Confused about DAT

[futuredoctor1995]

---

Members don't see this ad.

This is my first time posting on this. I'm rising Junior with a 3.43 GPA( I don't know how good it is haha), and I have completed Ochem and Gen Chem and Bio and I was wondering when is the best time to take the DAT if I want to graduate in 2017? I don't know much about the process of going into dental school so I have a couple of other questions as well.
1. What does the $400 fee cover and how many times can I take the DAT?
2. I find the PAT extremely difficult and is it actually doable or should I just give up?
3. Can I send my scores to all the schools they checked on the ADA website(I'm really confused about that since I think my score depends where I want to apply to)?

Thank you so much!!

 

[BYU4you]

This is my first time posting on this. I'm rising Junior with a 3.43 GPA( I don't know how good it is haha), and I have completed Ochem and Gen Chem and Bio and I was wondering when is the best time to take the DAT if I want to graduate in 2017? I don't know much about the process of going into dental school so I have a couple of other questions as well.
1. What does the $400 fee cover and how many times can I take the DAT?
2. I find the PAT extremely difficult and is it actually doable or should I just give up?
3. Can I send my scores to all the schools they checked on the ADA website(I'm really confused about that since I think my score depends where I want to apply to)?

Thank you so much!!

1. Covers cost to take DAT once, not sure how many times you can take it but it is multiple. (However tell yourself you can only take it once, you'll thank me later when I save you money time and heart ache, just do well once)

2. Very doable and everyone does bad at first. Get dat bootcamp and practice practice practice.

3. Check every school there is when you sign up it doesn't cost extra but let's you have free range to apply wherever you want when you get there.


If you want to graduate in 2017 you will be applying in exactly one year.

Since you are already done with Ochem I suggest studying this summer and taking it at the end since you probably aren't taking classes and you can really focus and get it out of the way. Plus if for some reason you do poorly you have time to retake. You have to wait at least three months before a retake. But you won't have to because you can only take it once, right
(If not I suggest taking it before next June so your applications will be earlier rather than later mostly to relieve stress)

 

[futuredoctor1995]

Thank you so much! If I have any other questions can I message you because I don't really know anyone who applied to dental school and none of my friends are doing dental either?

 

[BYU4you]

Thank you so much! If I have any other questions can I message you because I don't really know anyone who applied to dental school and none of my friends are doing dental either?

Of course!
I'm not in yet so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[Domenick12]

For the PAT, definitely buy Bootcamp. It's the best source to learn how to do the PAT section. But, it's only a 3 month subscription so make sure you buy it 3 months before you take your test.

 

[futuredoctor1995]

For the PAT, definitely buy Bootcamp. It's the best source to learn how to do the PAT section. But, it's only a 3 month subscription so make sure you buy it 3 months before you take your test.

Do you not recommend doing the Crack the DAT PAT? I saw that alot on previous forums. Btw your gpa and dat score really gives me hope because I have a 3.43 oGPA and 3.3 sGPA! Thank you so much!

 

[Domenick12]

Do you not recommend doing the Crack the DAT PAT? I saw that alot on previous forums. Btw your gpa and dat score really gives me hope because I have a 3.43 oGPA and 3.3 sGPA! Thank you so much!

I didn't use Crack the DAT. I heard that it's just as good as Bootcamp except the angle ranking section sucks. With Bootcamp you get a good angle section and explanations for all problems.
Yeah, my GPA isn't too great. I don't think it accurately portrays the type of student I am though. That's where the DAT comes in and you're given a chance to improve your app!

 

[BYU4you]

You can try datgenius.com also.

It's brand new and fairly cheap. Their pat looks a bit easier than bootcamp with some decent explanations. I haven't looked at it too much because it was released after my own dat. But it looked better than any resource I had come across save for the almighty bootcamp. (Hence it is very oddly familiar to bootcamp...take from the best I guess)

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Do you not recommend doing the Crack the DAT PAT? I saw that alot on previous forums. Btw your gpa and dat score really gives me hope because I have a 3.43 oGPA and 3.3 sGPA! Thank you so much!

Having used both, I'd definitely pick Bootcamp over CrackDAT. For the PAT, Bootcamp is more challenging but also more accurate in terms of difficulty of some of the sections of the test (like keyholes), so it's much better preparation. Value-wise it's significantly better than CrackDAT as well, since you also get the PAT generators, science tests, and readings tests that are actually accurate and useful. I hate to say it but despite once being very popular, CrackDAT is now overpriced and outdated for what little it offers against the current competition.

 

[Majisk]

I would definitely recommend Crack the DAT PAT. I used Bootcamp for Angle Ranking, but CDATPAT was well worth my money.
Note: The style may repeat, so if you decide to pick it up, I would try to do the 5/7 exams once each- avoid mixed questions because you'll memorize repeats.
The DAT Achiever had some incredibly nasty Perceptual Ability Tests. Harder than the real DAT, I would wager.

Good for estimating angles and sides: http://woodgears.ca/eyeball/

Bootcamp's Angle Ranking Generator (*****) Five stars: http://datbootcamp.com/classroom/perceptual-ability/angle-ranking-generator/
The generator is hands down the BEST practice for Angle Ranking (imo)
Crack the DAT PAT was the closest to the real exam imo.
The real exam has:

• More confusing Top, Front, End
• Half-hole punches and corner/angled folds for Hole Punching (more than CDPAT). I had about half of mine be half-hole punches, while the CDP only presents maybe 1/3 or so)
  
• Not as much optical illusion trickery for Cube Counting (compared to some practice exams... like the DAT Achiever)
• Tough Angle Ranking (practice the Bootcamp every night or so, you'll get used to it)
• Fairly straightforward folding
• Hard keyholes (the shapes are pretty much the same except for a corner or a slight increase/decrease in size)

 

[futuredoctor1995]

I would definitely recommend Crack the DAT PAT. I used Bootcamp for Angle Ranking, but CDATPAT was well worth my money.
Note: The style may repeat, so if you decide to pick it up, I would try to do the 5/7 exams once each- avoid mixed questions because you'll memorize repeats.
The DAT Achiever had some incredibly nasty Perceptual Ability Tests. Harder than the real DAT, I would wager.

