Chances; high OAT, low GPA?

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preopt2019 said:
Great scores! what did you use to study?
Click to expand...

Thank you! I studied for around 3 months but only took it seriously around a month or so before my test. I was only able to study full-time for the week and a half before my test, because my Spring quarter just ended mid-June. I did the most cramming the day before my exam, even though that isn’t advised. I used DAT Bootcamp and followed Ari’s 10 week schedule VERY roughly (I probably spent 3-4 days for each day on his schedule, and I tweaked and skipped some things) to study all the sections except physics, and I purchased Chad’s CourseSaver videos and quizzes for physics only. (I also purchased OAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer, but I did like one problem of the Math Destroyer and kind of gave up lol so a huge waste of money on my part. Also, Dr. Romano is really rude to his students so I definitely don’t think you need to buy Destroyer.)

Physics:

Practice tests (average) - 277
Actual - 340

Chad’s videos helped tremendously; I’ve actually only taken 1 out of the 3 physics classes in the physics series at my school (quarter system), so I was very unfamiliar with a large portion of the physics material that’s tested on. At first, I watched all of Chad’s free physics videos (from his ChemistryPrep website) and took notes on his outlines, but I did this over a looong period of time and felt like I didn’t retain much. I also felt like he went over a lot of things I didn’t need to know for the test, so I eventually stopped paying attention and that’s probably why I didn’t retain anything haha. So I ended up purchasing his CourseSaver videos for two months, which I liked a lot better because it was catered towards the test and I felt like everything was summed up nicely. He also only went over the relevant info for the test. I watched Chad’s videos on 1.5x speed to learn a big chunk of the material, took in-depth notes on the outlines provided, and I did his quizzes after to practice. My scores on Bootcamp were horrible, and my best score was a 290. I took one last practice test the night before my exam and got a 270 and ended up freaking out. I literally almost decided to reschedule my test. Honestly, don’t stress too much, the curve is probably huuuge. I did see a lot of concepts presented on the test that I hadn’t prepared for though, like amplitude. My best advice for this section is to practice a TON, and to review the Bootcamp tests thoroughly and understand how to solve each problem.

Bio:

Practice tests (average) - 17.75
Actual - 400

For bio, I printed out the 120 pages notes and put them in a binder. I read the Bootcamp Bio Academy notes on my computer with my 120 pages notes open on my desk, and I took notes onto the 120 page notes of things that were missing or that I thought were important! I also highlighted and annotated ALL of the 120 page notes and used a color coding system (pink = headings, blue = definitions, etc.) Then I took the practice tests and reviewed each question I got wrong. I didnt actually think I’d do so well on this section because I was averaging 17 (in DAT terms) and my best score was a 19. But one thing I did a couple days before my exam was reread the 120 page notes and that reeeeally helped. After rereading, I took a few more practice tests and felt way more comfortable answering each question. I also saw a big improvement in my scores. In my opinion, reading the notes was way more helpful than reviewing the questions I got wrong on the practice tests. Also, a big thing for the bio section is to make educated guesses and eliminate answers accordingly. The real test seemed about the same or slightly harder than Bootcamp.

Gen Chem:

Practice tests (average) - 17.5
Actual - 370

For gen chem, I basically started from scratch because I didn’t pay attention in any of my gen chem classes and did horribly in them (hence my horrible science GPA lol). I watched Mike’s videos on 2x speed and took in-depth notes on the outlines provided, and I did the Bootcamp practice tests. Mike’s videos were really helpful and summarized things nicely. I was averaging 17 ish, and my highest score was a 20. But, I honestly did not feel comfortable with the material at ALL, and was stressing out like crazy the night before. I was extremely surprised by my score. The real test felt about the same as a Bootcamp test, but there were actually some questions concerning concepts I hadn’t yet seen on a Bootcamp test.

OChem:

Practice tests (average) - 17.3
Actual - 360

For ochem, I mostly used just my knowledge from my classes since I just finished the ochem series. I also watched some of Mike’s videos on 2x speed and took super brief notes, but I watched them out of order and used them more to help myself for my classes rather than to study for the test. I reviewed the Bootcamp reaction sheet a couple times, but relied mostly on my memory for the reactions. I also honestly didn’t review the mechanisms too much and didn’t end up with any (maybe 1?) mechanism questions on my real exam, but I would still study and know them well. I was averaging around a 17, and my best score was a 19. I felt very uncomfortable with the material for this section too, especially the conceptual stuff, but the real test felt more straightforward and simple.

