Bad Practice Test Scores (ADA 2009)...What should I do?

[DentalChicky]

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I was scheduled to take my test on August 24 and took my last practice exam yesterday. I did not do as great as I should have and feel I'm at a complete loss. I have already cancelled my exam since I have read that the 2009 ADA is pretty indicative of where you are at.

These are my results:

Bio: 17
GC: 16
OC: 18
PA: 17
RC: 18
QR: 18

This is what I have done:

Bio: KBB, AP Cliffs, Alan's Note, DATQVault (AVG 18)
GC: Chad and Destroyer
OC: Chad and Destroyer
PA: CDP, KBB, Barrons, Ross
RC: CDR (AVG 20-21)
QR: Math Destroyer (AVG 17-18)

I don't even know what to do anymore. Has anyone been in this situation? What do you guys think I should do?

 

[rccostner]

when i took the 2009 test i scored between 18-20 on most sections and i was pretty disappointed because i took this test 5 days before my real DAT. but i reviewed everything on the test and put in a lot of practice that week on my timing and it all paid off in the end. i think the 2009 is much more difficult than the this year's DAT, especially the QR. i was amazed at how comfortable i felt taking during my test and my scores were closer to how i did on the 2007 practice test.

don't get discouraged. you can do it! good luck.

 

[DentalChicky]

These are all my practice exams.

Bio/GC/OC/PA/RC/QR/TS/AA

Top Score 1: 19/18/14/17/20/16/17/17
Top Score 2: 16/16/19/16/19/17/17/17
Top Score 3: 16/16/16/17/21/18/16/17

ADA 2007: 21/19/21/18/17/18/20/19

Thank you for the encouragement. At this point I would be happy with a 19 AA. If you don't mind me asking what were your 2007 scores?

Anyone in a similar situation?

 

[rccostner]

i also used the topscore exams during my last week and scored around a 20-21 on all three tests, but i was aiming for right around a 25, so i was pretty disappointed. the topscore tests were very helpful for me with getting my timing down, especially for RC and QR. with the 2007 test i scored a TS 24 and AA 23.

at this point i would suggest reviewing the material on all of the topscore and ADA exams and based on your practice scores you should spend your last couple of days working in the sciences and a just a little bit in QR and PAT. your RC scores are okay. on test day try to relax as much a possible and be sure to mark your test up if you have any doubts about a question. i was surprised at how much easier some questions were to answer after having completed the entire section and just taking the final few minutes to review.

good luck.

 

[journeybegins]

I was in that situation a few weeks ago. I cancelled my exam, feeling like I wasn't ready, knowing that if I went in and did well, it might be out of luck. Then broke down some. My parents were actually more than okay with what I did, but I felt like such a failure. At the end of the day, I realized that while the pressure is always on, you can only do your best. You can't compare yourself to all these other people on SDN because your best is still your best.

What you do now should be what you're most comfortable with. Only you know what's best or would work out for you.


It also depends on if you're applying this cycle. If you aren't, then maybe you have some more time to study until you feel you're ready. If you are applying, let yourself relax for a few days, and then get back into studying, and take the test when you feel comfortable and ready.

I took a week off to reflect on it, which helped me relax a bit. Then, I scheduled for a date that I felt comfortable about and got back to studying.

Also, practice scores are still practice scores, and they are not the real scores. Just learn from them if you make mistakes here and there.

Good luckkkk

 

[DentalChicky]

@rrcostner

I will try to relax. I have started to review my practice tests and I am doing every thing that I can.

@journeybegins

Thank you for your encouragement. I'll let you know how it goes. By the way, I locked myself up in my room for 2 days and made my boyfriend bring me food. The things we do under stress.... 😛

 

[rccostner]

today is the big day. hope you did well.

 

[DentalChicky]

Hey, I changed it to August 28th... I just needed sometime to regain my confidence but I will let you know how it goes!

 

[ternopil07]

Please purchase DAT Bootcamp and study from their questions. My PAT went up from 17 on ADA 2009 to 22 on the real thing using their generators.

 

[DMikes]

Please purchase DAT Bootcamp and study from their questions. My PAT went up from 17 on ADA 2009 to 22 on the real thing using their generators.

This is from 2011.

 

[Alikhan9]

This is from 2011.

Savage

 

[clutchfans]

Savage

truth