- Joined
- Jul 11, 2016
- Messages
- 61
- Reaction score
- 48
Scores:
PAT: 20
QR: 22
RC: 22
Bio: 20
GC: 24
OC: 30
TS: 23
AA: 24
Timeline: December 2016 - April 17, 2017 (20 weeks)
Background:
Studying Strategy:
1. Identified all material in the subsection of each section (ie. Know all Genetics subsection material under the Bio section or Know all Electrochemistry subsection under the Chem section)
The purpose of identifying all the material in the subsection is to make sure that when you get to the practice test material, you should be able to KNOW what it is and not get it wrong based on lack of knowledge. Essentially this information gathering is for EXPOSURE.
2. Practice Test/Practice Quiz [the MAIN part]
This is applying the knowledge you obtained above. The practice test should....
Here is an example from my "Ochem progressions":
Problem: Draw lowest energy/stable Newman Projection
a. Draw structure correctly from nomenclature
b. See through correct carbons
c. Label substituents by # of Carbon attachment
i. Front | Back = Carbon attachments | Carbon attachments
d. Draw all newman projections (be disciplined)
e. Determine most stable
f. Seems so easy, but can easily fool the less-discipline"
Meanwhile....
I took 16 credits + Eboard of Pre-Dental Club + Tutor Ochem 2 hours per week
Those 16 credits encompassed: Animal Development, Ecology, Biochemistry, Theology, Biostatistical Methods.
Specific Studying Timeline, Problems, w/Study Materials:
Throughout I did PAT DAT Bootcamp generators to familiarize myself with what is going on, then honed in on how to attack PAT and what skills I need to practice on.
As mentioned in "Meanwhile...." I had exposure to Ecology & Animal Development as I took these undergrad courses (applicable for Bio section) & Statistics (applicable for QR section) throughout the semester. Mostly Statistics was helpful in preparing for Stats question on QR.
Continue my PAT practice and updated my strategy that was most efficient through the DAT Bootcamp generators
PROBLEM: Had hard time balancing Schoolwork vs. DAT work. I would be studying for tests and I would find myself saying "dood, I am running out of time for DAT studying!!!" I realized that my grades were already pretty good AND I developed of habit of how to study efficiently for tests and exams in shorts amount of time (2-3 days prior of Sci exams); so why should I devote more energy for boosting my grades? I only have one shot for the DAT (Dental schools prefer you to get it right the first time; also you may run into issue of overriding your better score if you take it again).
Solution: Focus on DAT and don't worry too much about tests. The weeks before my exam, I skipped some classes to really hone in onto DAT (obvi make friends in those Sci based classes so you can get the help you need to recover and study for those tests).
PROBLEM: So far, I only applied my Chem & Ochem knowledge through Chad's Quizzes + did PAT generators only. No QR, Bio, or RC exposure yet. ALSO, I realized that the free PAT generators I have been doing were simpler compared to the real PAT content. ANOTHER thing is that Chads Video, although great exposure content for CHEM & OCHEM, didn't have similar wording as the CHEM & OCHEM practice tests of DAT Bootcamp. So essentially, I have all this knowledge but haven't really applied it to ANYTHING (which freaked me out only being a month away from my test date).
Solution: Bought DAT bootcamp Pratice test and went straight into taking tests & filtering my information.
So I did QR and RC first. The ones that I haven't exposed myself at all. Then I did Gen chem & ochem practice tests. Highly recommend Gen chem DAT bootcamp; the wording is on point.
Solution: took DAT bootcamp Practice test & failed miserably, got 16s and 17 (Bio is soooo random at times). I decided to master all the questions from bootcamp and see how I can memorize these many details, but I couldn't. I resorted to studying my master study guide and asking friends what showed up most frequently during their multiple attempts at the DAT (they said hormones, development, menstral cycle, cellular respiration, hardy weinberg). Take that for a grain of salt however, every test is different.
Problem: Very Tired the last 2 weeks before my exam and I had insomnia (great....)
Solution: dedicated to sleep at 7pm and wake up around the time of my exam.
Make it a habit to exercise and sleep well! However, I still was very lazy when I went on Easter break. With 5 days before my test, I simply took a Full length practice test every morning and relaxed the rest of the day. Bottom line, if you feel fatigued or tired, don't overwork yourself!
The day before my test, I watched CRASH Course on Youtube to help with my Bio problem. I watched all Anat & Physio material, development, and ecology stuff. Pretty entertaining content and encompasses the "brevity of Bio".
