Comparison of Topscore, Kaplan, and Real DAT Scores

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bouncy_ball

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I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

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bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

Kaplan BB: AA-18, Bio-19, GC-17, OC-18, PA-21, QR-19, RC-17
Topscore1: AA-19, Bio-19, GC-19, OC-15 :confused: , PA-21, QR-21, RC-21
Topscore2: AA-19, Bio-18, GC-18, OC-18, PA-22, QR-20, RC-20
Topscore3: AA-19, Bio-18, GC-16 :eek: , OC-19, PA-25, QR-22, RC-22
Real Thing: AA-21, Bio-22, GC-23, OC-20, PA-19, QR-22, RC-20

I feel that these science scores are a bit low considering it's just a prep test. As I'm sure most of you were, I'm worried about the "test fluke" that I may land a DAT that is more difficult than what I've been taking.

Are the GC and OC sections really that much easier on the actual DAT? I just can't get my science scores out of the teens. Just a bit of anxiety...you know how it is.
 
TX Hopeful said:
Kaplan BB: AA-18, Bio-19, GC-17, OC-18, PA-21, QR-19, RC-17
Topscore1: AA-19, Bio-19, GC-19, OC-15 :confused: , PA-21, QR-21, RC-21
Topscore2: AA-19, Bio-18, GC-18, OC-18, PA-22, QR-20, RC-20
Topscore3: I haven't taken it yet...probably tomorrow
Real Thing: Under a week away

I feel that these science scores are a bit low considering it's just a prep test. As I'm sure most of you were, I'm worried about the "test fluke" that I may land a DAT that is more difficult than what I've been taking.

Are the GC and OC sections really that much easier on the actual DAT? I just can't get my science scores out of the teens. Just a bit of anxiety...you know how it is.

I think that people's real science scores are consistently higher by 2-3 points than topscore and kaplan. Don't worry, though. The real DAT is a bit easier (and way easier for OC) but different in scope than what TS/Kaplan empahsize. THe bio questions tend to be more basic (the stuff you learned from Bio I and II). The GC is more about concept and less about doing tons of calculations as it is in Kaplan.

Don't stress, I think you will do great seeing as how you've been consistently scoring high. Good luck :luck:
 
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

I guess I paniced during the real thing. All I remembered is that the first attemp on Topscore I got 18, 19, 16 and second I got 22, 24, 24, the real thing I got 22, 22, 20. Man you are crazy. I don't see those kind of score very often...AT ALL! -_-!
 
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bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?
You are one crazy Aggies! :thumbup: I don't remember the exact numbers bc I had taken those practice tests so many times before test day. So I guess they don't count much. To answer your question:
Practice Tests:
First time: in high teens. Last time: high 20s (excluding RC. I did not prepare for RC. I guess I paid the price!)
Real Thing: AA 20, Bio 16, GC 23, OC 25, PA 18, QR 20, RC 16, TS 19

If I can't get in this year, will you be my Bio tutor?
 
luder98 said:
Real Thing: AA 20, Bio 16, GC 23, OC 25, PA 18, QR 20, RC 16, TS 19

If I can't get in this year, will you be my Bio tutor?

Fo shizzle, anything for a fellow ag!

I guess I paniced during the real thing. All I remembered is that the first attemp on Topscore I got 18, 19, 16 and second I got 22, 24, 24, the real thing I got 22, 22, 20. Man you are crazy. I don't see those kind of score very often...AT ALL! -_-!

Your scores are awesome!! I can only imagine what you would have gotten if you weren't nervous. For my test, I honestly think the stars were aligned, b/c I didn't think I did that great while actually taking the test.
 
They say that your actual DAT scores, when compared to your Kaplan scores, go up 2-3 points for AA and down 2-3 point for PA.

I took Kaplan over the summer, which was a 2 month course, starting in June and ending the first week of August. The actual exam I took in September after I really started to study around mid-July or so. Total length of studying was most likely a month and a half or so of 8 hrs studying/day, followed up with two weeks of sitting around on my ass doing nothing. Also, I bought a TopScore CD, but I don't remember writing down or saving any of my scores. I think I scored around in the high teens on the sciences, QR, RC and 23-24 on PAT.


Also, I began to use other books after the 2nd Kaplan diag as I found the Kaplan book alone was inadequate. I wish I would have found this place before I forked over all that chedda over to Kaplan...live and learn...

My scores:

Kaplan
1st Diag: AA 14, TS 13, Bio 13, GC 13, OC 13, RC 16, *QR 14, PA 14
2nd Diag: AA 15, TS 14, Bio 15, GC 14, OC 12, RC 17, *QR 15, PA 22

I don't remember all the scores from my last Kaplan diag. But off the top of my head:

AA 17, TS 18, Bio 18, GC 17, OC 20, RC 17, *QR 14, PA 23 or 24

*With the QR, I would do the first 10 problems or so and then stop. They were kinda boring... :sleep:


The actual DAT:
AA 20, TS 19, Bio 18, GC 21, OC 17, RC 22, QR 21, PA 20

I think I am taking the DAT again as I am beginning to feel very pessimistic on my chances of matriculating into dental school this year. :(
 
ajy1013 said:
They say that your actual DAT scores, when compared to your Kaplan scores, go up 2-3 points for AA and down 2-3 point for PA.

