At what point did yall feel confident to take the DAT?

[Maybe.a.dentist]

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I only just started studying for the DAT but so far it feels pretty overwhelming as it is I don't have any obligations during the week and only work weekends so I can attack studying full time but I worry it's not going to be enough. I have budgeted myself a month to study but I can't push the test back anymore after that, I need to start work working full time, I am by no means well off and have bills to pay any time I have to study will drop significantly starting the day after I scheduled my DAT. So I mostly just want to know if I'm alone in feeling over my head the first week but that within the next 3 I can get a good handle on this. But like I said, pushing it back any further isn't an option for me.

 

[changtw]

Hey there!

The first week is always the most overwhelming. This is the time when you pretty much have no idea where to begin. All you wind up doing is shuffling through all your resources, realizing just how much information there is to study, and feeling pretty screwed.

I think the most important thing for me was taking 1-2 days to search for study guides and customizing one to fit my schedule. Many of the study guides out there cater to 6-10 week timelines, but I needed to make one for 4 weeks. Once you figure out your approach, the journey is much smoother.

Just be sure to push yourself and stick with it. Since you allowed yourself just 4 weeks, every day will be a challenge. Every day will be an 8-10 hour study day. The bright side is you will go to bed feeling accomplished and proud of yourself if you've put in all those hours and 100% of your effort.

I don't think anyone ever feels ready to take the DAT. I felt so anxious as my test date neared and heard that the 3 out of 4 pre-dents I spoke to had already pushed back their test dates. Even walking into Prometric, I felt royally f---ed.

No matter what, though, if you've put in the work, you'll get the results. Even if you think you did horribly, chances are you didn't.

4 weeks isn't plenty of time, but it's definitely enough. Stick with it! You're gonna be fine. 🙂

 

[qkrdpsk]

YOU GOT THISSSSS!!!!! 🙂

 

[alexis2010]

That's the million dollar question. Lol
Every time I think I'm ready I start to doubt myself. That's just me. I would say take the test when you have everything down. By everything I don't mean know everything. That's impossible. Just enough to score above 20 in each section.
Good luck

 

[NavyDDS1990]

i felt ready when i went through the destroyer 5 times, bootcamp 2 times

 

[rdub]

I am in the same position as you. I have about 5 weeks total to study. I've been going for a solid week (10 hours a day) and I finally feel in the groove.

 

[JLT223]

When you are hitting your ideal score on 3 Bootcamp exams + the 2009 exam, you are ready.

 

[Watergrizzly]

I don't know that I ever got to the point where I was "confident". As JLT223 said, your practice scores will tell you when you're ready. I STILL didn't feel ready even after I was in my goal range on the the practice tests. That was my own personal experience.

 

[gangazi]

i felt ready when i went through the destroyer 5 times, bootcamp 2 times

you did destroyer 5 times and got 23AA? im worried now 🙁

 

[NavyDDS1990]

you did destroyer 5 times and got 23AA? im worried now 🙁

well only for GC i did 5 times. For bio and OC I think i did like 3 times.
Don't worry Mr. Puppy. You will be fine!

 

[clutchfans]

I felt confident once I saw my score.