Hello fellow SDNers,
As the title says, this current application cycle is my third time applying to dental school. Today was also my third time taking the DAT. I hope this breakdown can be an encouragement to anyone who was not very happy with their DAT scores or anyone who might be a reapplicant.
I've gotten a lot out of other's breakdowns, so I thought I would give back and write one of my own.
I know these aren't the 29's and 30's that some people get on here, but here it goes anyways.
PAT 26 (99.6%)
QR 18 (84.7%)
RC 20 (64.3%)
BIO 24 (98.9%)
GC 21 (87%)
OC 23 (94.4%)
TS 23 (97.8%)
AA 21 (93.4%)
Overall: I used DentalWorks 8 week study plan while making a few minor adjustments to work with my schedule. This plan is great because it keeps you on schedule and shows you what needs to get done each and every day. In two my previous attempts at the DAT, I did not use a set study plan and I never completely covered everything I wanted to. This time around, I studied for a total of three months while putting in at least 6-7 hours per day.
PAT: I used Crack DAT PAT (5 test version) for the PAT section. I believe this is a great resource to prepare you for the exam. The format almost mimics exactly what is shown during the real DAT, and the difficultly seemed to be just slightly harder than the actual DAT, so it prepares you well.
QR: I used Math Destroyer and Chads math videos for the QR section. I started reviewing math later on in my studying, and I wish I would have started earlier. Due to time restraints, I only went through 7 exams of math destroyer. I now see how if you can go through all of math destroyer twice, you should not have a problem on the QR section. If it has been a while since youve had a basic algebra/trig math class, Chads math videos are great on refreshing you with the basics.
RC: The only practice I got with reading comprehension was through achiever and topscore. The method I used was that I would read the first question, then read the section as a whole. If I come across the answer to the first question while I was reading, I would answer it, read the second question, and then proceed with reading the rest of the section. While reading, I would jot down key words of each paragraph so I could remember where they were. When I completed reading the entire section, I would then answer any of the questions I had not answered already.
BIO: I used Cliffs AP bio, DAT destroyer, and KBB for studying bio. Between AP bio and KBB, I definitely used AP bio a lot more. Destroyer is a good source of practice problems. There is a lot of random information in destroyer, but if you go through it slowly and learn the details that are explained, it is very helpful. Also, whenever I came across something in destroyer that I did not quite remember, I would either use AP bio or look online to relearn/refresh my memory. I know this method takes a long time, but it definitely helped me in retaining information for the exam.
GC: I used Chads videos and destroyer for this section. Since I was a chemistry major, I am a little disappointed with my GC score. Chads is all that you need to learn the information and destroyer is a great way to drill the practice problems into your head. If you can do destroyer without a calculator, then you will be fine on the real DAT.
OC: I again used Chads and destroyer for this section. I was never very strong in organic, so I am happy with my score. Chad does an awesome job covering the reactions and concepts that you will need to know. Destroyer definitely drills the concepts into you.
My previous two attempts at the DAT gave me an AA of 17/17, TS 16/18, and PAT 18/18. I did not put nearly as much effort and time into studying for them as I did this one. If you get one thing from this breakdown, get this: If you are serious about your studying, putting in the time and effort will definitely pay off in the end. I wish I would have found out about SDN before I ever took my first DAT. The tips I got on here are amazing and they helped me out a bunch. Also, reading all the awesome scores that people get on here are motivating to help you study even harder! Last but definitely not least, I know I could not have done what I have done if it wasnt for the Lord helping me stay motivated each and every day.
Thanks for reading.
As the title says, this current application cycle is my third time applying to dental school. Today was also my third time taking the DAT. I hope this breakdown can be an encouragement to anyone who was not very happy with their DAT scores or anyone who might be a reapplicant.
I've gotten a lot out of other's breakdowns, so I thought I would give back and write one of my own.
I know these aren't the 29's and 30's that some people get on here, but here it goes anyways.
PAT 26 (99.6%)
QR 18 (84.7%)
RC 20 (64.3%)
BIO 24 (98.9%)
GC 21 (87%)
OC 23 (94.4%)
TS 23 (97.8%)
AA 21 (93.4%)
Overall: I used DentalWorks 8 week study plan while making a few minor adjustments to work with my schedule. This plan is great because it keeps you on schedule and shows you what needs to get done each and every day. In two my previous attempts at the DAT, I did not use a set study plan and I never completely covered everything I wanted to. This time around, I studied for a total of three months while putting in at least 6-7 hours per day.
PAT: I used Crack DAT PAT (5 test version) for the PAT section. I believe this is a great resource to prepare you for the exam. The format almost mimics exactly what is shown during the real DAT, and the difficultly seemed to be just slightly harder than the actual DAT, so it prepares you well.
QR: I used Math Destroyer and Chads math videos for the QR section. I started reviewing math later on in my studying, and I wish I would have started earlier. Due to time restraints, I only went through 7 exams of math destroyer. I now see how if you can go through all of math destroyer twice, you should not have a problem on the QR section. If it has been a while since youve had a basic algebra/trig math class, Chads math videos are great on refreshing you with the basics.
RC: The only practice I got with reading comprehension was through achiever and topscore. The method I used was that I would read the first question, then read the section as a whole. If I come across the answer to the first question while I was reading, I would answer it, read the second question, and then proceed with reading the rest of the section. While reading, I would jot down key words of each paragraph so I could remember where they were. When I completed reading the entire section, I would then answer any of the questions I had not answered already.
BIO: I used Cliffs AP bio, DAT destroyer, and KBB for studying bio. Between AP bio and KBB, I definitely used AP bio a lot more. Destroyer is a good source of practice problems. There is a lot of random information in destroyer, but if you go through it slowly and learn the details that are explained, it is very helpful. Also, whenever I came across something in destroyer that I did not quite remember, I would either use AP bio or look online to relearn/refresh my memory. I know this method takes a long time, but it definitely helped me in retaining information for the exam.
GC: I used Chads videos and destroyer for this section. Since I was a chemistry major, I am a little disappointed with my GC score. Chads is all that you need to learn the information and destroyer is a great way to drill the practice problems into your head. If you can do destroyer without a calculator, then you will be fine on the real DAT.
OC: I again used Chads and destroyer for this section. I was never very strong in organic, so I am happy with my score. Chad does an awesome job covering the reactions and concepts that you will need to know. Destroyer definitely drills the concepts into you.
My previous two attempts at the DAT gave me an AA of 17/17, TS 16/18, and PAT 18/18. I did not put nearly as much effort and time into studying for them as I did this one. If you get one thing from this breakdown, get this: If you are serious about your studying, putting in the time and effort will definitely pay off in the end. I wish I would have found out about SDN before I ever took my first DAT. The tips I got on here are amazing and they helped me out a bunch. Also, reading all the awesome scores that people get on here are motivating to help you study even harder! Last but definitely not least, I know I could not have done what I have done if it wasnt for the Lord helping me stay motivated each and every day.
Thanks for reading.
