DAT Bootcamp Practice Tests vs Real DAT - do I push my date back help!

[pmc0502]

Hey everyone! My DAT is in one week and I have just started taking practice exams. I am not very happy with my with my scores but I am thinking it may be the best I can get since I have only been studying for 6 weeks. I already applied the first week of June to 14 dental schools and am freaking out since my DAT score will get sent automatically to schools so l am gambling on getting a good enough score.

As of right now I've taken 3 practice tests and plan on taking one more every day before my exam and reviewing it. I am averaging 18 BIO. 18 GC, 15 OC, 19 PAT, 20 RC, 16 QR with an academic average of 18. I know I need to get my QR and OC scores up I am not done with all of the OC lessons im struggling to memorize all of the reactions right now and screwed myself over by only starting QR practice last week. I have a 3.87 GPA, 325 shadowing hours, 420 research hours, and 240 volunteer hours. I feel pretty confident in my application and personal statement I just don't know what score I need to get on the DAT to keep my application competitive.

I plan on cramming this next week as much as I can I just am worried about scoring under a 17 on a section of the DAT and having my application rejected this cycle. Pretty much the rest of the DAT dates are booked up this summer (sometimes there is a random opening for a date but if I needed to push it back there may not even be a time available). If I am able to get all my sections up to at least an 18 on the Bootcamp practice tests do you think I would be okay to take the DAT or is that too much of a risk? I also know that pushing the date back would mean I would be applying somewhat late into the cycle so l don't know what to do. I’ve forgotten a lot of the bio stuff I learned from the first few weeks of studying and struggling to get all the info in for every section but I really want to try and get this test over as soon as possible so hoping I don’t have to push it back. I am okay with getting an 18 - 20 score on the actual DAT just don’t want to get anything lower. I am feeling very discouraged right now and worried so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

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[DAT Destroyer]

Hey everyone! My DAT is in one week and I have just started taking practice exams. I am not very happy with my with my scores but I am thinking it may be the best I can get since I have only been studying for 6 weeks. I already applied the first week of June to 14 dental schools and am freaking out since my DAT score will get sent automatically to schools so l am gambling on getting a good enough score.

As of right now I've taken 3 practice tests and plan on taking one more every day before my exam and reviewing it. I am averaging 18 BIO. 18 GC, 15 OC, 19 PAT, 20 RC, 16 QR with an academic average of 18. I know I need to get my QR and OC scores up I am not done with all of the OC lessons im struggling to memorize all of the reactions right now and screwed myself over by only starting QR practice last week. I have a 3.87 GPA, 325 shadowing hours, 420 research hours, and 240 volunteer hours. I feel pretty confident in my application and personal statement I just don't know what score I need to get on the DAT to keep my application competitive.

I plan on cramming this next week as much as I can I just am worried about scoring under a 17 on a section of the DAT and having my application rejected this cycle. Pretty much the rest of the DAT dates are booked up this summer (sometimes there is a random opening for a date but if I needed to push it back there may not even be a time available). If I am able to get all my sections up to at least an 18 on the Bootcamp practice tests do you think I would be okay to take the DAT or is that too much of a risk? I also know that pushing the date back would mean I would be applying somewhat late into the cycle so l don't know what to do. I’ve forgotten a lot of the bio stuff I learned from the first few weeks of studying and struggling to get all the info in for every section but I really want to try and get this test over as soon as possible so hoping I don’t have to push it back. I am okay with getting an 18 - 20 score on the actual DAT just don’t want to get anything lower. I am feeling very discouraged right now and worried so any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

I noticed no one has responded yet, so I'd like to offer some advice. If timed tests are causing you stress and self-doubt, consider taking a break from them for a few days. While timed tests can give you a general idea of how you'll perform on the DAT, they can't predict your exact score.

The key is having a strong foundation. With solid foundational knowledge, you'll be better equipped to tackle any problem on the DAT. Why not use the next few days to focus on building that foundation instead of taking more tests?

If you still feel anxious and unsure afterward, it might be worth rescheduling your test. It's crucial to avoid the possibility of a retake. I've heard from many students who took the DAT despite feeling unprepared and regretted it later. If you're doubting your readiness, you probably aren't ready.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Nancy

 

[cjerseysmiles]

As someone who scored a 22 with an extremely low science GPA (2.9) l can tell you that focusing on the foundational knowledge is going to be your best bet. If you notice that while taking timed tests your scores aren't satisfactory, then I would focus on those areas you struggle most in and stop using the timed test. Make a plan to understand the material before you test yourself on it.

You are wise to be concerned though, as your scores in all sections based on the timed tests are not satisfactory as of right now. If I were you, I would push your DAT test time back. It's important to take the test when you are READY, taking it early in the application cycle to get your application in sooner while not being ready for the exam is foolish- not to mention a waste of money that you'll have to spend again for a re-take.

I took my DAT in October, which most would say is a bad move because it's late in the application cycle. However, it paid off because I got a good enough that got me into dental school. You're never going to feel 100% ready for this exam, but you need to make sure you feel confident enough that you can score with the material you used.

Not sure what program you used to study for this, but I used the Orgoman products. That is the DAT Destroyer, GenChem Destroyer, Organic Chemistry Odyssey (which is one I would recommend for you based on what you said), and Math Destroyer. These textbooks come with information and test questions with explanations on each question as to why the right answer is the right answer. Didn't use anything else, and I would say I did ok.

Hope this helps.