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Hey Guys, I just wanted to give my advice for the DAT. I took the DATs in June 2012 and I would like to share what I would've liked to have done differently to prepare more effectively. I know there are a lot of threads out there already and I have only read some of them so I might have a lot of overlapping information. But I hope some of this can be helpful to you! So here are my tips:
Study Early!
Start studying early. I would recommend at least 2 months but everyone is different in how quickly they can study. I only set aside about 1 month to study for the DATs and it wasn't enough. I needed to postpone my DAT by 3 weeks so that I could prepare a bit more. It was helpful in postponing because I was sure I wasn't ready but I thought I could've used even MORE time. (My advisers said that if you retake an exam after 3 months, you'd most likely not increase your DAT score. They showed these statistics and everything. Their purpose was to say that take the DAT when you're actually ready instead of rushing it.)
Use Many Different Material Sources
I did not take a formal course like Kaplan and opted to study on my own. I decided to just buy the materials and set strict time schedules for visiting the library. If you do take Kaplan, I would advise that you still get the other materials because I don't think the Kaplan Blue book is enough. The other sources gave me different perspectives on the material and it's kind of hard to predict what the final DAT is like. At the very least, I would get the Kaplan book, DAT Destroyer, CracktheDAT, and Topscore.
Make sure you understand questions you've gotten wrong
I reviewed the Kaplan Book a couple of times and then I started doing all of the questions in the DAT Destroyer. This took me about a month and I had so many other materials that I wanted to go over so I had to postpone the DAT. I made a word doc for all of the questions that I got wrong (A LOT), and found answers and reasons to why they are wrong in the Kaplan book and other resources (online, old bio books, etc). This helped me remember the material as well but it took a long time. I also did the same with CracktheDAT, Topscore, DAT Achiever, and other practice DAT books I borrowed from the library.
Take a lot of FULL length practice exams.
I took at least 8 practice exams. I think this was the best thing I did for my studying. I took each exam seriously and made sure I didn't have any interruptions. It helped me keep pace with each section and allowed me to find out where my weak points were. CracktheDAT has an analysis tool that tells you exactly which topics you got wrong and I thought that was very handy. But again, I sorted out the questions I got wrong using the word doc that I made and compiled a very comprehensive list of questions. I would go over these in my spare time just to make sure I really knew the answers instead of typing away passively. (I averaged around 19-20 AA for these practice exams, except for the Academic Achiever, 16-17 AA)
Other things I've used
I downloaded applications for my iPhone to study for the MCAT. I couldn't find anything specifically for the DAT. The materials are similar to the DAT but slightly more in depth. I looked for audiobook types of applications so I can listen to it while I was on the move or jogging. I thought staying active helped me deal with the stresses of being in the library all day.
Test Day/DAT breaks
- I was very nervous. But I found that my full night of sleep helped TREMENDOUSLY. Also if you have problems sleeping at night before a big exam and need a full night of sleep, try scheduling the exam later in the day. (Thanks Two Thirty for the input)
- Also make sure that the test center you go to has flat screen monitors. I have a friend who had the old monitors that's curved and she had trouble with the DAT section. I'm not sure if all testing locations made the switch yet.
- When you first sit, you'll get 2 blank sheets of erasable glossy paper. You have the dry erase marker to use but you can't really erase anything. Use the introduction time to write down things you may forget (ie math/chemical formulas, classifications, etc). Be careful on using TOO much space because these papers serve as your scrap paper as well. You could exchange a used paper for a new one but this takes away valuable time in getting the proctor's attention. To be clear, this is the time where they teach you how to use the testing software, how to go back and forth between questions, etc. But hopefully you've taken practice computer exams already and are familiar with that intro. I think you get 10 minutes before you start the science section. After the PAT section, I believe you'll have a 10 minute break. I used this time to get up and walk around to calm myself and also fill up the paper with more MATH FORMULAS. This helped me answer questions more quickly because I didn't have to recall a formula or think about the triangles. You could use this time to exchange a used paper too.
- A week before the exam, I would advise that you make a format for the 2 sheets just so that it's organized and easy to use and also think about what you have trouble remembering.
DAT Materials' Usefulness to Me
Kaplan DAT Book - very useful in having a GENERAL background in all areas of the DAT
DAT Destroyer Sciences- great test questions and helpful explanations
DAT Destroyer Math - I thought this was the best math prep I had.
Crack the DAT - Great analysis tool to tell you which topics you got wrong. Also has pretty good 3D visualizations for things you've gotten wrong on the PAT section. I thought all sections were helpful. The packet I bought has math video explanations too so that was useful.
Topscore - These exams were helpful and were cheap. I thought it was worth spending the time and money for it.
DAT Achiever - I thought these were the hardest exams I took. I consistently scored around 16-17 AA. But don't be discouraged because they're meant to be challenging. Just keep on reviewing and practicing!
Barron's DAT Prep - I just took the 2 exams in the back but found some errors in the answers. Nevertheless, I thought the exams were valuable in helping me practice.
Chad's Videos - I actually didn't use it but I've heard that many people found it very useful and also the questions that he asks are on par as the DAT. (Thanks Two Thirty for the input)
Expenses
Kaplan DAT Book - $50?
DAT Destroyer - $150
DAT Achiever - $69.99
Crack the DAT - $232.00 (coupon)
Topscore - $59.95
Library books (Practice DAT tests, MCAT books)
My DAT score
Perceptual Ability 21
Quantitative Reasoning 19
Reading Comprehension 20
Biology 22
General Chemistry 22
Organic Chemistry 29
Total Science 23
Academic Average 22
Links
I didn't use this source but hopefully it can give you an idea of a way to schedule your days.
http://predds. net/88-day-dat-study-program/
Good luck!! I hope that helped you somewhat.
