Bad score on DAT. Is Kaplan the answer?

[RHONDAROBINSON]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Even though it is embarrassing, I must be honest with you all as it may help you all in giving me advise to this question and may help someone else. I have been out of college for 16 years except for getting my MBA in 2004. I called a Kaplan advisor today and explained my situation to him concerning my low DAT score and my being out of school a while. Even though Kaplan does not guarantee a definite score, he stated that I can raise my score considerably by having a one on one tutor along with the classroom classes starting in January 2007-March 8,2006. The course is expensive even with the $100.00 discount. I am thinking that my studying on my own may not be the thing to do for the next time I take the DAT in March 2007. My question is should I take a longer amount of time to study for the DAT or go through Kaplan? Maybe I need a year to study all my sciences again for a sound foundation or take Kaplan or take some science courses at a university? So many of you are against Kaplan which makes me think it will not help me either. Do I need to learn strategy or recreate my basic foundation which I thought I had done while studying on my own. Are there any students in my situation who are non-traditional and have scored low on the DAT after so many years of being out of school. What was your strategy to improve this score? What shall I do? I know I need to make this decision soon for I am really sick of my current job and besides I really want to be a dentist. Any suggestions are helpful on what strategy to take. How can I improve my score?Thanks in advance.


rr

 

[Kunsan]

Even though it is embarrassing, I must be honest with you all as it may help you all in giving me advise to this question and may help someone else. I have been out of college for 16 years except for getting my MBA in 2004. I called a Kaplan advisor today and explained my situation to him concerning my low DAT score and my being out of school a while. Even though Kaplan does not guarantee a definite score, he stated that I can raise my score considerably by having a one on one tutor along with the classroom classes starting in January 2007-March 8,2006. The course is expensive even with the $100.00 discount. I am thinking that my studying on my own may not be the thing to do for the next time I take the DAT in March 2007. My question is should I take a longer amount of time to study for the DAT or go through Kaplan? Maybe I need a year to study all my sciences again for a sound foundation or take Kaplan or take some science courses at a university? So many of you are against Kaplan which makes me think it will not help me either. Do I need to learn strategy or recreate my basic foundation which I thought I had done while studying on my own. Are there any students in my situation who are non-traditional and have scored low on the DAT after so many years of being out of school. What was your strategy to improve this score? What shall I do? I know I need to make this decision soon for I am really sick of my current job and besides I really want to be a dentist. Any suggestions are helpful on what strategy to take. How can I improve my score?Thanks in advance.


rr

Robinson,
I don't think the tutor thing will help...or even taking the class will help as some of these kaplan instructors are really not experienced teachers. They may just simply read off from the text, what you can do by yourself. I think you are in a better position now that you have become familiar with the DAT and its subjects, I think you should take your time and review the Kaplan material you used before over and over again until you understand and memorized most of the material.... only after this you should attempt the sample exams and subject test... don't waste the sample exams. Also try using the barrons for PAT practice as well and read a newpaper everyday if you have problems with RC. Also if you feel you are not ready to ready to test in march don't take it... Good luck!!😀

 

[dr.rex]

i dont know if the kaplan class is the answer you should retake but you should take a lot of time by yourself and be serious about it, i have heard many mixed reviews about the kaplan class and tutor and i would hate to see someone pay all that money and think that they are ready because they took the class then still do bad

 

[DDSABeach]

Rhonda, I understand what your feeling right now about the disappointment of your DAT scores. But, DON'T GIVE UP! I been out of school for 6 yrs. Reason I stop attempting was discouraged with my VERY low scores on the DAT. I didn't have the support and motivation that this from really gives you and the material this forum recommends with trial and error. I decided to do exactly what everyone has suggested and take my time to study get a strong foundation of the basics. I been advised by the dean of the dental school not to take the kaplan course it's a waste of money and you can't be wasting money. Just study the basics he told me for sciences. My advise, I would just listen to everyone that as taken the DAT find what works for you in study skills. Not everyone studies the same way. I am work in progress taking my DAT July 2007 and doing it right this time. Applying for 2008. Good luck.

