Crack DAT vs DAT Bootcamp vs DAT qVault???

[butterfingers0829]

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I plan on taking the DAT in a few months and I have no idea what software-based program I should trust.

I have done quite a bit of research on sdn and other websites, but i can never find a comparison for Crack DAT, DAT bootcamp, and DAT qvault. I have seen numerous comparisons on their PAT portions, but not overall comparisons including Natural Science material, math, and reading. I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction..

I recently bought DAT Destroyer, and I plan on using Chad's Videos and a Kaplan book I got from a friend. I was considering buying Crack DAT Ultimate Package, but then I saw a thread on here saying that Crack DAT was pretty much useless except for the PAT portion.

So can anyone please offer a detailed comparison or personal opinion/experiences??

 

[timbaland702]

Crack the DAT is a good start. But it is like a beginner's guide to PAT. It's not bad, but you will need to use something else. I used Bootcamp and that prepared me well. Some said Achiever and if I were to do it again, I would do Achiever as I want the best score. I used all that you mentioned by the way. They are all good in their own way.

 

[eugpeng]

just buy the pat for CDP. I bought the math portion too and it was useful in that they gave you a lot of practice and each question has a video explanation. But BC is the best for everything and destroyer and chads. Read my breakdown if you need some help

 

[FeralisExtremum]

My personal experience with all 3:

Crack DAT is pretty good practice for math, reading, and PAT (though I'd say their PAT is a little too easy in most sections). Good for getting timing down. Their science sections are awful. Of the three, probably the lowest value overall.

Qvault is also pretty good for reading, math, and the PAT (which is a bit too difficult in some sections and too easy in others). Its biology section is great. The general and organic chemistry sections are alright - a bit too repetitive, though. I really like that it has topical questions and that you can save questions and see what your weak spots in specific topics are.

Bootcamp is amazing for PAT (hands down the best), and very good in reading and the sciences. I hear the math is too hard but I've personally never used it for that yet (though I'd prefer too difficult over too easy in terms of preparation). Bootcamp, of the three, is easily the one with the best value.

The truth is all three have their uses, and if you have the money they're all worth having in their own way (minus CrackDAT's science, which has almost no value whatsoever). But if you can only go with one, I'd make it Bootcamp.

 

[butterfingers0829]

Crack the DAT is a good start. But it is like a beginner's guide to PAT. It's not bad, but you will need to use something else. I used Bootcamp and that prepared me well. Some said Achiever and if I were to do it again, I would do Achiever as I want the best score. I used all that you mentioned by the way. They are all good in their own way.

Okay, thanks. I actually do plan on using DAT Achiever as my final prep since it gives you the full test and I've heard it the hardest out there. I just want something else beforehand that will get me both alot of practice and getting comfortable taking the computer-based test.

 

[butterfingers0829]

My personal experience with all 3:

Crack DAT is pretty good practice for math, reading, and PAT (though I'd say their PAT is a little too easy in most sections). Good for getting timing down. Their science sections are awful. Of the three, probably the lowest value overall.

Qvault is also pretty good for reading, math, and the PAT (which is a bit too difficult in some sections and too easy in others). Its biology section is great. The general and organic chemistry sections are alright - a bit too repetitive, though. I really like that it has topical questions and that you can save questions and see what your weak spots in specific topics are.

Bootcamp is amazing for PAT (hands down the best), and very good in reading and the sciences. I hear the math is too hard but I've personally never used it for that yet (though I'd prefer too difficult over too easy in terms of preparation). Bootcamp, of the three, is easily the one with the best value.

The truth is all three have their uses, and if you have the money they're all worth having in their own way (minus CrackDAT's science, which has almost no value whatsoever). But if you can only go with one, I'd make it Bootcamp.

For DAT BC, does their PAT section contain detailed explanations/ videos? How is that portion composed?

 

[SyracuseOrange92]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/dat-breakdown-crack-the-dat-1-16-15.1118358/

Maybe that breakdown will help.

I personally plan on using the 2007 and 2009 tests to help evaluate where I stand. What better than actual tests from the ADA?

 

[alexis2010]

My personal experience with all 3:

Crack DAT is pretty good practice for math, reading, and PAT (though I'd say their PAT is a little too easy in most sections). Good for getting timing down. Their science sections are awful. Of the three, probably the lowest value overall.

Qvault is also pretty good for reading, math, and the PAT (which is a bit too difficult in some sections and too easy in others). Its biology section is great. The general and organic chemistry sections are alright - a bit too repetitive, though. I really like that it has topical questions and that you can save questions and see what your weak spots in specific topics are.

Bootcamp is amazing for PAT (hands down the best), and very good in reading and the sciences. I hear the math is too hard but I've personally never used it for that yet (though I'd prefer too difficult over too easy in terms of preparation). Bootcamp, of the three, is easily the one with the best value.

The truth is all three have their uses, and if you have the money they're all worth having in their own way (minus CrackDAT's science, which has almost no value whatsoever). But if you can only go with one, I'd make it Bootcamp.

Heyyyy Feralis 🙂
did you take the DAT? you told me a while back you were aiming for the test at the end of January.
If you did I'm sure you did well 😉
keep us posted

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Heyyyy Feralis 🙂
did you take the DAT? you told me a while back you were aiming for the test at the end of January.
If you did I'm sure you did well 😉
keep us posted

Oh man I wish I was ready in January. Not yet but soon!

For DAT BC, does their PAT section contain detailed explanations/ videos? How is that portion composed?

First, it has generators for angle ranking, cube counting, hole punching, and pattern folding so you have unlimited practice with those sections on top of the 10 PAT tests. The PAT tests each have very detailed explanations and images for why each answer choice is incorrect (in the sections where explanations are helpful and relevant, namely keyholes/TFE/pattern folding), as opposed to just showing you the right answer and hoping you figure out (for PAT Qvault usually gives no explanation whatsoever, and CrackDAT provides some sort of image explanation and sometimes a video I can never get working - but I don't find the images very helpful). Bootcamp is by far the most comprehensive in terms of answer explanation.

 

[acemason]

I'm finding the BC PAT generators invaluable. I've gotten quite good at angle ranking using the generator. I still need to work on Pattern Folding/TFE though; those sections are a bit difficult for me.

 

[bc1002]

I used both CrackDAT and Bootcamp for PAT and honestly thin CrackDAT was too easy and somehow useless. Unless you have bad perceptual ability start with, I would not waste my money on it. However, I did find Bootcamp's PAT section is a little tougher than the real test. But I would practice with things that are actually harder than the real test. Good luck!

 

[alexis2010]

Ferallis: you men ohh woman lol. that makes 2 of us i'm still procrastinating too.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Haha my bad alexis!

 

[enamel88]

anyone recommend CDR? I'm trying to find some solid reading practice materials but the concensus is that there is no spot on material. I've heard BC was pretty good? but overkill? I'm thinking about buying CDR and I already have BC. Any other materials? Or should I just work on those and rinse and repeat those materials? I've been reading Scientific American Journals but I feel like unless you're going to read straight through and answer the questions, it isn't helpful other than the fact that you're getting adapted to reading science journals.

 

[MrSnuggles]

Just get Bootcamp to cover PAT/QR/RC and Destroyer for the sciences. Math destroyer if you need help in QR. Crack DAT science is useless and the PAT is far easier than the real DAT so it's a waste of time and money.