Study Early!
Start studying early. I would recommend at least 2 months but everyone is different in how quickly they can study. I only set aside about 1 month to study for the DATs and it wasn't enough. I needed to postpone my DAT by 3 weeks so that I could prepare a bit more. It was helpful in postponing because I was sure I wasn't ready but I thought I could've used even MORE time. (My advisers said that if you retake an exam after 3 months, you'd most likely not increase your DAT score. They showed these statistics and everything. Their purpose was to say that take the DAT when you're actually ready instead of rushing it.)
Use Many Different Material Sources
I did not take a formal course like Kaplan and opted to study on my own. I decided to just buy the materials and set strict time schedules for visiting the library. If you do take Kaplan, I would advise that you still get the other materials because I don't think the Kaplan Blue book is enough. The other sources gave me different perspectives on the material and it's kind of hard to predict what the final DAT is like. At the very least, I would get the Kaplan book, DAT Destroyer, CracktheDAT, and Topscore.
Make sure you understand questions you've gotten wrong
I reviewed the Kaplan Book a couple of times and then I started doing all of the questions in the DAT Destroyer. This took me about a month and I had so many other materials that I wanted to go over so I had to postpone the DAT. I made a word doc for all of the questions that I got wrong (A LOT), and found answers and reasons to why they are wrong in the Kaplan book and other resources (online, old bio books, etc). This helped me remember the material as well but it took a long time. I also did the same with CracktheDAT, Topscore, DAT Achiever, and other practice DAT books I borrowed from the library.
Take a lot of FULL length practice exams.
I took at least 8 practice exams. I think this was the best thing I did for my studying. I took each exam seriously and made sure I didn't have any interruptions. It helped me keep pace with each section and allowed me to find out where my weak points were. CracktheDAT has an analysis tool that tells you exactly which topics you got wrong and I thought that was very handy. But again, I sorted out the questions I got wrong using the word doc that I made and compiled a very comprehensive list of questions. I would go over these in my spare time just to make sure I really knew the answers instead of typing away passively. (I averaged around 19-20 AA for these practice exams, except for the Academic Achiever, 16-17 AA)
Other things I've used
I downloaded applications for my iPhone to study for the MCAT. I couldn't find anything specifically for the DAT. The materials are similar to the DAT but slightly more in depth. I looked for audiobook types of applications so I can listen to it while I was on the move or jogging. I thought staying active helped me deal with the stresses of being in the library all day.
Test Day/DAT breaks
- I was very nervous. But I found that my full night of sleep helped TREMENDOUSLY. Also if you have problems sleeping at night before a big exam and need a full night of sleep, try scheduling the exam later in the day. (Thanks Two Thirty for the input)
- Also make sure that the test center you go to has flat screen monitors. I have a friend who had the old monitors that's curved and she had trouble with the DAT section. I'm not sure if all testing locations made the switch yet.
- When you first sit, you'll get 2 blank sheets of erasable glossy paper. You have the dry erase marker to use but you can't really erase anything. Use the introduction time to write down things you may forget (ie math/chemical formulas, classifications, etc). Be careful on using TOO much space because these papers serve as your scrap paper as well. You could exchange a used paper for a new one but this takes away valuable time in getting the proctor's attention. To be clear, this is the time where they teach you how to use the testing software, how to go back and forth between questions, etc. But hopefully you've taken practice computer exams already and are familiar with that intro. I think you get 10 minutes before you start the science section. After the PAT section, I believe you'll have a 10 minute break. I used this time to get up and walk around to calm myself and also fill up the paper with more MATH FORMULAS. This helped me answer questions more quickly because I didn't have to recall a formula or think about the triangles. You could use this time to exchange a used paper too.
- A week before the exam, I would advise that you make a format for the 2 sheets just so that it's organized and easy to use and also think about what you have trouble remembering.
DAT Materials' Usefulness to Me
Kaplan DAT Book - very useful in having a GENERAL background in all areas of the DAT
DAT Destroyer Sciences- great test questions and helpful explanations
DAT Destroyer Math - I thought this was the best math prep I had.
Crack the DAT - Great analysis tool to tell you which topics you got wrong. Also has pretty good 3D visualizations for things you've gotten wrong on the PAT section. I thought all sections were helpful. The packet I bought has math video explanations too so that was useful.
Topscore - These exams were helpful and were cheap. I thought it was worth spending the time and money for it.
DAT Achiever - I thought these were the hardest exams I took. I consistently scored around 16-17 AA. But don't be discouraged because they're meant to be challenging. Just keep on reviewing and practicing!
Barron's DAT Prep - I just took the 2 exams in the back but found some errors in the answers. Nevertheless, I thought the exams were valuable in helping me practice.
Chad's Videos - I actually didn't use it but I've heard that many people found it very useful and also the questions that he asks are on par as the DAT. (Thanks Two Thirty for the input)
Expenses
Kaplan DAT Book - $50?
DAT Destroyer - $150
DAT Achiever - $69.99
Crack the DAT - $232.00 (coupon)
Topscore - $59.95
Library books (Practice DAT tests, MCAT books)
My DAT score
Perceptual Ability 21
Quantitative Reasoning 19
Reading Comprehension 20
Biology 22
General Chemistry 22
Organic Chemistry 29
Total Science 23
Academic Average 22
Links
I didn't use this source but hopefully it can give you an idea of a way to schedule your days.
http://predds. net/88-day-dat-study-program/
Good luck!! I hope that helped you somewhat.
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