DAT Biology Changing in 2014!

[Member 6236]

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Hey everyone! I thought I would bring this to everyone's attention and I'd like to get your thoughts on what this change could entail....in 2014 the ADA says the biology section is changing...read it for yourself and let me know what you guys think this means! I'm really confused and nervous cause I planned on taking the test early 2014

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_news_2013.pdf

 

[ATLien4evr]

Hey everyone! I thought I would bring this to everyone's attention and I'd like to get your thoughts on what this change could entail....in 2014 the ADA says the biology section is changing...read it for yourself and let me know what you guys think this means! I'm really confused and nervous cause I planned on taking the test early 2014

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_news_2013.pdf

Sounds like the bio section is about to get harder. At least that's what I'm getting after reading this.

 

[dentalWorks]

It seems like they are changing both Biology and math.

I don't think they are getting harder, they are making them more systemic rather than pin-point irrelevant factual information. I am going to guess that people whom have taken upper level biology (physiology, pharmacology, etc etc) will have an edge.

 

[Ionz]

It seems like they are changing both Biology and math.

I don't think they are getting harder, they are making them more systemic rather than pin-point irrelevant factual information. I am going to guess that people whom have taken upper level biology (physiology, pharmacology, etc etc) will have an edge.

My thoughts exactly. IMO, it doesn't necessarily mean the Bio section will get harder, but that it just won't be pure regurgitation of information and actually require thinking that is common in most upper level bio courses.

QR, on the other hand, does seem like it would be harder, however.

 

[datthirty]

Hey everyone! I thought I would bring this to everyone's attention and I'd like to get your thoughts on what this change could entail....in 2014 the ADA says the biology section is changing...read it for yourself and let me know what you guys think this means! I'm really confused and nervous cause I planned on taking the test early 2014

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_news_2013.pdf

Is it safer to take DAT before 2014? In case they change BIO from 1/1/2014.

 

[Member 6236]

Is it safer to take DAT before 2014? In case they change BIO from 1/1/2014.

That's what I'm debating. I emailed the ADA about this so IF they send me a reply, I'll be sure to let you all know about it. I have a feeling it won't be changed till the end of January, maybe later. Only because it takes some time to update all the testing centers with the "new" editions of the DAT.

 

[mightymoose02]

People shouldn't be scared of the change.

This is actually a good thing.

 

[M2301]

Does this mean if we're taking the DAT January 2014 the biology and math sections will be changed?

I guess my question is: Is there a particular month it will be in effect or will it begin January 1, 2014?

 

[MikeyD914]

wow this is messed up. how are we supposed to study for these sections now when we have no guides on what its like or the type of questions asked? it's just going to throw everyone off

 

[Member 6236]

wow this is messed up. how are we supposed to study for these sections now when we have no guides on what its like or the type of questions asked? it's just going to throw everyone off

Exactly!!! They haven't really specified what else is going to be tested or if they are going to maybe remove certain topics (hopefully plants).

 

[MikeyD914]

yeah and they are saying the QR is going to be completely different. no more geometry, trig, etc. its going to be more statistical and whatever else they said. so this is just plain wrong. if anything they should implement these changes AFTER the new cycle opens up in june so it will give us time to study for the changes and topics being changed and give companies time to incorporate these changes to our practice exams

 

[ChrisM07]

Do you think though that it will be graded somewhat easier because of this?

I think that the bio section will become more physiology based as that subject lends itself to being more systemic as a whole. More questions appearing along the lines of "change X, and it effects Z how?". More critical thinking might be needed. Possibly less questions like, "What does X do?".

New QR, to me, sounds dreadful. If I got a 16 on the first attempt and a 17 on the second, I can't imagine the new test. Yikes.

 

[Member 6236]

Do you think though that it will be graded somewhat easier because of this?

I think that the bio section will become more physiology based as that subject lends itself to being more systemic as a whole. More questions appearing along the lines of "change X, and it effects Z how?". More critical thinking might be needed. Possibly less questions like, "What does X do?".

New QR, to me, sounds dreadful. If I got a 16 on the first attempt and a 17 on the second, I can't imagine the new test. Yikes.

Honestly, I doubt the grading is going to change for ANY of the sections. But it does seem like they want to make the test harder. Scores have been going up from year to year...

 

[dentalWorks]

Do you think though that it will be graded somewhat easier because of this?

I think that the bio section will become more physiology based as that subject lends itself to being more systemic as a whole. More questions appearing along the lines of "change X, and it effects Z how?". More critical thinking might be needed. Possibly less questions like, "What does X do?".

New QR, to me, sounds dreadful. If I got a 16 on the first attempt and a 17 on the second, I can't imagine the new test. Yikes.

the exam is not graded. Its curved based on how many answers you land correctly.

 

[ChrisM07]

I meant 'scored'.

 

[SJ89]

Hey guys,
looks like the QR section won't be changed until 2015 😀

 

[MikeyD914]

Hey guys,
looks like the QR section won't be changed until 2015 😀

source of info?