Reading Comprehension:

Practice tests (average) - 21
Actual - 400

This section I didn’t practice too much. I watched the RC videos from Bootcamp and ended up mostly using the search and destroy method and partly just reading the passage, usually based on how interesting the passage was or my mood haha. I took a total of three RC practice tests but since I was doing okay, I stopped there. My best practice score was a 22. The answers to the questions on the real test were pretty easy to find, but there were probably like 3 or 4 total that I couldn’t find the answer to so I guessed because they were pretty easy to guess based on common sense.

QR:

Practice tests (average) - 19
Actual - 370

I didn’t really study for this section because I consider myself a math person, but I did have to brush up on rate formulas and probability formulas. At first I was doing 20 QR questions a day, as per Ari’s study schedule, and I was alternating the topic each time, but I stopped because I was doing really well on algebra but really badly on probability and I was getting lazy and frustrated lol. I ended up just taking practice tests to see where I stand. Honestly, I feel like all you need do is practice a little bit and memorize the Bootcamp math equation sheet. Real test was a lot harder than any practice tests though, in my opinion, and I got some really weird questions.

OVERALL:

I didn’t take any full length tests, and felt that was okay for me, but I definitely would recommend taking at least one to get used to the timing of the natural sciences section and stuff. It also helps ease your nerves since you’re so used to taking subject tests that taking the entire natural sciences section in one go is a little intimidating. In general, all of the Bootcamp practice tests felt slightly harder/about the same as the real test, with the exception of QR.

Another thing I did - I would review all the practice tests and write down in a 5 subject notebook important things to remember about the questions that I got wrong. I did this for all sections aside from RC. Then, before taking the next practice test, I would review everything I had written down in the notebook for that section.

All in all, if you can afford DAT Bootcamp I would highly recommend it as a resource, as well as Chad’s CourseSaver for physics. Destroyer’s a huge waste of money, not necessary, and just makes you feel horrible about yourself lol. Anyway, I’d say you seriously don’t have to sweat it! As long as you put in the effort, you WILL see improvement Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions!
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much!! your comments for each section was really helpful and gave me a understanding of what I should focus on when I start studying. I'm in the same position as you, my science GPA is around a 2.8 and cumualtive GPA is 3.2 so i am hoping to get a high score on the OAT to even out my application a little bit! I already have the Kaplan book and plan on buying the CourseSaver's videos! I did get the notes off DATbootcamp, but not sure if i will be buying that yet!

Do you know what schools you want to apply to?
 
t-anteater said:
Thank you! I studied for around 3 months but only took it seriously around a month or so before my test. I was only able to study full-time for the week and a half before my test, because my Spring quarter just ended mid-June. I did the most cramming the day before my exam, even though that isn’t advised. I used DAT Bootcamp and followed Ari’s 10 week schedule VERY roughly (I probably spent 3-4 days for each day on his schedule, and I tweaked and skipped some things) to study all the sections except physics, and I purchased Chad’s CourseSaver videos and quizzes for physics only. (I also purchased OAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer, but I did like one problem of the Math Destroyer and kind of gave up lol so a huge waste of money on my part. Also, Dr. Romano is really rude to his students so I definitely don’t think you need to buy Destroyer.)

