Crash course on DAT prep

[larrywalkerdds]

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I need a 5 week plan on studying for the DAT. I haven't studied at all yet. Any advice for a desperate yet nervous test taker?

 

[Bickle]

my advice: start studying!

 

[ItsGavinC]

I studied in only four weeks and did wonderful.

I know many SDNers have spent 3-4 weeks and done just fine.

I'd say 5 weeks is a perfect amount of study time. Don't worry, your scores won't be limited by the timeframe if you put in a good 5-8 hours each day.

My advice is to read/study/memorize that Kaplan book!

If you have time left over afterwards then you can focus on more precise subjects or material that stumps you. Use that Kaplan book to get a good general grasp on what you need.

 

[larrywalkerdds]

Dentaldream

If you don't want to answer the question, you don't need to provide a snide response. And if my question annoys you, ignore it. I had a feeling some jerkoff like you would respond.

Gavin

Thank you

 

[comatose]

I don't think Dentaldream was trying to be a smartass. He is just telling you like it is.

 

[Zurich5]

Yay for larrywalker, welcome to sdn! I like your style.
I only studied for a month and did great. Just hammer out the kaplan book, and take the topscore tests. Best of luck.

Zurich

Originally posted by larrywalkerdds
Dentaldream

If you don't want to answer the question, you don't need to provide a snide response. And if my question annoys you, ignore it. I had a feeling some jerkoff like you would respond.

Gavin

Thank you

 

[larrywalkerdds]

Thanks Zurich for the welcome and the advice. It means a lot. Hopefully I can repeat your results

 

[Bickle]

Whoa! Sorry if I offended you larrywalker. I didn't mean to. But seriously, you should start hitting the books soon.

Good Luck

 

[larrywalkerdds]

Originally posted by Dentaldream
Whoa! Sorry if I offended you larrywalker. I didn't mean to. But seriously, you should start hitting the books soon.

Good Luck

Sorry I got mad. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Mo007]

Its all about the study guides that can help you get a good score.

I would recommend the following.

1. The big KAPLAN DAT book.
2. Topscore CD (This is a must have).
3. Barron's DAT (Has a good PAT section).
4. Exam Krackers MCAT 1001 Bio, Chem and Org Chem. (I used these books, and would highly recommend for the Sciences)
5. Finally... If you can get flash-cards from KAPLAN course (I got them from with-drawing from the course. Trust me, they are like 320 flash-cards combined with an average of 3-4 questions on each flash-card... very useful when you are commuting to school or work, or whenever you have time in your hands).

Good Luck

 

[larrywalkerdds]

What kind of day to day schedule are you all suggesting? What sounds like a good pattern of attack?

 

[ecdoesit]

Study 3-4 hours then take a break.
I like to set myself a schedule and stick with the schedule
so that i could get my things done.

also, i found reading the textbook is quite helpful/colorful than those Kaplan books.

after you have reviewed the material, tackle those questions.
since DAT is mainly a recalling fact test, i think the more time you spent reviewing the better.

the night before the test, remember to rest well and pack some healthy snack in the 15 min break.

 

[ShawnOne]

The section reviews (practice tests) that come with the kaplan course are very valuable. They are a very good indicator of the style of questions on the DAT. You can only get them with the class unfortunately 🙁

Topscore is probably the best single study tool.

 

[critterbug]

study 15 minutes surf SDN 15minutes study 15 minutes surf SDN 15 minutes study 15 minutes.......

You get the picture😉

 

[Mo007]

citterbug... I don't think that will get you anywhere (the 15 mins pit-stops!)

I study minimum of 4-5hours each day.. 2 hours in the morning, 1 hour in the afternoon, and 2 hours before I go to sleep... still, I get to watch TV during breaks, and do college work for like 1 hour. I don't work, so I hit the DAT books all the time. I take Fridays and Saturdays off, you need at least a day off to relief yourself.

I studied so far 4 weeks, and scheduled to take the DAT next week. I have reviewed everything I mentioned on my last post... so, stick to a schedule that fits best to your daily life. And if you study, study at least 1-2 hours each time... long breaks are better than too many short breaks.

Something I wished I had was someone to study with, am sure that's a BIG plus.

Good luck

 

[Bickle]

Originally posted by Mo007


I studied so far for 4 weeks, and taking the DAT next week. I have reviewed everything I mentioned on my last post... so, stick to a schedule that fits best to your daily life. And if you study, study at least 1-2 hours each time... long breaks are better than too many short breaks.



Good luck

I remeber Dr. Phil (or someone like him) talk about the best way to study. He said that if you find it hard to sit down and concentrate for a long time you should do this:

Start by studying really well for 15 minutes (for the entire 15 minutes, that means no daydreaming at all!!!), then take a break for 20-25minutes (do something you really like, reward yourself).

Then sit down and do hardcore studying, but this time do it for 20 minutes, take another reward break.

Keep doing the same cycle, but increase by 5 or 10 minutes of study time for every cycle.

Eventually, you will habituate yourself and spend up to 2-3 hrs of really good study time (with zero daydreaming).

What people do wrong is once they start daydreaming, they take a break. This unconciously associates daydreaming with a reward, and you dont want to do that!! So try to reward yourself for working hard instead of daydreaming, and before you know it, you'll be keeping your concentration longer and study better.

Now if only I could do that!

 

[croco]

I dunno about that dream,
I for one love day-dreaming.😛

 

[mathnerd]

Hit it hard, be consistent (3-4 hours/day) and study ALL biology. I stuck to the outline in my Barron's DAT guide which was mostly human biology in the biology section. Needless to say, I was in the dark when questions about sea anemoe reproduction popped up. Take sample tests as well. They were great in helping me get a feel of what to expect, how I was performing and showing where I needed improvement.

Take a Powergel with you and eat it during your break. I bonked hard and nearly fell asleep answering all those boring questions. Decide to do well and you will.

 

[critterbug]

OK, first of all, I was just joking 😉

Second, I think this thread is silly. It is hard if almost impossible to tell someone how they should prepare for a test. I don't care who you are, everyone has their own distinct schedule and philosophy on how to study. Plus, peoples knowledge and background vary from individual to individual. There is no right answer. Do what works for you.

Now, I have never been very good at the "scheduled study". I know what I have to get done, and I do it, simple as that. If I feel like studying at 2 in the morning, thats when I study.

I am a firm believer in NEVER studying more than 1 hour at a time. You MUST take a break, even if its just 15 minutes!!

 

[critterbug]

I do have one tip to give:

If you know anyone else taking the DAT around the same time as you, partner up and form a study group. The more the merrier (but, in my experience, 5 is optimal) It is good to sit and study and then meet up afterwards with your group to discuss and work problems. Try to teach concepts to each other, as that will help you retain the information. Ironically, trying to teach something is the best way to learn it!!

 

[busupshot83]

😍 Can't we all just get along? 😍