 

[StumpMT]

source of info?

Go to the link. Under the QR changes it specifically states, "These changes will be implemented no sooner than 2015."

 

[ATLien4evr]

This kind of sucks. I'm planning to take the DAT in 2015. How am I going to study for the Math section of the DAT. I don't know if all the study materials will be updated in time before I take the test.

 

[M2301]

Go to the link. Under the QR changes it specifically states, "These changes will be implemented no sooner than 2015."

What about the bio section? Does that change from January 2014?

 

[neoba]

Hey everyone! I thought I would bring this to everyone's attention and I'd like to get your thoughts on what this change could entail....in 2014 the ADA says the biology section is changing...read it for yourself and let me know what you guys think this means! I'm really confused and nervous cause I planned on taking the test early 2014

http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/dat_news_2013.pdf

Thanks for the information!

I got nervous and contacted ADA regarding the change. Didn't get too much information. Regardless, here is the reply

The Biology Test Construction Committee has some recommendations regarding changes in the test specifications, and they will be up for discussion and approval by the DAT Committee in early 2014. We will keep test takers posted as to when it will take effect.

 

[Faux]

At least its not done by Jan, these changes never benefit the student. Expect a increase in test fees as well.

 

[Member 6236]

Thanks for the information!

I got nervous and contacted ADA regarding the change. Didn't get too much information. Regardless, here is the reply

The Biology Test Construction Committee has some recommendations regarding changes in the test specifications, and they will be up for discussion and approval by the DAT Committee in early 2014. We will keep test takers posted as to when it will take effect.

Thanks for the response!

I hope they provide further updates soon. I think I'm going to try to take the test in December just to be on the safe side

 

[skjelstrom]

I was going to buy Cliffs AP Bio in the coming weeks just to start going over all of the random bio facts, but now I'm reconsidering.... I plan on taking the test in May or early June 2014. What should I do? Push biology review off until more information is released? What do you guys think?

 

[Dotoday]

From what I understood. Sciences are not changing much. Just the QR sections gets stats instead of algebra and trig.

 

[Member 6236]

From what I understood. Sciences are not changing much. Just the QR sections gets stats instead of algebra and trig.

The way in which biology questions are asked is supposed to change a great deal...the QR section is also supposed to have some data analysis questions as well.

 

[skjelstrom]

The way in which biology questions are asked is supposed to change a great deal...the QR section is also supposed to have some data analysis questions as well.

This, except I believe they won't be changing the QR until 2015.

 

[123321]

When are they changing the Bio section?/Is there any particular study material that should be used?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Changes will be implemented next year. Study material as far as content is pretty much the same, I think it's the question style that's changing (shifting to critical thinking/application of information questions versus the typical fact recitation we have now). It's the practice material that will need to change to adapt.

 

[biomolecmed]

Looks like they will add research on to the Bio section. They also will eliminate calculations and focus more on critical thinking. Not sure what that means. I guess we will find out.

 

[mpatel24]

Hey, I thought the changes to Bio were happening this year?? I'm planning on taking the test this summer, so is it safe to say the bio section is not going to change by then?

 

[nagune]

Took mine yesterday. Compared to last summer when I first took it (July, 2013) ,I didn't feel like there was any change.

 

[BrazilianRider]

Hey, I thought the changes to Bio were happening this year?? I'm planning on taking the test this summer, so is it safe to say the bio section is not going to change by then?

I'm taking mine by the end of May. The way I look at it, 2 months is too little advanced notice. They know people start studying months in advance, so I figure 3-4 months is the minimum amount of heads up they can give us. It wouldn't be fair for them to post on their site this week and say that the exam in two months will be different, because that would screw over a ton of people.

 

[Dotoday]

Looks like this year they will be implementing news changes in their experimental sections. They may bring them out gradually. People have different experiences with Bio sections.

 

[mmarzouk08]

.

 

[distressstudent]

This is just my opinion, but I feel like they already implemented some changes. The question "style" for the science portion was different from what I was expecting. Definitely more critical thinking questions than straight forward fact questions. Or maybe that's not the change that they are referring to tho? *shurgs* But if you are taking your test soon, no point in worrying about it. You pretty much have to cover the same topics anyways.

 

[pinkster]

I've been fearful of this. However, ADA posted on their website an "Update on the DAT" in March. Not sure if this is what you were referring to mmarzouk, but it specifically says on the eighth slide... "Biology specifications are being adjusted accordingly in 2015".

Source: http://www.ada.org/sections/educationAndCareers/pdfs/AADSAS_CAAPD_ADEA_2014__.pdf

 

[trogdor5]

I contacted the ADA some time earlier this year and they assured me that the Biology section, if it was changing, would only take place in 2015. I took my test yesterday and I don't think there was anything too out of the ordinary, a lot of questions that made me think critically but nothing that I shouldn't have known.