***************How did Test resemble my Studying/Practice Test***************
Wrote at Header of Paper: Be Discipline=Extrapolate info correctly and FIND correctly + Guess, Mark, & Skip Lengthy/Hard Questions
DAT is a very easy test, however where it gets you is when it says "find the volume you need to ADD MORE to the Dilution problem"; "Order the largest radius in INCREASING order". You know the material and progression, but you screw up on the last part=answering the question specifically! Also you screw up by taking too much time on difficult problems. Every problem is the same value; you don't need to waste time!
Bio: Very similar questions to Practice test I took on DAT bootcamp. The questions are very random! Then again every test is different. So I don't recommend just studying solely bootcamp. I believe exposure to Bio everyday is the best way to study (DAT bootcamp Daily questions, Crash Course, taking Bio classes).
Chem: Very similar wording used in DAT Bootcamp. "same wording" meaning that the problems makes you extract the "same concepts" from a word problem. I was surprised however that ALOT of calculations questions asked to calculate a final number rather than format it into the equation skeleton. So this shows that you can't rely on using the answer choice skeleton to help you answer the question (you need to be familiar with the equations through practice). I can't recall the ratio of Calc to Conceptual question but I remember that calculation problems dominated my time. Ultimately, bootcamp is prime material to use to APPLY your knowledge. Chads Vids is where you get your foundation knowledge from and exposure through quizzes.
Ochem: Tutoring helped me a ton to keep up with material (exposure) & wrote a master reaction sheet to help me remember and teach the reactions to my students (this helped a ton). Conceptual ochem stuff is taught well by Chads Videos. Application of course is DAT bootcamp; however I recall that the word questions were worded differently than bootcamp. Obviously the reactions are formatted the same, you can't format retrosynthesis of "what is the product" differently. Again I can't remember the ratio, but I remember the conceptual questions dominated my time.
PAT: DAT Bootcamp PAT is sufficient to prepare you. Apertures was comparable to Bootcamp. TFE was harder than I expected as it was one of my better skills. Could be due to stress parameters, but I don't believe I did well because of this section. Angles were easier than Bootcamp. Cube counting much easier; with 1 structure being difficult as it had a hole (have to be meticulous). Pattern folding is my better skills as well. Practice every day through generators is key to success in PAT.
RC: Search & Destroy. Read 3 paragraphs of a section and then attacked the questions. Finding where the question is specifying and then reading that passage; then highlighting the details. Crossing out answer choices that are not relevant. Practice test is KEY to building this skill. Bootcamp was my source, but I recommend more sources for specific DAT RC practice tests. I didn't read any other science materials because they aren't relevant to the testing parameters. Key to success for this and actually for all section is that YOU won't get every problem correct! Guess and skip on questions, no matter how easy the question sounds or think you can get the answer. Set a certain time limit to search; if you become frustrated, guess, mark and move on! Its better to save time at end to review then rush.
QR: VERY DIFFERENT WORDING THAN DAT Bootcamp! Specifically they had 2 types of questions that threw me off because of how it was worded (and they had a couple of these types of weird worded questions). My best advice is to don't freak out when you aren't familiarize with anything. To beat this, QR requires strong foundational knowledge on the governing log, exponential, area, volume, trig rules (in general). On this specific test, it focused on word problems, algebra, geometry. Few stats & trig questions. Don't underestimate QR!!!!! That's my advice. If you are bad at math, get the rules down! Then transition to the word problems and what words mean.
Summary:
I strongly believe in the "its a marathon, not a spring"; all starts from habits developed during undergrad courses (main exposure) to prepare you for DAT. That is what helped me from the getgo when starting to study for DAT.
Even though I spent most of time gathering info, I would suggest taking more time to do practice exams! Those are the most applicable way to prepare you for the exam. I only paid for 2 sources (Chads & DAT Bootcamp which I believe is sufficient for Chem & Ochem). Bootcamp is sufficient for RC & QR. Biology & PAT requires constant exposure everyday (courses you take, internet seraches, & generators).
Get SLEEP, Eat well, and exercise! Brain gainz requires all of this!
Have a plan! Again this goes back to "habits"; you need the drive and habit to do this. Can't go partying everyweekend or Netflixing everyday. You have to have a plan. Designate a ton of breaks to "decompress" during studying. I like to watch a ton of funny Youtube vids or excercise. Anyways, this is lengthy but hopefully this was helpful for those preparing for this exam! Good Luck!
