Okay, so I'm taking my DAT on 1/11 so I can't tell you anything about what's the best study tool or how one study tool compares to the real DAT...BUT I've been so anxious lately that I've been lurking the forums, which is kind of making me feel better (I know, weird) now that I have a good sense of the general consensus about Achiever v. Real (I'm also taking Achiever practice tests)
But here is what I've gathered so far:
Achiever's RC is much more difficult than the real DAT. The passages are about the same length, but an easier read. It's also a luck of the draw. If you get a subject that interests you or have some prior knowledge in, YAY! If it's a subject that's making you feel like counting your split ends would be so much more interesting, just plow through! The tone questions and detail questions that require you to pull information from like paragraphs 1, 8, 12, and 5 are kind of overkill. But apparently chugging through those AND the answer explanations will prep you for the real DAT.
Achiever's QR seems to have a reputation of being slightly harder than the real DAT with more questions that make you actually do lots of math (rather than being able to cancel out factors, you actually have to multiply giant numbers that you couldn't cancel out). If you're really freaked out about this section, if you have access to DAT destroyer math, I'd get that and try to at least do the first 5 practice tests. It's all a matter of familiarizing yourself with the types of questions that they can ask =/
Achievers sciences seem on par with DAT destroyer science questions, which people say are kind of overkill but will prep you well for the actual thing. I've read anything from "they're okay representation to a lot of they're harder.
Achiever PAT is a mix. I am beginning to think that if the Achiever PAT and CDP had a kid, it'd be the real DAT's PAT section...
- Keyholes - it's tricky, but it really makes you focus on proportions, which is what the real DAT supposedly focuses on as well (as opposed to CDP where it was more like "Hey, that shape doesn't belong here")
- TFE - they say this one is more or less on par with the real one when it comes to not being able to use the line counting method. People say this section really makes you visualize in 3d what's going on...and that this is the type of approach you have to have on the DAT. Except, again, the shapes aren't as tricky. I don't really understand this since line counting works for me. Maybe my definition of line counting is totally off?
- Angles - says the visuals are more like the DAT with Achiever (with the jagged, not smooth lines as opposed to the smooth ones on CDP). I've also heard the CDP angles are harder. I think Achiever's angles are on par
- Hole punching - people say this one is on par. Maybe less weird half folds and stuff?
- Pattern folding - I think generally Achiever is a bit more trickier, but again, chugging through this section and really understanding it will help you on the DAT.
Overall, Achiever is harder than what you would see on the real DAT. Most people seem to score around 15-18 or 19 on the Achiever and generally tend to score 19, mostly 20+ on their real DAT. From what I've read, it seems like people tend to get about 3-4 scores higher on the real DAT compared to the Achiever.
Also, I've heard that CDR is good, but I haven't really read whether it's harder or easier. I'm really hoping it's on par with the real DAT and that it won't be like Achiever (if it is, I'm going to cry). To compare Achiever RC and CDR, I received 16/20 on Achiever test 1/2 but 22/23/23 on CDR so there is a giant discrepancy there.
One thing I will note about the RC is that on CDR, when you flip through the questions, the reading passage stays where you left it. If you notice on Achiever, the reading passage resets to the top every time you change to another question. The real DAT will be like the Achiever so if you were answering #23 and ran across an answer to question #19 you were unsure about, REMEMBER IT. By the time you get to #19, the passage will have been reset.
Overall, I think the Achiever is hard. It's here to kick you in the balls and leave you crying. In general, I think if you're getting at least 16s across the board for Achiever, you shouldn't be freaking out and rescheduling a test.
Also remember that these are just numbers. What you're really trying to get out of these practice tests is to (1) deal with a screaming bladder for an hour while chugging through hole punching, (2) learn to not gulp down caffeine right before starting the test, (3) build your stamina up for a freaking long test, and (4) LEARN from your mistakes. What's really important is that you go through all your questions, even if you got them right, and read/look at all the solutions!!!
Ahh sorry it was so long but I'm too lazy to condense it.
Good luck & I wish you the best (and for me too hahahaha).
--> Definitely going into denial that I have my DAT this Friday
