DAT Breakdowns: this is starting to get annoying.

[vicsin]

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Okay so I completely appreciate the people who take the time to write breakdowns and give advice to others but with my test coming in just a month, a lot of things are starting to get on my nerves and discourage me...

It seems like everyone on here who posts has been able to progress throughout their studying much better than I ever will and they have done less than I do. All these people say they are getting 20+ in their first few attempts at CDP tests. I have taken 2 and got 19/18. I am afraid to do more for further disappointment...

I have been studying in odd intervals. 1 month in winter break (pretty much just went over Destroyer a few times and began teaching myself the PAT.)
I took the 2 weeks I had of spring break later to refresh destroyer and memorize a set of over 400 Bio anki cards I made based on the Destroyer things I always get wrong/don't really understand.

Now all this doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere!!! People say Destroyer is the best thing in the world but I feel like after repeating it so many times and still getting 18-19's on any practice tests I do, makes no sense. I have gotten some scores in the high 20's range but these are just Kaplan Subject Tests I am working on with no timing. Perhaps I am memorizing questions without really understanding the content...
I have also read cliff's and made concise notes that seemed to really boost my knowledge as bio is my worst and normally the section leaves me clueless. I am praying for just an 18 on it....

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Just starting to doubt that I am smart enough to do well when I see what others have done and my own efforts seem so pathetic. Anyone actually struggle through studying and still manage to do well? Or is this site just for the genius type A personalities to post on? Most people seem to have such a smooth time studying and it makes me want to rip my hair out. O_O

Need encouragement ! x_x

 

[PhansterZ]

I don't think SDN is representative of the majority of applicants.

If it makes u feel any better, my first 3 scores for Crack Dat Pat was 18, 18, 19. I got better from there, and ended up scoring 22 on the real thing. There are good guides up here on individual sections of the PAT. I've made significant improvements to my PAT within a 4 week period.

Did you read through and understand the chemistries before attempting destroyer? Destroyer is a book of questions. You have to have a strong background first before trying these questions. The Kaplan BB has them summarized pretty well. You should try to get through it twice before trying DAT destroyer.

Just keep on pushing. 👍

 

[Strag]

Studying for the DAT is a grind. If you get a question wrong, go through it and learn it. Don't be discouraged in the beginning if you get a lot of questions wrong. It's supposed to happen that way. The next day keep telling yourself that you're going to be better than you were yesterday. Stop comparing yourself to others. Know what you can do and push yourself even more. Doing well on the DAT is definitely doable.

 

[sbdento]

Don't worry how other people are doing. Just do your best, that's all you can do.

 

[rav4182]

i was getting 18 and 19 on my first few cdp test and on the real thing got a 21.

bio is a pain in the ass. no matter how much you study its still hard.

 

[dentalWorks]

For every 22+AA you see on SDN... there are 99 other non-22s whom don't post lol

There is a reason why a score of 22+ is usually between 95-99%

 

[vicsin]

Thanks for the responses guys 🙂.

Prior to doing Destroyer I read Kaplan BB once and Cliff's AP Bio once (didn't retain much). I tutor and TA Gen Chem/Orgo so those should be okay for me. I just happened to realize a lot of things I was cloudy about when I did an unfamiliar practice section. I learn everything through intense repetition but I feel that Destroyer must be lacking some basic fundamental stuff that I need to brush up on.

Anyway, today some friends pressured me into hanging out and I caved. (Needy friends never understand all the studying I have to do.) Tomorrow I am playing catch up to keep up with a schedule I made and I will be starting some 10-12 hours days ;-D. Wish me luck <3.

anddd I don't need that 22+...I just want 19-20 in all sections. That's all I ask! I will be so happy, you have no idea.

 

[invictusx]

20/21 on practice tests and 23 on the real thing! [academic average]

20/21 on practice tests and 25 on the real thing! [total science]

 

[jhanago]

For every 22+AA you see on SDN... there are 99 other non-22s whom don't post lol

There is a reason why a score of 22+ is usually between 95-99%

if you take NOTHING else away from this forum... take that

 

[glo1984]

if you take nothing else away from this forum... Take that

+1

 

[wizi]

To SDN, 19 and 20 are considered "not good" even though its 86-92%.