Canadian DATers, how was it?

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Sama951

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What did you think??

Carving went okay, it wasnt the best I've ever done but I think it was still pretty good. Sciences werent bad minus the plant crap and the random spec question that snuck into the gen chem section. PAT was the easiest thing I've ever done in my life.. RC is a tossup but good I think

I dont expect any responses until tomorrow because, well, we're Canadian after all and most of you guys are probably already hammered :hardy:
 
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I thought it was a lot difficult than any other prep. materials (kaplan, destroyer, etc..). Im pretty sure im doomed in bio.
 
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I thought science section was much harder than i expected.
i took American DAT during summer so i was expecting to be a lot similar in terms of difficulty but all those FRAP and random questions on Bio were not so pretty to me :S
I thought i knew my stuff..did kaplan, cliff, destroyer and stuff but yeah..

Other than that, i thought it was pretty okay.
 
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bio was so incredibly difficult...

i wrote in Windsor, and the proctor was terrible - I'm going to write a letter..
 
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Contach said:
bio was so incredibly difficult...

i wrote in Windsor, and the proctor was terrible - I'm going to write a letter..
Click to expand...


haha my proctors were funny.. its like the CDA went into a senior's home and just picked 5 random volunteers. The main guy drank like 3 bottles of diet pepsi between 8 AM and 1:15 PM which made me afraid that he was going to be handling our soaps.. :laugh:

and for someone who scored as high as you on bio to be saying that scares the hell out of me.
 
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Canadian DAT is much harder than the American when it comes to the sciences... at least today's test was. The PAT and RC are equivalent in my opinion. From what I understand, our scores will be relative to everyone that took it. I think most ppl found the bio hard so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

I'm just happy... it's over!
 
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marcusnasland said:
good... bio was a bit tough, chunked my soap which equals retake in feb... pretty mad about that
Click to expand...

ahhh i'm sorry to hear that...but in all honesty, if you rock every other section, you might want to consider just keeping your scores since no schools except for the West-coast/prairie schools really care about the carving section. Yah it can help you, but it won't work against you at other schools.



Carving = 👍👍..at least we didn't get a 8x8x8 fluted triangle or 8x8x8x8 fluted square like previous DATs. I still don't know how to mark those ends..

Bio = fairly random, but not bad.

chem = a lot more theory than I expected

Pat = effing hole punching! I got perfect on 5 practice hole punching tests, but i found the ones on the DAT to be a little ridiculous. Seriously, they were folded like 5-6 times. Oh, and that stupid paper folding one where it was 11 elipses side by side (alternating black and white)..how does that make ANYTHING.

Reading= first passage (physiology = i took a risk and didn't really read the passage, just went with my knowledge from phys. I hope that worked out lol..)

Second passage (nucleus) = it was ooookkkkk, a lot of specifics

Third passage (lyme disease) = effing stupid ticks. There were a whole lot of: "According to the author...," "What is the author's mood during the passage.."
 
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Northside said:
Canadian DAT is much harder than the American when it comes to the sciences... at least today's test was. The PAT and RC are equivalent in my opinion. From what I understand, our scores will be relative to everyone that took it. I think most ppl found the bio hard so I wouldn't sweat it too much.
I'm just happy... it's over!
Click to expand...

Yeah. Everything north of the border is "much harder", even though there is a possibility that the Can and US version of the DAT may be the same sine some of the sections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651
 
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doc toothache said:
Yeah. Everything north of the border is "much harder", even though there is a possibility that the Can and US version of the DAT may be the same sine some of the sections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651
Click to expand...

ok. and there is a possibility that they aren't the same and the Canadian one is in fact much harder.
this could account for the fact that no schools in Canada will allow a Canadian to apply with American DAT scores.
 
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doc toothache said:
Yeah. Everything north of the border is "much harder", even though there is a possibility that the Can and US version of the DAT may be the same sine some of the sections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651
Click to expand...

I took both the american (july) and canadian (yesterday) and quite frankly, the bio section at least for the canadian was indeed much harder. People aren't coming up with random excuses but this is based on people like me who have taken both exams. But in the end, it doesn't really matter because the raw score means nothing anyways, since the canadian dat is bell-curved.
 
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Contach said:
ok. and there is a possibility that they aren't the same and the Canadian one is in fact much harder.
this could account for the fact that no schools in Canada will allow a Canadian to apply with American DAT scores.
Click to expand...

Actually the US DAT is accepted at Nova Scotia, Ontario, Laval, Quebec and Saskatchewan. As for the harder claim, perhaps you have access to the distribution tables for the Canadian DAT, otherwise, we may need to file the assertion under unsubstantiated claim.



