Bootcamp Practice Exams

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I am scoring around 18/20 on my gen chem practice exam. i am getting very discouraged because i really feel as if i know the material and then the questions that come are so difficult. Any tips?

 

[Zesta]

The chemistry section on the real DAT is much easier than Bootcamp's practice tests. So if you're scoring low on bootcamp, don't worry. Just use the official 2007 and 2009 released DAT exams to give you a better idea of where you stand versus a third-party practice test.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

You will probably score 1-2 points better on the real test

 

[DAT Destroyer]

You will probably score 1-2 points better on the real test

Probably is the "key word here" Unfortunately I get many emails and phone calls from students where the score was lower than a timed test. Get off the timed test merry go round and focus your valuable time on learning and making any weakness a strength.

There is not a timed test on the market, including the ADA's that can accurately predict what you will score on test day. No one has a crystal ball.

There are many, many versions of the DAT and to have the best shot at a high DAT score you need to over prepare, is that "overkill"? I think not, IMO it is not taking a chance, who wants to take the DAT a 2nd time?

Just my 2 cents

Nancy

 

[971565]

Contrary to what the Vendor wrote (who has a vested interest in his own products), you want to be taking questions under test-like conditions. Scores would increase drastically if everyone had unlimited time per question. Take the practice tests timed and go back to see where you went wrong and why.

 

[Theslowsouthy]

I would suggest just doing more and more practice for gen chem, that's the best way to improve IMO

 

[knewstance]

Contrary to what the Vendor wrote (who has a vested interest in his own products), you want to be taking questions under test-like conditions. Scores would increase drastically if everyone had unlimited time per question. Take the practice tests timed and go back to see where you went wrong and why.

I'm not sure that's the idea that they are trying to get across. I've read lots of posts by Orgoman and rarely is the content pushing their product. That's just a result of being a helpful person and having a good product.

The key point they were trying to get across is this,

Get off the timed test merry go round and focus your valuable time on learning and making any weakness a strength

Rather than just focusing on taking timed tests, stop and learn the material that you keep missing before you keep digging into timed tests. It doesn't matter how much time you have on a test if you don't know the material.

Advice to the OP:
Look at your past tests for your trending commonly missed topics. Maybe rewatch the videos on those topics and relearn those topics inside and out. I'm sure if you can do that then your scores will improve.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

I'm not sure that's the idea that they are trying to get across. I've read lots of posts by Orgoman and rarely is the content pushing their product. That's just a result of being a helpful person and having a good product.

The key point they were trying to get across is this,

Rather than just focusing on taking timed tests, stop and learn the material that you keep missing before you keep digging into timed tests. It doesn't matter how much time you have on a test if you don't know the material.

Advice to the OP:
Look at your past tests for your trending commonly missed topics. Maybe rewatch the videos on those topics and relearn those topics inside and out. I'm sure if you can do that then your scores will improve.

Thank you

 

[uniquebutproud]

I agree with orgoman22 and knewstance here. If you set your mind to improving your knowledge of the material, you will be better for the exam. Remember, your practice scores don't really mean anything; what truly matters is your official score. As long as you brush up on your weaknesses and rock the test, dental schools will have no problem accepting you.

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

There is not a timed test on the market, including the ADA's that can accurately predict what you will score on test day. No one has a crystal ball.

The ADA practice exams are 10 and 12 years old. If these tests were people they would be 5th and 6th graders. Additionally, there are complaints about these tests with regard to how difficult the real DAT is compared to them.

Bootcamp's practice tests provide a similar environment to the real test with questions marginally more difficult. While Destroyer may have an incredibly helpful bank of questions to practice from and find your weaknesses it does a poor job of simulating the real thing. Additionally, the timing for the Destroyer is off. Your questions are significantly harder than the real DAT and take more time to answer. This, in my opinion, lends itself to further decreasing how realistic it is.

I still recommend both products to predentals and think there is a lot of value in destroyer, but I refuse to discount the benefits of practicing timed tests.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

The ADA practice exams are 10 and 12 years old. If these tests were people they would be 5th and 6th graders. Additionally, there are complaints about these tests with regard to how difficult the real DAT is compared to them.

Bootcamp's practice tests provide a similar environment to the real test with questions marginally more difficult. While Destroyer may have an incredibly helpful bank of questions to practice from and find your weaknesses it does a poor job of simulating the real thing. Additionally, the timing for the Destroyer is off. Your questions are significantly harder than the real DAT and take more time to answer. This, in my opinion, lends itself to further decreasing how realistic it is.

I still recommend both products to predentals and think there is a lot of value in destroyer, but I refuse to discount the benefits of practicing timed tests.

FYI, The ADA did release new DAT exams a couple years ago. There are fees involved. I agree the 2007 that is available for free is outdated and much easier than the current exam, but I still find it useful especially because it was written by the people that make up the DAT questions for the actual exam. I tell my students to use it as a guide and if you are not scoring high on the 2007, more work is definitely needed in the areas you scored low.

Here is the link to the what the ADA released for the paid exams. I am not forming an opinion I am just posting the link.

Test Preparation

I have also attached the 2007 DAT exam that the ADA has released free for students to use.

Just my 2 cents

Nancy