DAT breakdown 1/7/2011

[predentguy]

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scores:

PAT: 17 😳
QR: 20
RC: 22
Bio: 26
GC: 23
OC: 18
TS: 22
AA: 22

Kaplan CD
PAT-19 QR-23 RC-19 Bio-17 GC-17 OC-17 TS-17

Topscore Test 1
PAT-17 QR-19 RC-17 Bio-19 GC-18 OC-18 TS-18
Topscore Test 2
PAT-19 QR-20 RC-22 Bio-21 GC-18 OC-17 TS-17 AA-20
Topscore Test 3 (science only)
Bio-17 GC-18 OC-19 TS-18

CDP
Test 1: 17
Test 2: 18
Test 3: 19
Test 4: 19
Test 5: 19


Materials Used:
Biology: Kaplan Blue Book, Cliffs AP Biology, Barron's AP Biology flashcards, courses requried for Biochemistry major
GC: Kaplan Blue Book, Chad's GC videos, DAT destroyer
OC: Kaplan Blue Book, Chad's OC videos, DAT Destroyer
QR: Math Destroyer, Kaplan Blue Book
PAT: Crack Dat Pat

On a side note, the best advise I read concerning study materials is to buy needed materials regardless of cost. In the long run you'll save money by not having to pay to take the DAT a second time.

Time studying:
Studied off and on over the fall semester totaling between 50 and 100 hours. Then studied every day over Christmas break for 8-10 hours. In the week leading up to test day that was bumped up to 10-12 hours a day. I took 4 or 5 days off for some family business, so total time studying over the break was between 250 and 300 hours.

Approach to studying:
During the Fall Semester, I read through KBB twice and Cliff's AP bio once. Also I shuffled through the countless threads of advise from successful sdners to find the most effective materials. The day after my last exam, I began a modified version of dentalWorks 8 week program. I crammed the entire 8 weeks into just under 4 weeks. After going through Destroyer twice for OC and GC, I went back and worked just the problems I missed the last go round.


Like all good threads, I must include the "What are my chances?" section.

oGPA: 3.68
sGPA: 3.76
BCP: 3.86

Should I be worried about the low PAT? What schools put less emphasis on PAT score?

 

[AmpedUp]

*thumbs up*

I think you have a GREAT shot anywhere with your grades and scores.

what was your RC strategy?

 

[Kahr]

Great scores, the only one that really surprised me was your OC score. Most of the breakdowns I've seen lately, people's OC score is always at least a few points above their GC, using the same study materials as you (I have the exact same materials you used too, haven't taken DAT yet though).

Did you find the OC on the DAT to be more challenging than expected, did the materials you use not seem adequate for it (Chad, destroyer, KBB, etc)? Sorry if this sounds like I'm ragging on you, or saying you did poorly, I just want to know how you felt about the section based on your score (compared to others and your own other scores).

 

[predentguy]

AmpedUp: The important thing about RC is developing a strategy that works for you. I know a lot of people say that, but it is definitely true. The only way to find out what works for you is to try a few out. After reading all the reviews here on SDN, everyone raves about VicVipers RC strategy. It may be the ultimate strategy for some, but I tried it out and hated it. I definitely recommend trying it out because so many people score 25 or 26 using that, it just didn't work for me. What I did was simply look write down key words from the first five questions, then read through slowly, answering the questions. I would do the same thing with the next three or four questions then answer the last questions using simple search and destroy. Search and destroy became easier after having read through the entire passage. It also helped that one of my passages looked like it was taken straight from the textbook of one of the classes I took last semester.

Kahr: I understand and completely agree with you. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed in this score. Everyone always complains about how random the Biology section of the DAT is, and I completely agree. But I would say that the Chem sections are pretty random too. It has to be. I mean you are converting two courses into 30 questions. As far as OC goes, I just feel like I spent too much time studying the wrong stuff. The material itself should be adequate, as long as you completely understand every aspect. I failed to completely grasp a few parts, and that ended up being what they asked me. C'est la vie.

 

[Strag]

Were the Barron's Flashcards helpful for you? I have those as well but haven't used them yet.

 

[predentguy]

Strag:
I used the flash cards to solidify subjects I'd already studied in Cliff's or KBB. The important thing to remember is that if you are studying a topic, you should not move on until you completely understand it. Follow that up by coming back a few days later and review using the flash cards. They are not completely comprehensive, but pretty close. They are definitely useful in memorizing key terms. I benefited primarily from the convenience of the flash cards. It's a lot less noticeable to carry around 25 flash cards than Cliff's or KBB.

 

[NewBee12]

Awesome scores. congrats.
what did you use to prepare for RC? English is not my first language and this section worries me
thanks and good luck