Best Science section study tools

[beadlin2]

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I have been reading this board for over a year now and have found some good suggestions, but would like to see if I can get some more feedback on what people's opinion on the best way to study for the science section of the DAT would be. I have taken the DAT a few times, and improved but am not to the point I would like to be with my Science section. Last September I took the DAT and recieved these scores:
PAT-20
RC-19
QR-19
Bio-16
GC-16
OC-16
Total Science 16
AA-17
So I am not totally freaking out about doing badly because I feel I have done pretty well on the other sections of the test. I was just wondering what other people have used and what you feel the best system/material is best suited for scoring as high as possible. I know everyone will have their own opinion but I am just throwing it out there to see what kind of response I can get. Currently I have the Kaplan blue book, AP bio cliff notes, have tried Chad's notes before, and have used DAT Achiever and Topscore, both of which have really helped me with timing and the other sections. Yet I still find myself struggling with the science section. I know there are other options out there and just wanted to see what some other people thought of them. Or maybe I have the right materials already and I just need a different way to use them. I am starting to plan this out in advance as I plan to start studying for the DAT in mid-May and take it in mid-August. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mightyrat]

I have been reading this board for over a year now and have found some good suggestions, but would like to see if I can get some more feedback on what people's opinion on the best way to study for the science section of the DAT would be. I have taken the DAT a few times, and improved but am not to the point I would like to be with my Science section. Last September I took the DAT and recieved these scores:
PAT-20
RC-19
QR-19
Bio-16
GC-16
OC-16
Total Science 16
AA-17
So I am not totally freaking out about doing badly because I feel I have done pretty well on the other sections of the test. I was just wondering what other people have used and what you feel the best system/material is best suited for scoring as high as possible. I know everyone will have their own opinion but I am just throwing it out there to see what kind of response I can get. Currently I have the Kaplan blue book, AP bio cliff notes, have tried Chad's notes before, and have used DAT Achiever and Topscore, both of which have really helped me with timing and the other sections. Yet I still find myself struggling with the science section. I know there are other options out there and just wanted to see what some other people thought of them. Or maybe I have the right materials already and I just need a different way to use them. I am starting to plan this out in advance as I plan to start studying for the DAT in mid-May and take it in mid-August. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

for the bio, supplement the cliffs AP, which is awesome, with the DAT destroyer. It comes with a lot of great questions, as well as answers and their explanations that will help you tremendously.

For the chems, depending on how solid you are in your material you should be fine with just destroyer but if not, look into Chad's videos...i hear they are pretty awesome. But the destroyer i believe will do the trick, it is harder than the real deal so keep that in mind as you work the problems

Hope this helps! 🙂

 

[Vaiyoretto]

Since your lowest scores are in chemistry, I suggest DAT Destroyer and Chad's videos.
For bio, try reading sections from the Campbell's textbook. I know, it's covers a lot of information, but I use it as a reference and it helps a lot.

 

[beadlin2]

Thanks for your replies!! I notice you both had said DAT Destroyer and I have heard a little bit about it but do not know much. Can someone maybe describe what it is about it that makes it such a great tool for studying the sciences and what makes it different from using the kaplan books or other resources like that. I would be greatly interested in Destroyer from what you have said, but just wanted to get a glimpse into what makes it such a great study tool. Thanks again.

 

[The Prologue]

I hear great things about

http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-Biolo...0515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299648175&sr=8-1

Also

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/03...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846


Use these plus chads videos. Topscore and DAT destroyer. DAT destroyer has a load of questions but great explanations.


Now go rock it.

Edit: Also there are plenty of breakdowns on the site if you want more information 🙂. I added a few to my destop.

 

[Vaiyoretto]

Thanks for your replies!! I notice you both had said DAT Destroyer and I have heard a little bit about it but do not know much. Can someone maybe describe what it is about it that makes it such a great tool for studying the sciences and what makes it different from using the kaplan books or other resources like that. I would be greatly interested in Destroyer from what you have said, but just wanted to get a glimpse into what makes it such a great study tool. Thanks again.

I haven't actually taken the DAT yet, but I have heard the actual DAT chem questions are similar in difficulty compared with those in Destroyer. Also, it has good explanations of each problem. You can also get Organic Chemistry Odyssey as well if you think you'll need more training.

 

[yappy]

For biology… it is useful to read and take notes on the entire Cambell’s biology text? Or would it be just as effective to go through AP barrons? Or Shaums?

Thanks.

 

[mightyrat]

Thanks for your replies!! I notice you both had said DAT Destroyer and I have heard a little bit about it but do not know much. Can someone maybe describe what it is about it that makes it such a great tool for studying the sciences and what makes it different from using the kaplan books or other resources like that. I would be greatly interested in Destroyer from what you have said, but just wanted to get a glimpse into what makes it such a great study tool. Thanks again.

Okay so its basically a series of questions for each of the subject matter, namely the 3 sciences. Each question has answer choices that lead to other possible questions that the ADA can throw at you, and some actually were thrown at me lol and this is especially true for the bio, but i dont believe that the destroyer alone is sufficient for the bio. Its perfect for the chems, because he drills the concepts in your head and in the explanation which contains all the wealth!!

Look into it, and consider the math destroyer as well

Good luck

 

[The Prologue]

For biology… it is useful to read and take notes on the entire Cambell’s biology text? Or would it be just as effective to go through AP barrons? Or Shaums?

Thanks.

People usually say use a review book such as ap barrons, shaums and cliff notes. Use a text book on whatever you need help on.

 

[Vaiyoretto]

For biology… it is useful to read and take notes on the entire Cambell’s biology text? Or would it be just as effective to go through AP barrons? Or Shaums?

Thanks.

You don't have to go through the entire book, since it is very lengthy and some of the info is quite in depth as well. I just use it as a reference if I don't understand something in the Cliff's and Barron's.

 

[dental13]

I haven't actually taken the DAT yet, but I have heard the actual DAT chem questions are similar in difficulty compared with those in Destroyer. Also, it has good explanations of each problem. You can also get Organic Chemistry Odyssey as well if you think you'll need more training.

I do not agree with you here. I am preparing for the DAT also and many people from SDN believe actual DAT is less harder if you compare to the Destroyer, especially Orgo and Chem section.