DAT Breakdown! (3/11/2010)

[aDentite]

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First of all, I want to thank everyone on SDN. You all were by far my most important resource and I couldn't have done it without you!

Secondly, this was the third time I took the DAT. The first two times I made TS:18/AA:18/PAT:19 and TS:19/AA:19/PAT:19. I know the scores that come up on SDN can be discouraging but just remember the average for acceptance at most schools is still 19-20. I hope this post inspires all of you that are trying to break out from the 19 range!

Here are my scores:

QR: 17 (76%)😴
RC: 22 (84%)
Bio: 21 (92%)
G Chem: 24 (98%)
O Chem: 24 (96%)

PAT: 25 (99%)
Total Science: 23 (98%)👍
Academic Avg: 22 (97%) 👍

Practice Test scores:

---------------B-C-O-RC-QR-PA-TS-AA
Topscore 1 – 19-17-16-00-17-20-18-00
Topscore 2 – 18-19-25-21-16-20-20-20
Topscore 3 – 21-18-25-20-16-20-20-20
Achiever 1 – 18-18-21-17-17-16-19-18
Achiever 2 - 17-16-17-17-14-18-17-16
Achiever 3 – 17-16-21-15-17-18-18-17

RC: Search and Destroy
This section is much, much easier on the real DAT as compared to DAT Achiever and Topscore. I would recommend practicing S&D on Topscore and Achiever. Topscore is pretty close to the real with the exception of tone questions. Achiever is ridiculously hard but will make the real thing seem easy.
Bio: Cliff's AP Bio, Kaplan BB, Kaplan Subject Tests, Destroyer
Cliff's AP Bio was by far my primary source for bio. I made an outline of each chapter and reviewed the outlines pretty often. Kaplan BB is definitely not enough by itself but has some good stuff that Cliff misses. These two together are essential for bio. Kaplan Subject Tests and Destroyer are good practice. Review as much as possible.
G chem: Chad, Destroyer, Kaplan Subject Tests
I owe my score to Chad. I took extensive notes on all of his lectures and reviewed them frequently. Kaplan Subject Tests are good practice for the easier questions. Destroyer is good for the medium to hard questions. Definitely start with the easier stuff and then do Destroyer. Do as many practice questions as possible.
O chem: Chad, Destroyer, Kaplan Subject Tests
Once again, Chad is the man. He was definitely my primary source for both chems. Destroyer is really good for this section.


PAT: CDP 5 test version
The best advice I've ever heard for this section was "few and frequent." I wish I could credit the guy who said this in his breakdown but I can't remember his name. I did one, sometimes two, sections a day and reviewed them very carefully. I rarely spent more than half an hour a day on PAT. I broke up the first 3 tests into each section, 1 -2 a day, and then did the 4th one straight through. I never got to the 5th one. I used the "wicked sick pat tutorial" approach for Top-Front-End, 4x4 grids for hole-punch, the "which hill is steeper" approach for angles, and tallied up all of the cubes for each diagram first. I went from a 19 to a 25 so this approach definitely works!
QR:
Most people will tell you this section doesn't really matter – it's true. Don't spend too much time studying for it.

Also, today was the first day for the new DAT format… Nothing has really changed. The strike-through feature wasn't enabled which was disappointing because it's actually pretty nice. I didn't use the calculator on QR and still ran short on time so I wouldn't rely on it too heavily.


Once again, a big thanks to everyone on SDN!

 

[akeurogh]

Congrats on the scores!!! So the new format wasn't that different? and how long did you spend studying after the second time?

 

[skype]

I am so happy for you 🙂. Goodluck on your application!😀

 

[Maygyver]

I know you say not to focus too much on QR, but what advice would you give to help study for it? Were there a lot of word problems, or was it more algebra/trig/etc?

 

[NewBee12]

well done. very solid scores
best of luck

 

[yvhopes]

I was waiting to see how the new DAT format for QR is going to be and you've answered it. 😍
Congrats! solid scores.

 

[system7]

GREAT JOB! and thanks for the breakdown!👍

 

[SaSSyBruin]

Great job and thanks for a nice breakdown...What is the which hill is steeper approach for angles??

 

[aDentite]

Thanks everyone!

akeurogh, I spent about 2 solid months studying 6-7 hours a day. I would usually get in 2 hrs of bio, chem, organic each and then PAT, QR, or review at the end of the day. I think it helps to work on each section everyday so that they all stay fresh.

Maygyver, as you can see from my score in QR I'm probably not the best person to be asking! I just reviewed the Topscore and Achiever QR sections. I did about 1/3 of the QR problems in the regular DAT Destroyer. There were a ton of word problems on the real thing and a lot of algebra.

Sassybruin, there is a really good thread about the hill approach for angle ranking. Basically you look at two angles and compare them by looking at which one seems steeper. If they are two acute angles, you "position" one leg horizontal and then look at the outside edge of the other leg like its a hill. I'll admit, it sounded kind of dumb to me at first but it really is a great strategy. Also, I immediately look at the answer choices before I look at the angles and work backwards.

 

[SaSSyBruin]

Ty man... best of luck to you