Any tips to improve DAT score?

[SGStudent]

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Hey guys, so I am very determined to go dental school, however taking it for the first time I did not do as well as I planned. I studied during the summer and half way through spring 2012 semester, and its been tough. It was smooth sailing at the beginning of semester DAT + classes wasn't that bad, until Hurricane Sandy hit. I am from NJ and it was two weeks before my DAT. I was forced to evacuate in a shelter and had no electricity for almost a month. But I don't want to make that as an excuse and my main goal is to improve my points as much as I can.
PAT: 16
QR: 16
RC: 17
Bio: 13 (very disappointing)
Chem: 16
Orgo: 15
AA: 15
The materials I used was what others mainly adviced to use:
Orgo and Chem- chad's vids and destroyer (I focused on this since others said its where I can get most of my AA)
Bio: barron's, thinkwell with George Wolfe, Chads, some of destroyer
PA: crack DAT PAT
RC: Did not have time
QR: Destroyer
I realized those I studied the least I got the highest compare to those I really focused, sign of burned out??
*** Practice exams: I was planning to take the 3 practice exams by Topscore, but it made me feel intimidated and nervous, took the first test and my score was strings of 12's and 14's. But I know now that it should implement me in what to focus on studying. Also used Qvault and was getting 17's in bio, but did worst. Destroyer had several all the above answers, so used it to aid me to understand concepts. QR also used Destroyer but did not time myself and I didn't have time to memorize formulas.
Any advice would is welcomed and will be appreciated. I want to thank-you in advance for the advice.
Good luck with finals!

 

[LaughingGas]

I'm sorry that Hurricane Sandy affected your studies. From what I've seen in this form, people that scored decently good (20+) studied for about 2.5 months average. So studying since spring, you probably had forgotten a lot of stuffs and most likely, you overstudied.
I personally learn (for now) by writing things.
I printed this page : DAT subject last few pages
Then made flashcards for bio depending on subject (for example, genetics, embryology, etc). I personally used MCAT book for basic outline of each subject, then filled it up with the information I gathered from destroyer and DAT Q vault. I made it easy for me to review fast just by reading flashcards.
For chems, you already know about Chads, so knowing what he says inside out and understanding his reasonings, would get you 20+ on each chem section (I personally focused more on bio, b/c I thought higher points you get in BIO, you would get higher TS, lol).
PAT: practice practice practice, learn the patterns?
This is probably more helpful DAT list
The biggest problem for you seems timing. I remember someone who scored 24 or 25, did this strategy:
Set destroyer questions 40 bio, 30 gen chem , 30 ochem and time them as if they were real DAT questions.
Same for QR.
Also , now you have taken the DAT, you know that the questions asked are mostly very basic. For bio, I know plants, ecology and evolution are barely asked, but knowing those or having exposure of them will make a difference between people getting 21+ and the ones that get lower. I had about 4 ~5 questions about plants, ecology and evolution, and probably knowing the right answer for those got me 24 in bio.
Best luck.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Read my breakdown! And search for the "la datélisse" thread that smurf made--it has a wealth of information. Best of luck!

 

[SGStudent]

I have read your post, and congratulations! I admire those who can study for short four hours and retain the material. For me, in order to retain the material I have to constantly expose myself.

 

[SGStudent]

Thanks for the advice, I have thought the same.. Burnout+other materials from classes is a lot.. I don't want to take this as intimidation, rather a learning experience to improve my scores

 

[Glimmer1991]

I agree that continually exposing yourself to the material is crucial, which is why I went over Barron's AP bio two times, Cliff's AP bio (2x for the most important sections), and KBB Bio. After I had gone over the biology so many times and had it presented to me in different ways through the various resources, I felt like I had a lot of it down. And I didn't just study 4 hours! 🙂 It was more like 400. Studying 4 hours a day, though, kept me from feeling the burnout that I know you've experienced. You can't try to cram too much into one day or you will just be exhausted and won't retain anything. Also, I think you may have studied for too long, because you probably forgot a lot of what you studied during spring semester. Cut out all the fluff and study the important things for just 1.5 months (since you've already taken this monster before, I don't think you'd need much more than this!). Best of luck to you!