I took Kaplan over the summer, which was a 2 month course, starting in June and ending the first week of August. The actual exam I took in September after I really started to study around mid-July or so. Total length of studying was most likely a month and a half or so of 8 hrs studying/day, followed up with two weeks of sitting around on my ass doing nothing. Also, I bought a TopScore CD, but I don't remember writing down or saving any of my scores. I think I scored around in the high teens on the sciences, QR, RC and 23-24 on PAT.


Also, I began to use other books after the 2nd Kaplan diag as I found the Kaplan book alone was inadequate. I wish I would have found this place before I forked over all that chedda over to Kaplan...live and learn...

My scores:

Kaplan
1st Diag: AA 14, TS 13, Bio 13, GC 13, OC 13, RC 16, *QR 14, PA 14
2nd Diag: AA 15, TS 14, Bio 15, GC 14, OC 12, RC 17, *QR 15, PA 22

I don't remember all the scores from my last Kaplan diag. But off the top of my head:

AA 17, TS 18, Bio 18, GC 17, OC 20, RC 17, *QR 14, PA 23 or 24

*With the QR, I would do the first 10 problems or so and then stop. They were kinda boring... :sleep:


The actual DAT:
AA 20, TS 19, Bio 18, GC 21, OC 17, RC 22, QR 21, PA 20

I think I am taking the DAT again as I am beginning to feel very pessimistic on my chances of matriculating into dental school this year. :(

Whats ur gpa and sci gpa
 
ajy1013 said:
The actual DAT:
AA 20, TS 19, Bio 18, GC 21, OC 17, RC 22, QR 21, PA 20

I think I am taking the DAT again as I am beginning to feel very pessimistic on my chances of matriculating into dental school this year. :(

Nice job ajy1013. Are you sure you want to retake them? Your numbers look excellent to me.
 
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26

I have a question regarding topscore. Are there three tests or 18 because online they say something about haveing 18 exams?

I took the kaplan class and everyone is saying the more practice problems you have the better. So i'm thinking about buying the Topscore books.

Let me know.
 
ddsnp said:
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...


I have a question regarding topscore. Are there three tests or 18 because online they say something about haveing 18 exams?

I took the kaplan class and everyone is saying the more practice problems you have the better. So i'm thinking about buying the Topscore books.

Let me know.

topscore only has three tests, but i think its enough for you
 
x-linked said:
ddsnp said:
topscore only has three tests, but i think its enough for you

yeah, three tests go a long way, especially b/c you can do them over and over... just to get the hang of the testing style. (topscore is a very close replica of the real dat in terms of the set up, although the quality of the graphics on the real thing is way lower)

it's a cd-rom, btw. there's no books. nor are there detailed explanations to the problems. that's the only drawback of topscore. since you have your kaplan books, you should be okay.
 
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

Bouncyball, how soon after you did those topscore tests did you take the real thing?
 
Gurl21 said:
Bouncyball, how soon after you did those topscore tests did you take the real thing?

immediately before taking the real test. i took one test a day. so that might represent my week leading up to the real dat.
 
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x-linked said:
ddsnp said:
topscore only has three tests, but i think its enough for you

BUMP once. I took two out of the three tests and there, I was ready.

BTW from your avatar, are you a fan of the ex Chinese chairman :smuggrin:
 
ddsnp said:
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26

I have a question regarding topscore. Are there three tests or 18 because online they say something about haveing 18 exams?



I took the kaplan class and everyone is saying the more practice problems you have the better. So i'm thinking about buying the Topscore books.

Let me know.


What tools did use to study for this test. Was it only BB kaplan or others as well and how did u study for it. Those are some nice scores congrats.
 
I've discovered another useful test prep.

www.datprofessor.com

I'm surprised I've never seen anyone talk about this before. The practice exams are helpful, but I wouldnt rely on the review material, it's extremely lacking if you ask me. Oh, and the PAT is kinda bad too.
 
Topscore does offer 18 exams, though 15 are specific subject tests...and 3 are complete full lengths.
 
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

Please keep this topic alive by posting your scores!!! Thanks
 
bouncy_ball said:
I hope this will help those of you who wonder how Kaplan and Topscore scoring stacks up to the real thing, here are my scores from just before the exam...

Here's how I did just before the test
Kaplan (blue): AA: NA, Bio 22, GC 18, OC 23, PA 22, QR 17, RC 15, TS 26
Topscore #1 : AA 18, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 15, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore #2: AA 20, Bio 20, GC 18, OC 21, PA 20, QR 18, RC19, TS 21
Topscore #3: AA 19, Bio 21, GC 19, OC 19, PA 21, QR 21, RC 16, TS 20
Topscore avg: AA 19, Bio 21.3, GC 18.7, OC 19.3, PA 20.67, QR 18, RC 17, TS 20.3
The real thing:AA 24, Bio 26, GC 25, OC 29, PA 18, QR 17, RC 21, TS 26


Anyone else have their old practice scores that they can share?

wow, not bad!
 
Are the angle ranking problems on the DAT comparable to the ones in topscore?? because the topscore ones seem really easy when i compare them to the sample dat on ADA.org... i mean i literally traced some of the angles exactly on the screen and put them up to the other angle and they were exactly the same (on ADA's practice DAT) Even the format of the tests are different, topscore's looks like a computer made the lines, where ADA's looks like a scanned version of a handmade test...

any info from people who have taken the REAL DAT would be extremely appreciated!!! Thanks!!!!:thumbup:
 
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