DAT destroyer Questions and Plan of Attack

[kirkpat11]

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Hey guys,

I am in kinda of a unique situation, I basically made the mistake to take the Kaplan course, and it set me a little behind in my studies. It was a strong base and did at least get me studying a good amount, but I feel like I didn't concentrate on any specific details. The one thing I've noticed about everyone who has done extremely well is that they have used the DAT destroyer, as well as chad's videos. I just finished chad's videos today.

I bought the DAT destroyer and had it overnighted to me. I have exactly 19 days until my DAT. What is the best strategy in getting through it? Should I just dive in doing one section at a time not timing myself? Or take it like the actually test timing my self for each section?

Is it best to try in memorize it or attempt to understand every problem?

Thanks,

 

[ushaseos]

It takes 2-3 days for each section if you concentrate. Less if you are efficient. Do the sciences first, and skip QR if time is too tight. QR isn't all that important. Definitely better to understand problems. You can memorize things you don't know (like facts in bio or random reactions and formulas in chem).

Get a Solid TS/AA and do your best with PAT and RC. Kaplan has some pretty nice strategies and their test bank is nice (if you have it or have done it).

Of course if you feel REALLY unprepared, you can always postpone the test a little. It might cost like an extra 25 but its a hell of a lot better than 90 days of agonizing wait and a wallet $360 lighter 🙂. Not saying that you are, but you always have that option so there is no real rush!

 

[Dotoday]

I would only attempt to deeply understand every problem that you made a mistake on. Problems that you solved correctly, do not waste much time memorizing the answers. Only target the areas that you feel like you need help with. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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[kirkpat11]

Thanks,

I just don't want to postpone it. I started the Destroyer today and I was going to first conquer O-chem, then move to Gen chem, the QR. Do you think the destroyer actually helps that much for the Bio section?

I have the whole week off before my test due to spring break. I think I can get through this book before then though, so I'll just be reviewing.

 

[TXpredent]

I'm in the same boat! The Kaplan course has been wasting my time and has only added some general knowledge about some subjects. I did like the strategies for the PAT though. The Kaplan course will be over for me March 28th and I've been slowly but surely chugging through Chad's videos. I take the DAT mid May so hopefully I can do what you're doing and hammer through the DAT destroyer and just force random facts into my head.

Please keep in touch and let me know how the Destroyer is and how you fare on the DAT.

 

[kirkpat11]

Will do. I'm halfway trough the gen Chem Chen and organic chemistry in the destroyer now.

 

[ushaseos]

Thanks,

I just don't want to postpone it. I started the Destroyer today and I was going to first conquer O-chem, then move to Gen chem, the QR. Do you think the destroyer actually helps that much for the Bio section?

I have the whole week off before my test due to spring break. I think I can get through this book before then though, so I'll just be reviewing.

Yes it does help for bio because it introduces you to a TON of topics with just the right amount of depth! It is pretty helpful for the 3 core sciences. It is also good practice for QR but if you're short on time, it shouldn't take the highest priority.

I didn't even have the latest ed and I was working off a tattered old 2007 edition and still it felt to introduce me to a lot of new things in bio.

 

[Dotoday]

Good. More time is good. Just focus on the stuff you think you need to do more work on. If you feel that you know the topic, just move on. That would be the most efficient and less stressful use of your time.

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[adentistsomeday]

^ Ditto, but I did 40/30/30 a day and finished it once through. Tried a second time, but only had time to do half....wish I had more time. I think it helped me that way instead of just focusing on Chem, then moving on to Orgo, then Bio... I think it kept everything more fresh so I would be less likely to forget.

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[ToBeDDSS]

My advice is spend a week going over concepts you have difficulties with. go over the answers and understand them. then start timing yourself. Yes Destroyer does help in Bio. It has Tons of randoms facts. Also don't ignore the QR. know basic trig, probability, rate and mixtures, coin problems etc... It won't help if you do well in the sciences and then get a 13 or a 14 in the QR.

good luck

 

[kirkpat11]

Thanks for the help guys. A little bit of an update is I finished all the gen chem and organic chem twice. I am now working through the math destroyer and the Bio sections.
The bio is going pretty good, I'm getting about 70-80% on the first 100. I don't know if that's good or not. The math destroyer; however, isn't going too hot. I just finished test 4 and got a 25/40! I've been timing myself, because I understand the math, but just can't finish anything quick enough. Any advise? I hope this is a little more difficult than the test. I can simply improve my scores now by just skipping the longer ones, but I don't think that is going to help me in the long run.

 

[ushaseos]

QR is pretty lenient so long as you aren't shooting for a 30. I think you can miss up to 5 or 6 questions and still get a decent score (if not more). The more you practice math, the easier it becomes. You'll be able to do more calculations in your head and/or manipulate information the correct way.

Getting 80% right on Bio is great too. Just keep up the hard work till test day. I am glad you finished the Chem portions though. Those were definitely the most helpful portion of destroyer for me.

 

[kirkpat11]

I just got to practice test 11 in the destroyer and it's so much harder! Is it worth me even attempting to do these problems? I am a week out from test day and was trying to give my QR a little boost. Test 1-10 weren't bad, but 11 had several calculations within calculations that simply take way too long. Should I just study test 1-10 from this point on?