Can I take the DAT twice before interviews start?

[504jtran]

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Hi everyone,

I'm feeling so nervous about everything that's going on. Letters of recommendation, getting my shadow hours in, and especially the DAT. I've been studying many hours each day (using Cliff's AP Biology, Kaplan, and Dat Destroyer). I've talked to my counselor and she recommends that I take the DAT no later than June 30th so that I can take it again September 30th if I'm not happy. Interviews start Oct. 1st. Honestly, I don't know if I can get everything in my brain by the end of this month. I was thinking about taking it late July and retaking it again in Oct. sometime if I'm not happy. Basically, I wanted to have it in my mentality that I was strong and smart enough to take it only once. I want to just prep for it and study hard and have to take it only once in July. 😕 Although, I need advice. If I take it in again in October, will they still take my best score? Or will it be too late since interviews are already beginning? What do you think I should do? Thanks so much for your time. 🙂

 

[TheDentist16]

Take the DAT when you feel most comfortable, not based on the application cycle. If you want to take it in July because you have more time to study, then go for it. You can save yourself the trouble of possibly re-taking the DAT.

If you do end up re-taking it in October, you won't be at a disadvantage. You can send in your new scores to every school you applied to as an academic update. They will then only consider the new scores, granted if they're higher than the first attempt. If you do well enough in June/July and still want to re-take it, your first attempt scores will be looked at for interview opportunities. However, if you submit a second set of scores as an update, then the schools will look at your file again to consider you for interviews again. Good luck!