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Inspired by Glimmer1991's Ultimate Breakdown Collection.
Introduction
Hey guys, 8_man here with a present for all you upcoming DAT takers. As a recent test-taker myself, nothing prepared me more than going through the breakdowns of those who absolutely killed it. Many others will agree with me, and so I took the liberty of compiling a list of recent (2013-present) DAT breakdowns. For those of you who don't know what a DAT breakdown is, it is basically a summary of one's entire testing experience. I glanced through each one for content, particularly for:
Recources
There is a general consensus here on SDN about what study materials to use, so I'll just list them below for your convenience. All of these materials are tried, true, and tested to work, so long as you do your part and put in the effort. Having said that, it is NOT necessary to use all these resources to succeed on the DAT. If you want to better your chances, though, it is well worth the investment. And it's never a bad thing to be over-prepared.
Ari's 10 week Study Schedule
This is the go-to study guide here on the dental forums. For the DAT, ten weeks is ample time to prepare and earn a competitive score. However, the schedule itself is certainly not set in stone–many have modified it to suit their own preferences, so feel free to do the same! For example, if you want to shorten your study period down to 6 weeks, you would try to find days where you would condense the material into a single session. Or if you're already strong in a certain subject, you can eliminate its content review from your schedule.
For a PDF of Ari's study guide, click here.
Breakdowns
In case you are unfamiliar with how the DAT is scaled, here is a nice figure provided by Gold Standard DAT Prep.
The average score for newly accepted dental students is about a 20. This score would put you in the upper 16% of all test-takers. This is by no means an easy feat to accomplish, so be sure to plan carefully and study hard. The following breakdowns are from people who scored in the top 3% of all test-takers.
I sorted the DAT breakdowns in ascending order by their Academic Average (AA). The subsections of the DAT are listed and abbreviated for quick reference. For those who are new to the DAT and are unsure of what each stand for;
There are numerous debates on which score holds the most weight with admissions committees. In my opinion, the ranking is: #1: AA, #2: TS, #3: RC, #4: PAT, #5: QR. However, this does not mean you can neglect the QR section of the DAT, since it does contribute to your AA.
And without further ado, here is the breakdown list–
22AA
23AA
24AA
25AA
Introduction
Hey guys, 8_man here with a present for all you upcoming DAT takers. As a recent test-taker myself, nothing prepared me more than going through the breakdowns of those who absolutely killed it. Many others will agree with me, and so I took the liberty of compiling a list of recent (2013-present) DAT breakdowns. For those of you who don't know what a DAT breakdown is, it is basically a summary of one's entire testing experience. I glanced through each one for content, particularly for:
- a study schedule
- materials used
- practice test scores
- thoughts & advice
Recources
There is a general consensus here on SDN about what study materials to use, so I'll just list them below for your convenience. All of these materials are tried, true, and tested to work, so long as you do your part and put in the effort. Having said that, it is NOT necessary to use all these resources to succeed on the DAT. If you want to better your chances, though, it is well worth the investment. And it's never a bad thing to be over-prepared.
Practice Exams:
1. DAT Bootcamp [online subscription].........................................($247 for 90 days)
2. 2007 DAT Exam [PDF]............................................................(free)
3. 2009 DAT Exam [PDF]............................................................(free)
Study Materials:Note: Includes PAT practice problems + generators
Note: Answers + detailed explanations by Ari Rezaei
Note: Errors on exam. Double-check your answers here
1. Course Saver, a.k.a. Chad's Videos [online subscription] ..........($50 for 30 days)
3. DAT Destroyer [book].............................................................($149.95)
4. Math Destroyer [book]............................................................($99.95)
5. Feralis' Notes [PDF]................................................................(free)
6. Cliff's Biology Notes [PDF].................................................(free)
Helpful SDN Posts:Subjects covered: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Quantitative Reasoning
Subjects covered: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Quantitative Reasoning
Note: you can buy both Destroyer books for $199.95
Subjects covered: Biology
Subjects covered: Biology
Ari's 10 week Study Schedule
This is the go-to study guide here on the dental forums. For the DAT, ten weeks is ample time to prepare and earn a competitive score. However, the schedule itself is certainly not set in stone–many have modified it to suit their own preferences, so feel free to do the same! For example, if you want to shorten your study period down to 6 weeks, you would try to find days where you would condense the material into a single session. Or if you're already strong in a certain subject, you can eliminate its content review from your schedule.
For a PDF of Ari's study guide, click here.
Breakdowns
In case you are unfamiliar with how the DAT is scaled, here is a nice figure provided by Gold Standard DAT Prep.
The average score for newly accepted dental students is about a 20. This score would put you in the upper 16% of all test-takers. This is by no means an easy feat to accomplish, so be sure to plan carefully and study hard. The following breakdowns are from people who scored in the top 3% of all test-takers.