DentalP87 said:
I took both the american (july) and canadian (yesterday) and quite frankly, the bio section at least for the canadian was indeed much harder. People aren't coming up with random excuses but this is based on people like me who have taken both exams. But in the end, it doesn't really matter because the raw score means nothing anyways, since the canadian dat is bell-curved.
Click to expand...

Anecdotal evidence, at best, mascaraeding as perceived reality. There are many in the US who feel that the test is getting "harder and harder" with not much basis in fact. Maybe you can provide a link for your claims.
 
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doc toothache said:
Actually the US DAT is accepted at Nova Scotia, Ontario, Laval, Quebec and Saskatchewan. As for the harder claim, perhaps you have access to the distribution tables for the Canadian DAT, otherwise, we may need to file the assertion under unsubstantiated claim.
Click to expand...

How about he wrote both exams, did amazingly well on the US version, and then said that he found the Canadian version to be much more difficult. You dont need distribution tables to make that kind of claim, and he isnt sitting here begging people to believe that the Canadian test is harder than the American one. I don't know why you find it necessary to pounce every time someone claims that someone in Canada may have had a harder time with something. You're already a Dentist, people look up to you for that, so you don't need to be insecure or whatever it is.
 
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Sama951 said:
How about he wrote both exams, did amazingly well on the US version, and then said that he found the Canadian version to be much more difficult. You dont need distribution tables to make that kind of claim, and he isnt sitting here begging people to believe that the Canadian test is harder than the American one. I don't know why you find it necessary to pounce every time someone claims that someone in Canada may have had a harder time with something. You're already a Dentist, people look up to you for that, so you don't need to be insecure or whatever it is.
Click to expand...

You are right. Why bother with distribution tables or other evidence when a claim by a few is much more significant.
 
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doc toothache said:
Yeah. Everything north of the border is "much harder", even though there is a possibility that the Can and US version of the DAT may be the same sine some of the sections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651
Click to expand...

doc toothache said:
Actually the US DAT is accepted at Nova Scotia, Ontario, Laval, Quebec and Saskatchewan. As for the harder claim, perhaps you have access to the distribution tables for the Canadian DAT, otherwise, we may need to file the assertion under unsubstantiated claim.
Click to expand...

Yeah file it right under your unsubstantiated claims in the previous post.

doc toothache said:
Actually the US DAT is accepted at Nova Scotia, Ontario, Laval, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
Click to expand...

I e-mailed about 9 schools in Canada asking them if my American DAT would suffice their canadian DAT Requirements. All told me no, with the exception of Saskatchewan which said they would be able to accept me, but then in my first year of Dental School I would have to write the Canadian November DAT. Puzzled me, but whatever, I don't want to go to Saskatchewan anyways.

The only dental school I know in Nova Scotia is Dalhousie. It just so happens I e-mailed them. Below is my correspondance with Jo-Anne, the representative who replied on behalf of the e-mail address: [email protected]:

Dear XXXX,

Canadian citizens must complete the Canadian DAT.

Jo-Anne
On Sep 8, 2008, at 9:29 PM, XXXXX wrote:



.Dear Admissions Office,...
. ...
.I am a 4th year Canadian student attending an Ontario University. I wrote the American DAT in August 2008 and received an AA of 24, TS of 26, and PAT of 21. I realize that these are very competitive scores considering they place me within the 99.4, 99.9 and 94th percentiles. (This was my first and only attempt at any DAT.) However as you may know, there is no carving section on the American DAT. I would like to know if the Dalhousie Dental School will accept these scores in lieu of a Canadian DAT. Or in other words, can I apply with my American DAT scores for the Dalhousie entering class of 2009?...
. ...
.Thank you and I appreciate your time,...
.XXXXXXX...


If by "Ontario," you mean University of Western Ontario, then their site says:
Applicants are advised that the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association is required and will be a consideration for admission. Only the score of the most recent DAT completed within the TWO years prior to the application deadline of December 1 will be used. (For the 2007-08 application cycle, the eligible time frame is during 2006 – 2007.)
http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/admissions_yr1.html

There is no mention made of the option of writing the American DAT. Oh, and it seems I e-mailed them too.. Below is my correspondence with a UWO representative "sine" my name. I hope this makes it a substantiated claim in your mind:


Hello XXXXXX -

Thank you for your inquiry. If you are a Canadian applicant, living in Canada, then it is a requirement of our admissions policy that you take the Canadian DAT.

Schulich Dentistry does not utilize the carving sectional score in its admissions process.

I hope this answers your questions. Please let us know if you have further questions.

