of the morning every night so hopefully i can pull my self together.

UCFfinatic (sorry for the assumption im just assuming you go to UCF) my sister actualy goes to UCF so that would be hilarious if you knew her, shes also predental lol but shes only a sophmore. And actualy i was going to take my DAT out there in orlando on the 30th but unfortunatly im thinking about pushing it back a little. And what i have found that worked for me is as you stated notecards that i go threw every few days, and also I made a list of topics that i run threw using the cue words to spark my memory about important topics.

Molar3 what did you do this time around to prepare, and what are you realisticly shooting for score wise?

Letsgotodentalschool, yup thats exactly what im doing lol. The stuff i learned before comes back to me alot easier but i wish it was still fresh as when i first learned so i wouldnt have to go back lol.
 
hang in there man! i ve been studying for like 3 months. much more this last month. and dat is in 2 wks. and my practice tests still arent avg :/ ...i know the info but i keep running out of time. and when i look at the answers...i just wanna slap myself for missing the question cuz of careless mistakes.

i m using destroyer and think its helpful. one thing i did was used the "roadmaps" in the book and photocopied them and i try to memorize them every night. use flash cards too. i have a ton of them...i prob should look at them more from now on. lol

i m frustrated myself so i needed to vent too. lol ur post made me feel a tad better knowing other ppl feel this way too 🙂 hang in there!! we can do it!!
 
Allahisgreater how is dr. Romano's class i always wondered what it would be like being there instead of just going by his book im sure he is very helpfull. and as for memorizing everything my GPA is towards the low side so im trying to compensate with a stelar DAT so im shooting for that high TS as well. I hope your friends got the 25+ by the book and not because there just simply genius's already lol.

Dentalworks i totaly agree buddy, i actualy formulated a study plan based off of your guide but instead i grouped it by subject instead multiple subjects a day, and as you can tell I am well behind in my schedule :/ but on a positive note ive been studying from the moment i wake up untill the wee hours of the morning every night so hopefully i can pull my self together.

UCFfinatic (sorry for the assumption im just assuming you go to UCF) my sister actualy goes to UCF so that would be hilarious if you knew her, shes also predental lol but shes only a sophmore. And actualy i was going to take my DAT out there in orlando on the 30th but unfortunatly im thinking about pushing it back a little. And what i have found that worked for me is as you stated notecards that i go threw every few days, and also I made a list of topics that i run threw using the cue words to spark my memory about important topics.

Molar3 what did you do this time around to prepare, and what are you realisticly shooting for score wise?

Letsgotodentalschool, yup thats exactly what im doing lol. The stuff i learned before comes back to me alot easier but i wish it was still fresh as when i first learned so i wouldnt have to go back lol.
HAHAH we have a lot in common! I do go to UCF and was a part of the Pre-Dental club for a little bit, before missing most of the meetings from a combination of work and my orgo lab. My good buddy is actually the externial media relations chair of the club though. I am taking my DAT the 28th, but couldn't book it around Orlando so I have to travel out to Tampa to take it. I've thought about pushing it back, but I am probably just going to grind it out and see how it goes.
 
HAHAH we have a lot in common! I do go to UCF and was a part of the Pre-Dental club for a little bit, before missing most of the meetings from a combination of work and my orgo lab. My good buddy is actually the externial media relations chair of the club though. I am taking my DAT the 28th, but couldn't book it around Orlando so I have to travel out to Tampa to take it. I've thought about pushing it back, but I am probably just going to grind it out and see how it goes.

lol man theres a lot of dates for orlando area lol, push it back and mabe i'll run into u lol then we can celebrate our amazing scores together no homo
 
Don't worry about forgetfullness. I spread my studying over 5 months, and in the heat of the moment I could recall all relevant info to the tune of 22AA. YOU WILL BE FINE! Your last week or so before the DAT should just be review!
 
Don't worry about forgetfullness. I spread my studying over 5 months, and in the heat of the moment I could recall all relevant info to the tune of 22AA. YOU WILL BE FINE! Your last week or so before the DAT should just be review!

What do you mean by review? because the material i have been reviewing i know pretty well i just strugle with some questions im doing. Like for the chems i only used chads vids but theres new stuff ive never seen b4 on destroyer so im trying to soak that stuff up.
 
lol man theres a lot of dates for orlando area lol, push it back and mabe i'll run into u lol then we can celebrate our amazing scores together no homo
I can't really push it back because I am taking two upper level business classes starting next Monday. I'd rather take it when it's the only thing on my mind. But either way lets celebrate!
 
i studied for around 5-6 months little by little, but i anticipated that i would forget some of it, so i made sure to do a 2 week intense review at the end of it all! it all came back easily. and destroyer is a bit more detailed than the real deal but if you know it then you will do awesome!!!
 
i studied for around 5-6 months little by little, but i anticipated that i would forget some of it, so i made sure to do a 2 week intense review at the end of it all! it all came back easily. and destroyer is a bit more detailed than the real deal but if you know it then you will do awesome!!!

Thanks Olive, i read your DAT breakdown and you said two things that caught my attention. 1st being that chads videos were good but they were better for gchem rather than ochem, being that i soley relied on chad to re teach me these topics and im reinforcing it with destroyer why do you think chad was lacking in ochem and if i do destroyer will i be golden ( I must add that im trying to score very high because my GPA is on the low end of the scale so keep that in mind). Also 2nd being that QR was a chalenge for you, im curently going threw the math destroyer so my question is did you do all 10 tests or did you only do a couple?
 
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