DAT Breakdown. Retake?

[dragonberyl]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So I took the DAT back in January and these were my scores:
QR 24
PAT 22
RC 21
BIO 18
OC 19
GC 18

TS 18
AA 20

I'm concerned that my TS is too low. I have a sGPA of 3.31. Should I retake the DAT? Advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Soleus715]

I think there are lots of factors to consider before retaking the DAT. The most important factor is if you're willing to put in a LOT of effort to improve your scores. Statistics show that most retakers actually end up doing worse on their retakes according to ADA. But I believe if you really give it your all you can pull off a high score as proven by some members on SDN.

Also, you need to make sure that you can set aside a good deal of time (~2 months) to focus on studying for the DAT and nothing else.

Furthermore, you need to evaluate where you lost some points. Was it test anxiety? Timing? Knowledge? Study habits/methods? Narrowing down your mistakes is key to improving on your next score.



On a side note:

I personally would retake just to make sure that a high DAT can compensate for a lower GPA. I have a 3.1 sGPA so I had to really really try hard on the DAT. Your AA looks fine but TS would be nice if it was 20+.

Your stats may or may not get you into a dental school. It is impossible for anyone to tell you because we don't have all of your info and even if we did, we have no experience on how each admissions staff of each school will look at your application. All you can do is to make your application the most well-rounded and best you possibly can and hope for the best.

Let me know if you have any other questions. 😀

 

[customx]

You're in a tough spot because your QR, RC and PAT are all very good. However, I think AA, TS, and PAT are the most important scores for dental schools. Considering your GPA is a bit on the low side, I would probably retake. Watch Chad's videos, take all his quizzes, take great notes, do Destroyer at least twice and you should be able to get a 20+ on both GC and OC which will raise your TS to 20 or above. Best of luck!

 

[BabyShades]

I would probably reatake if I were you. the nationally average is a 19 for admission. This also includes TS. I understand how you probably feel right now. *facepalm*

 

[hongbinbaneben]

Dang, yeah, I have to agree with everyone here. Your other scores are excellent, it's just your TS that could potentially hinder your chances.

 

[dragonberyl]

Thanks guys for your advice! I've decided to take it again sometime May/June just so I can hopefully use my DAT scores to compensate for my low GPA. I'll definitely take customx's advice and use Chad's videos and destroyer to push my TS scores higher. Best wishes in your dental journey! 🙂

 

[Ari Rezaei]

Before you decide to retake, I strongly recommend talking to your pre-health advisor if you have one. They have way more experience with this and will be able to help you more, you may not have to retake the DAT. However, if you don't have a problem with retaking it and you're not afraid of getting a lower score, by all means go for it.

 

[Dotoday]

Hey, your scores are decent. If you can improve your academic GPA a bit, it would be better. If you want to retake, then make a better study plan, make sure you have some time to put into it so you can get a better score. If you don't think you have a significant amount of time to dedicate, then do not retake it. God luck.

 

[dragonberyl]

Hey, your scores are decent. If you can improve your academic GPA a bit, it would be better. If you want to retake, then make a better study plan, make sure you have some time to put into it so you can get a better score. If you don't think you have a significant amount of time to dedicate, then do not retake it. God luck.

Yeah, I wish I took classes more seriously in college. I graduated from undergrad last June and unless I enter a postbac program, my GPA isn't going to change significantly. I am working full-time and would be able to study around 4 hrs a day. If I retake it in July, would that be risky in terms of applications?

 

[biomolecmed]

Hi, If you think you can study for a good period of time, then you may try and retake it. Before you go for a retake, take a practise test on your own. If you see that you have improved, go for the real thing. Why don't you enter the post back program to get your GPA up?

 

[Dotoday]

If you apply in July, for 2015, it ks not riskh. However, make sure you are better prepared going into the DAT the second time. Go over Destroyer, Kaplan and CrackDAT again, or what you have. You'll pick up on few things you didn't notice before.

 

[AAM2013]

Thanks guys for your advice! I've decided to take it again sometime May/June just so I can hopefully use my DAT scores to compensate for my low GPA. I'll definitely take customx's advice and use Chad's videos and destroyer to push my TS scores higher. Best wishes in your dental journey! 🙂

I was wondering, did you end up retaking your test yet? And if so.. How did it go?

 

[dragonberyl]

@AAM2013 I'm retaking it tomorrow!