Hey future dentists!
I recently took my DAT after rescheduling twice and experiencing a lot of stress and panic attacks. Looking back, I wish I had the knowledge and strategies I have now from the beginning. It would have saved me a lot of unnecessary expenses and stress. I’m sharing what I wish I’d known earlier in my journey, especially as a non-traditional student who moved to the US two years ago and whose first language isn’t English. Here’s a breakdown of what I learned:
BIO: 26 Initially, I used Bootcamp and found their videos and notes overwhelming. After switching to Booster, I found their biology videos much more concise and to the point. Booster's videos are shorter and more focused and the instructor has a motivating voice, making studying more manageable. My mistake was trying to study the old-school way by writing everything down, which didn’t work for me. Instead, I recommend watching Booster videos to understand the concepts and then using Booster Bio Anki to reinforce your memory. Understanding a concept isn't enough—you need to solidify it in your long-term memory with Anki. NOTE: I haven't taken anatomy or physiology yet—just booster videos and booster anki which got me to the 26.
GC: 23 For general chemistry, I used Bootcamp and Dr. Mike’s videos but discovered Dr. Chad’s free YouTube videos later on. Dr. Chad is excellent at getting straight to the point without any unnecessary details. If I could redo my prep, I would focus on Booster videos and question banks, and use Dr. Chad’s videos to clarify any difficult concepts.
OC: 23 Since I had only completed Organic Chemistry 1 before taking the DAT, I would have benefited from memorizing all the reactions from day one. Organic Chemistry is straightforward if you’ve completed both OC 1 and 2. Make sure you know the reactions and concepts like HNMR, CNMR, IR, aromaticity, degree of unsaturation, chirality, and R/S configuration. Use Booster videos and Anki to memorize these, and practice extensively to identify and address any gaps in your knowledge.
PAT: 21 Initially, I struggled with the PAT section, but daily practice made a huge difference. This section doesn’t require memorization—just consistent practice. Try to practice under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment. For angle ranking, start with questions that seem easier, and don’t spend too much time on each question. Think of the DAT like a game where you collect as many "coins" (correct answers) as possible before the "monster" (the timer) catches up with you.
RC: 18 Given that English is my second language, I was pleasantly surprised to score an 18 in Reading Comprehension. If English is your first language, you might find this section easier. Practice is key here; there’s a pattern in the questions that you’ll become familiar with through practice.
QR: 18 I was disappointed with my score here, especially since I performed better in practice tests. I encountered some unusual algebra problems that I struggled with, leading me to guess on some questions. If I could redo my prep, I’d recommend taking a QR crash course like Booster’s to improve your efficiency with probability and concentration problems, which are often a significant part of the section.
Summary:
Good luck, and may your journey to becoming a dentist be smooth and successful!
I recently took my DAT after rescheduling twice and experiencing a lot of stress and panic attacks. Looking back, I wish I had the knowledge and strategies I have now from the beginning. It would have saved me a lot of unnecessary expenses and stress. I’m sharing what I wish I’d known earlier in my journey, especially as a non-traditional student who moved to the US two years ago and whose first language isn’t English. Here’s a breakdown of what I learned:
BIO: 26 Initially, I used Bootcamp and found their videos and notes overwhelming. After switching to Booster, I found their biology videos much more concise and to the point. Booster's videos are shorter and more focused and the instructor has a motivating voice, making studying more manageable. My mistake was trying to study the old-school way by writing everything down, which didn’t work for me. Instead, I recommend watching Booster videos to understand the concepts and then using Booster Bio Anki to reinforce your memory. Understanding a concept isn't enough—you need to solidify it in your long-term memory with Anki. NOTE: I haven't taken anatomy or physiology yet—just booster videos and booster anki which got me to the 26.
GC: 23 For general chemistry, I used Bootcamp and Dr. Mike’s videos but discovered Dr. Chad’s free YouTube videos later on. Dr. Chad is excellent at getting straight to the point without any unnecessary details. If I could redo my prep, I would focus on Booster videos and question banks, and use Dr. Chad’s videos to clarify any difficult concepts.
OC: 23 Since I had only completed Organic Chemistry 1 before taking the DAT, I would have benefited from memorizing all the reactions from day one. Organic Chemistry is straightforward if you’ve completed both OC 1 and 2. Make sure you know the reactions and concepts like HNMR, CNMR, IR, aromaticity, degree of unsaturation, chirality, and R/S configuration. Use Booster videos and Anki to memorize these, and practice extensively to identify and address any gaps in your knowledge.
PAT: 21 Initially, I struggled with the PAT section, but daily practice made a huge difference. This section doesn’t require memorization—just consistent practice. Try to practice under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment. For angle ranking, start with questions that seem easier, and don’t spend too much time on each question. Think of the DAT like a game where you collect as many "coins" (correct answers) as possible before the "monster" (the timer) catches up with you.
RC: 18 Given that English is my second language, I was pleasantly surprised to score an 18 in Reading Comprehension. If English is your first language, you might find this section easier. Practice is key here; there’s a pattern in the questions that you’ll become familiar with through practice.
QR: 18 I was disappointed with my score here, especially since I performed better in practice tests. I encountered some unusual algebra problems that I struggled with, leading me to guess on some questions. If I could redo my prep, I’d recommend taking a QR crash course like Booster’s to improve your efficiency with probability and concentration problems, which are often a significant part of the section.
Summary:
- Bio: Focus on Booster videos and Anki. Use the cheat sheet in the last two weeks to refresh your memory.
- GC: Use Booster videos and question banks, and supplement with Dr. Chad’s free YouTube videos.
- OC: Memorize reactions and key concepts from day one, and practice extensively.
- PAT: Practice regularly and simulate timed conditions. Use strategies like starting with angle ranking.
- RC: Practice a lot to become familiar with question patterns. This should be easier if English is your first language.
- QR: Consider a QR crash course to enhance your problem-solving speed and efficiency.
Good luck, and may your journey to becoming a dentist be smooth and successful!
