juliamcdonald
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2025
- Messages
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I took the DAT on June 17th (2025) after completing the 12 week study guide of DAT Booster. My diagnostic test was around a 17 (old score).
Scores:
QR-430
RC-450
Bio-430
GC-400
OC-440
TS-420
AA-430
PAT-440
Background:
Senior graduating this fall (2025) with a 3.97 GPA.
Materials Used:
DAT Bootcamp over the winter of 2024 then switched over to DAT Booster 12 week study guide from April to June. I used the question banks and daily warmups as my main strategy in addition to taking tons of practice tests!
Study Timeline:
Once I found that DAT Booster was more fitting for me than Bootcamp, I only had a few months before applications to dental schools opened so I wanted to make sure that this attempt would be good enough to secure my spot. I used the 12 week study guide and completed it through DAT Booster.
Day of Exam:
I don’t know how I get this far without this knowledge, but the science sections are all combined into the same timeframe, you MUST pace yourself accordingly.
Bio- extremely similar to the practice tests
GC- very math heavy in comparison to the practice exams, make sure you give yourself enough time to write out problems.
OC- hardly any reactions, the bulk was analyzing instrumental chemistry data.
PAT- exactly what you’re expecting, I recommend finding your strengths and starting there and leaving the parts you know you’re not good at for last.
RC- I swapped from using reading everything and then answering to the search and destroy method and my score increased a lot. The science articles can be tricky to navigate but just pick the best option in the least amount of time possible to make sure you can answer the easier questions.
QR- this was the only section that differed from the practice tests, there were NO age related or coin counting questions. Very heavy in the trinomial and binomial field.
Ending Advice:
The DAT is hard, that’s as plain and simple as it gets. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect, just study hard, grind every day, and do the best you can. Remember that this is only a season and rest is right around the corner.
Scores:
QR-430
RC-450
Bio-430
GC-400
OC-440
TS-420
AA-430
PAT-440
Background:
Senior graduating this fall (2025) with a 3.97 GPA.
Materials Used:
DAT Bootcamp over the winter of 2024 then switched over to DAT Booster 12 week study guide from April to June. I used the question banks and daily warmups as my main strategy in addition to taking tons of practice tests!
Study Timeline:
Once I found that DAT Booster was more fitting for me than Bootcamp, I only had a few months before applications to dental schools opened so I wanted to make sure that this attempt would be good enough to secure my spot. I used the 12 week study guide and completed it through DAT Booster.
Day of Exam:
I don’t know how I get this far without this knowledge, but the science sections are all combined into the same timeframe, you MUST pace yourself accordingly.
Bio- extremely similar to the practice tests
GC- very math heavy in comparison to the practice exams, make sure you give yourself enough time to write out problems.
OC- hardly any reactions, the bulk was analyzing instrumental chemistry data.
PAT- exactly what you’re expecting, I recommend finding your strengths and starting there and leaving the parts you know you’re not good at for last.
RC- I swapped from using reading everything and then answering to the search and destroy method and my score increased a lot. The science articles can be tricky to navigate but just pick the best option in the least amount of time possible to make sure you can answer the easier questions.
QR- this was the only section that differed from the practice tests, there were NO age related or coin counting questions. Very heavy in the trinomial and binomial field.
Ending Advice:
The DAT is hard, that’s as plain and simple as it gets. Don’t beat yourself up for not being perfect, just study hard, grind every day, and do the best you can. Remember that this is only a season and rest is right around the corner.
