DAT compared to Kaplan Diagnostic and Midterm Tests

[Pro-Dentite]

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Does anyone know how similar they are?

I've been studying Organic for about 2 weeks and I worked the organic section on the Kaplan test earlier today(someone gave me their old kaplan tests). I got 25/30 correct on both tests, so I was pleased, but I'm not sure how accurate these tests are compared to the real thing.

I plan to take the DAT around the second week of June.

 

[NCSMILES]

If you are getting 25/30 correct, you will be in good shape. In my opinion the Kaplan materials are one of the best ways to prepare and is somewhat similar to the actual DAT. But honestly, the difference in the Kaplan and real deal isn't so much the content of the question, but the stress of the environment. While you are studying and doing the practice test you are in a different mind set than you will be when you are sitting there taking the actual DAT.

Its obvious you have the background info with 25/30 correct, so the thing you should be doing from now until your actual test is taking full-length practice tests in a semi-accurate environment (i.e. away from home, in a quiet room, using a timer, etc). This will get you ready for the mental fatigue of the real thing.

Overall it sounds like you are on the way to success! Good luck!! 🙂

 

[Calculus1]

NC is right, I took the Kaplan course and I couldn't get above a 19 on any one subject, but I did much better on the actual DAT. I would study and use the subject tests until you can't stand it anymore. Then, the day before the test, don't do anything study related (maybe drink a beer or two before you go to sleep).

 

[surgeon]

I have noticed that the Kaplan diagonstics exam's are a bit hard on the biology sector. Kaplan goes a little too much in to logical thinking in there questions. If you read the Kaplan book on endocinology and then take their tests it seems that some of the questions on the test are not mentioned in the book at all, denoting that you have to have a better backround. But thats not true people with different majors are taking the DAT, so it wont be that specfic on the actual biology part of the DAT. The other parts are pretty similiar

 

[edkNARF]

the kaplan practice materials, midterm, and final SCIENCE questions very similar in scope and difficulty to the actual DAT. The RC portion was much easier than anything that was on kaplan or topscore (escpecially topscore). the math was very similar to kaplan, it was easier than topscore. the topscore is close to DAT, but the real thign is harder. kaplan PAT is a joke, especially angles.

 

[sxr71]

NC is right, I took the Kaplan course and I couldn't get above a 19 on any one subject, but I did much better on the actual DAT. I would study and use the subject tests until you can't stand it anymore. Then, the day before the test, don't do anything study related (maybe drink a beer or two before you go to sleep).

That's pretty funny. It reminded me of a time when I was in India during my BS, we have one final exam (for each subject) that is the sole determinant of the grade of your entire year's work, much like one could argue that the DAT is the single most important determinant of your undersanding of one year of undergraduate science study in each subject for the purposes of dental school. The day before the Biology final when it was time for some sink or swim last minute studying, I suggested to my friend that we get a drink to "take the edge off." I really meant it. So we went to the liquor store and got some rum. I drank one and a half shots of rum in coke and started studying, while my friend didn't stop and ended up having a couple of shots.

He ended up having to remediate, while I did well. I just remembered this true story when I read your post.

I really think the alcohol helped me at that moment just relax a bit and concentrate the material instead getting worked up over the volume of material to cover.


So I totally agree with the beer idea, but it would be funny (or tragic depending on how you look at it) if someone were to drink so much as to be hung over during their DAT.

So let's stick to just one or two beers and save the rest for after the DAT 😀 .