Good for estimating angles and sides: http://woodgears.ca/eyeball/

Bootcamp's Angle Ranking Generator (*****) Five stars: http://datbootcamp.com/classroom/perceptual-ability/angle-ranking-generator/
The generator is hands down the BEST practice for Angle Ranking (imo)
Crack the DAT PAT was the closest to the real exam imo.
The real exam has:

• More confusing Top, Front, End
• Half-hole punches and corner/angled folds for Hole Punching (more than CDPAT). I had about half of mine be half-hole punches, while the CDP only presents maybe 1/3 or so)
  
• Not as much optical illusion trickery for Cube Counting (compared to some practice exams... like the DAT Achiever)
• Tough Angle Ranking (practice the Bootcamp every night or so, you'll get used to it)
• Fairly straightforward folding
• Hard keyholes (the shapes are pretty much the same except for a corner or a slight increase/decrease in size)

Thank you so much! Do you think I can improve the PAT or is it just like an IQ test? I just don't know how to even begin the PAT section because the directions are so confusing and I'm getting really confused and nervous about it. Are all those books for beginners because I can't even get more than one right? Thanks once again!

 

[vubaru]

Thank you so much! Do you think I can improve the PAT or is it just like an IQ test? I just don't know how to even begin the PAT section because the directions are so confusing and I'm getting really confused and nervous about it. Are all those books for beginners because I can't even get more than one right? Thanks once again!

I can also vouch for Bootcamp. Also, you might be able to find a coupon code lurking around the internet somewhere if you look hard enough...or ask your school's predental society. Bootcamp is great for one reason to me, and that was the problem generator. They had 10 full length tests but also infinite cube counting and hole punching generators.

You can get better at the PAT by practicing. You'll start to notice patterns in how a lot of questions are done, especially the hole punching one. Once you know what folds give what result it becomes so much easier. The cube counting gets easier as well once you start to recognize which cubes are always what # of sides. I got like... a 15 on my first PAT attempt on bootcamp and a 20 on the real thing so I think it was great for me.

 

[ajj70]

Bootcamp offers a discount for ASDA members too.

I'm planning on taking the DAT before I go back to school in August. I will also graduate in 2017. I started studying a week ago with the DAT destroyer book and Feralis notes. I will add in Bootcamp this week and in a couple weeks Chad's videos (only a 30 day subscription to those). I took a practice test to see where I was before I started studying. I like the PAT and for whatever reason do well on that. I scored 18 on the practice test I took and was getting 15-16 on other areas. That makes me a bit worried but hopefully I can do better after studying!!

I hope to only take the DAT once, but plan B is to study and take it a 2nd time over Winter break...but I REALLY hope I don't have to. I just don't have time to add studying for the DAT during the school year. I'm a varsity athlete and that pretty much sucks up my free time after classes, labs and homework.

 

[Majisk]

Thank you so much! Do you think I can improve the PAT or is it just like an IQ test? I just don't know how to even begin the PAT section because the directions are so confusing and I'm getting really confused and nervous about it. Are all those books for beginners because I can't even get more than one right? Thanks once again!

Out of curiosity, have you checked out the DAT guides on this site?

You can definitely improve on the PAT. It's more of pattern recognition and method rather than intelligence. There are several sections, each with its own rule:

Keyholes: fitting the shape to the opening. Takes practice, but you need to recognize minor differences
Top-Front-End: there was a line matching method, but it also takes a bit of practice. Work on problems at your own pace and you'll gradually find yourself becoming quicker.
Angle Ranking: Definitely practice! Ordering angles based on size. Many of the ones on the real DAT were merely 2-3 degrees apart.
Hole Punching: Work backwards. Draw the 4 by 4 grid and mark spots. Before the DAT, or practice DAT, spend ~2 mins drawing a bunch of 4 x 4 grids.
Cube Counting: Make a small list at the beginning of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Make several copies, and tally the cubes as you count them. You'll eventually notice patterns (ie. cubes at the end of a row are usually 4, cubes making a tower are also 4, at the top they're 5, etc.)
Pattern Folding: A lot of it seems to be based on relativity. Where is pattern A relevant to side A, etc. I usually looked at the choices first and tried to find the front pattern's orientation to the side, top, etc.

Bootcamp is brutal because it throws you into it, but it's a wonderful resource. Very close to the real thing. (Average/hard difficulty)
The eyeball practice is just for "fun". Gives you practice on estimates. (good for angle ranking)
DAT PAT is fairly good for beginners i'd say. Gives you a nice benchmark.
Kaplan PAT is awesome for beginners, but it's far easier than the real DAT. You could get 29s on these and get 19 on the DATPAT/Achiever
DAT Achiever was far too difficult. Not beginner friendly.

If I were you, i'd try to hunt down some PAT practice exams online (like, just go Google them) and try those out first. You can also hunt down the 2007/ 2009 ADEA DAT practice exams and try those out. Practice the eyeballing and Bootcamp angle ranking, then move onto Crack DAT PAT, then if you really want to, try Achiever or Topscore.