 

[lifeisgood]

Even though it is embarrassing, I must be honest with you all as it may help you all in giving me advise to this question and may help someone else. I have been out of college for 16 years except for getting my MBA in 2004. I called a Kaplan advisor today and explained my situation to him concerning my low DAT score and my being out of school a while. Even though Kaplan does not guarantee a definite score, he stated that I can raise my score considerably by having a one on one tutor along with the classroom classes starting in January 2007-March 8,2006. The course is expensive even with the $100.00 discount. I am thinking that my studying on my own may not be the thing to do for the next time I take the DAT in March 2007. My question is should I take a longer amount of time to study for the DAT or go through Kaplan? Maybe I need a year to study all my sciences again for a sound foundation or take Kaplan or take some science courses at a university? So many of you are against Kaplan which makes me think it will not help me either. Do I need to learn strategy or recreate my basic foundation which I thought I had done while studying on my own. Are there any students in my situation who are non-traditional and have scored low on the DAT after so many years of being out of school. What was your strategy to improve this score? What shall I do? I know I need to make this decision soon for I am really sick of my current job and besides I really want to be a dentist. Any suggestions are helpful on what strategy to take. How can I improve my score?Thanks in advance.


rr

What state are you in? If you are anywhere near Southern CA, I will help you for free.

 

[belmont]

.

 

[KOM]

The Kaplan course is a huge waste of money. Get the online materials...subject tests, etc and you're set.

 

[busdent]

Even though it is embarrassing, I must be honest with you all as it may help you all in giving me advise to this question and may help someone else. I have been out of college for 16 years except for getting my MBA in 2004. I called a Kaplan advisor today and explained my situation to him concerning my low DAT score and my being out of school a while. Even though Kaplan does not guarantee a definite score, he stated that I can raise my score considerably by having a one on one tutor along with the classroom classes starting in January 2007-March 8,2006. The course is expensive even with the $100.00 discount. I am thinking that my studying on my own may not be the thing to do for the next time I take the DAT in March 2007. My question is should I take a longer amount of time to study for the DAT or go through Kaplan? Maybe I need a year to study all my sciences again for a sound foundation or take Kaplan or take some science courses at a university? So many of you are against Kaplan which makes me think it will not help me either. Do I need to learn strategy or recreate my basic foundation which I thought I had done while studying on my own. Are there any students in my situation who are non-traditional and have scored low on the DAT after so many years of being out of school. What was your strategy to improve this score? What shall I do? I know I need to make this decision soon for I am really sick of my current job and besides I really want to be a dentist. Any suggestions are helpful on what strategy to take. How can I improve my score?Thanks in advance.


rr

I can tutor for free in Columbus, OH region

 

[busdent]

PM me your email address and I will email you some stuff. it is as good as kaplan course gets.

 

[StudentDentist]

Perhaps some of you guys can't read between the lines. Rhonda's been out of school for a hefty time and is missing the foundations. She can't listen to a bunch of kids who're still in college or have recently been out. She's already done what these teenagers have told her and she suffered a bit from it. No amount of practice tests will help when she first needs to learn the material.

I'm non-traditional. Find yourself a good studybook. After each chapter, it should have questions to test whether you know the information or can think using the material you've just learned. Hit the college bookstores. See what review books and practice question books they have. Hit Barnes and Noble. Those AP books are pretty damn good.

Kaplan private tutoring would help you more than their course. If the problem is information knowledge, you can get that elsewhere. If the problem is test-taking ability, then a private tutor may be able to sit down with you and locate the problems.

Be weary of advice the kids give you.

 

[Law0830]

hey must have missed your post before. Hope your back on track with studying. Keep at it and youll be fine. If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good Luck!