A
arkenstone
(Scores edited out for privacy as the application cycle moves forward---all scores pretty consistent)
I was not expecting to do this well. I pushed the test back twice because I had no time to prepare with all the schoolwork I was trying to complete. I only started practicing PAT about 4 weeks ago, and the rest of the subjects 3 weeks ago on/off once summer school ended. But I did do all my prereqs since last summer, so technically you could say I've been preparing for a year.
Only this week did I try the first Bootcamp test in each section and usually scored around 20 (18 for bio and 19 for gen chem, 24 on reading.... can't remember the rest). So I set my expectations low.
PAT
materials: Crack the PAT (cheapest version), Bootcamp test 1 (the day before, to freshen up)
I started this last month and made sure I had a strategy for each section. Nothing much to offer here beyond what others have suggested. I hate the angles and had no special strategy. Cube counting was L's by layer, and memorizing the number of faces on sight. (There was actually a blatantly misdrawn/misaligned cube structure on my test, which affected 3 questions. I submitted a report for it.) Basically, all you need are those 4 or 5 basic Crack the PAT tests, and get the most out of each test. Figure out what you did wrong and get your system down.
QR
materials: DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I was getting annoyed with the trig formulas and basically just ignored them. But I got lucky and the test barely had any trig whatsoever. Literally, like one sine formula setup. I went through Destroyer's math section once over a few days and made notecards. I had just finished calculus so things were pretty fresh. Destroyer was plenty, though.
RC
materials: Bootcamp test 1
I read tons of news everyday and have for years. When taking that practice test, I first experimented with search and destroy, but that failed me miserably. I shifted over to just reading the passages straight, which worked better for me. It can be hard, though. I'm one of those people who can get caught in a vicious cycle of my eyes reading something, my internal voice doing something else, and just getting lost reading a single sentence over and over. The way to counteract this is to force yourself to be voraciously curious for what the passage is trying to convey. Keep building a mental picture of the message/scene, wondering what's next.
Biology
materials: Feralis (!!!!), DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I was worried here because I had only had Gen bio, micro, and anatomy. I tried the one Bootcamp test on Monday, scored low, absorbed Feralis notes on Tuesday, and did about 100 Destroyer questions yesterday. It started coming back to me.
GC
materials: DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I went through DAT Destroyer's gen chem section early last week and made a butt load of notecards. Are you getting the picture here? DAT Destroyer, you guys.
OC
materials: Organic Chem as a second language, DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I reread OChem as a Second Language (semester 1) last week, then did about the first 100 DAT Destroyer questions. I made three huge posters of concepts, and reviewed Dr. Romano's must-know reactions almost daily. I also reviewed tyjacobs notes, which helped me get a sense of the entire scope covered. The test didn't seem complicated, so I wonder what I missed.
********
Now I'm off to email this unofficial report to the schools that have yet to specifically ask me to do no such thing. Take aways: don't be afraid to push the test back. Keep your class notes. Buy DAT Destroyer. Give yourself a month if you want to complete it. I did less than half of the organic section and a quarter of the bio.
Practice tests are helpful for certain people, but for me it's not a good learning strategy. I'm already comfortable under test conditions---material was more important to me. With practice tests your rumination and understanding moments are detached. Engagement is stronger when you have time to wonder about the concept, research it, confirm your understanding, and make a note of it.
But I will say that Bootcamp had very very good explanations. I just wouldn't lean too heavily on the practice tests alone.
I was not expecting to do this well. I pushed the test back twice because I had no time to prepare with all the schoolwork I was trying to complete. I only started practicing PAT about 4 weeks ago, and the rest of the subjects 3 weeks ago on/off once summer school ended. But I did do all my prereqs since last summer, so technically you could say I've been preparing for a year.
Only this week did I try the first Bootcamp test in each section and usually scored around 20 (18 for bio and 19 for gen chem, 24 on reading.... can't remember the rest). So I set my expectations low.
PAT
materials: Crack the PAT (cheapest version), Bootcamp test 1 (the day before, to freshen up)
I started this last month and made sure I had a strategy for each section. Nothing much to offer here beyond what others have suggested. I hate the angles and had no special strategy. Cube counting was L's by layer, and memorizing the number of faces on sight. (There was actually a blatantly misdrawn/misaligned cube structure on my test, which affected 3 questions. I submitted a report for it.) Basically, all you need are those 4 or 5 basic Crack the PAT tests, and get the most out of each test. Figure out what you did wrong and get your system down.
QR
materials: DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I was getting annoyed with the trig formulas and basically just ignored them. But I got lucky and the test barely had any trig whatsoever. Literally, like one sine formula setup. I went through Destroyer's math section once over a few days and made notecards. I had just finished calculus so things were pretty fresh. Destroyer was plenty, though.
RC
materials: Bootcamp test 1
I read tons of news everyday and have for years. When taking that practice test, I first experimented with search and destroy, but that failed me miserably. I shifted over to just reading the passages straight, which worked better for me. It can be hard, though. I'm one of those people who can get caught in a vicious cycle of my eyes reading something, my internal voice doing something else, and just getting lost reading a single sentence over and over. The way to counteract this is to force yourself to be voraciously curious for what the passage is trying to convey. Keep building a mental picture of the message/scene, wondering what's next.
Biology
materials: Feralis (!!!!), DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I was worried here because I had only had Gen bio, micro, and anatomy. I tried the one Bootcamp test on Monday, scored low, absorbed Feralis notes on Tuesday, and did about 100 Destroyer questions yesterday. It started coming back to me.
GC
materials: DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I went through DAT Destroyer's gen chem section early last week and made a butt load of notecards. Are you getting the picture here? DAT Destroyer, you guys.
OC
materials: Organic Chem as a second language, DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp test 1
I reread OChem as a Second Language (semester 1) last week, then did about the first 100 DAT Destroyer questions. I made three huge posters of concepts, and reviewed Dr. Romano's must-know reactions almost daily. I also reviewed tyjacobs notes, which helped me get a sense of the entire scope covered. The test didn't seem complicated, so I wonder what I missed.
********
Now I'm off to email this unofficial report to the schools that have yet to specifically ask me to do no such thing. Take aways: don't be afraid to push the test back. Keep your class notes. Buy DAT Destroyer. Give yourself a month if you want to complete it. I did less than half of the organic section and a quarter of the bio.
Practice tests are helpful for certain people, but for me it's not a good learning strategy. I'm already comfortable under test conditions---material was more important to me. With practice tests your rumination and understanding moments are detached. Engagement is stronger when you have time to wonder about the concept, research it, confirm your understanding, and make a note of it.
But I will say that Bootcamp had very very good explanations. I just wouldn't lean too heavily on the practice tests alone.
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