PAT: 20
QR: 22
RC: 22
Bio: 20
GC: 24
OC: 30
TS: 23
AA: 24
Timeline: December 2016 - April 17, 2017 (20 weeks)
Background:
- Junior, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major
- GPA: 3.80
- Sci GPA: 3.87
- Freshman Year 1st semester GPA=3.31 & Sci GPA=3.21
Studying Strategy:
1. Identified all material in the subsection of each section (ie. Know all Genetics subsection material under the Bio section or Know all Electrochemistry subsection under the Chem section)
The purpose of identifying all the material in the subsection is to make sure that when you get to the practice test material, you should be able to KNOW what it is and not get it wrong based on lack of knowledge. Essentially this information gathering is for EXPOSURE.
2. Practice Test/Practice Quiz [the MAIN part]
This is applying the knowledge you obtained above. The practice test should....
- Filter previously obtained knowledge
Here is an example from my "Ochem progressions":
Problem: Draw lowest energy/stable Newman Projection
a. Draw structure correctly from nomenclature
b. See through correct carbons
c. Label substituents by # of Carbon attachment
i. Front | Back = Carbon attachments | Carbon attachments
d. Draw all newman projections (be disciplined)
e. Determine most stable
f. Seems so easy, but can easily fool the less-discipline"
Meanwhile....
I took 16 credits + Eboard of Pre-Dental Club + Tutor Ochem 2 hours per week
Those 16 credits encompassed: Animal Development, Ecology, Biochemistry, Theology, Biostatistical Methods.
Specific Studying Timeline, Problems, w/Study Materials:
- December 2016 - January 2017
Throughout I did PAT DAT Bootcamp generators to familiarize myself with what is going on, then honed in on how to attack PAT and what skills I need to practice on.
As mentioned in "Meanwhile...." I had exposure to Ecology & Animal Development as I took these undergrad courses (applicable for Bio section) & Statistics (applicable for QR section) throughout the semester. Mostly Statistics was helpful in preparing for Stats question on QR.
- January - February
Continue my PAT practice and updated my strategy that was most efficient through the DAT Bootcamp generators
PROBLEM: Had hard time balancing Schoolwork vs. DAT work. I would be studying for tests and I would find myself saying "dood, I am running out of time for DAT studying!!!" I realized that my grades were already pretty good AND I developed of habit of how to study efficiently for tests and exams in shorts amount of time (2-3 days prior of Sci exams); so why should I devote more energy for boosting my grades? I only have one shot for the DAT (Dental schools prefer you to get it right the first time; also you may run into issue of overriding your better score if you take it again).
Solution: Focus on DAT and don't worry too much about tests. The weeks before my exam, I skipped some classes to really hone in onto DAT (obvi make friends in those Sci based classes so you can get the help you need to recover and study for those tests).
- February - March
PROBLEM: So far, I only applied my Chem & Ochem knowledge through Chad's Quizzes + did PAT generators only. No QR, Bio, or RC exposure yet. ALSO, I realized that the free PAT generators I have been doing were simpler compared to the real PAT content. ANOTHER thing is that Chads Video, although great exposure content for CHEM & OCHEM, didn't have similar wording as the CHEM & OCHEM practice tests of DAT Bootcamp. So essentially, I have all this knowledge but haven't really applied it to ANYTHING (which freaked me out only being a month away from my test date).
Solution: Bought DAT bootcamp Pratice test and went straight into taking tests & filtering my information.
So I did QR and RC first. The ones that I haven't exposed myself at all. Then I did Gen chem & ochem practice tests. Highly recommend Gen chem DAT bootcamp; the wording is on point.
- March - April
Solution: took DAT bootcamp Practice test & failed miserably, got 16s and 17 (Bio is soooo random at times). I decided to master all the questions from bootcamp and see how I can memorize these many details, but I couldn't. I resorted to studying my master study guide and asking friends what showed up most frequently during their multiple attempts at the DAT (they said hormones, development, menstral cycle, cellular respiration, hardy weinberg). Take that for a grain of salt however, every test is different.
Problem: Very Tired the last 2 weeks before my exam and I had insomnia (great....)
Solution: dedicated to sleep at 7pm and wake up around the time of my exam.
Make it a habit to exercise and sleep well! However, I still was very lazy when I went on Easter break. With 5 days before my test, I simply took a Full length practice test every morning and relaxed the rest of the day. Bottom line, if you feel fatigued or tired, don't overwork yourself!
The day before my test, I watched CRASH Course on Youtube to help with my Bio problem. I watched all Anat & Physio material, development, and ecology stuff. Pretty entertaining content and encompasses the "brevity of Bio".
