basic stuff??

[jalapeno123]

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Was wondering, is basic stuff likely to be on the DAT?

i.e stuff like humane bones/anatomy


I feel that while I can study everything, whats the point of memorizing endless facts when they are likely not to be on the exam?

also consider the following question:

If you dissolve 9 mg glucose in 5 mL of water, what is the concentration of glucose in mM and microM ??

Is this question likely to be on the DAT? personally i don't think so because you've got to now reference values like conversions, molar-mass of glucose etc.

i guess, what im really asking is the DAT a specific test where minute details are asked or is it more so a general test?

 

[ekephant]

Well the biology section is random. If you know and understand all of the basics you should be able to answer at least 50% of the questions. And you should probably be able to reason out the rest. Some of the questions you will probably have to guess completely. As for the chemistry question you asked about. That one is easy as long as you have the molecular formula, which they will most likely give you, unless it's a common molecule like water for example. Glucose is pretty common so I would recommend you memorize that molecular formula as well. C6H12O6. Easy.

If you really want to know what the test will be like, you should take practice tests. TopScore will be most similar to your actual DAT, except for the PAT section.

 

[jmh018]

This is the list of covered topics from the ADA


Biology

Cell and Molecular Biology - origin of life, cell metabolism (including photosynthesis/ enzymology), cellular processes, thermodynamics, organelle structure and function, mitosis/meiosis, cell structure, and experimental cell biology
Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (Six-Kingdom, Three-Domain System) – plantae, animalia, protista, fungi, eubacteria (bacteria), archaea, etc.
Structure and Function of Systems - integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, reproductive, etc.
Developmental Biology - fertilization, descriptive embryology, developmental mechanisms, and experimental embryology
Genetics - molecular genetics, human genetics, classical genetics, chromosomal genetics, and genetic technology
Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior - natural selection, population genetics/speciation, cladistics, population and community ecology, ecosystems, and animal behavior (including social behavior).

Gen Chem

Stoichiometry and General Concepts - percent composition, empirical formulae, balancing equations, moles and molecular formulas, molar mass, density, and calculations from balanced equations
Gases - kinetic molecular theory of gases, Dalton's, Boyle's, Charles’s, and ideal gas law
Liquids and Solids - intermolecular forces, phase changes, vapor pressure, structures, polarity, and properties
Solutions - polarity, properties (colligative, non-colligative), forces, and concentration calculations
Acids and Bases - pH, strength, Brønsted-Lowry reactions, and calculations
Chemical Equilibria - molecular, acid/base, precipitation, calculations, and Le Chatelier’s
principle
Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry - laws of thermodynamics, Hess’s law, spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies, and heat transfer
Chemical Kinetics - rate laws, activation energy, and half-life Oxidation-Reduction Reactions - balancing equations, determination of oxidation
numbers, electrochemical calculations, and electrochemical concepts and terminology
Atomic and Molecular Structure - electron configuration, orbital types, Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theory, quantum theory, molecular geometry, bond types, and sub- atomic particles
Periodic Properties - representative elements, transition elements, periodic trends, and descriptive chemistry
Nuclear Reactions - balancing equations, binding energy, decay processes, particles, and terminology
Laboratory - basic techniques, equipment, error analysis, safety, and data analysis

O-chem

Mechanisms: Energetics, and Structure - elimination, addition, free radical, substitution mechanisms, and other
Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules - spectroscopy (1H NMR, 13C NMR, infrared, and multi-spectra), structure (polarity, intermolecular forces (solubility, melting/boiling point, etc.), and laboratory theory and techniques (i.e. TLC, separations, etc.)
Stereochemistry (structure evaluation) - chirality, isomer relationships, and conforma- tions
Nomenclature - IUPAC rules and functional groups in molecules
Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds - alkene/alkyne, aromatic, substitution/elimination, aldehyde/ ketone, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and other. For each area listed above, the following sub-areas apply: general, one-step, and multi-step.
Acid-Base Chemistry - ranking acidity/basicity (structure analysis and pH/pKa data analysis), and prediction of products and equilibria
Aromatics and Bonding - concept of aromaticity, resonance, atomic/molecular orbitals, hybridization, and bond angles/lengths.

Your specific question would probably not be on the bio section but something like it on the gen chem section

 

[hl4jn]

I feel that while I can study everything, whats the point of memorizing endless facts when they are likely not to be on the exam?

Because the exam questions are random and one topic is not more likely to be on the exam than another. You can't have that mindset going into the DAT - you have to be prepared for it for every topic. You can't neglect plants or ecology just because "they are likely not to be on the exam."

I'd also highly suggest that you get the Kaplan BB and Cliff's AP Bio to figure out what you should know for the Bio section of the DAT...