Best time to take the DAT?

[arria]

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So, I just graduated from a 4-year university earlier this month and I'm trying to map out my application schedule. I plan to apply next year and I have not yet taken the DAT. Additionally, I need to take a number of prerequisites (I realized I wanted to pursue dentistry mid-way through my last semester). These include OC I and II, Biochem, Microbiology, and two English courses. For this summer, I have a job and I plan to shadowing/volunteer. For the fall, I've signed up for OC I, Mirco, and an English course. For the spring, I plan to take OC II, Biochem, and another English course.

So, my question: when should I plan to study for and take the DAT? Originally, I was going to take it at the end of May 2014, but that might be too risky if a retake is necessary. The best alternative I see is to being reviewing PAT material, QR, and RC this summer, study during my fall semester, study hard during my winter break (5 weeks usually), and take it right before my spring classes begin?

 

[rpatel104]

So, I just graduated from a 4-year university earlier this month and I'm trying to map out my application schedule. I plan to apply next year and I have not yet taken the DAT. Additionally, I need to take a number of prerequisites (I realized I wanted to pursue dentistry mid-way through my last semester). These include OC I and II, Biochem, Microbiology, and two English courses. For this summer, I have a job and I plan to shadowing/volunteer. For the fall, I've signed up for OC I, Mirco, and an English course. For the spring, I plan to take OC II, Biochem, and another English course.

So, my question: when should I plan to study for and take the DAT? Originally, I was going to take it at the end of May 2014, but that might be too risky if a retake is necessary. The best alternative I see is to being reviewing PAT material, QR, and RC this summer, study during my fall semester, study hard during my winter break (5 weeks usually), and take it right before my spring classes begin?

I took the DAT after taking Bio 1/2, Gen Chem 1/2, Ochem 1, and Cell Bio. I did okay but you can definitely do well if you study using Kaplan Book, Chads videos, and other stuff. You do not have to have all the courses taken although it could help. I took it in January (end of Christmas break) so if I had to retake I would have time before the application opened.

 

[arria]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it! I've started gathering my study materials and those two are definitely on my list. I really want to invest my time and money in studying effectively the first time. Hopefully that timeline works out!