 

[kmcw]

I found cramming over a short period was better than glancing over things every once and a while over a long period of time. Try using the same study methods you use to study for a test too. For example I learn through writing things down. I made note cards as I went of everything I read. Ended up with about 600 note cards in 2 weeks, but it helped me learn

 

[SGStudent]

Thanks a lot for the advice! Yes, I did feel like my brain experienced "overload," but I am sure with constant exposure and the chance of only focusing on it this summer will do the justice!

 

[SGStudent]

Yea, I actually didn't have time to go over my massive index cards before the test, since I was doing chem and orgo problems. What I think I am going to do is just keep them in my pocket and so I can constantly go over them while lets say driving somewhere.

 

[Msmouth]

How did you do in your biology and chem courses? I believe that doing well in the courses carries over into the DAT (of course some people are the exception). Did you study in an organized fashion or were you all over the place? You should have a plan to conquer your weaknesses first. Did you take the ADA 2009 practice exam? Topscore is very good for getting your timing down! Don't worry too much over the scores.

 

[biomolecmed]

Try using Schaums outlines for Gen chem and Bio. Also, 'Organic chemistry and a second language" as well as ACS booklet have a very good practice problems. Lastly, new version of the Destoroyer, 2013 just became available. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[Msmouth]

In addition to Chad's videos did you do all of his quizzes? I did all of his gen chem quizzes twice and sometime even more. His orgo quizzes were also good plus destroyer road maps were an excellent tool for doing well.

 

[Dotoday]

Definitely do Kaplans tests, Achiever and all of the questions from new Destroyer. If you understand how to do them, you will be ready. Good luck.

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk

 

[SGStudent]

Thanks all.. I apologize haven't posted in a while.. Just done with finals. Your right MsMouth I think I was all over the place, I did Kaplan and took their tests, but did not take it as serious since I was taking the course with classes. Then studied heavily during the summer, but was memorizing rather than understanding. I came from a community college and now finishing in a four year college, and yes I definitely knew that bio courses are completely different, I am reading all the basics now and then will memorize the details later. Dotoday I did destroyer orgo and chem 3X I have both 2011 and 2012 version and I saw some problems that were definitely similar and so I am going to use scheums and orgo as a second language like biomolecmed say and just keep doing problems by problems, because for me doing problems helps me to understand and remember the concepts.

Have a great holidays everybody and I appreciate the advices!

 

[toothdds]

Hey guys, so I am very determined to go dental school, however taking it for the first time I did not do as well as I planned. I studied during the summer and half way through spring 2012 semester, and its been tough. It was smooth sailing at the beginning of semester DAT + classes wasn't that bad, until Hurricane Sandy hit. I am from NJ and it was two weeks before my DAT. I was forced to evacuate in a shelter and had no electricity for almost a month. But I don't want to make that as an excuse and my main goal is to improve my points as much as I can.
PAT: 16
QR: 16
RC: 17
Bio: 13 (very disappointing)
Chem: 16
Orgo: 15
AA: 15
The materials I used was what others mainly adviced to use:
Orgo and Chem- chad's vids and destroyer (I focused on this since others said its where I can get most of my AA)
Bio: barron's, thinkwell with George Wolfe, Chads, some of destroyer
PA: crack DAT PAT
RC: Did not have time
QR: Destroyer
I realized those I studied the least I got the highest compare to those I really focused, sign of burned out??
*** Practice exams: I was planning to take the 3 practice exams by Topscore, but it made me feel intimidated and nervous, took the first test and my score was strings of 12's and 14's. But I know now that it should implement me in what to focus on studying. Also used Qvault and was getting 17's in bio, but did worst. Destroyer had several all the above answers, so used it to aid me to understand concepts. QR also used Destroyer but did not time myself and I didn't have time to memorize formulas.
Any advice would is welcomed and will be appreciated. I want to thank-you in advance for the advice.
Good luck with finals!

Hello I was just wondering, were you able to improve your scores and have success on the DAT? I am struggling with my DAT studying now so just wanted to see how you came through. Thank you!