Trish Ashbury

T. Ashbury
Dental Admissions Coordinator,
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C1 Ph. (519) 661-3744 FAX (519) 850-2958
School Website: http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/

>>> "XXXXXXXXXX 9/8/2008 8:09 PM >>>
Dear Admissions Office,



I am a 4th year Canadian student attending an Ontario University. I wrote the American DAT in August 2008 and received an AA of 24, TS of 26, and PAT of 21. I realize that these are very competitive scores for both American and Canadian Dental Schools. However, I am wondering if University of Western Ontario School of Dentistry accepts the American DAT granted that I am a Canadian Citizen and Student. I am aware that other Canadian Dental Schools look at Carving scores and require Canadian students to write the
(Canadian) DAT administered by the CDA.



Thank you and I appreciate your time,

XXXXXXX

I did not contact Quebec or Laval.
 
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I called UfT and Western and they also told me that they only accept the Canadian DAT from Canadian citizens...
 
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doc toothache said:
Actually the US DAT is accepted at Nova Scotia, Ontario, Laval, Quebec and Saskatchewan. As for the harder claim, perhaps you have access to the distribution tables for the Canadian DAT, otherwise, we may need to file the assertion under unsubstantiated claim.





Anecdotal evidence, at best, mascaraeding as perceived reality. There are many in the US who feel that the test is getting "harder and harder" with not much basis in fact. Maybe you can provide a link for your claims.
Click to expand...

Its funny how you claimed those Canadian schools accepted the American DAT without any sort of evidence, but then proceeded to dismiss the thoughts of other posters who were basing their opinions on personal experience.

Contach pretty much just lowered the boom...
 
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Contach said:
Dear XXXX,
Canadian citizens must complete the Canadian DAT.
Jo-Anne

Hello XXXXXX -

Thank you for your inquiry. If you are a Canadian applicant, living in Canada, then it is a requirement of our admissions policy that you take the Canadian DAT.

Trish Ashbury
Click to expand...

You went through a lot of trouble verifying something that was readily available. A Canadian applicant even with extenuating circumstances might have a hard time justifying taking the US Dat instead of the Canadian. Similarly, a US applicant might have a hard time justifying taking the Can DAT while applying to US ds. The Can ds that acknowledge taking US DAT scores were referring to non Canadians applicants. But if you believe that an exam with two additional sections (oc/qr) is somewhat easier and more palatable than one without them,..well... knock yourself out.


GooberGeek said:
Its funny how you claimed those Canadian schools accepted the American DAT without any sort of evidence, but then proceeded to dismiss the thoughts of other posters who were basing their opinions on personal experience.

Contach pretty much just lowered the boom...
Click to expand...

The post was not meant as a dissertation on who accepts what and why. Incidentally the info came from the 2008 ADEA Official Guide to DS.
 
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doc toothache said:
You went through a lot of trouble verifying something that was readily available. A Canadian applicant even with extenuating circumstances might have a hard time justifying taking the US Dat instead of the Canadian. Similarly, a US applicant might have a hard time justifying taking the Can DAT while applying to US ds. The Can ds that acknowledge taking US DAT scores were referring to non Canadians applicants. But if you believe that an exam with two additional sections (oc/qr) is somewhat easier and more palatable than one without them,..well... knock yourself out.




The post was not meant as a dissertation on who accepts what and why. Incidentally the info came from the 2008 ADEA Official Guide to DS.
Click to expand...

This mr.smartie-pants wannabe doesn't know when to stop. Sigh.
 
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I wrote the Canadian DAT at UofT's dental school. Anyway, for those who wrote it there, I was wondering if they are gonna do anything about the phones going off in people's backpack. I had earplugs, but apparently many people found it distracting. Any word on that? After the test they said "nothing can be done, as we told all of you to turn off your cell phone" I found this to be another way of saying, lets wait to see who claims the 2 backpacks so we can beat the **** out of them after the test. Atleast one of the girls got up during her test to turn it off, the other guy pussed out and waited til the test was done.

Breakdown.

Carving - piece of cake. I think everyone finished that I could see and had time to smoothen out their planes

Sciences - G-chem was very conceptual, as expected. They threw one question on there that I have never seen before and I would have thought belonged to Ochem.

Bio was extremely difficult, at least compared to the American DAT. The FRAP question was on there (question 32) and that question about true roots, fake roots, haloween costume roots etc. LOL you guys know what i'm talking about what the fack.

PAT - this was comparable but with some strategy due to the fact that it's written on paper, it was easier. Everyone I saw around me was cheating for the angles

RC - omg. if you took a physiology course, you could answer 15/17 questions in the RC without even reading the first passage. Likewise with cellular physiology of the second passage. The third passage was the tough one due the the scattering of all the information. but with the 30 minutes (out of 50) you have to do it, you should ace it.
 
