PAT 21 (79.0)
QR 16 (63.5)
RC 22 (84.4)
BIO 20 (88.0)
CHEM 20 (79.8)
ORGO 22 (90.4)
TS 21 (91.6)
AA 20 (87.6)
Preparing for the DAT is a tremendous undertaking; nevertheless it is doable. That being said I believe it takes three things to excel on the DAT:
1. Proper work ethic
2. Proper study materials
3. Proper studying methods
1. Proper work ethic:
I studied overall for 3 months. I dedicated my life to the DAT. I was in school during the first 2 months, so I had to balance my course load with the studying but I was systematic and methodical about studying. I made myself a study schedule and made sure that I kept on top of myself. During the last few weeks when school ended I pounded DATs I would do 8-10 hour days. It was brutal - but well worth it.
2. Proper study materials:
For the sciences the only way to go is the DAT Destroyer. Its really comprehensive and very representative of the material on the actual DAT. I think it is the best resource out there, and essential for anyone prepping for the DAT. For CHEM and ORGO the DAT destroyer was the only resource I used. For BIO I also used Cliffs notes as well, and looked up certain concepts online that I didnt know.
For PAT I used Crack DAT PAT. I used the ten test version. The first test I took completely blew me away I was not even close to finishing in the allotted time and my score was terrible. By the end I was consistently getting 21s and 22s and time was not an issue. Dont get discouraged, keep on working at it. With the PAT its all about practice.
For reading I used Crack The DAT Reading, also had the ten test version for that. Different methods worked for different people. I sort of had a haphazard method, combination of search and destroy but also reading the paragraph all the way through. You kind of just have to practice and find what works best for you.
Math was always my weakest subject. I knew it would be my Achilles heal. I used the math destroyer, and it definitely helped me. That being said, I did not put enough time into the math and it showed. If I could do it again, I would have started prepping for math with the math destroyer in the summer and continued throughout the school year. I also ran out of time on the math section on the actual test. Its really important to move quickly in the math section.
3. Proper studying Methods:
Everybody has different methods that work for them. One thing I would recommend though is a program called ANKI. There have been posts about it before on SDN. That is actually how I learned about it in the first place. There is an enormous amount of material to memorize, especially for bio. Each day I would add new concepts that I reviewed that day and things I needed to know to my BIO deck. Before I went to sleep every night I made sure to go over my cards. I had 543 bio cards, about 60 chem cards and 90 orgo cards. It sounds like a lot but ANKI spaces it out and makes it doable. I highly recommend it; it helped me a lot. It is also important to stay organized, there is a lot to cover, but if you can keep organized and in order its helpful. If necessary, make a daily schedule for yourself each day.
SDN was a great help for me, I want to thank all those who posted and shared their experiences and tips. The DAT is a huge undertaking and you need to be dedicated to doing the necessary work. Its a tough road, but it is well worth it. The hard work really pays off. The key is to pace yourself and not to get discouraged or frustrated when things arent going your way.
QR 16 (63.5)
RC 22 (84.4)
BIO 20 (88.0)
CHEM 20 (79.8)
ORGO 22 (90.4)
TS 21 (91.6)
AA 20 (87.6)
Preparing for the DAT is a tremendous undertaking; nevertheless it is doable. That being said I believe it takes three things to excel on the DAT:
1. Proper work ethic
2. Proper study materials
3. Proper studying methods
1. Proper work ethic:
I studied overall for 3 months. I dedicated my life to the DAT. I was in school during the first 2 months, so I had to balance my course load with the studying but I was systematic and methodical about studying. I made myself a study schedule and made sure that I kept on top of myself. During the last few weeks when school ended I pounded DATs I would do 8-10 hour days. It was brutal - but well worth it.
2. Proper study materials:
For the sciences the only way to go is the DAT Destroyer. Its really comprehensive and very representative of the material on the actual DAT. I think it is the best resource out there, and essential for anyone prepping for the DAT. For CHEM and ORGO the DAT destroyer was the only resource I used. For BIO I also used Cliffs notes as well, and looked up certain concepts online that I didnt know.
For PAT I used Crack DAT PAT. I used the ten test version. The first test I took completely blew me away I was not even close to finishing in the allotted time and my score was terrible. By the end I was consistently getting 21s and 22s and time was not an issue. Dont get discouraged, keep on working at it. With the PAT its all about practice.
For reading I used Crack The DAT Reading, also had the ten test version for that. Different methods worked for different people. I sort of had a haphazard method, combination of search and destroy but also reading the paragraph all the way through. You kind of just have to practice and find what works best for you.
Math was always my weakest subject. I knew it would be my Achilles heal. I used the math destroyer, and it definitely helped me. That being said, I did not put enough time into the math and it showed. If I could do it again, I would have started prepping for math with the math destroyer in the summer and continued throughout the school year. I also ran out of time on the math section on the actual test. Its really important to move quickly in the math section.
3. Proper studying Methods:
Everybody has different methods that work for them. One thing I would recommend though is a program called ANKI. There have been posts about it before on SDN. That is actually how I learned about it in the first place. There is an enormous amount of material to memorize, especially for bio. Each day I would add new concepts that I reviewed that day and things I needed to know to my BIO deck. Before I went to sleep every night I made sure to go over my cards. I had 543 bio cards, about 60 chem cards and 90 orgo cards. It sounds like a lot but ANKI spaces it out and makes it doable. I highly recommend it; it helped me a lot. It is also important to stay organized, there is a lot to cover, but if you can keep organized and in order its helpful. If necessary, make a daily schedule for yourself each day.
SDN was a great help for me, I want to thank all those who posted and shared their experiences and tips. The DAT is a huge undertaking and you need to be dedicated to doing the necessary work. Its a tough road, but it is well worth it. The hard work really pays off. The key is to pace yourself and not to get discouraged or frustrated when things arent going your way.
