DAT Biology Section-Conceptual Questions?

[Hashmasterflex]

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My friend recently took the DAT, and she said that the biology section had a lot of conceptually-based questions. She used KBB to study mostly, and had a tough time. Anybody have any input on this or how to approach this?? Set to take the DAT on 7/18 but the time is winding down, and I've gone through KBB, most of the destroyer and a little of Cliff's.

 

[Illfavor]

You need to have a firm grasp of biological concepts. KBB doesn't give you that. Cliff's is better, but honestly I've been resorting to my textbook to get an accurate picture. A lot of people have said that Cliffs gets you most of the way there as well. I feel it doesn't quite explain enough relationships between systems (for me) so I've been using Campbell's biology text. It's dense but excellent.

 

[aznnytezx]

Well, as an undergraduate you will learn how to incorporate the concepts altogether. Such as the reason why our body is so stiff when we are dead is because there is no generation of ATP.

What does that mean?

No generation of ATP from oxidative, or respiration was involve.

Also why would the body is stiff? Because the muscles are not contracting.

Why does the muscle not contract ?

Because ATP did not bind to myosin once ADP & Pi was release. The binding of ATP allows it to continue contracting.

That's how a real biologist should think. If you are able to understand the process rather than memorization, then you should so fine on DAT.

 

[Intent]

Most of it is conceptual, its bio so it's hard to narrow it down. It won't hurt to cover all of destroyer bio, that will definitely pop up in some shape or form, and qvault is actually very similar for bio, I might have even seen an almost exact question.

 

[Hashmasterflex]

Thanks for your responses guys, i'm definitely going to finish the bio section of destroyer, just doubt i have time to go through the rest of Cliff's

 

[ChrisM07]

I am currently reading KBB at the moment now. This is after I have done Cliff's and after a first pass of Destroyer. I think that KBB mentions things that Cliff's doesn't, and vice versa. Actually, to be honest, I have both books open at corresponding sections at the moment so that I can glance at both.

 

[aznnytezx]

Thanks for your responses guys, i'm definitely going to finish the bio section of destroyer, just doubt i have time to go through the rest of Cliff's

Reading Cliff's doesn't take too long, I would say if you just break it down like this.

Chemistry & Cells - Day 1
Photosynthesis and Respiration - Day 2
Cell Division & Heredity - Day 3
Molecular Genetics - Day 4
Evolution & Animal Behavior - Day 5
1/3 of Classification + Ecology - Day 6
2/3 of Classification + 1/2 of Anatomy/Physiology - Day 7
3/3 of Classification + 2/2 of Anatomy/Physiology - Day 8
Plants + Animal Reproduction & Development - Day 9

You can adjust it accordingly, but after a week and a half. You should be done with Cliff's, then just jump to destroyers/QVAULT/Bootcamp to maximize the efficiency. If you have time before the exam, you should go over typed notes / read KBB or Barrons! Goodluck!

 

[blankman321]

so besides qVault and destroyer bio what would you say is the best prep to help you with conceptual questions, I am on limited time crunch so I would like to use the best of my study time with the best resources for biology.

 

[aznnytezx]

Best way to grasp a good main idea or conceptual questions for biology is through watching videos & cliff's.

I believe practice problems, any kind will help you think outside of the box too.

 

[hope_to_match]

If you are short on time- fond Feralis' (probably spelled the name wrong lol) Notes on this forum. I think they are also posted on dat bootcamp website...