Bad PAT, leaning towards retake.

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

rcl91

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2012
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
PA:16
QR:19
RC:24
BIO:17
GC:22
OC:21
TS:19
AA:21

So I bombed the crap out of the PA. I went way to slow on the first part, realized I was behind, rushed through the rest of it and still had to randomly guess on like 7. I really think if I took it again I could get it up to ATLEAST an 18 or 19.

Also, this semester I will be tutoring for a general Bio class and taking physio(never taken it before and seems to be pretty important to the bio section). So if I did retake it, I'm pretty sure I could bump that BIO score into the 20's.

My GPA is a 3.95 and my science is about the exact same.

I would like to apply as soon as the applications open this summer, so I would probably have to take the test in May.

Right now I'm leaning towards retaking just because of the PAT, anyone have different opinions?
 
I doubt anyone would agree on a retake in your case. You're stats is awesome =).
 
I doubt anyone would agree on a retake in your case. You're stats is awesome =).

I don't want to sound like those "OMG, I did so bad look at my 20+ scores blah blah blah and bad GPA of 3.8"(we all know those types) but you honestly don't think a PAT of 16 is going to give schools reasons not to let me in(thats 31 percentile... ouch)? I realize I scored well on the AA and am happy with that, and realize my GPA is really high. I just feel like a dental school would say "Hey look, this kid is all books and no practical ability, we don't need him."

Am I putting a little too much weight on my PAT?
 
I don't want to sound like those "OMG, I did so bad look at my 20+ scores blah blah blah and bad GPA of 3.8"(we all know those types) but you honestly don't think a PAT of 16 is going to give schools reasons not to let me in(thats 31 percentile... ouch)? I realize I scored well on the AA and am happy with that, and realize my GPA is really high. I just feel like a dental school would say "Hey look, this kid is all books and no practical ability, we don't need him."

Am I putting a little too much weight on my PAT?
Well, the rest of your application balances it out, I mean 21 AA is pretty good and 3.95 gpa is very very good that should balance out the 16 PAT. I don't think many schools have a min of 17 or higher on that so it shouldn't be a problem. If you have decent letters and good EC and you interview well and apply broadly I don't see any problem with getting multiple acceptances. If you're really worried about it, it doesn't hurt to re-take it I bet you can easily get 19-20 PAT with just a lil more practice.
 
the pat score will hurt you but with ur grades and overall score, it shouldn't be a problem from the looks of it. it should land you a couple of interviews.
well done regardless, taking the DAT is seriously a huge accomplishment.
i'm taking my exam in less than 4 weeks and im pissing my pants. haha
GJ on the RC 24? =[
i'm struggling with RC....
if you don't mind, what was ur RC like? did you S&D?? or read the article.
more S&D or more inference type questions... if you can let me know i would appreciate it. thanks
 
Because retaking it would not be that difficult for you, and buying crack pat is pretty easy, I'd retake it. What schools do you want to apply to? For example if you are interested in UoP, they wouldn't look at you because of a 16 PAT. If you want to get into your in-state school and it is not CA, you should be fine, but I'd contact the schools you want to apply to and ask them? There are a lot of factors, but with your GPA I'd want a higher PAT and would apply to schools like Columbia, UCLA, UoP, Harvard, etc., which would all tell you to retake.
 
Top