I sorted the DAT breakdowns in ascending order by their Academic Average (AA). The subsections of the DAT are listed and abbreviated for quick reference. For those who are new to the DAT and are unsure of what each stand for;
TS = Total science (the cumulative score of the Biology, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry sections)
BIO = Biology
GC = Chemistry
OC = Organic Chemistry
RC = Reading comprehension
QR = Quantitative reasoning (math, up to Trigonometry)
PAT = Perceptual Ability Test
BIO = Biology
GC = Chemistry
OC = Organic Chemistry
RC = Reading comprehension
QR = Quantitative reasoning (math, up to Trigonometry)
PAT = Perceptual Ability Test
There are numerous debates on which score holds the most weight with admissions committees. In my opinion, the ranking is: #1: AA, #2: TS, #3: RC, #4: PAT, #5: QR. However, this does not mean you can neglect the QR section of the DAT, since it does contribute to your AA.
And without further ado, here is the breakdown list–
22AA
23AA
23TS/21BIO/23GC/26OC/20RC/24QR/23PAT by ThirdMolarz (2017)
22TS/20BIO/23GC/23OC/23RC/28QR/20PAT by juustinkim (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/24OC/25RC/20QR/22PAT by Hnl7 (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/22PAT by azucker10 (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/24PAT by Chip Otle (2017)
24TS/25BIO/26GC/22OC/23RC/20QR/23PAT by socal6 (2017)
24TS/23BIO/24GC/24OC/22RC/20QR/21PAT by klownzo (2016)
23TS/23BIO/23GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/20PAT by Charles_Darwin (2016)
23TS/23BIO/22GC/25OC/23RC/23QR/22PAT by paulchambers (2016)
21TS/19BIO/22GC/26OC/25RC/23QR/24PAT by wezleesun` (2016)
21TS/20BIO/27GC/20OC/25RC/23QR/PAT by LuckBloodandSweat (2016)
24TS/24BIO/22GC/26OC/25RC/19QR/17PAT by Alpha Centauri (2016)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/23OC/24RC/19QR/21PAT by huynhdee (2015)
22TS/20BIO/23GC/23OC/23RC/28QR/20PAT by juustinkim (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/24OC/25RC/20QR/22PAT by Hnl7 (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/22PAT by azucker10 (2017)
22TS/21BIO/24GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/24PAT by Chip Otle (2017)
24TS/25BIO/26GC/22OC/23RC/20QR/23PAT by socal6 (2017)
24TS/23BIO/24GC/24OC/22RC/20QR/21PAT by klownzo (2016)
23TS/23BIO/23GC/23OC/25RC/22QR/20PAT by Charles_Darwin (2016)
23TS/23BIO/22GC/25OC/23RC/23QR/22PAT by paulchambers (2016)
21TS/19BIO/22GC/26OC/25RC/23QR/24PAT by wezleesun` (2016)
21TS/20BIO/27GC/20OC/25RC/23QR/PAT by LuckBloodandSweat (2016)
24TS/24BIO/22GC/26OC/25RC/19QR/17PAT by Alpha Centauri (2016)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/23OC/24RC/19QR/21PAT by huynhdee (2015)
24AA
24TS/21BIO/26GC/26OC/23RC/24QR/23PAT by Dasaniii (2017)
25TS/24BIO30GC/22OC/21RC/24QR/21PAT by Kou_KeiKi (2017)
25TS/23BIO/24GC/30OC/23RC/22QR/24PAT by Ayyyds (2017)
23TS/20BIO/24GC/30OC/22RC/22QR/20PAT by wildshark16 (2017)
26TS/25BIO/26GC/30OC/20RC/19QR/18PAT by whatisit350 (2017)
26TS/26BIO/24GC/27OC/21RC/20QR/20PAT by kobeshaq5 (2017)
25TS/26BIO/25GC/25OC/23RC/22QR/23PAT by fit2 (2016)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/29OC/20RC/22QR/23PAT by ~FlossBoss~ (2016)
22TS/21BIO/23GC/26OC/25RC/26QR/20PAT by tin911 (2016)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/26OC/22RC/19QR/20PAT by acemason (2016)
26TS/27BIO/25GC/xxOC/21RC/xxQR/24PAT by eyespy93 (2016)
23TS/21BIO/22GC/30OC/26RC/22QR/26PAT by 8_man (2016)
26TS/27BIO/26GC/26OC/20RC/22QR/26PAT by CornHusker (2015)
25TS/xxBIO/xxGC/xxOC/xxRC/xxQR/22PAT by strep mutans (2015)