Physics:

Practice tests (average) - 277
Actual - 340

Chad’s videos helped tremendously; I’ve actually only taken 1 out of the 3 physics classes in the physics series at my school (quarter system), so I was very unfamiliar with a large portion of the physics material that’s tested on. At first, I watched all of Chad’s free physics videos (from his ChemistryPrep website) and took notes on his outlines, but I did this over a looong period of time and felt like I didn’t retain much. I also felt like he went over a lot of things I didn’t need to know for the test, so I eventually stopped paying attention and that’s probably why I didn’t retain anything haha. So I ended up purchasing his CourseSaver videos for two months, which I liked a lot better because it was catered towards the test and I felt like everything was summed up nicely. He also only went over the relevant info for the test. I watched Chad’s videos on 1.5x speed to learn a big chunk of the material, took in-depth notes on the outlines provided, and I did his quizzes after to practice. My scores on Bootcamp were horrible, and my best score was a 290. I took one last practice test the night before my exam and got a 270 and ended up freaking out. I literally almost decided to reschedule my test. Honestly, don’t stress too much, the curve is probably huuuge. I did see a lot of concepts presented on the test that I hadn’t prepared for though, like amplitude. My best advice for this section is to practice a TON, and to review the Bootcamp tests thoroughly and understand how to solve each problem.

Bio:

Practice tests (average) - 17.75
Actual - 400

For bio, I printed out the 120 pages notes and put them in a binder. I read the Bootcamp Bio Academy notes on my computer with my 120 pages notes open on my desk, and I took notes onto the 120 page notes of things that were missing or that I thought were important! I also highlighted and annotated ALL of the 120 page notes and used a color coding system (pink = headings, blue = definitions, etc.) Then I took the practice tests and reviewed each question I got wrong. I didnt actually think I’d do so well on this section because I was averaging 17 (in DAT terms) and my best score was a 19. But one thing I did a couple days before my exam was reread the 120 page notes and that reeeeally helped. After rereading, I took a few more practice tests and felt way more comfortable answering each question. I also saw a big improvement in my scores. In my opinion, reading the notes was way more helpful than reviewing the questions I got wrong on the practice tests. Also, a big thing for the bio section is to make educated guesses and eliminate answers accordingly. The real test seemed about the same or slightly harder than Bootcamp.

Gen Chem:

Practice tests (average) - 17.5
Actual - 370

For gen chem, I basically started from scratch because I didn’t pay attention in any of my gen chem classes and did horribly in them (hence my horrible science GPA lol). I watched Mike’s videos on 2x speed and took in-depth notes on the outlines provided, and I did the Bootcamp practice tests. Mike’s videos were really helpful and summarized things nicely. I was averaging 17 ish, and my highest score was a 20. But, I honestly did not feel comfortable with the material at ALL, and was stressing out like crazy the night before. I was extremely surprised by my score. The real test felt about the same as a Bootcamp test, but there were actually some questions concerning concepts I hadn’t yet seen on a Bootcamp test.

OChem:

Practice tests (average) - 17.3
Actual - 360

For ochem, I mostly used just my knowledge from my classes since I just finished the ochem series. I also watched some of Mike’s videos on 2x speed and took super brief notes, but I watched them out of order and used them more to help myself for my classes rather than to study for the test. I reviewed the Bootcamp reaction sheet a couple times, but relied mostly on my memory for the reactions. I also honestly didn’t review the mechanisms too much and didn’t end up with any (maybe 1?) mechanism questions on my real exam, but I would still study and know them well. I was averaging around a 17, and my best score was a 19. I felt very uncomfortable with the material for this section too, especially the conceptual stuff, but the real test felt more straightforward and simple.

Reading Comprehension:

Practice tests (average) - 21
Actual - 400

This section I didn’t practice too much. I watched the RC videos from Bootcamp and ended up mostly using the search and destroy method and partly just reading the passage, usually based on how interesting the passage was or my mood haha. I took a total of three RC practice tests but since I was doing okay, I stopped there. My best practice score was a 22. The answers to the questions on the real test were pretty easy to find, but there were probably like 3 or 4 total that I couldn’t find the answer to so I guessed because they were pretty easy to guess based on common sense.

QR:

Practice tests (average) - 19
Actual - 370

I didn’t really study for this section because I consider myself a math person, but I did have to brush up on rate formulas and probability formulas. At first I was doing 20 QR questions a day, as per Ari’s study schedule, and I was alternating the topic each time, but I stopped because I was doing really well on algebra but really badly on probability and I was getting lazy and frustrated lol. I ended up just taking practice tests to see where I stand. Honestly, I feel like all you need do is practice a little bit and memorize the Bootcamp math equation sheet. Real test was a lot harder than any practice tests though, in my opinion, and I got some really weird questions.

