bombed 2nd dat attempt

[an1423]

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I have studied my *** off and really am just disappointed in myself. I really am motivated and really tried but i countinue to do bad. Please if any advice would be great because the third time is a final time and I really just want to know what to do differently?

 

[raiden117]

Have you been using practice tests like Topscore and Achiever to gauge how well you have been retaining the material for each section before taking the DAT? I think just practicing with questions helps a lot in terms of focusing your studies on what you really need to work on.

 

[musl85]

like the post above me, what sources are you using and what are you getting on your practice exams? How much time are you putting in to studying (hours/day)? Which parts of the exams caught you off guard?

 

[rose786]

I think the difference between those who do well on tests and those who do poorly is whether they change their study methods once they do poorly. So you're on the right track.

How do you study for classes which you've aced? You need to apply that same method on steroids. More hours, more practice problems, more everything.

Also, be sure and go over your practice questions with a fine tooth comb. If I got a question wrong on glycolysis I would go over all my notes for that section until I was confident I could handle any question on glycolysis. Passively reading (input) doesn't get you high scores. The key is output, output, output. Talk to yourself, try to write it out on blank sheets of paper, whatever it takes.

Take a second and think of which subject you hate the most. Chances are, this is what you are weakest in and should focus on. Good luck

 

[Willem]

Take a second and think of which subject you hate the most. Chances are, this is what you are weakest in and should focus on. Good luck

This is so true. I talk to many people who hate organic, or hate math, or hate physics (for mcat). They avoid those subjects because they "hate" them and justifying it by saying "Im not going to do well on those subjects anyhow, so Ill concentrate on the others". Lets just say, it doesnt go well for them. My achilles heel has been organic but I believe I have taken it by the horns the last 3 or 4 weeks and that it may be one of my strongest subjects now. Has easily taken 50% of my studying time or more, but its worth it (I hope?). Ill be a little more sure of my philosophy on this come march 28.

 

[I-Baby]

This is so true. I talk to many people who hate organic, or hate math, or hate physics (for mcat). They avoid those subjects because they "hate" them and justifying it by saying "Im not going to do well on those subjects anyhow, so Ill concentrate on the others". Lets just say, it doesnt go well for them. My achilles heel has been organic but I believe I have taken it by the horns the last 3 or 4 weeks and that it may be one of my strongest subjects now. Has easily taken 50% of my studying time or more, but its worth it (I hope?). Ill be a little more sure of my philosophy on this come march 28.

Agreed. I did it to myself with chemistry in undergrad and I'll let you guess how that went🙁 The mind is a really powerfull thing. If you can reform the way you approach something then it can't make the biggest difference. I'm doing a post bacc and decided to tag on ochem just to give it another shot and I actually really like ochem now and have the feeling that it will be one of my stronger sections when I finally take the DAT. Simply stated it just a case of mind over matter...