Advice

[critterbug]

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OK, give it to me straight.

I have scheduled to take the DAT. For the most part, I feel prepared and confident. I just took the second Topscore exam and scored a 20 AA and 17 PAT. I did not score anything below 18 on the topscore except for the PAT.

OK, here are my worries. I just don't seem to be improving on the PAT section. My highest score has been a 17 on the PAT. I took the Kaplan, Topscore 1 and Topscore 2 and received the following scores 15,17,17 respectfully on the PAT.

Should I further postpone the DAT to try and improve my PAT or jump into it and hope for the best? Also, any last minute pointers to help me improve my score on the PAT. My biggest problem seems to be time. I JUST CAN't FINISH THAT PUPPY!! And the top/front/end are tough. The reason I'm worried is becasue everyone seems to think the real PAT is much harder, so I might score much lower than a 17!!

Alright guys/gals, give it to me straight. And don't worry about hurtin my feelings, I have thick skin

 

[Barry20]

Critter,

Take the test my friend! Postponing the test over and over will hurt you more than getting a 17 on the PAT. With your GPA and a solid AA on the DAT, you are in good shape for sure. Just remember on the PAT not to spend too much time on the angles. Either you know them or you don't. I was thinking that a 17 on the PAT would suffice due to the fact that everyone said how hard it was. I got a 19 on it and I owe it to those how talked it up so much. You can still miss about 35-38 and still get a 17. You will be much more focussed on test day and with that you will be more efficient at it, trust me. Go for it, get it over with.

Nic

 

[superman]

I agree with everything Nicolas said.
Take the test! Do not postpone! Good luck Critter!

 

[critterbug]

Thanks guys. I can't BELIEVE how nervous I am!! I hope I do well.

Keep the advice coming. This is the official "Calm critterbug's nerves" thread. However, I like constructive criticism too, so don't be shy 😉

 

[croco]

Nic has a good point, however I would postpone it another week to improve my PAT scores. If you notice by reading some of the posts on dat info on these forums they all seem to be doing better on the pat section on topscore/kaplan than on the real thing. I personally was getting 19-20 on topscore on the pat portion and ended up with a 18. If you are making a 17 pat on topscore chances are you might get a 16🙁

 

[critterbug]

But will a 16 REALLY hurt me that much. the way I look at it, that is just one negative on my application. AND, I have heard some people say that the PAT is not stressed as much as the AA. Any fellow Texans out there wanna calm my nerves? larryt, you out there?

 

[croco]

yo, im a texan, Houston. baylor can care less about the PAT, but I heard UTSA and UTH care to a degree. The admission staff said however they look more at AA and total science, but the pat is still very important. Looking at your GPA though I just changed my mind. Take it.

 

[critterbug]

Yes, I do have a very high GPA. Academics have always been my strong point, and I worked very hard in undergrad to keep my academic scholarship.

Thanks for the advice croco, I forgot you were a Texan. PM me with any other insight you might have on the other Texas schools.

Thanks man

 

[Barry20]

Croco and Critter,

I know I am probably the exception, but I must mention that I was getting 17-18 on the topscore PAT and got a 19 on the real thing. As I mentioned, I think it had to do with the degree of focus when I took the real test. No matter how much you try, you cannot emulate the adrenaline that pumps through your veins when you are cruising through the test. Its all that Sympathetic Nervous System Fight or Flight garbage! It makes you more precise in your judgement, especially spatially. Best of luck to you. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[critterbug]

Alright. That makes me feel better. You are the first person I have talked to that scored HIGHER on the real PAT than they did on the TOPSCORE. And two points higher to boot!! Thanks for your words of encouragement Nic.

 

[ohcdn]

I agree with the "just take it" crowd. especially if you are like me and excel only at the big show. I never can motivate myself to my full potential during practice tests. You'll be surprised at the outcome. Just be confident and dont second guess yourself. If PAT is the only section you are not sure of, I say just do it man. I'm sure you;ll do well, especially with your impressive gpa.

 

[critterbug]

Well, theres no turning back now. I have decided to take it. Thanks everyone!

This thread is still open to suggestions.

 

[croco]

hey, when or what date do u take the DAT?

 

[catwoman219]

have you bought the barrons review book? its much smaller than the kaplan book and its only useful for the PAT. i was doing badly when i was studying for the PAT because i didn't have enough time, but this book walks you through step by step the best strategy for solving the problems. i think you should take another week or two adn work it through because the PAT is the next most important score after the science average, and it does stand alone when dental schools recieve your scores. it is well worth buying the barrons book. i could even sell u mine 😉 😉

 

[critterbug]

YEs, I have the barrons book, read the PAT section, and STILL saw no improvement. I tried to use the counting lines strategy on the top/front/ends---But it doesnt seem to be applicable but for only a few of the problems. I dunno, I'm jsut gonna give it my all, thats all I can do I suppose.

 

[croco]

Originally posted by croco
hey, when or what date do u take the DAT?

And the answer is....

 

[catwoman219]

why don't you try to to work on shapes in your everyday life. i know it sounds cheesy, but if you try to imagine the front, top, side views of regular stuff, you will train your brain into doing those questions quickly. also, usually you can eliminate one or two obvious ones by a difference in one critical area, so look for the different details. if you have a problem with the patterns on cube folding, make up your own and try to draw different combinations of a cube. making up your own problems really helps you get a hold of the thought process and do it quickly. i studied for the test with a friend, and it really helps to bounce things off one another and make up questions for each other

 

[Zurich5]

Man, you have a re-noculous gpa, and you'll more than likely suprise yourself on the DAT. My advice is to go take it, you'll do well. Just chill on the pat, it will come to you. Good luck.

 

[wildcat22]

I was in the same situation, trying to decide whether or not to take the DAT when scheduled. I went ahead and took it last Mon. I improved on every section except for the PAT---I think the easier angles were saving me on the practice tests. Here are my scores:
AA: 20
PAT: 16 🙁
QR: 19
RC:22
BIO:22
GC:20
OC:19
TS:21

I have a 3.8 total GPA and science GPA around 3.6-3.7. Lots of volunteer exp, research, and some shadowing. Is there hope for me with such a lousy PAT score?

 

[croco]

Nope there is no hope for you, you're done!
Are you kidding me? A 3.8 and 20AA? Unless you are trying to get into the top schools in the country you have a great chance of admittance. Apply to some middle tier public schools as well as private schools and you will have in my opinion a great shot.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by wildcat22
I was in the same situation, trying to decide whether or not to take the DAT when scheduled. I went ahead and took it last Mon. I improved on every section except for the PAT---I think the easier angles were saving me on the practice tests. Here are my scores:
AA: 20
PAT: 16 🙁
QR: 19
RC:22
BIO:22
GC:20
OC:19
TS:21

I have a 3.8 total GPA and science GPA around 3.6-3.7. Lots of volunteer exp, research, and some shadowing. Is there hope for me with such a lousy PAT score?

Yes, thats what I'm afraid of. I do well on the angles, hole punch, and cube counting......but bomb the pattern folding and top/front/ends.

I do mediocre on the keyholes.

 

[critterbug]

wildcat22,

I PM'd you