Am I an idiot? 9 days until DAT.

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stoopidmonkeycatdog

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I wanted your opinions on how much I've just screwed myself over.

My test is in 9 days, I've gone through the destroyer bio section once and got about 64.5% correct I made note cards on the ones I missed.

I am fairly good at organic chemistry, but when I did destroyer problems a lot of them were difficult and I thought there was no way they would ask them on the test, I had a 96 in ochem 1 and I have a similar grade in ochem 2 right now so I do know my stuff. Is the DAT similar to destroyer ochem?

I am currently going through destroyer gchem and it's going relatively okay.

I have not done reading comprehension practice, but it is typically my forte.

No legitimate QR or pat practice.

I've taken some bootcamp tests and got like a 20 bio, 19 Pat, 21 RC, 18 Chem and I don't remember Ochem.

Before completing destroyer I got an 18 on the 2007 bio test and a 17 on the ochem, 19 on the ochem.

Am I in bad shape for the actual exam?

Any advice for this last week?
 
You've got a great base, those scores aren't too shabby but I would imagine you'd be happier if all of your scores were 20+. If that's the case, maybe see if it's possible to reschedule your exam for a later time , perhaps like right before June so you're not at a disadvantage for applications. That's because in my personal experience as well as from my observations of other people's breakdowns, bootcamp test scores are quite reflective of the actual scores you would receive on the day - obviously it varies from test to test, from individual to individual, but that's the general trend. Moreover, having some extra time to cover all your bases will give you some breathing room to go back and work on your weaknesses. You'll feel more confident going in, and most likely, with a you'll come out with a better score in your hand.

Not sure if you've done this already but for GChem and Ochem, *definitely* watch Chad's videos. He makes it so that even a 7th grader can understand it. It will really help with your scores
 
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You've got a great base, those scores aren't too shabby but I would imagine you'd be happier if all of your scores were 20+. If that's the case, maybe see if it's possible to reschedule your exam for a later time , perhaps like right before June so you're not at a disadvantage for applications. That's because in my personal experience as well as from my observations of other people's breakdowns, bootcamp test scores are quite reflective of the actual scores you would receive on the day - obviously it varies from test to test, from individual to individual, but that's the general trend. Moreover, having some extra time to cover all your bases will give you some breathing room to go back and work on your weaknesses. You'll feel more confident going in, and most likely, better when you come out with a higher score in your hand.

Thank you for your reply.

I would really prefer to not move my exam back, because i have a committee interview on the 5th and they require our scores to compose the letters.

That being said, it is obviously more important that i have high scores on this test. If i took some bootcamp tests and the 2009 test and achieve sufficient scores, do you believe i should continue with the set date?

Also i have heard of an online test you can order from the ADEA for around $40, is this resource worth it?

I have a 3.74 gpa, which if i maintain the grades i have this semester would raise to a 3.78. I have pretty nice EC and i believe my letters of rec and PS will be rather good. I am also an URM if that matters ( i dont think it should) if i happened to score a 19, would it impair my chances of acceptance by a significant margin? I would mainly be applying in Tx.
 
All right, you should be fine. You're already doing many things right, so begin focussing in on the questions you're getting wrong. Having a tough time understanding the Alder reaction? Wiki it. Watch a youtube on it. Or even better watch Chad's videos on it. Study hard the next 7~8 days and give yourself a small zen break before you take the exam. Give it your all like Adonis Creed going out to prove his name. Best of luck champ
 
Don't use destroyer as a form of evaluation. That's not its intended purpose (read the first page of the destroyer) - the problems are way, way harder and serve only as teaching tools. 64% first time beats my ~50%, and I got a 24 in bio.

I got around the same bootcamp scores as you prior to my DAT, and ended up with 24bio/26chem/21ochem. If anything, I would delay it if I were you due to a lack of confidence. Familiarity with the test format and readiness will get you a long way. Oh yeah, PAT is something you can't wing. Get at it.

I do think you can make it. Grind that PAT and brush up on your sciences a little every day. Do at least 1 RC passage a day so you're comfortable with the time pressure (DAT RC was a joke compared to BC's imo). Decide the day before whether you're truly not ready. Good luck!


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All right, you should be fine. You're already doing many things right, so begin focussing in on the questions you're getting wrong. Having a tough time understanding the Alder reaction? Wiki it. Watch a youtube on it. Or even better watch Chad's videos on it. Study hard the next 7~8 days and give yourself a small zen break before you take the exam. Give it your all like Adonis Creed going out to prove his name. Best of luck champ

Don't use destroyer as a form of evaluation. That's not its intended purpose (read the first page of the destroyer) - the problems are way, way harder and serve only as teaching tools. 64% first time beats my ~50%, and I got a 24 in bio.

I got around the same bootcamp scores as you prior to my DAT, and ended up with 24bio/26chem/21ochem. If anything, I would delay it if I were you due to a lack of confidence. Familiarity with the test format and readiness will get you a long way. Oh yeah, PAT is something you can't wing. Get at it.

I do think you can make it. Grind that PAT and brush up on your sciences a little every day. Do at least 1 RC passage a day so you're comfortable with the time pressure (DAT RC was a joke compared to BC's imo). Decide the day before whether you're truly not ready. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Thank you guys so much, I will definitely take your advice seriously. I also will evaluate whether or not i am ready the day before the test and push it back if i am not.

Thanks again!
 
PAT section takes practice, so make sure you have it down before you take the exam.
 
Just a heads up, if you reschedule the test 6 business days or more before your test, its $60. Otherwise if its 5 days or less business days it costs $125.
 
I never received above 20 on bio chem ochem for bootcamp.
This practice test is to learn so score doesn't matter.
A week before DAT, I missed 19 questions(11/30) from chemistry.
I was very frustrated but on real DAT I got 22 bio 23 chem 27 ochem 24 TS
With your GPA, DAT about 20,21 will be fine.
 
I wanted your opinions on how much I've just screwed myself over.

My test is in 9 days, I've gone through the destroyer bio section once and got about 64.5% correct I made note cards on the ones I missed.

I am fairly good at organic chemistry, but when I did destroyer problems a lot of them were difficult and I thought there was no way they would ask them on the test, I had a 96 in ochem 1 and I have a similar grade in ochem 2 right now so I do know my stuff. Is the DAT similar to destroyer ochem?

I am currently going through destroyer gchem and it's going relatively okay.

I have not done reading comprehension practice, but it is typically my forte.

No legitimate QR or pat practice.

I've taken some bootcamp tests and got like a 20 bio, 19 Pat, 21 RC, 18 Chem and I don't remember Ochem.

Before completing destroyer I got an 18 on the 2007 bio test and a 17 on the ochem, 19 on the ochem.

Am I in bad shape for the actual exam?

Any advice for this last we

The organic chem on the destroyer is meant to teach you all the clever little tricks they can pull on you. I suggest going through it twice, should take less than 2 hours a trip. No one can tell you how your dat will be as everyone gets a different test, but I think your 2007 scores are a bit concerning. Your boot camp scores are okay and I think you could get a 20 based on that.
 
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