Bio DAT destroyer vs Kaplan - information wise

[predent000]

I realized I still don't have a lot of biology concepts down, so I wanted to take some opinions:

do you think its better to look at the DAT destroyer bio answers and make flashcards on all the concepts (without looking at the questions), or flashcards from kaplan/cliff's?

I have taken many science classes, and I know the content but still need to recover it all somehow. I just wanted some input because I dont have much time, i want to use more of my time on practicing, not just reading and wanted to see what others have done.

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[JLT223]

Kaplan is utter garbage. If you want to get a respectable score use Destroyer and Cliff's and make flashcards.

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

Get your basics down with kaplan as they are organized pretty well. After that, test your knowledge with destroyer. On top of that, try to study all the answer choices, rather than just correct ones.
Also, mark the problems you got wrong and make sure you understand them fully. Don't revisit them for a while, then after a few months, do that problem and see if you can reason it out.

A lot of people will say cliffs or baron's AP biology books are good, and I agree with that. But using kaplan is fine too. I had both and both were fine. Destroyer just sealed the deal.

 

[predent000]

Get your basics down with kaplan as they are organized pretty well. After that, test your knowledge with destroyer. On top of that, try to study all the answer choices, rather than just correct ones.
Also, mark the problems you got wrong and make sure you understand them fully. Don't revisit them for a while, then after a few months, do that problem and see if you can reason it out.

A lot of people will say cliffs or baron's AP biology books are good, and I agree with that. But using kaplan is fine too. I had both and both were fine. Destroyer just sealed the deal.

Thank you! yea thats what im deciding to do

 

[predent000]

Kaplan is utter garbage. If you want to get a respectable score use Destroyer and Cliff's and make flashcards.

i guess I'll use kaplan but more of cliff's, but like you said the flash card part for sure. i just want to focus on sealing it with the destroyer at least 2 times

 

[schmoob]

Feralis and then destroyer. I saw tyjacobs notes and they were very comprehensive too.
No need to reinvent the wheel. Just know the wheel.

 

[gangazi]

Kaplan is utter garbage. If you want to get a respectable score use Destroyer and Cliff's and make flashcards.

did you take kaplan?

 

[Surf Prescription]

Know and understand Destroyer questions and answers. It proved very beneficial!

 

[JLT223]

did you take kaplan?

I would never waste my money on a Kaplan course again. I took their MCAT course, which was very underwhelming to say the least, and I took a look at their DAT prep books which were again, very underwhelming and not in depth enough.

 

[1passbbsSHAVE]

I would never waste my money on a Kaplan course again. I took their MCAT course, which was very underwhelming to say the least, and I took a look at their DAT prep books which were again, very underwhelming and not in depth enough.

I agree that their course is not really that helpful. Although the books are not in-depth, but it covers basic knowledge that you have to know so it's a good starter if you don't already have something else.

 

[gangazi]

I agree. I used their endocrine system chapter to understand it, and incorporated it with other study materials...

its pretty fire IMO. i had a pretty good understanding of endocrine system after reading it

 

[Manic324]

I realized I still don't have a lot of biology concepts down, so I wanted to take some opinions:

do you think its better to look at the DAT destroyer bio answers and make flashcards on all the concepts (without looking at the questions), or flashcards from kaplan/cliff's?

I have taken many science classes, and I know the content but still need to recover it all somehow. I just wanted some input because I dont have much time, i want to use more of my time on practicing, not just reading and wanted to see what others have done.

Kaplans was complete trash. Honestly if you prefer a text book type approach I would get a different book, either barons or an AP bio book- or a textbook. If you're ok with just doing practice problems and looking up concepts (google etc.) then I would just use DAT destroyer. I didn't like that approach so I just used my old biology textbook from undergrad and looked up concepts tested on the DAT and read those chapters.

 

[Likkriue]

Make sure you know the destroyer, all the answers to every question(right or wrong) inside out. Read cliffs ap bio. Then afterwards move on to feralis or tyjacobs to cement all the info.

 

[gangazi]

Kaplans was complete trash. Honestly if you prefer a text book type approach I would get a different book, either barons or an AP bio book- or a textbook. If you're ok with just doing practice problems and looking up concepts (google etc.) then I would just use DAT destroyer. I didn't like that approach so I just used my old biology textbook from undergrad and looked up concepts tested on the DAT and read those chapters.

ive made 600+ flash cards since january on feralis notes and been reviewing it...

i scored 24 on BC bio... My DAT is 1 month away... I inially didnt plan on taking DAT destroyer's bio section... do you think I should? Thank you!

 

[Surf Prescription]

ive made 600+ flash cards since january on feralis notes and been reviewing it...

i scored 24 on BC bio... My DAT is 1 month away... I inially didnt plan on taking DAT destroyer's bio section... do you think I should? Thank you!

Yes you should do Destroyer if you have time. It helps to see questions presented in different ways. You may think you understand a topic when studying, however lots of times the questions will be asked in completely different way than you would expect. The more questions you are able to review before the DAT from different resources should help. That's why most of the students excelling on the DAT use multiple review sources and question banks ( Chad's, Feralis notes, Bootcamp, Destroyer).

 

[gangazi]

Yes you should do Destroyer if you have time. It helps to see questions presented in different ways. You may think you understand a topic when studying, however lots of times the questions will be asked in completely different way than you would expect. The more questions you are able to review before the DAT from different resources should help. That's why most of the students excelling on the DAT use multiple review sources and question banks ( Chad's, Feralis notes, Bootcamp, Destroyer).

thank you! I will make sure to go over the bio section before i walk in to the testing center 😀

 

[doktorinprogres]

I realized I still don't have a lot of biology concepts down, so I wanted to take some opinions:

do you think its better to look at the DAT destroyer bio answers and make flashcards on all the concepts (without looking at the questions), or flashcards from kaplan/cliff's?

I have taken many science classes, and I know the content but still need to recover it all somehow. I just wanted some input because I dont have much time, i want to use more of my time on practicing, not just reading and wanted to see what others have done.

I pretty much only used Kaplan's Bio Flashcards to learn material and that was good for a 22 on that section