- Joined
- Aug 12, 2011
- Messages
- 55
- Reaction score
- 3
Ugh I had a really nice detailed breakdown typed up but I wasn't logged in as I submitted 
, here is a condensed version:
Thanks to all of SDN who post their advice and opinions. It is very comforting knowing other pre-dents are going through the same madness as myself.
scorez:
PAT: 23
QR : 16
RC : 22
BIO : 20
GC : 22
OC : 22
Total science: 21
A. Average : 20
The night before I was freaking out (8am test). I tried to go to bed early, but didn't really sleep 'til at least 1-2am. I would have loved another 2 weeks of studying but I already rescheduled once, and I wanted to get it over with. My test was at 8am, I arrived the at the building around 7:25. When i walked in the room I was like..
There was nobody in the room, and wasn't really sure what to do. But a moment later a woman came to check me in. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I got 2 laminated sheets with markers that do not erase. BUT the markers were basically pens, very fine tip and I was happy with that. No problems with the actual testing experience.
Bio:
Cliffs AP bio + KBB + Destroyer + topscore. Test wasn't as random as everyone says. Most questions were derived from major concepts. Just going over Destroyer solutions helped me a ton.
Gchem:
Chads + Destroyer + topscore. Videos are perfect for concept/foundation. I went through like 70% of destroyer and got anywhere from 35%-50% correct. I went over my wrong answers and learned a lot from this.
Ochem:
Chad's + Destroyer. I was so scared of orgo when I started studying for the DAT. I didn't do well in orgo. The only thing I remembered from class was to attack the carbonyl and see where that takes you
Chad's were super helpful because it helped me re-learn the reactions. I got like every destroyer problem wrong but it helped me with my problem solving. I didn't get through the whole destroyer but my advice to others is take the time to learn destroyer like 2X for gchem and ochem. I know its quite a statement, everybody says "yeah just like learn destroyer." Not exactly something you can crank out in an afternoon. But honestly this is really good advice, take the time to learn from your mistakes, and you will be in a good position to test.
PAT:
Veeery similar to CDP. I did ~6/10 tests. CDP will help you on this section a ton. The first test I took I got a 16, then I took some without timing myself to hone my skills, then started timing myself. TFE, angles, holes punch and folding were just like CDP. Keyholes were just a smidge harder. Cube counting was a bit easier than CDP.
*BREAK: Had half a protein bar, some gatorade, and went to the bathroom. I came back to the room with about 5 minutes left on the clock*
Reading:
I prepared for this section the least. A week before exam I started freaking out because I had not prepared for it. My only preparation was 2 topscore exams. I didn't use any strategy. I don't consider myself a fast reader. I carefully read the passage while being extremely vigilant with time. I think I got lucky because I got an ethics passage, and I recently took a medical ethics class. Everything I learned from class was on the passage and the questions. Don't screw yourself over for this. Its pretty doable, but you have to be swift, don't waste ~5 minutes on a question, chances are the next passage will be easier.
QR:
I had not prepared for this section very much. I consider myself decent at math, and I guess was a bit overconfident. I did a few math destroyer tests. Timing was a big issue for me during the practice tests, I never really was satisfied with being done on time. During the test itself I thought I did very well, I finished with a couple minutes to spare. I thought the test was easier than topscore QR. I am usually really good at gauging my performance on tests, and this is the first time where I was WAY off lol. Well unfortunately I scored significantly lower in this section that the rest
(retake?)
I promised myself I would retake if I scored any section 17 or lower... I know some schools won't even take scores 17 or less. Should I retake? I'm scared I will compromise my other scores if I do. My GPA is 3.3 with decent extracurriculars.
Feel free to ask my any questions about my preparation or the test. I will probably post a more detailed breakdown later, but I need a drink.
, here is a condensed version:Thanks to all of SDN who post their advice and opinions. It is very comforting knowing other pre-dents are going through the same madness as myself.
scorez:
PAT: 23
QR : 16
RC : 22
BIO : 20
GC : 22
OC : 22
Total science: 21
A. Average : 20
The night before I was freaking out (8am test). I tried to go to bed early, but didn't really sleep 'til at least 1-2am. I would have loved another 2 weeks of studying but I already rescheduled once, and I wanted to get it over with. My test was at 8am, I arrived the at the building around 7:25. When i walked in the room I was like..
There was nobody in the room, and wasn't really sure what to do. But a moment later a woman came to check me in. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I got 2 laminated sheets with markers that do not erase. BUT the markers were basically pens, very fine tip and I was happy with that. No problems with the actual testing experience.
Bio:
Cliffs AP bio + KBB + Destroyer + topscore. Test wasn't as random as everyone says. Most questions were derived from major concepts. Just going over Destroyer solutions helped me a ton.
Gchem:
Chads + Destroyer + topscore. Videos are perfect for concept/foundation. I went through like 70% of destroyer and got anywhere from 35%-50% correct. I went over my wrong answers and learned a lot from this.
Ochem:
Chad's + Destroyer. I was so scared of orgo when I started studying for the DAT. I didn't do well in orgo. The only thing I remembered from class was to attack the carbonyl and see where that takes you
Chad's were super helpful because it helped me re-learn the reactions. I got like every destroyer problem wrong but it helped me with my problem solving. I didn't get through the whole destroyer but my advice to others is take the time to learn destroyer like 2X for gchem and ochem. I know its quite a statement, everybody says "yeah just like learn destroyer." Not exactly something you can crank out in an afternoon. But honestly this is really good advice, take the time to learn from your mistakes, and you will be in a good position to test.
PAT:
Veeery similar to CDP. I did ~6/10 tests. CDP will help you on this section a ton. The first test I took I got a 16, then I took some without timing myself to hone my skills, then started timing myself. TFE, angles, holes punch and folding were just like CDP. Keyholes were just a smidge harder. Cube counting was a bit easier than CDP.
*BREAK: Had half a protein bar, some gatorade, and went to the bathroom. I came back to the room with about 5 minutes left on the clock*
Reading:
I prepared for this section the least. A week before exam I started freaking out because I had not prepared for it. My only preparation was 2 topscore exams. I didn't use any strategy. I don't consider myself a fast reader. I carefully read the passage while being extremely vigilant with time. I think I got lucky because I got an ethics passage, and I recently took a medical ethics class. Everything I learned from class was on the passage and the questions. Don't screw yourself over for this. Its pretty doable, but you have to be swift, don't waste ~5 minutes on a question, chances are the next passage will be easier.
QR:
I had not prepared for this section very much. I consider myself decent at math, and I guess was a bit overconfident. I did a few math destroyer tests. Timing was a big issue for me during the practice tests, I never really was satisfied with being done on time. During the test itself I thought I did very well, I finished with a couple minutes to spare. I thought the test was easier than topscore QR. I am usually really good at gauging my performance on tests, and this is the first time where I was WAY off lol. Well unfortunately I scored significantly lower in this section that the rest
(retake?)I promised myself I would retake if I scored any section 17 or lower... I know some schools won't even take scores 17 or less. Should I retake? I'm scared I will compromise my other scores if I do. My GPA is 3.3 with decent extracurriculars.
Feel free to ask my any questions about my preparation or the test. I will probably post a more detailed breakdown later, but I need a drink.