OVERALL:

I didn’t take any full length tests, and felt that was okay for me, but I definitely would recommend taking at least one to get used to the timing of the natural sciences section and stuff. It also helps ease your nerves since you’re so used to taking subject tests that taking the entire natural sciences section in one go is a little intimidating. In general, all of the Bootcamp practice tests felt slightly harder/about the same as the real test, with the exception of QR.

Another thing I did - I would review all the practice tests and write down in a 5 subject notebook important things to remember about the questions that I got wrong. I did this for all sections aside from RC. Then, before taking the next practice test, I would review everything I had written down in the notebook for that section.

All in all, if you can afford DAT Bootcamp I would highly recommend it as a resource, as well as Chad’s CourseSaver for physics. Destroyer’s a huge waste of money, not necessary, and just makes you feel horrible about yourself lol. Anyway, I’d say you seriously don’t have to sweat it! As long as you put in the effort, you WILL see improvement Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions!
Click to expand...
Wow awesome scores! Would you say you had a strong background in science ? I know most of us our bio majors anyways but I didn’t retain a lot of info so will be starting from scratch
 
Agreed be ready to explain the GPA. And if there were any extenuating circumstances as the cause, there is usually a polite way to let them know. Additionally, if you went to a competitive, well-known university, that is taken into consideration as well.
 
preopt2019 said:
Thank you so much!! your comments for each section was really helpful and gave me a understanding of what I should focus on when I start studying. I'm in the same position as you, my science GPA is around a 2.8 and cumualtive GPA is 3.2 so i am hoping to get a high score on the OAT to even out my application a little bit! I already have the Kaplan book and plan on buying the CourseSaver's videos! I did get the notes off DATbootcamp, but not sure if i will be buying that yet!

Do you know what schools you want to apply to?
Click to expand...

Haha of course! I’m from California, so basically any CA school is the goal 🙂
 
helpmeout382100 said:
Wow awesome scores! Would you say you had a strong background in science ? I know most of us our bio majors anyways but I didn’t retain a lot of info so will be starting from scratch
Click to expand...

Thank you! I actually have very little background in bio, surprisingly. I’m a psych major, and I haven’t taken my general bio classes yet. So it’s definitely doable with Bootcamp’s resources
 
Ojos14 said:
Agreed be ready to explain the GPA. And if there were any extenuating circumstances as the cause, there is usually a polite way to let them know. Additionally, if you went to a competitive, well-known university, that is taken into consideration as well.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the response! Does a mid-tier UC count as competitive? haha in your opinion, do you believe I’ve got a good chance for CA schools with these scores and honestly pretty average extracurriculars?
 
EyeSee20 said:
Did you take the ADA free exam?
Click to expand...

Nope! I had been cramming really last minute and didn’t have time for a full length. I also had taken a lot of individual subject tests already and felt it was a better use of my time to just cram as much info as possible!
 
t-anteater said:
Thank you for the response! Does a mid-tier UC count as competitive? haha in your opinion, do you believe I’ve got a good chance for CA schools with these scores and honestly pretty average extracurriculars?
Click to expand...

Yes, it does! Especially if you’re applying to CA schools.
If you have good extracurriculars and LORs, even better.
I had similar stats, went to a UC, and took a gap year and got into CA schools.
 
Ojos14 said:
Yes, it does! Especially if you’re applying to CA schools.
If you have good extracurriculars and LORs, even better.
I had similar stats, went to a UC, and took a gap year and got into CA schools.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the response, it definitely makes me feel a little better! 🙂
 
I'm also in the same boat as you! I plan to take my exam end of August! I'm also from Cali! Hoping for Berkeley but we'll see
 
Hi! I was in a similar situation and just got accepted to SCCO so it doesn't hurt to try. Do be prepared to answer why you did bad in school and well on your test though.
 
aya stak said:
Hi! I was in a similar situation and just got accepted to SCCO so it doesn't hurt to try. Do be prepared to answer why you did bad in school and well on your test though.
Click to expand...
Yay! This gives me hope 🙂 What were your stats, if you don't mind me asking? And did you have really good extracurriculars, LOR, or personal statement?
 
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