Alright, I'll simply post the way I prepared for this hellish exam:
1-If $$$ is not a problem, sign up for the KAPLAN course. Personally, I think the classroom course is a waste of time, but I think they charge the same amount for the classroom and the online course. Nevertheless, try to sign up for one of them, so you'll have access to their online resources, which include:
a)Bunch of quizzes
b)Lots of workshops to reinforce some of the more challenging concepts.
c)Three full-length exams (That alone will cost ~50$).
Anyways, you get the idea. You'll benefit from what they have to offer online, plus you'll get their review book, which although not sufficient on its own, it's a great way to review some of the general concepts.
I must say that the bio and o-chem sections on the actual DAT are more detailed than what KAPLAN teaches you:
For Bio, try to purchase Cliff's AP Biology in addition to your KAPLAN book. It's not expensive. I got mine for 11$ on amazon.com. It's easy to read and it covers each topic in depth and provides you with the details you need to know for the exam.
For O-chem, you need to know more reactions than what's mentioned in KAPLAN. Hopefully, you've kept your textbooks and/or notes from your O-chem classes. Go back to those and try to memorize as many reactions as possible.
For G-chem, try to get comfortable with the idea of solving problems using that stupid dry-erase board. Remember, NO CALCULATORS ARE ALLOWED, so try to get into the habbit of solving problems without using a calculator, while you're practicing. Destroyer should provide you with enough examples, so that you'll master the topics.
Personally, I started by reading the KAPLAN book. It took me roughly 1 month to finish it. After finishing that, move on to the following to get additional practice:
**Purchase Destroyer and do every single problem in that book. The problems tend to be more challenging than the real test, but you'll thank yourself for purchasing that book later.
**Purchase TopScore and/or Destroyer. Each will provide you with 3 additional full-length exams, so you can test your knowledge after you're done reviewing your material. They also help you with your time management skills, and give you a general idea of how the actual test would look like.
Many people are talking about CDP for the PAT section. It's not a cheap software. I bought it for ~ 99$ if I remember correctly, but I believe there's a cheaper version (provides you with fewer questions) available. Despite the fact that the PAT section of my DAT was much more challenging than what I saw on KAPLAN and CDP, but CDP is a great way to practice for PAT.
I'm not in a position to give out any advice for the QR section, since I did horrible on this section. So, I'll save you headache.
For RC, it simply a matter of practice. You need to find the appropriate paste that works for you. Read too fast and you'll miss many of the info you need to answer the questions; read too slow and you'll run out of time before you know it. There are two major different kinds of strategies out there:
1)The KAPLAN method...You'll hear about this, should you sign up for a KAPLAN course.
2)Seek and destroy...Search this formu to learn more about this technique.
Hope this helps.
Good Luck and have fun studying for the DAT👍