***************How did Test resemble my Studying/Practice Test***************
Wrote at Header of Paper: Be Discipline=Extrapolate info correctly and FIND correctly + Guess, Mark, & Skip Lengthy/Hard Questions
DAT is a very easy test, however where it gets you is when it says "find the volume you need to ADD MORE to the Dilution problem"; "Order the largest radius in INCREASING order". You know the material and progression, but you screw up on the last part=answering the question specifically! Also you screw up by taking too much time on difficult problems. Every problem is the same value; you don't need to waste time!
Bio: Very similar questions to Practice test I took on DAT bootcamp. The questions are very random! Then again every test is different. So I don't recommend just studying solely bootcamp. I believe exposure to Bio everyday is the best way to study (DAT bootcamp Daily questions, Crash Course, taking Bio classes).
Chem: Very similar wording used in DAT Bootcamp. "same wording" meaning that the problems makes you extract the "same concepts" from a word problem. I was surprised however that ALOT of calculations questions asked to calculate a final number rather than format it into the equation skeleton. So this shows that you can't rely on using the answer choice skeleton to help you answer the question (you need to be familiar with the equations through practice). I can't recall the ratio of Calc to Conceptual question but I remember that calculation problems dominated my time. Ultimately, bootcamp is prime material to use to APPLY your knowledge. Chads Vids is where you get your foundation knowledge from and exposure through quizzes.
Ochem: Tutoring helped me a ton to keep up with material (exposure) & wrote a master reaction sheet to help me remember and teach the reactions to my students (this helped a ton). Conceptual ochem stuff is taught well by Chads Videos. Application of course is DAT bootcamp; however I recall that the word questions were worded differently than bootcamp. Obviously the reactions are formatted the same, you can't format retrosynthesis of "what is the product" differently. Again I can't remember the ratio, but I remember the conceptual questions dominated my time.
PAT: DAT Bootcamp PAT is sufficient to prepare you. Apertures was comparable to Bootcamp. TFE was harder than I expected as it was one of my better skills. Could be due to stress parameters, but I don't believe I did well because of this section. Angles were easier than Bootcamp. Cube counting much easier; with 1 structure being difficult as it had a hole (have to be meticulous). Pattern folding is my better skills as well. Practice every day through generators is key to success in PAT.
RC: Search & Destroy. Read 3 paragraphs of a section and then attacked the questions. Finding where the question is specifying and then reading that passage; then highlighting the details. Crossing out answer choices that are not relevant. Practice test is KEY to building this skill. Bootcamp was my source, but I recommend more sources for specific DAT RC practice tests. I didn't read any other science materials because they aren't relevant to the testing parameters. Key to success for this and actually for all section is that YOU won't get every problem correct! Guess and skip on questions, no matter how easy the question sounds or think you can get the answer. Set a certain time limit to search; if you become frustrated, guess, mark and move on! Its better to save time at end to review then rush.
QR: VERY DIFFERENT WORDING THAN DAT Bootcamp! Specifically they had 2 types of questions that threw me off because of how it was worded (and they had a couple of these types of weird worded questions). My best advice is to don't freak out when you aren't familiarize with anything. To beat this, QR requires strong foundational knowledge on the governing log, exponential, area, volume, trig rules (in general). On this specific test, it focused on word problems, algebra, geometry. Few stats & trig questions. Don't underestimate QR!!!!! That's my advice. If you are bad at math, get the rules down! Then transition to the word problems and what words mean.
Summary:
I strongly believe in the "its a marathon, not a spring"; all starts from habits developed during undergrad courses (main exposure) to prepare you for DAT. That is what helped me from the getgo when starting to study for DAT.
Even though I spent most of time gathering info, I would suggest taking more time to do practice exams! Those are the most applicable way to prepare you for the exam. I only paid for 2 sources (Chads & DAT Bootcamp which I believe is sufficient for Chem & Ochem). Bootcamp is sufficient for RC & QR. Biology & PAT requires constant exposure everyday (courses you take, internet seraches, & generators).
Get SLEEP, Eat well, and exercise! Brain gainz requires all of this!
Have a plan! Again this goes back to "habits"; you need the drive and habit to do this. Can't go partying everyweekend or Netflixing everyday. You have to have a plan. Designate a ton of breaks to "decompress" during studying. I like to watch a ton of funny Youtube vids or excercise. Anyways, this is lengthy but hopefully this was helpful for those preparing for this exam! Good Luck!
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