25TS/24BIO30GC/22OC/21RC/24QR/21PAT by Kou_KeiKi (2017)
25TS/23BIO/24GC/30OC/23RC/22QR/24PAT by Ayyyds (2017)
23TS/20BIO/24GC/30OC/22RC/22QR/20PAT by wildshark16 (2017)
26TS/25BIO/26GC/30OC/20RC/19QR/18PAT by whatisit350 (2017)
26TS/26BIO/24GC/27OC/21RC/20QR/20PAT by kobeshaq5 (2017)
25TS/26BIO/25GC/25OC/23RC/22QR/23PAT by fit2 (2016)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/29OC/20RC/22QR/23PAT by ~FlossBoss~ (2016)
22TS/21BIO/23GC/26OC/25RC/26QR/20PAT by tin911 (2016)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/26OC/22RC/19QR/20PAT by acemason (2016)
26TS/27BIO/25GC/xxOC/21RC/xxQR/24PAT by eyespy93 (2016)
23TS/21BIO/22GC/30OC/26RC/22QR/26PAT by 8_man (2016)
26TS/27BIO/26GC/26OC/20RC/22QR/26PAT by CornHusker (2015)
25TS/xxBIO/xxGC/xxOC/xxRC/xxQR/22PAT by strep mutans (2015)
25AA
24TS/25BIO/26GC/22OC/25RC/25QR/22PAT by artist2022 (2017)
24TS/23BIO/24GC/24OC/23RC/30QR/25PAT by bentley13 (2017)
25TS/24BIO/26GC/25OC/25RC/25QR/20PAT by dudeethatsrad (2016)
23TS/21BIO/23GC/30OC/24RC/25QR/21PAT Vincent Valentine (2016)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/26OC/24RC/23QR/23PAT by w4nt2baDDS (2015)
25TS/27BIO/24GC/26OC/24RC/22QR/27PAT by cdp1210 (2015)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/25OC/23RC/28QR/21PAT by the_greatest_dentist (2014)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/25OC/25RC/22QR/23PAT by DogeDDS (2014)
27TS/24BIO/29GC/29OC/21RC/24QR/24PAT by uppahand123 (2014)
24TS/26BIO/22GC/24OC/28RC/23QR/24PAT by Illfavor (2013)
26AA24TS/23BIO/24GC/24OC/23RC/30QR/25PAT by bentley13 (2017)
25TS/24BIO/26GC/25OC/25RC/25QR/20PAT by dudeethatsrad (2016)
23TS/21BIO/23GC/30OC/24RC/25QR/21PAT Vincent Valentine (2016)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/26OC/24RC/23QR/23PAT by w4nt2baDDS (2015)
25TS/27BIO/24GC/26OC/24RC/22QR/27PAT by cdp1210 (2015)
25TS/25BIO/26GC/25OC/23RC/28QR/21PAT by the_greatest_dentist (2014)
26TS/26BIO/25GC/25OC/25RC/22QR/23PAT by DogeDDS (2014)
27TS/24BIO/29GC/29OC/21RC/24QR/24PAT by uppahand123 (2014)
24TS/26BIO/22GC/24OC/28RC/23QR/24PAT by Illfavor (2013)
24TS/23BIO/26/GC/25OC/29RC/25QR/22PAT by rockfern (2017)
27TS/25BIO/26GC/30OC/21RC/28QR/22PAT by O Cabra (2017)
26TS/24BIO26GC/30OC/21RC/30QR/22PAT by minionphil (2017)
25TS/23BIO/30GC/27OC/21RC/27QR/22PAT by shaocat (2016)
28TS/30BIO/25GC/29OC/22RC/23QR/27PAT by Don Kim (2016)
26TS/24BIO/27GC/30OC/27RC/22QR/22PAT by cavateez (2016)
23TS/21BIO/26GC/26OC/26RC/29QR/22PAT by ehwang1126 (2016)
27AA27TS/25BIO/26GC/30OC/21RC/28QR/22PAT by O Cabra (2017)
26TS/24BIO26GC/30OC/21RC/30QR/22PAT by minionphil (2017)
25TS/23BIO/30GC/27OC/21RC/27QR/22PAT by shaocat (2016)
28TS/30BIO/25GC/29OC/22RC/23QR/27PAT by Don Kim (2016)
26TS/24BIO/27GC/30OC/27RC/22QR/22PAT by cavateez (2016)
23TS/21BIO/26GC/26OC/26RC/29QR/22PAT by ehwang1126 (2016)
26TS/26BIO/24GC/30OC/25RC/30QR/21PAT by DMikes (2016)
25TS/28BIO/30GC/22OC/30RC/27QR/24PAT by pikachurro (2015)
26TS/26BIO/28GC/25OC/24RC/30QR/30PAT by zhangtwanger (2014)
26TS/30BIO/27GC/23OC/28RC/27QR/30PAT by vk223 (2014)
28AA25TS/28BIO/30GC/22OC/30RC/27QR/24PAT by pikachurro (2015)
26TS/26BIO/28GC/25OC/24RC/30QR/30PAT by zhangtwanger (2014)
26TS/30BIO/27GC/23OC/28RC/27QR/30PAT by vk223 (2014)
30TS/30BIO/30GC/29OC/28RC/22QR/23PAT by FeralisExtremum (2015)
28TS/27BIO/29GC/29OC/28RC/30QR/27PAT by milanhp (2014)
28TS/24BIO/30GC/29OC/26RC/30QR/25PAT by wazian2018 (2013)
29AA28TS/27BIO/29GC/29OC/28RC/30QR/27PAT by milanhp (2014)
28TS/24BIO/30GC/29OC/26RC/30QR/25PAT by wazian2018 (2013)
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