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- Nov 9, 2005
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So I know everyone speaks highly of the achiever practice tests, and yes, there are some very very good questions and content in there, but I just wanted to share my thoughts about some issues that I have with the program.
Everyone knows that the tests are not really indicative of a real score because achiever is more difficult than the real thing, especially the PAT, but I never really hear many comments about developing test-taking strategies from achiever.
I took the DAT in January and practiced with Kaplan, Topscore, Destroyer, and Achiever. I heard so many good reviews about achiever that I decided to really focus heavily on those exams. Unfortunately, I think in doing so I developed an ineffective test-taking strategy for the real thing. Because the achiever questions are more difficult, they take longer to answer which compounds the difficulty and stress of the test. I found that I was tempted to run through the real exam extremely quickly because of my experiences with achiever. However, on the real DAT I did not think it was necessary to hurry through, other than for the RC and QR, and I believe that my strategy and overall score was actually hurt by focusing too heavily on the achiever.
My point is that for those who are using the achiever for practice I would recommend using it more for the content and less for strategy techniques. I think that Kaplan and Topscore are more effective in regard to strategy and that their practice tests are more effective in regard to developing a pace for the real exam...
Im taking the DAT again in August and Im hoping that my improved strategy will help boost my score...
Just my 2 cents...
Everyone knows that the tests are not really indicative of a real score because achiever is more difficult than the real thing, especially the PAT, but I never really hear many comments about developing test-taking strategies from achiever.
I took the DAT in January and practiced with Kaplan, Topscore, Destroyer, and Achiever. I heard so many good reviews about achiever that I decided to really focus heavily on those exams. Unfortunately, I think in doing so I developed an ineffective test-taking strategy for the real thing. Because the achiever questions are more difficult, they take longer to answer which compounds the difficulty and stress of the test. I found that I was tempted to run through the real exam extremely quickly because of my experiences with achiever. However, on the real DAT I did not think it was necessary to hurry through, other than for the RC and QR, and I believe that my strategy and overall score was actually hurt by focusing too heavily on the achiever.
My point is that for those who are using the achiever for practice I would recommend using it more for the content and less for strategy techniques. I think that Kaplan and Topscore are more effective in regard to strategy and that their practice tests are more effective in regard to developing a pace for the real exam...
Im taking the DAT again in August and Im hoping that my improved strategy will help boost my score...
Just my 2 cents...