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doc toothache said:
Yeah. Everything north of the border is "much harder", even though there is a possibility that the Can and US version of the DAT may be the same sine some of the sections.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651
Click to expand...

I studied using Kaplan and Cliff's DAT book these last 3 months (I took American DAT Sept 19). Anyhow, I had 19AA on my first practice DAT. I took 2 more DATs before Sept 19 and scored 20AA each time. I came out with 22AA on the American DAT although I did study for a good week between my 3rd practice DAT and the American DAT.

I then chilled for 2 weeks and began hitting the books again to prep for Can DAT. I was determined to kill it. I felt as though my familiarity with the test (having taken some practice tests and the actual American DAT) and after being exposed to so many different questions, I was in a good position to do so. In that span, I wrote 3 more practice DATs (w/out orgo or QR) and scored about 22 AA each time with a 30 in bio on one test and a 30 in chem on another test (sometimes you need some luck to score really high as 1 or 2 mistakes will bring your score down to a 22-23) and felt that I was going to annihilate the Can DAT under the assumption that it would be similar in difficulty to the American DAT. And it was similar, except for the BIO which was out of this world. Honestly, if I had a bio section anything like one of the practice tests which were on par with the American DAT, I wouldn't have been surprised if I scored a 25 AA on the Canadian DAT. Right now, I'm just hoping to score in the 19+ in bio and I don't know if I want to retake based on how unpredictable those questions were.

By the way, 70% of my studying was on bio b/c I knew it would probably be the hardest part.

So, homeboy, I wrote both tests in a span of less than two months. I think that my assessment of each test's difficulty is legit.

artanis said:
PAT - this was comparable but with some strategy due to the fact that it's written on paper, it was easier. Everyone I saw around me was cheating for the angles
Click to expand...

Lol. How do you cheat on the angles section?
 
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amalgamgrillz said:
Does anyone know how long/what day we get our results back?
Click to expand...

We don't get the results back till mid December.

I also agree about Bio, some of those questions were came out of left field. No amount of studying would of helped.
 
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I agree with everyones commments...the bio section was even more random than the american DAT...as some members stated, "no amount of studying would helped".

the bio section was def not indicative of how much bio u know...just if ur lucky enough to have come accross the stupid little things they tested...besides bio everything was fair
 
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Seenary said:
I agree with everyones commments...the bio section was even more random than the american DAT...as some members stated, "no amount of studying would helped".
Click to expand...

Making something "more random" than random is quite an achievement.
 
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I've been reading a lot of the posts but can anyone suggest the most helpful canadian DAT study materials? DAT destroyer is getting a lot of positive comments. I could only find that they were selling material for the American DAT. I used Barron's to study for the first DAT but it wasn't very good. I'm re-writing in February and need to spruce up my game second time around.
 
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Here's my take on the whole Canadian vs American DAT.

I think as a test, they are the same.

However I feel that since the Canadian dentistry schools limit their applicants to having stellar marks, only exceptional students apply and thus the students writing the DAT will be of a higher caliber IN GENERAL then American students since American DSchools have more schools with a wider range of acceptance GPAs (Can accept students as low as 3.0 etc.).

I don't mean to be bashing anyone, it's just Canadian students are highly repelled from Dentistry since they requirements are so high, leaving many less applicants in total.
 
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amalgamgrillz said:
ahhh i'm sorry to hear that...but in all honesty, if you rock every other section, you might want to consider just keeping your scores since no schools except for the West-coast/prairie schools really care about the carving section. Yah it can help you, but it won't work against you at other schools.



Carving = 👍👍..at least we didn't get a 8x8x8 fluted triangle or 8x8x8x8 fluted square like previous DATs. I still don't know how to mark those ends..

Bio = fairly random, but not bad.

chem = a lot more theory than I expected

Pat = effing hole punching! I got perfect on 5 practice hole punching tests, but i found the ones on the DAT to be a little ridiculous. Seriously, they were folded like 5-6 times. Oh, and that stupid paper folding one where it was 11 elipses side by side (alternating black and white)..how does that make ANYTHING.

Reading= first passage (physiology = i took a risk and didn't really read the passage, just went with my knowledge from phys. I hope that worked out lol..)

Second passage (nucleus) = it was ooookkkkk, a lot of specifics

Third passage (lyme disease) = effing stupid ticks. There were a whole lot of: "According to the author...," "What is the author's mood during the passage.."
Click to expand...

WTF? I thought the max was 3 folds?
 
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