DAT 2007, I need some advice

[Gabe1122]

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So I'm scheduled to take my DAT in 1 week. I have studied for ~10 hours per day for 18 days so far. I have read through cliffs, completed all of the DAT Destroyer (I'm actually going through it a second time now), and I have done PAT practice with Crack DAT PAT.

I was feeling pretty confident with myself and I decided to take the 2007 practice exam. I was told that it is actually easier than the real thing. I just finished taking it and I scored:

Bio 18/Gchem 20/ochem 25/PAT 20/Reading 19/ QR 19

needless to say, I'm pretty upset with most of these scores (considering the fact that the real thing is harder). I would really like to get 20 or above when I take it next week. I am honestly just looking for some advice on what I should do with my remaining time I have. I am kind of freaking out here.

 

[stomatology]

Study biology? It seems you have weak areas in that section. As for Reading and QR--maybe take some more practice exams? I've heard it's really hard to improve reading and I believe that, but you're really close to a 20 there anyway.

 

[Gabe1122]

Study biology? It seems you have weak areas in that section. As for Reading and QR--maybe take some more practice exams? I've heard it's really hard to improve reading and I believe that, but you're really close to a 20 there anyway.

Do you know if the 2007 exam is even close to representative of how the real thing is? I'm just worried that I'm on pace to getting like a 17

and thanks. Yeah, I'm going to start focusing more on Bio

 

[stomatology]

I haven't taken the DAT yet (just started studying) so I don't have personal experience, but don't a lot of breakdowns state that their scores are similar to what they got on the 2007 exam?

The reason I made that comment about reading was that I remember CR was hardest to improve for the SAT. I didn't really improve mine much, anyway.

 

[ChrisM07]

If I recall from when I took it last summer, it's easier than the exam but there may be errors in it along with the 2009 exam. I remember people complaining about this.

 

[BrazilianRider]

If I recall from when I took it last summer, it's easier than the exam but there may be errors in it along with the 2009 exam. I remember people complaining about this.

The paid 2009 ADA Exam had a ton of errors. It was ridiculous that they charged me $27 + $20 overnight shipping (which they messed up on, btw), for something that had at least 10 errors. They included a "corrections" sheet with the practice exam, but there were still I think three errors on the exam that weren't listed there.

Still proved to be the most accurate prognosticator of my scores though, I have no idea how.

 

[sjv]

Do you know if the 2007 exam is even close to representative of how the real thing is? I'm just worried that I'm on pace to getting like a 17

and thanks. Yeah, I'm going to start focusing more on Bio

2007 is easier, 2009 is most similar.

 

[packerland]

I am the black sheep here, I suppose. I BOMBED my sciences on the 2007 exam. I took it 5 days before my DAT and I was sobbing because I was terrified that my real DAT was going to be similar. I almost rescheduled because of this. However, I just said to myself that I know I studied my brains out and that I would do okay and didn't want to pay to reschedule or want to wait any longer. I'm glad I didn't reschedule. I did SIGNIFICANTLY better on the real DAT (like +4 pts better). I think when I took practice tests I had a different mindset like "Oh I can review the solutions after, so I'm just going to go through it and whatever." But not take my time and think it out. However, on the real DAT - I went into beast mode and really analyzed things and took my time. So I think you'll be okay! Practice tests are always scary, but the real exam really isn't horrible. And you'll do better than you think!!!

 

[zhou381OSU]

The RC section is the one that you can't really prepare for. I guess the best way to improve is to read articles from Scientific American (articles on the RC section are not necessarily dental related), etc.... there are also lots of people posting their strategies for dealing with RC, find one that suits you the best and practice.

 

[Gabe1122]

I am the black sheep here, I suppose. I BOMBED my sciences on the 2007 exam. I took it 5 days before my DAT and I was sobbing because I was terrified that my real DAT was going to be similar. I almost rescheduled because of this. However, I just said to myself that I know I studied my brains out and that I would do okay and didn't want to pay to reschedule or want to wait any longer. I'm glad I didn't reschedule. I did SIGNIFICANTLY better on the real DAT (like +4 pts better). I think when I took practice tests I had a different mindset like "Oh I can review the solutions after, so I'm just going to go through it and whatever." But not take my time and think it out. However, on the real DAT - I went into beast mode and really analyzed things and took my time. So I think you'll be okay! Practice tests are always scary, but the real exam really isn't horrible. And you'll do better than you think!!!

Thank you, that makes me feel better. I agree, I was not in the best mindset when I took this practice yesterday. I'm just going to continue to review and stay positive 🙂